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Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 29th August, 2024
1. Tinubu To Present Whistleblowing Policy To NASS Soon – Edun
President Bola Tinubu is set to present a revised whistleblowing policy to the National Assembly for legislative consideration, according to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.
Edun made this announcement on Wednesday in Abuja during a high-level meeting titled, “Implementing the Whistleblowing Policy in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges, and the Way Forward.”
He emphasized that the revised policy aims to enhance transparency and accountability in government operations.
The Federal Government is seeking the support of Nigerians to ensure the effectiveness of the policy.
The minister stated that the whistleblowing policy is part of the government’s strategy to ensure that the nation’s public institutions operate with integrity.
He also said that the policy would make public institutions remain accountable to Nigerians who have been empowered by the policy to remain as a watchdog over all that happens, particularly in the public space, with the finances and with resources that belong to the masses.
2. Tinubu’s 18-Year-Old Policy For WAEC, NECO, JAMB Belongs To Stone Age – Atiku
Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has said the 18 years policy of President Bola Tinubu as the age limit to write secondary school leaving examinations and enter tertiary institutions in Nigeria belongs to the Stone Age,
Naija News reported that the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, announced that students below the age of 18 years would no longer be allowed to write the West African Examination Council (WAEC), National Examination Council (NECO) and Unified Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exams.
Atiku in his reaction, said the policy is an absurdity and a disincentive to scholarship. He added that the policy runs foul of the notion of delineation of responsibilities in a federal system of government.
In a statement on Wednesday, Atiku explained that states should be allowed to make respective rules on education.
3. NCC Announces Final Deadline For NIN-SIM Linkage
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced a September 14, 2024 deadline for the completion of the Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) linkage to National Identity Numbers (NINs).
The NCC, in a statement on Wednesday, August 28, said it expects that no SIM operating in Nigeria will be without a valid NIN effective September 15, 2024.
The statement, signed by the NCC Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, urged all members of the public who have not yet completed their NIN-SIM linkage, or who have faced issues due to verification mismatches, to visit their service providers promptly to update their details before the deadline.
He disclosed that over 153 million SIMs have been successfully linked to a NIN, reflecting an impressive compliance rate of 96 per cent, a substantial increase from 69.7 per cent in January 2024, but the commission is targeting full compliance by September 14.
The statement added that the Commission also remains committed to working with security agencies and other stakeholders to crack down on the sale of pre-registered SIMs, as part of efforts targeted at safeguarding national security and ensuring the integrity of mobile numbers in Nigeria.
Mouka noted that the sale and purchase of pre-registered SIMs are criminal offences punishable by imprisonment and fines.
4. Tinubu Gov’t Unveils New Electricity Policy
The Federal Government has introduced the preliminary draft of the National Integrated Electricity Policy and Strategic Implementation Plan.
This policy is designed to tackle the urgent issues facing the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry and to guide the country towards a resilient, sustainable, and inclusive energy sector.
During the presentation held on Wednesday in Abuja, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, characterized the policy as essential for the nation’s progress towards establishing a strong, sustainable, and inclusive power sector that fulfils the needs of all Nigerians.
The NIEP-SIP is a detailed policy framework that delineates strategic measures throughout the electricity value chain, encompassing generation, transmission, distribution, and off-grid components.
The minister highlighted that the policy results from thorough consultations with industry specialists, key stakeholders, and development partners.
The Power Minister said: “The journey leading up to today has been a collaborative and rigorous process, driven by our collective commitment to addressing the pressing challenges within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.”
He said the policy framework responds to current realities and anticipates future needs, ensuring that the power sector remains resilient and efficient.
5. Strike: ASUU, FG Take Fresh Action After Meeting
The federal government of Nigeria and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have agreed to have another meeting on September 6, 2024, to continue their discussions.
Naija News reports the decision is part of the conclusions reached during the meeting held between both parties on Wednesday, 8th August, at the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja.
This was made known by the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman who briefed newsmen after the meeting held to avert another nationwide strike by the university union members.
He assured that the interests of all parties would be taken into consideration and appealed to ASUU members to be considerate and open-minded in their demands and negotiations.
Following the threat of a fresh strike action, the Minister had said the most of the issues of contention dated as far back as 1981. He blamed bureaucracy for the non-implementation of some of the steps already taken by the government to address the demands of ASUU.
