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Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 23rd July 2024
1. Tinubu Returns After AU Meeting In Accra
President Bola Tinubu has returned to Abuja from Accra, Ghana, after attending the 6th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union (AU).
Naija News gathered that the President was received by some senior officials of the government at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at about 10 pm on Sunday
President Tinubu, who is also the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), while in Ghana, provided updates on developments at the regional organization.
Tinubu, in his speech at the meeting, highlighted some of the achievements and challenges of ECOWAS.
He showcased ECOWAS’ progress in counter-terrorism, electoral support, economic integration, humanitarian efforts, education, health, energy, mines, and agriculture.
Tinubu noted the activation of a Standby Force to counter-terrorism, support for member states in enhancing electoral and governance processes, and the implementation of activities to consolidate the free trade area, customs union, and common market.
The President also highlighted ECOWAS’ humanitarian efforts, including a $9 million allocation to assist persons of concern, and support for frontline member states in the fight against terrorism.
2. Protest: Listen To Nigerians – Ajaero To President Tinubu
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, has advised President Bola Tinubu to listen to Nigerians as calls for protest increase.
Joe Ajaero said Nigerians have right to protest due to economic hardship across the country caused by his administration’s policies.
The NLC president said the accusation from the presidency that the protest is being organized on political grounds should not be reason to ignore the urgent need to listen and engage with Nigerians.
In a statement on Monday, Ajaero said NLC did not protest to avoid worsening the country’s situation but would not watch and see the rights of Nigerians to peaceful protest undermined.
He called on President Tinubu to discuss with Nigerians. He said it would be wrong to tell the citizens not to protest against the current economic hardship.
3. We Will Use ₦3tr Supplementary Budget To Fund New Minimum Wage – FG
The federal government has declared that the ₦3 trillion recurrent component of the ₦6.2 trillion supplementary budget before the National Assembly will largely be used to pay the new national minimum wage.
This was disclosed on Monday by the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, while addressing the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation chaired by Hon. Abubakar Bichi.
He said the President, Bola Tinubu, would soon forward a new minimum wage bill to the National Assembly for approval based on the agreed ₦70,000 new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
The Committee chairman had asked the Minister to give the details of expenditures included in the supplementary budget.
Bagudu explained that the ₦3.2 trillion capital component of the supplementary budget is meant as additional funding for priority projects in road, rail, water, irrigation and dam projects in the 2024 fiscal year.
According to him, some of the projects expected to benefit from the budget include the Lagos-Calabar, 1,000-kilometer road project for which the sum of N150 billion is required; the Sokoto – Badagry road projects, as well as rail project for which the Chinese government has provided 85 percent funding, while the Federal Government is yet to provide the 15 percent counterpart fund.
Bagudu added that the proposed budget was aimed at providing counterpart funding for rail projects that have literally been stopped in the last year, including the longest among them – Port Harcourt Main gauge, which will traverse Rivers, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau, Katsina, Bauchi, and Gombe States.
4. FG Moves To Settle Dangote’s Rift With Regulators
The Federal Government on Monday took a step towards settling the disagreement between billionaire businessman, Aliko Dangote, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Naija News understands that the likes of the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed; Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, and Dangote, were all present at the crucial meeting convened by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri.
Dangote has been embroiled in disputes with the Nigerian government concerning his refinery project in Lagos.
A statement issued today by Lokpobiri’s Special Adviser Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor, stated that “The stakeholders expressed their gratitude to the minister for his exemplary leadership and timely intervention in facilitating this crucial dialogue.
“The meeting focused on finding a sustainable and lasting solution to the current impasse affecting the Dangote Refinery, with all parties demonstrating a commitment to collaborative and proactive problem-solving.”
The statement highlighted that the Minister underscored the importance of collaboration and synergy among all relevant stakeholders to guarantee the success and optimal functionality of the Oil and Gas sector, which is essential for Nigeria’s economic development and energy security.
It was observed that the meeting represented a substantial milestone in addressing the challenges and emphasized the Minister’s commitment to creating an environment conducive to the growth and prosperity of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
5. ‘Let’s Learn From India, Sudan’s Experience’ – Tinubu Cautions Nigerians Against Planned Protests
President Bola Tinubu has called on young Nigerians to refrain from participating in planned protests against the Federal Government’s economic reforms.
Naija News reports that some Nigerians, particularly the youth, have planned a nationwide protest from August 1st to 10th to draw the government’s attention to the prevailing hardship in the country.
Speaking in Abuja at the National Council of Traditional Rulers meeting, Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, cautioned against allowing economic hardship to be exploited by individuals with ulterior motives to incite protests.
