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Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Saturday, 28th December 2024.
1. Nigeria Renews Currency Swap Deal With China
Nigeria and China have renewed the currency swap agreement between both countries.
Naija News understands the renewal is valid for three years and can be renewed upon mutual consent.
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who shared the information on his social media account, said China’s central bank confirmed on Friday that it has renewed a bilateral currency swap agreement with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The total value of the agreement is 15 billion yuan (about 2.09 billion U.S. dollars), or 3.28 trillion Nigerian naira, the People’s Bank of China said in a statement on its website.
It said that the renewal of the currency swap arrangement will strengthen financial cooperation between China and Nigeria, expand the use of the two currencies, and promote and facilitate bilateral trade and investment.
Naija News recalls back in 2018, the CBN and its Chinese counterpart, signed a currency swap deal after two years of negotiations between the two countries.
The deal, valued at about $2.5bn, is aimed at providing adequate local currency liquidity to Nigerian and Chinese industrialists and other businesses, thereby reducing the difficulties encountered in the search for third currencies.
The move is also aimed at facilitating bilateral trade and investment and promoting the financial stability of both countries.
2. I Will Support Tinubu Again, I Have No Regret Backing Him – Wike
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said there is no regret in supporting President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections.
Naija News recalls that Wike governed Rivers State for eight years under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform before his ministerial appointment.
During a thanksgiving service in Ochigba by the PDP in Ahoada East and West Local Government Areas of the state, Wike appreciated President Tinubu for believing in him.
According to the FCT Minister, he was threatened before the presidential elections for supporting Tinubu, adding that he would do the same thing if another opportunity came.
3. ‘APC Is Practically Dead’ – Former National Vice Chairman
A former National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman, has declared the party dead.
Lukman said the leaders of the APC are only content with having access to government offices and powers without any form of concern for party operations at various levels.
Speaking in a chat with Arise News on Thursday, he added that attempts over the past year to advocate for effective party structures had been in vain because the leaders have abandoned internal democracy and remain unconcerned about the functionality of party organs.
Asked during the interview about the possibility of redeeming the party, Lukman said APC is “practically dead,” citing the absence of meetings at all levels and calling for the creation of a substantially different political party.
He called for the establishment of a new political party that was different from what currently exists in Nigeria and strong enough to win elections.
4. DHQ Issues Fresh Claims On Sokoto Airstrikes That Killed Scores
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Friday described the recent airstrikes that resulted in the death of many in Sokoto State as ‘secondary explosions’.
The government of Sokoto State had earlier claimed that ten villagers were killed and others injured after airstrikes in the Silame Local Government Area of the state.
However, in a statement issued on Friday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, said the deaths and injuries were due to secondary explosions and not a direct result of the airstrikes.
Earlier on Thursday, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, insisted that the military only bombed terrorists and criminals in Sokoto State.
General Musa, who spoke when he visited Sokoto State amidst the controversy surrounding an airstrike targeted against Lakurawa terrorists, submitted that those targeted were terrorists and anyone found with them during the airstrike was an accomplice.
Naija News recalls a fighter jet bombed two communities in the Silame Local Government Area of the state on Wednesday, killing at least 10 civilians and injuring several others.
The Sokoto State government claimed that some of those killed in the strikes were “innocent villagers”, while the military insisted that the strike was against criminals.
The CDS, while briefing newsmen at the Giginya Cantonment Sokoto during his visit on Thursday, also insisted the military airstrike was targeted at terrorists but added, however, that an investigation would be launched into the matter.
5. Stop Creating Confusion, We’re Related – FG Tells Niger Military Leader, Tchiani
The Federal Government has warned the Military Leader of Niger, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, to desist from creating confusion by alleging France’s military presence in Nigeria.
Naija News reported that Niger’s Tchiani, in an interview, claimed that the France military personnel are in the Northern region of Nigeria.
Recall that since he took over power through a coup, Tchiani severed ties with France. He also directed France military to take its base out of Niger.
