Index to Nigerian Newspapers

The nation’s capital, Abuja, is agog as President Bola Tinubu inaugurates the minister-designate who would constitute the Federal Executive Council (FEC) today.  

In a statement by Director of Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey, the process was seamless as each of them took less than 10 minutes to conclude the process.

He also said invitation cards for the three guests per minister-designate were successfully handed over to each them for onward delivery to their invited guests.  

Bassey also said arrangements have been concluded to convey the ministers-designate from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to the venue of swearing-in ceremony.

He said: “We can authoritatively inform our colleagues (journalists) that as the documentation winds down today, so far we have successfully documented over 40 Ministers-Designate.

“The process was seamless as there were four registration points and it took the Ministers less than 10 minutes to complete the process.

The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs will, tomorrow, meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geof­frey Onyeama, over claims that some states were omitted from the ambassadorial list sent to the chamber for approval by President Mu­hammadu Buhari. Two members of the committee, Enyinnaya Abaribe and Sonni Ogbuoji, who confirmed that the minister would appear before the lawmakers, could not, however, establish whether Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir Lawal, would also be at the meeting. Onyeama and Lawal were also expected to explain to the lawmakers the perceived irregularities in the list of nominees, including the alleged selection of some junior officers in foreign service for ambassadorial appoint­ments instead of their superiors. However, the two public servants did not meet with the committee as scheduled before the National Assembly went on the short recess. Dariye had, while making his submissions, observed that the ambassadorial list was full of omissions and irregularities and should be corrected before the Senate could consider it for approval. He alleged that, in his state, Plateau, those nominated by the president who were not qualified as senior career officers in the foreign service from the state were left out, while their junior counterparts were picked. The prayer was adopted, leading to the invitation of the minister and the SGF.

President Bola Tinubu on Sunday evening met with the Northern Governors, whose states are sharing boundary with Niger Republic at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. 

Although the agenda of the meeting was not made public, a presidency source said it was part of consultations by the President on the situation in Niger.

The governors in attendance were Ahmed Aliyu (Sokoto), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Mai Malam Buni (Yobe), Idris Nasir (Kebbi) and Dr Dikko Radda (Katsina).

It was gathered that the Northern Elites have kicked against any military might against the military juncta following what would be the consequence of such action on Nigeria.

The meeting according to a presidency source was convened to get input from the northern Governors as the seven day ultimatum for the military to reinstate the overthrown President has expired. Recall that the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government had about a week ago given ultimatum to the military junca that sacked the democratically elected President, Mohamed Bazoum.

EX-govs had all the aces in Tinubus' population in the world. kashim, shettima was born on september2, 1966, in maiduguri, borno to the family of shettima mustafa knittayibe. He attended lanmeila primary school in maiduguri from 1972 to1978, Government community secondary school. petiskum, where he completed his secondary education in 1983. He studied at the university of maiduguri obtained a degree  Bsc in Agricultural economics in 1989. He did his national youth service corps NYSC, at the defund bank calabar, cross river state between 1989 and1990. He obtained  a masters' degree msc in Agricultural Economics in 1991.

The Presidency debunked a report that tuition fees in the federal universities have been increased, saying there was no such thing.Recall that many universities and unity schools ( federal government colleges) have announced an increase in the fees paid by students.Unity schools which are owned by the federal government increased fees from N45,000 to N100, 000.Besides, various universities have announced the new fees to be paid by students and the development has attracted outcry from parents and students.The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, also told the government to perish the idea of fees hike.But reacting to the plethora of complaints against the alleged hike in school fees in the ivory tower, Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications & Strategy, Mr. Dele Alake, said in a statement that federal universities were tuition free.Alake explained that what happened was that some universities introduced discretionary charges for hostel accommodation, registration, laboratory and other charges which, according to him, are not tuition.The statement read: “It was widely reported earlier this week across some news media outlets that the Federal Government had increased tuition fees in federal universities in the country.“These reports are inaccurate and not correct. We are aware that some universities have in recent weeks announced increase in the amount payable by students on sundry charges.Continuing, he said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to his promise of ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of the economic situation of their parents, have access to quality tertiary education.“Parts of the government’s plans to make sure all diligent students complete their education on time, notwithstanding their parents’ financial situation, include work-study, merit-based scholarships and grants.”

