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Good morning, Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Saturday, 7th September, 2024.
1. Nigerians Are Hungry, Find A Way To Reduce Fuel Price – Kukah Tells APC
Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Mathew Hassan Kukah, has urged the leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to come up with a way to reduce the current pump price of fuel.
Naija News reports that there has been an increment in the pump price of petrol to ₦855, ₦918 or higher depending on locations.
Reacting to the development, Kukah lamented that Nigerians are hungry and urged those in power to find a way to combat the situation.
He spoke on Friday in Abuja during the official unveiling of The Progressive Institute (TPI).
He said, “We Nigerians are hungry. Find a way of reducing the price of fuel.
“Unless democracy is anchored on a sound foundation, we will be building on sand. I am concerned about the quality of democracy in Nigeria. We need to fix the problem with democracy in Nigeria.”
2. Fake, Misleading News Affect Our Conduct Of Free, Fair Elections – INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said fake and misleading news poses dangers to the conduct of free and fair elections in the country.
The INEC’s Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, stated this while addressing members of the INEC Press Corps, on preparations of the commission ahead of the Edo State election.
Olumekun explained that fake and misleading news disrupts the electoral process and undermines public confidence by inciting unnecessary tensions during election periods.
“In this digital age, we are acutely aware of the dangers posed by fake and misleading news, especially during an election period. Such information has the potential to disrupt the electoral process, undermine public confidence, and incite unnecessary tensions,” he said.
He disclosed that the Commission has taken proactive steps to tackle fake and misleading news by being transparent in all its dealings.
Olumekun added that INEC has also intensified constant updates of the public, especially as the Edo governorship election draws closer.
3. President Tinubu Leaves China, Heads To UK Via Dubai
President Bola Tinubu, on Friday, 6th September, concluded his official visit to China and headed for London, United Kingdom.
According to the Special Adviser to Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President would head to the UK via Dubai.
Before departing China, President Tinubu met with representatives of Nigerians in Diaspora Organization in China (NIDO China) and the Nigerian community at the China World Hotel.
He promised Nigerians living in China that his administration would deliver good governance and promised to replicate all the good things China has achieved for its people.
Tinubu said the current hardships Nigerians are experiencing are the necessary sacrifices for the government to be able to develop good roads, give constant electricity, good schools and other amenities needed by the citizens.
He noted that the current increase in the price of petrol is part of the sacrifices that need to be made as his economic reforms continue.
The meeting was President Tinubu’s last official engagement in China before departing the country for London, United Kingdom, via Dubai.
4. As Deputy National Chairman, I Should Be National Chairman Not Abure – Okafor
A Labour Party Chieftain, Callistus Okafor, has said he is supposed to be the national chairman of the party and not Julius Abure.
Mr. Callistus Okafor said that at the time Abure emerged as national chairman of LP, he was the Deputy National Chairman, while Abure was the National Secretary of the party.
He accused Abure of manipulating the process to emerge as the party’s National Chairman without following the constitution.
Speaking in an interview with Arise TV on Thursday, Okafor stated that the current crisis of the party was a result of faulty foundation.
He further accused Abure of leading the party with mostly appointed and not elected executives. Okafor also faulted the appointment of Nenadi Usman as Cakertaker chairman of LP. He argued that the party constitution should be followed.
5. Fuel Scarcity: Tinubu Speaks On Petrol Price Hike
President Bola Tinubu has described the recent increase in petrol prices as a “bold and unprecedented decision” necessary to steer Nigeria towards economic growth.
He made this remark during a meeting with Nigerians in Beijing, China, after completing his official engagements in the country.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu emphasized that the fuel price hike, alongside other reforms implemented by his administration, forms part of a broader strategy to foster sustainable economic development in Nigeria.
The President was quoted as saying, “Nigeria is going through reforms, and we are taking very bold and unprecedented decisions. For example, you might have been hearing from home in the last few days about fuel prices.
“But, can we help it? Can we develop good roads like you have here? You see electricity being constant in quantity and quality. You see water supply, constant and running, and you see their good schools. And we say we want to hand over a banner without stain to our children?
“What is the critical part to get us there if we cannot take hard decisions to pave the way for a country that is blessed and so talented?
“So many of you are so talented, speaking very fluent Mandarin. It is what you contribute and tell them at home that will reflect in the attitude of our people.