Nigeria’s Minister for Information, Mohammed Idris, said the allegation by Niger’s military leader was aimed at creating confusion and creating a gap between the two countries.
On Friday, Idris, via his X account, commented on his interview with BBC Hausa, accusing Tchiani of efforts to destabilize Nigeria. He noted that the two countries share much in common.
6. You Lack Humility, Empathy – Ezekwesili Slams Tinubu, IG, Over Reaction To Food Stampedes
Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has stated that the reaction of the government to the stampedes in various parts of the country shows that they are detached from the reality of everyday Nigerians.
She berated the Federal Government and other government officials for their outrage at the different philanthropic citizens and organizations that organised food distribution outreaches leading to the stampedes.
Speaking via a post on X, Ezekwesili wondered why government officials have failed to connect the dots on how their serial leadership failures have turned normally quiet food charity events into death traps.
She went on to pray for the humanitarians who have been charged to court for the various stampede incidents.
7. Media Chat Shows Tinubu Is Not A Listening President – Lukman
A former Deputy National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman, says the recent presidential media chat hosted by President Bola Tinubu did not change anything.
According to Lukman, the presidential media chat only portrayed Tinubu as a leader who is not listening to the cries of Nigerians.
Speaking on Thursday during an interview with Arise News, the former APC Deputy National Chairman said the President’s media chat failed to give solutions to the challenges facing the citizens.
“The media chat has not changed anything. If anything, it projected a leader who, somehow, is not listening to the cries of the nation,” Lukman stated.
He also criticised the current administration for lacking a clear and actionable plan or direction.
In his view, the Tinubu government is only making impulsive decisions and has refused to reverse some of its policies, which have clearly proven to be ineffective.
8. There Is Nothing Exceptional In Dele Farotimi’s Case – Ex-AG Ekiti State, Ajayi
Former Attorney General of Ekiti State, Owoseni Ajayi, has said the arrest and prosecution of human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi was in line with legal procedure.
Ajayi, who is the Lead Counsel to Afe Babalola (SAN), in the alleged defamation case against Farotimi, said the voices and opinions garnered by the case were a result of the individuals involved.
In an interview with News Central, Ajayi noted that the book ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System’ was read in Ekiti by the person who claimed he was defamed, stating that that was enough ground to prosecute the case in Ekiti.
“Let me be very clear, this is not an exceptional situation. It is likely due to the individuals involved. Chief Afe Babalola is a national hero who has risen from obscurity to become a great man.
“Dele Forotimi has been active in human rights activism. He is already known, and therefore, because these two personalities are involved: a human rights activist, a lawyer, who is perceived to be defending the masses, who is perceived to be the young man who is oppressed by a big man, but that is not the case,” he said.
9. ‘Mahdi Shehu Is Hell-bent On Burning Down Northern Nigeria’ – Presidency Speaks On Video Of Nigerian, French Troops
The presidency has berated social commentator and activist, Mahdi Shehu, over an attempt to cause anarchy in Northern Nigeria.
Naija News reports that Shehu had made several allegations against the federal government about establishing a French military base in Nigeria’s northeast.
He also shared a series of videos claiming to show Nigerian and French troops offloading supplies in a coordinated operation.
However, in a post via X on Friday, the Special Adviser to the President on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, stated that Mahdi Shehu is hell-bent on burning Northern Nigeria with the use of old videos to pass off his allegation.
Dada warned Nigerians to beware of fake news merchants like Shehu.
10. You Will Pay Dearly For This – Alia Threatens Herdsmen Over Slaughter Of 11 People On Christmas Day
The Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia has expressed sadness over the unprovoked attacks on Anwase community in Kwande Local Government Area Benue State, where about 11 innocent residents were gruesomely murdered by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
Naija News reports that the dire incident occured on December 25 when the people were celebrating Christmas with their families.
Reacting to the development in a statement by his media aide, Tersoo Kula, the governor expressed worry that such a heinous act has continued in the state despite the efforts of his administration to ensure the safety of his people.
He, however, vowed that the perpetrator of the dastardly act will be brought to book, saying “they will pay dearly for it”.
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