Index to Nigerian Newspapers

NGF, Labour leaders seek forensic probe of NNPC's figures, alleging fraud. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited has presented a bill of N3 trillion for deliberations at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari. This is the amount required to continue to subsidise petroleum products for the 18 months extension recently approved by the Presidency. The Minister of Finance Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, explained that FEC considered the request so as to make additional funding provisions that will enable government meet incremental fuel subsidy payment in the 2022 budget. However, the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have blamed the NNPC for the mismanagement of the proceeds accruing from oil. The Council directed the ministry to approach the National Assembly for an amendment to the fiscal framework, including the budget.

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the military to respond "robustly" to the cases of killings and kidnappings in Kaduna State and to give effect to the strategic objectives through the use of force. He has also set the ball rolling for a major military operation in communities, where bandits and remnants of fleeing Boko Haram terrorists attarks.

The Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority (KSSQA) has shut down two Islamiyah schools indefinitely over the alleged rape of a six-year-old girl and impregnation of another 12- year-old girl. The Overseer of the KSSQA, Mr. Idris Aliyu, explained that the six-year old girl was violated within the school premises and the school authority covered it up. Governor Nasir El-Rufai has ordered that the Islamiyah be shut down indefinitely until the investigation is concluded and the culprit produced. The headmaster of the school will be held responsible for the act until all persons in the school are profiled and the perpetrator identified by the survivor and prosecuted. The Head Teacher of the Islamiyah School in Kaduna denied the allegation of a rape, but the grandmother of the survivor, Hajiya Batul Gambo, insisted that her grandchild was violated. A medical report signed by Dr. A Raji confirmed Gambo's claim, attributing the bleeding to virginal bruising of the labia minora, bilaterally periurethral bruising, heamatoma of the clitoris and laceration of the hymen. The 12-year-old girl in Kachia was six months pregnant and the school was shut down as directed by EL-Rufai. The two schools will remain closed until investigations are concluded and the culprit prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority (KSSQA) has shut down two Islamiyah schools indefinitely over the alleged rape of a six-year-old girl and impregnation of another 12- year-old girl. The Overseer of the KSSQA, Mr. Idris Aliyu, explained that the six-year old girl was violated within the school premises and the school authority covered it up. Governor Nasir El-Rufai has ordered that the Islamiyah be shut down indefinitely until the investigation is concluded and the culprit produced. The headmaster of the school will be held responsible for the act until all persons in the school are profiled and the perpetrator identified by the survivor and prosecuted. The Head Teacher of the Islamiyah School in Kaduna denied the allegation of a rape, but the grandmother of the survivor, Hajiya Batul Gambo, insisted that her grandchild was violated. A medical report signed by Dr. A Raji confirmed Gambo's claim, attributing the bleeding to virginal bruising of the labia minora, bilaterally periurethral bruising, heamatoma of the clitoris and laceration of the hymen. The 12-year-old girl in Kachia was six months pregnant and the school was shut down as directed by EL-Rufai. The two schools will remain closed until investigations are concluded and the culprit prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Tofa died yesterday at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano State, 29 years after losing his presidential bid to Chief Moshood Abiola. The Presidency, Northern groups and politicians have mourned the business tycoon, with President Muhammadu Buhari sending a delegation to Kano with a condolence letter to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. To honour Tofa, the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has postponed its security summit scheduled for January 5 and 6, 2022. Mai Mala Buni, AREWA Consultative Forum (ACF) and Northern Speakers Forum (NSF) expressed sadness over the death of Tofa, a successful businessman from Kano and one of those who invested their time, energy and money to form ACF. ACF Spokesman Emmanuel Yawe said Tofa was peaceful and patriotic, while NSF Chairman Yusuf Zailani said he was a perfect gentleman. NEF's Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said the North has lost an indefatigable defender of its dignity and values, Nigeria lost an illustrious son, and NEF lost a loyal founding member. APC chieftain, Prof. Vitalis Ajumbe, described Tofa as a man of peace, who believed in one Nigeria and good governance.

The Bishop of Anglican Communion, Kaduna Diocese, Timothy Yahaya, has told President Muhammadu Buhari that he has lost grip on good governance in Nigeria, just as political leaders are no longer accountable to the people. He argued that the fight against corruption, insecurity and the economic policies of the current administration had gone worse, but urged Nigerians not to lose hope because there will be recovery and transformationin 2022.. He also called  the government to visit every scene where killings happened in the country to show how affectionate they are to the people, and for the world to also judge on the issue of security. The Atiku Kawai Media Group has urged Nigerians to vote for leaders that would ensure unity and progress in the country come 2023, citing insecurity and poor living standards as challenges. The North Central Nigeria for Good Governance (NCNGG) has backed ex-Senate President Bukola Saraki for the 2023 presidential race, citing his five unique attributes.