6. Wait Till 2031 If You Want To Become President Of Nigeria – Bode George Tells Atiku
A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has outlined reasons former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, should not contest the 2027 presidential election.
George, in a statement on Wednesday, submitted that it is not yet the turn of the north according to the constitutions of Nigeria and the PDP, which support rotational leadership.
He also called on Atiku to emulate the United States President, Joe Biden by stepping down from the presidential race and allow the younger ones take charge.
The PDP stalwart added that he has nothing personal against Atiku, but based on the reality of Nigeria’s polity, the former Vice President should wait till 2031 if he wants to contest for the presidency again.
The former Ondo State Governor also stated that the PDP needs a southerner to dislodge the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.
The PDP Board of Trustee member noted that based on Section 7, Sub-section 3 (C) of the party Constitution, zoning and rotation must be maintained for justice, fairness and equity.
He submitted that it would be an injustice for another northerner to become the President of Nigeria in 2027, with the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner from Katsina State, just leaving office after ruling for eight years.
7. NLC Issues Fresh Strike Notice As All National Officers Set To Accompany Ajaero To Answer Police Summon
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has ordered all its affiliate unions to commence a nationwide strike should the Nigeria Police Force detain its president, Joe Ajaero, when he honours their invitation.
This is as the NLC also disclosed that all national officers of the congress would accompany Ajaero to answer the Police summon in Abuja on Thursday.
The General Secretary of the NLC, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, made this known in a circular to all affiliate unions, State chapters, and national officers.
The circular also directed all State chapter leaders to mobilize and embark on a peaceful procession to Police headquarters in their various States for a prayer session.
Naija News recalls the Police had summoned Ajaero for questioning over alleged involvement in terrorism financing and others.
However, Ajaero cited previous engagements for his inability to immediately honour the Police invite and instead offered to honour the invitation on Thursday, 29th August.
As the NLC president prepares to honour the Police invite, the NLC circular on the fresh course of action said they are out to show a united stand against actions aimed at intimidating union leaders and all Nigerian workers.
8. Tinubu Leads Charge Against Climate Change, Seeks Expert Input
The Federal Government has stated that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is committed to addressing food security and climate change in Nigeria.
The Special Assistant to the President on Climate Change Matters, Yusuf Kailani disclosed this while addressing newsmen on Wednesday.
He explained that professionals and experts have being engage to address the impact of climate change.
According to him, “The President has raised concerns about the impacts of climate change and is actively leading efforts to address them. Professionals and experts are being engaged to ensure the continuity and success of the initiatives, stressing the importance of partnerships with relevant stakeholders to achieve the nation’s climate goals.
“Governance is a continuous project. The government cannot do it alone. As Nigeria prepares for the upcoming COP29, numerous activities are underway to showcase the country’s progress on the global stage.”
9. Zimbabwean Bishop Deported From Nigeria For Violating Immigration Protocols
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has deported a Zimbabwean Bishop for breaching Nigeria’s immigration laws and protocols.
According to a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the NIS, Kenneth Udo, the deportation was authorized by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
The Bishop, identified as Eben K. Nhiwatawi, was arrested in Yola, Adamawa State on August 24 for violating immigration regulations.
Udo explained that the Bishop had entered Nigeria on August 21, 2024, using a Tourist Visa (F5A), which is strictly intended for tourism activities.
However, it was discovered that he was participating in a Methodist Church leadership election, an activity that clearly contravened the conditions of his visa, as outlined in the Nigeria Visa Policy 2024.
Following this violation, the Comptroller General of the NIS, with approval from the Minister of Interior, ordered the immediate deportation of the Bishop.
10. Nigeria At The Mercy Of Terrorists And Bandits, We Have A Nearly Ineffective Government To Protect Us – Peter Obi
The 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has lamented the growing insecurity in Nigeria, fuelled by the activities of terrorists and bandits.
Obi, in a statement on Wednesday, decried the collapse of the nation’s security infrastructure, lamenting that Nigerians are at the mercy of terrorists and bandits.
Speaking against the backdrop of the recent killing of the Emir of Gobir by kidnappers and the subsequent return to abduct 150 innocent people, and steal 1,000 cattle by the bandits after the brutal killing of the traditional ruler, Peter Obi described the event as beyond tragedy and now a national emergency.
The former Anambra State Governor demanded the government take decisive action on the challenges of insecurity bedevilling the country, noting that it is time to put an end to rhetoric statements without corresponding action.
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