“The more you want everything free, the more expensive and long-delayed it will be to achieve meaningful development.”
6. Onyinyechi Mark Wins Nigeria’s First Gold Medal At 2024 Paralympics, Sets World Record
Onyinyechi Mark from Nigeria has set a new Paralympic record in the women’s 61kg powerlifting division.
Naija News reports that Mark lifted an impressive 150kg to make this extraordinary achievement, surpassing the former record established by fellow Nigerian athlete, Lucy Ejike.
Mark’s outstanding performance guaranteed Nigeria its third medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
She overcame the challenge from China’s Cui Jianjin, who won silver after lifting 140 kilograms.
Mexico’s Amelia Perez won bronze, falling 10 kilogrammes behind her Chinese rival after pulsating lift attempts.
Nigeria has a rich legacy in the Paralympics, particularly in powerlifting and athletics. During the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, the nation earned a total of ten medals, including four golds.
The Nigerian team has consistently demonstrated its prowess in powerlifting, with athletes such as Lucy Ejike and Bose Omolayo achieving world records and securing numerous gold medals.
The ongoing success of Nigeria at the Paralympics underscores the country’s commitment to nurturing and advancing its para-athletes.
7. EFCC Returns $180,300 Stolen Money, 53 Vehicles To Canada
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCc) has transferred a total of $180,300 and 53 vehicles, fraudulently obtained from Canadian citizens by certain Nigerians, to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
During the signing ceremony for the restitution of the recovered assets on Friday, September 6, the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Ola Olukoyede, remarked that the Canadians had fallen victim to cybercrimes.
He highlighted that the recovery and return of these assets underscored the commission’s dedication to combating financial crimes.
The EFCC Chairman further noted that this event highlighted the importance of international cooperation in addressing financial and various other types of crime.
8. Obaseki Reveals Cause Of Rift Between Him And Oshiomhole
Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Friday revealed that one of the key factors that contributed to his fallout with his predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, now a senator, was his decision to declare a state burial for the late chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih.
Anenih passed away during Obaseki’s first term as governor when he was still a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Obaseki made this claim during the ongoing PDP campaign rally at Opujie Primary School in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area, the hometown of Chief Anenih.
Addressing the crowd, Obaseki urged them to support and vote for the PDP’s candidate, stressing that it was the people of the area who first insisted that the next governor of Edo State should come from Edo Central.
He criticized the APC for allegedly trying to bring in a Benin candidate but ended up presenting an Esan candidate “through the back door.”
9. You Are Not The Asiwaju Of Niger Delta, Go Back To Your Village – Wike’s Ally Replies Edwin Clark
Ousted Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area in Rivers State, Chidi Lloyd, has berated Ijaw leader, Edwin Clark, for calling for the arrest of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Recall that Clark, in an open letter to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had called for Wike’s arrest over his recent threat to put fire in the State of any Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governor meddling in the affairs of Rivers PDP.
However, in a statement, Lloyd, an ally of Wike, described Clark as a hypocritical old man after stomach infrastructure.
Lloyd insisted that the elder statesman has displayed crass ignorance and wondered how he once became the Minister of Information.
He said Clark might be suffering from the megalomania of thinking that he is the Asiwaju of the Niger Delta, noting the Ijaw leader was only being garrulous to protect his stomach infrastructure.
10. NEMA Issues Red Alert To Benue, Kogi, Other States Over Potential Flooding
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has issued a red alert, warning states in Nigeria’s North Central and Southern regions to brace for potential flooding.
This advisory follows rising water levels in the Niger and Benue rivers, coupled with recent floods that have severely affected several communities.
The red alert contained a statement titled ‘Flood Alert: States in Central and Southern Nigeria to Prepare’, issued by the agency’s Head of Press Unit, Manzo Ezekiel.
According to the statement released on Friday, NEMA identified the most vulnerable states in the coming weeks as Benue, Kogi, Anambra, Delta, Imo, Rivers, and Bayelsa.
The agency urged these states, local governments, and communities to take immediate preventive steps, such as clearing blocked drainage systems, constructing temporary flood barriers, and relocating from flood-prone areas to higher ground.
As seen in previous flood-affected areas, NEMA emphasized the need for proactive measures to minimize loss of life, displacement, and destruction of property and infrastructure.
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