The president candidate of the peoples Democratic party PDP in last general election Atiku Abubakar, has prayed  the presidential Election petition Tribunal to summon enough courage to do substantial justice to his petition   seeking the nullification of Bola Tinubu as winner of the feburary 25 election . Atiku in his finaladdress submitted that ciontrary to threat of Tinubu is sacked by the tribunal as Nigeria president on the account of massive electoral fraud that brought him to the office.Atiku ask Tribunal to invoke the courage displayed in the past supreme judgement to settle his petition against Tinubu by disregarding the threat of monumental chaos issued by Tinubu to shield himself from justice.

President Muhammadu Buhari has given his best for the country and expects Nigerians to acknowledge the same after he leaves office. He plans to take a well-deserved rest after leaving office in 17 months and is looking forward to his exit from office, saying age is telling on him from working long hours every day. He also said no person accused of corruption can go scot-free even if they join his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). Many Nigerians believe that opposition politicians accused of corruption or on trial for corruption join the APC to avoid being punished. President Buhari argued that corruption is a continuous problem in developing countries, and urged the people to live within their means. He also wanted the people to be given the freedom of choice through direct, indirect and consensus channels. He urged members of the APC to put the party in order ahead of its convention to prevent the opposition from taking over the government.

The Enugu State governor, Peter Mbah has met with President Bola Tinubu behind closed doors at the presidential villa where he requested for the release of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu. He briefed state house correspondents after the meeting, said that Kanu's release would be interpreted as the extension of the President's hands of fellowship to the Ndigbo. he requested for more security presence in his state following the announcement of his government banning Monday sit-at-home order. he also disclosed that he requested that the federal government collaborate with his state to exploit the mineral resources to unlock potentials and expand the economy 

President Bola Tinubu has  challenged Nigerians to be prepared to pay more tax as he expressed his administration’s commitment to break the cycle of over-reliance on borrowing for public spending that results in burden of debt servicing. 

Inaugurating the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms (PCFPTR) in Abuja, he charged the committee to improve the country’s revenue profile and business environment.

A key target set by the Federal Government is to achieve an 18 per cent Tax-to-GDP ratio within three years. 

He directed all government ministries and departments to cooperate fully with the committee towards achieving its mandate.

Tinubu said the committee has the responsibility of assisting the administration in meeting the high expectations of citizens to make their lives better. The birth of the committee is in tandem with President Tinubu’s commitment to eliminating obstacles that hinder business growth in Nigeria. The committee, constituted on July 7 is led by Taiwo Oyedele, a seasoned expert in fiscal policy and taxation from Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC).

The President was painstaking in his choice of ministerial nominees, the Presidency said yesterday. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s list of 28 would-be ministers was made available by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary yesterday. 

Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, who delivered the correspondence, which contained the list and a request for confirmation, said additional nominees’ list will be sent “in the coming days”.

Speaking to reporters in Aso Villa, he said: “I’m sure you all know that the government is not fully formed until a cabinet is in place. “That process started a while ago, culminating in the delivery of ministerial nominees today. “The President took his time, “He had 60 days from the time of inauguration, as stipulated in the Constitution. He has fulfilled that requirement by submitting 28 names. Each of the persons on that list, I believe, is worth being there.

The newly-appointed and confirmed Service Chiefs, pledged the loyalty of the Nigerian Armed Forces to the government, saying, “We will go wherever we are ordered, whether by air, sea or land. We will ensure that Nigeria is projected in good light.” They made the pledge shortly after being decorated with their new ranks by President Bola Tinubu at the ceremony that took place at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The new Service Chiefs, whose nominations were confirmed by the Senate on July 13, are the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla. Speaking on their behalf after being decorated, the CDS, Musa, expressed their commitment to safeguarding the security and defence of the nation in their respective positions. “Our appointment is a clear manifestation of the confidence reposed in us and recognition of our humble abilities to deliver for our dear nation. We pledge to carry out our duties with utmost dedication and full loyalty,” he said.

