Index to Nigerian Newspapers

The Zamfara state government has disbursed N40,000 each to 8,593 vulnerable beneficiaries, as announced by AGILE coordinator Sa’adatu Abdu Gusau. The payments were made directly to beneficiaries' bank accounts, allowing for ATM withdrawals. Complaints can be addressed via suggestion boxes, a GRM line, or official correspondence. Governor Dr. Dauda Lawal also inaugurated the distribution of over N1 billion under the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) program to support local businesses, with varying grants for nano, micro, and small businesses. In December 2024, Governor Lawal distributed N5 billion to assist 44,000 vulnerable individuals as part of a COVID-19 recovery initiative.

The Nigerian Court of Appeal (PCA) is handling 1,209 petitions and 813 cases from primaries for the 2023 general election. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem urged politicians to manage their affairs and focus on national economic development. The court has 98 panels and 39,526 appeals pending as of 31st August 2023. She commended Justices and support staff for their performance and urged the Federal Government to improve the welfare and work condition of court officials.

The Intercontinental Marketing and Communication Consortium (IMCC) has issued an apology to the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) for deploying the "All Eyes on the Judiciary" billboard without an approval certificate. The agency acknowledged breaching Article 24(a) of the Nigeria Advertising Practice Code, which requires all advertising, marketing communications, and related materials to undergo ARCON's vetting process and secure the ASP's approval certificate before public exposure. IMCC stated that the agency sent artwork to ARCON liaison officer Markus Inji Lukman, who provided reassurances that the material would be approved.

Sierra Leone's President, Julius Maada Bio, has declared a nationwide curfew following an attack by unidentified gunmen on military barracks in Freetown. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) condemned the plot to disturb the peace and constitutional order in the country. The curfew was imposed as security forces continue to search for fleeing renegades. ECOWAS called for the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the illegality and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the government and people of Sierra Leone's quest for democracy and good governance. The incident also revealed that some inmates from the central prison in Freetown had escaped, and authorities are investigating. The U.S. embassy in Freetown has criticized the recent attack, stating that such actions were not justified.

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Enugu State has praised Governor Peter Mbah for extending the minimum wage to primary school teachers after years of waiting. NUT chairman Theophilus Nweke stated that Mbah was ready to pay wage awards and resolve the three-year minimum wage dispute with the past administration. NUT has praised Mbah's commitment to teachers' welfare and has implemented four of its five-point demands.

France plans to withdraw 1,500 troops from Niger following a July coup, a significant blow to French influence and counter-insurgency operations in the Sahel region. Macron refuses to recognize the junta as Niger's legitimate authority and will coordinate troop withdrawal with coup leaders. France's military base in Niger has become a hub of anti-French protests.

The Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress have been warned that their planned strike on October 3 will violate a court order and disrespect the court's dignity. The strike is based on fuel subsidy removal, fuel price hikes, and workers' welfare, and Justice Olufunke Anuwe restrained them from proceeding.

The Southeast region's governors and leaders have called for unity to overcome insecurity, agitation, and infrastructure deficits. They emphasized the importance of working together to accelerate development. The summit, organized by the governors and Ohanaeze Ndigbo, aimed to address challenges posed by individualism and divisiveness. The theme was "Southern Beyond 2023, Time for a Reset." Governors urged the Igbo people to believe in their capacity to turn things around despite insecurity. WTO chief Okonjo-Iweala blamed economic and security challenges on disunity among leaders and the people.

Blessing Chizurum Daniel, a 2019 Abia State University (ABSU) Law graduate, chose law due to her detest for injustice. Growing up, she witnessed a wealthy young man brutalizing an older victim with impunity, which inspired her to pursue a career in law. Despite setbacks, she found life-saving courses and the supportive faculty at ABSU to make her journey smooth. Daniel's passion for reaching out to people and her desire to help those who can't stand up for themselves led her to choose law.Law School impacted the author's confidence and self-confidence, leading to a shift from active to reserved behavior. They experienced a call to bar ceremony and a greater responsibilities as a lawyer, allowing them to handle tasks better than their older siblings. The author advises students to try their best and brainstorm with fellow students. The author also appreciates the unique wig and gown style in the profession, which adds glamour. The author believes the beauty of the profession lies in experiencing it in its entirety, rather than just as a judge, SAN, or professor.

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the World Trade Organisation's Director General, emphasized the need for countries to ratify the fisheries subsidies agreement, stating that despite geopolitical tensions, the multilateral trading system remains resilient. She highlighted the importance of focusing on the 13th Ministerial Conference deliverables, taking responsibility for ocean over-fishing, and negotiating the second phase of fisheries subsidies.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of nine new Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for five-year terms. The appointments are subject to Senate confirmation. The RECs include Isah Ehimeakne from Edo, Bamidele Agbede from Ekiti, Jani Bello from Gombe, Taiye Ilayasu from Kwara, and Bunmi Omoseyindemi from Lagos. The appointments are expected to uphold professional and ethical conduct.

Nigeria's UTM Offshore Ltd, owner of Nigeria's first Floating Liquified Natural Gas (UTM FLNG) company, is optimistic about President Tinubu's commitment to revamp the nation's productive sector. The company plans to collaborate with global energy conglomerates to ensure affordable gas, reduce prices, create jobs, and lower gas flaring hazards.

Governor Dauda Lawal announced a state of emergency in education and health sectors in Zamfara, aiming to revamp these areas for the benefit of citizens. During a meeting with the management of the newly established Federal University of Medical Sciences and Health Technology in Tsafe, he emphasized his administration's commitment to improving these sectors, highlighting an investment of over 8 billion naira in the university. Vice Chancellor Professor Ibrahim Yakasai commended the governor for prioritizing education and health, asserting that the university addresses the critical need for advanced medical facilities in Nigeria. Both leaders expressed a united effort for the university's success, focusing on collaboration and support for smooth operations as it begins its initiatives.