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Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 25th November, 2024
1. ‘Tinubu Is Not An Accidental Leader’ – Presidency Replies Kukah
The Presidency has rejected claims by the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, that President Bola Tinubu is an accidental leader, insisting that the president was well-prepared for the position.
Reacting to Bishop Kukah’s remarks, the Presidency described Tinubu as a reformer whose leadership is already impacting various sectors of the country.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in his reaction, said, “He (Tinubu) is not an accidental leader, he is doing his best to ensure that we have a turn around in this country.”
2. It Is Preposterous For Anyone To Claim That We Failed To Honour Ifeanyi Ubah – Senate
The Senate has addressed allegations of abandoning late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
Naija News reports that Ubah who was the Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream died on 26th July, 2024.
However, there have being reports that the Senate was not properly represented during Ubah’s burial.
Reacting to the allegation in a statement on Sunday by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, APC, Ekiti South, the lawmakers stated that there was no truth to the claim.
They insisted that the late politician was accorded all rites and honours of a member of the Senate.
3. Nigeria, Brazil Sign Multi-billion Dollar Deal To Boost Agriculture In 774 LGAs
Nigeria and Brazil have signed a multi-billion dollar project targeted at supporting agricultural businesses in Nigeria’s 774 local government areas with technical and financial resources.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) on behalf of Nigeria, while Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV) signed for Brazil.
According to a statement on Sunday signed by State House Director of Information and Public Relations, Abiodun Oladunjoye, the MoU was signed on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit.
Naija News reports the MoU was signed on behalf of the government by the Permanent Secretary of FMAFS, Temitope Fashedemi, and the President of FGV, Professor Carlos Ivan Simonsen Leal, at FGV Headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The project, supported by Deutsche Bank, will focus on fertiliser production, hybrid seed technology and agricultural financing.
4. PDP Crisis: ‘They Want Damagum To Remain In Office Till 2027’ – Ugochinyere
A coalition of federal opposition lawmakers has alleged a conspiracy among some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors and 24 state party chairmen to extend the tenure of the party’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, until 2027.
The lawmakers made the accusation during a press conference in Akokwa, Imo State, on Sunday evening. They claimed the move was a deliberate strategy to undermine the PDP and weaken its chances in future elections.
The spokesman for the group and member representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency, Imo State, Ikenga Ugochinyere, said, “Today, our nation is facing different challenges, both economic and political. But there’s something that’s missing in all these problems and that’s a vibrant and responsive and responsible opposition.
“We have the PDP that’s supposed to lead the opposition, but what we have are political charlatans hijacking the heartbeat of the opposition party and turning it into an errand platform for the ruling party.”
5. ‘You Lack Ideas, Clear Vision’ – Obaseki Fires Okpebholo Over Plans To Probe His Administration
Former Edo State, Godwin Obaseki has knocked Governor Monday Okpebholo decision to probe his (Obaseki) administration, saying it is a diversionary tactic to mask his incompetence and unpreparedness for office.
Recall that Okpebholo had approved the formation of a 14-member State Assets Verification Committee to investigate the administration of his predecessor.
The committee is tasked with verifying the state’s assets and liabilities under the previous administration.
But reacting in a statement to Naija News on Sunday, Obaseki’s Media Aide, Crusoe Osagie, said his principal ran Edo’s most transparent government.
He stated that the barrage of empty probes by Okpebholo is a smoke screen to mask his incompetence and unpreparedness for office.
According to Obaseki’s aide, Okpebholo is devoid of ideas and lacks a clear vision to drive development in the State, noting that the Edo governor is resorting to cheap political theatrics and using a circus of meaningless probes to distract from his glaring incompetence and lack of direction.
6. Tinubu’s Tax Policies Exploit Nigerians, Ignore National Unity – Senator Ningi Alleges
Former Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), has accused President Bola Tinubu‘s proposed tax reform bills of being discriminatory and favouring a few states, particularly Lagos, at the expense of others.
In an interview with Vanguard, Ningi alleged that the reforms, rather than addressing national issues, cater disproportionately to Lagos and two other states.
He described the bills as an attempt to exploit citizens’ silence and push through an inequitable fiscal agenda.
“The crux of the bill lies in its discriminatory nature,” Ningi emphasized.
He further criticized the President for disregarding the National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, which had rejected the reforms.
Ningi expressed concerns that the bills were now being fast-tracked through the National Assembly despite NEC’s objections.
The Senator highlighted the inequitable distribution of Value-Added Tax (VAT) revenues as a glaring example of the system’s flaws.
7. ‘Tax Reform Bills Not Against The North’ – Tinubu’s Aide, Bwala
Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Tinubu, has defended the controversial tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly, stating that they are in line with the President’s manifesto and campaign promises.
Speaking on the matter, Bwala emphasized that the reforms, including the proposed amendment to the distribution of Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue, reflect Tinubu’s vision for a more equitable tax system in Nigeria.
The bills are: The Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, which is expected to provide the fiscal framework for taxation in the country; and the Tax Administration Bill, which will provide a clear and concise legal framework for all taxes in the country and reduce disputes.
Others include: the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, which will repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Act and establish the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, which will create a tax tribunal and a tax ombudsman.
Speaking on Trust Tv’s Sunday Politics programme, Bwala said that it was not an obsession, but actually part of the mandate of the president.
8. I Could Have Been A Drug Addict – Obasanjo Shares Personal Experience, Warns Youths
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged Nigerian youths to desist from the use and abuse of psychoactive drugs.
He noted that the usage adds no value to life, but instead causes immense destruction.
The politician stated this during the second edition of the Fly Above The High anti-drug campaign conference in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He urged youths to employ restraint, while highlighting the growing problem of drug abuse in Nigeria and West Africa.
Reflecting on his tenure as Chairman of the West African Drug Commission under the Kofi Annan Foundation, he expressed alarm at the region’s transformation from a transit hub for drugs to a center of consumption.
The former president also shared a personal anecdote about an early attempt to take up smoking, which led to severe coughing and deterred him from continuing.
9. Edo Governor Restores Oba Of Benin’s Rights Over Ancient Artefacts
In a significant move to address longstanding issues and strengthen ties between the government and the people, Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has restored the statutory rights of the Benin Monarch over the ownership of ancient artefacts looted from the palace of the Oba of Benin during the 1897 Benin Massacre by British colonial forces.
This development was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday by Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, who described the move as part of the administration’s efforts to right the wrongs of the previous government.
The statement also announced the withdrawal of a controversial letter issued by the past administration, which revoked the concession of the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre for use as a motor park.
Governor Okpebholo promised that his administration is committed and will refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of the Benin Traditional Council.
10. Dangote Refinery Reduces Petrol Price For Marketers
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, to ₦970 per litre for oil marketers.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the company’s Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, highlighted the reduction as a gesture of appreciation to Nigerians for their steadfast support in bringing the refinery’s vision to life.
This new price marks a ₦20 decrease from the refinery’s earlier ex-depot price of ₦990 per litre, introduced earlier this month.
The refinery reassured stakeholders of its commitment to maintaining the highest standards in its petroleum products, emphasizing their environmental sustainability.
It further pledged to increase production to meet and exceed domestic fuel demand, alleviating concerns over supply shortages.
This price slash provides oil marketers with significant cost savings on each litre of petrol sourced from the Lekki-based refinery.
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