President Bola Tinubu has promised to involve Nigerians in the Diaspora in the designing, implementation and review of public policies as well as plans and programmes. Tinubu, disclosed this yesterday, while giving his remark at the 2023 Diaspora Day celebration in Abuja, with the theme, “Consolidating Diaspora engagement for national development.” The president, who was represented at the event by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, said the government was not unmindful of the contribution of the Nigerians in Diaspora to the economy. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, on his part, advised all Nigerians to key into the federal government development agenda. He stressed that all Nigerians, “both at home and Diaspora should key into our development agenda as only Nigerians can develop Nigeria. This includes both those at home and those in the Diaspora.”

In exercising the powers vested in him under the 1999 constitution as amended, President Bola Tinubu yesterday at the state house assented to a fresh amendment of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He signed into law the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 presented by the outgoing 9th National Assembly. With the signing of the constitutional amendment bill, retirement age and pension rights of judicial officers have been effectively brought into uniformity. He also pledge his administration's dedication to strengthening the judiciary, ensuring the rule of law and empowerment of judicial officers to execute their responsibilities 

President Bola Tinubu has described as unacceptable the attempted coup in Niger Republic on monday morning by yet to be identified military men . presidential guards, yesterday, held prersident mohamed Bazoum inside his palace in capital Namely , but the presidency said the guards had started an ''anti-republic'' movement  ''in vain '' and that Bazoum was well. In a statement, the Benin presidency said the national army was ready to attack them if they did not come to their senses.The statement followed reports that presidential guards had cut access to the presidential palace and blocked Bazoums' inside raising concern West Africas'' sixth coup since 2020 could be under way. Reacting, Tinubu said in a statement thatthe leadership of ECOWAS would  not tolerate any situation that incapcities te democratically-elected government. The countrys' last occurted in feburary 2010, overthrowing then president Mamodou Tandja, However, there was an attemted putsch on March 31, 2021 just two days before Bazoums' inauguration, according  to security source at the time several people were arrested, including the suspected ringleader, an Airforce captain named sani Gourouza. He was arrested in neighbouring Benin and handed over to the Niger autorities.

President Bola Tinu charged the 45 newly inaugurated Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to prioritise the interests and welfare of the entire nation and its diverse population, above any regional or state-specific considerations. Speaking at the inauguration of new members of the Federal Executive Council at the State House Conference Centre, the President underscored the immense responsibility the ministers now bear in shaping policies that will significantly influence the lives of hundreds of millions of Nigerians. The President also reminded the new ministers that they can not disappoint Nigerians, who expect them to serve with integrity, dignity and competence to actualise the Renewed Hope manifesto of the administration—failing which he will not hesitate to take necessary remedial measures. He further affirmed that the newly appointed ministers were selected based on their track records of excellence in both the public and private sectors, noting their effective representation of the rich diversity present within Nigeria. The event was witnessed by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, among other dignitaries.

Economists and civil society organisations have backed the appointment of a special investigator to probe the Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited and other Government Business Entities by President Bola Tinubu.

The experts and groups in separate interviews with The PUNCH on Sunday said the investigation was necessary to ascertain if there were any infractions or alleged abuse of office by the suspended CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, and other top government officials.

Their comments came on the heels of Tinubu’s appointment of the former Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, Jim Obazee, as Special Investigator to probe the CBN, NNPCL, and other Government Business Entities.

In a letter sighted by The PUNCH on Sunday, Tinubu directed the special investigator to work with security and anti-corruption agencies  to provide a comprehensive report on public wealth currently in the hands of corrupt individuals and establishments, whether private or public.