He emphasized the need for patience and commitment from Nigerians during this critical period of economic reform, urging citizens to remember past instances where crises threatened national peace and diversity.
Tinubu highlighted the lessons to be learned from India and Sudan’s experiences, noting that Nigeria, with its population of over 200 million, cannot afford such instability.
6. ASUP Suspends Planned Strike
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has announced the suspension of its planned strike over the newly introduced scheme of service for polytechnics.
In a statement issued on Monday, ASUP explained that its decision to suspend the planned industrial action was a result of discussions with the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman.
Naija News reports that the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) introduced new schemes of service for Nigerian Polytechnics on June 19, 2024, which were approved by the Federal Government and took effect from June 7, 2024.
However, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics opposed these new schemes, claiming they were developed without sufficient input from all stakeholders, especially from the union and other stakeholders within the polytechnic sector.
In light of these concerns, the union issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government on July 8, 2024, urging them to halt the implementation of the new scheme of work or risk facing various forms of industrial action from the union’s members.
In a statement following its National Executive Council meeting, the union clarified that the 15-day ultimatum was intended to give the government enough time to address our concerns or risk facing various forms of industrial action from our members.
7. Reps Investigate Missing Crude, Contaminated Fuel
The Joint Committee of the House of Representatives has launched a forensic investigation into allegations surrounding the alleged importation of contaminated Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) into Nigeria.
This investigation, focusing on the challenges in the downstream and midstream petroleum sectors, was announced by Committee Chairman, Ikenga Ugochinyere at the panel’s formal inauguration in Abuja on Monday.
The committee aims to address several issues, including the non-availability of crude oil for domestic refineries, disruptions in distribution, and favouritism in the pro forma invoice regime.
The panel will also investigate the influx of contaminated fuel into the country and allegations regarding the non-domestication of profits from crude marketing sales in local banks, abuse of the PFI regime, and the importation of products already produced in Nigeria.
In an effort to ascertain fuel quality, the committee plans to visit petrol stations nationwide to collect product samples for laboratory testing.
8. ‘Peter Obi’s Motive To Destabilize The Country Is Clear’ – Presidency
The Presidency has slammed the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, over his comment regarding statistics on Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Naija News reported that the former Governor of Anambra State raised concern over the lingering economic crisis in Nigeria, recalling that Nigeria had the biggest economy in Africa as of 2014.
Taking to his official account on X on Monday, Peter Obi, said the country’s economy soon began to drop in 2015.
In his message, Obi drew attention to the stark difference between Nigeria’s economic achievements during its early post-democracy years and its current economic condition.
According to him, upon returning to democratic rule in 1999, Nigeria saw an average GDP growth rate of approximately 6.72% over 16 years, 1999-2014.
However, he highlighted a decline in this momentum, with GDP growth dropping to 2.79% in 2015, leading to an economic downturn in 2016.
In response, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga countered Obi over what he called misleading statistics.
He wondered why Peter Obi would be reviewing the economy at this time, saying the motive is clear.
Onanuga said Peter Obi aims to work up his mob plotting to destabilise the country from next week.
9. Some Northern Politicians Promoting Toxic Politics, ‘Pull Him Down’ Syndrome – Gov Sani
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has opined that despite the development indices, some northern politicians are still promoting toxic politics and ‘pull him down’ syndrome.
Naija News reports that Governor Uba made the remark on Monday, during a courtesy visit by the newly elected leadership of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) under the Chairmanship of Mamman Mike Osuman (SAN) at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House.
Sani stated Northerners must take a hard look at themselves to face the truths to move the region forward, rather than indulge in endless blame games devoid of attempts at soul-searching or introspection.
Speaking further, the Governor fumed at the narrative that President Bola Tinubu was against the North, stressing that it was false, absurd and unbecoming.
He explained that Tinubu’s administration was doing its best to salvage the economic situation in the country and had been giving uncommon support to state governments in the North to address their myriad challenges.
Governor Sani also assured the ACF leadership that the region would soon overcome its current security and socio-economic challenges.
10. Planned Protest: Talk To Youths – Senator Ndume Tells Tinubu
The lawmaker representing Borno South senatorial district, Ali Ndume, has called on President Bola Tinubu to engage in dialogue with the organizers of the planned nationwide protest against economic hardship.
The protest is scheduled for August 1 and aims to address rising discontent over the country’s economic situation.
Ndume shared his views during an interview on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” on Monday.
He emphasized the importance of communication between the President and the protesting youths to reduce tension and potentially prevent the demonstrations.
“I think the President should talk to Nigerians, talk to the youths,” Ndume advised.
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