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Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 25th December, 2024
1. Tinubu Sends Christmas Message To Nigerians
President Bola Tinubu has felicitated with Nigerians and Christians worldwide on the 2024 Christmas celebration.
Naija News reports that in a statement he signed on Tuesday, Tinubu urged citizens to be kind to those facing difficulties and offer encouragement.
The president also urged Christians to pray for the nation’s leaders at all levels, stressing that Nigeria is on the path to restoration and progress.
Tinubu also expressed sadness over the death of Nigerians involved in the recent stampedes in Oyo, Anambra and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
2. Presidential Media Chat: Tinubu Didn’t Ask Us To Submit Questions Ahead, He Should Talk To Nigerians More – Abati
Veteran journalist, Reuben Abati, who anchored the first presidential media chat held by President Bola Tinubu on Monday, has disclosed that the President did not have foreknowledge of the questions he answered from journalists during the chat.
Speaking on Tuesday during the Morning Show on Arise News, Abati said it was a good development that President Tinubu had the media chat.
He said those who interviewed him did not see the President until he walked onto the set and they were kept waiting for a long time before the chat commenced.
Abati added that he was impressed with the responses from the President and urged his media team to ensure such chats, where Tinubu can speak to Nigerians, happen more regularly.
3. Afe Babalola: ‘I’ve Never Lied Against Anyone’ – Dele Farotimi Speaks After Release From Prison
Embattled human rights lawyer cum activist, Dele Farotimi, has reaffirmed his integrity and dedication to truth in his advocacy work.
Naija News reported that Farotimi was released from the Ekiti State Correctional Centre on Tuesday morning after fulfilling his bail conditions.
Farotimi’s release follows a ruling by a Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti last Friday, which set his bail at ₦30 million with two sureties.
Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun stipulated that the sureties must be responsible citizens, with one owning property within the court’s jurisdiction.
Additionally, Farotimi was required to submit his international passport and refrain from granting media interviews while his trial is ongoing.
Farotimi emphasized that truth remains the most effective tool for achieving meaningful change in Nigeria.
4. Ibadan Stampede: Court Orders Remand Of Ooni’s Ex-Wife, School Principal
A Chief Magistrate in Ibadan, Olabisi Ogunkanmi, has ordered the remand of Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife; Oriyomi Hamzat, the owner of Agidigbo FM; and Fasasi Abdulahi, the principal of Bashorun Islamic High School.
According to The Nation, the remand will last pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of the Oyo State Ministry of Justice.
The ruling, issued on Tuesday, followed their arrest in connection with the recent stampede at Bashorun Islamic High School.
All three individuals were arraigned at Chief Magistrate Court 1, Iyaganku, Ibadan, under a heavy security presence.
Naija News understands that they face a four-count charge, including conspiracy, acceleration of death, negligent acts causing harm, and failing to provide adequate security and medical facilities during the event.
Tensions were high at the court premises as supporters of Oriyomi Hamzat gathered, though the presence of law enforcement maintained order.
A brief moment of unrest was reported when the police vans transporting the suspects began to leave the premises.
5. ‘It Took The President 18 Months To Talk To Nigerians And He Fell My Hand 100%’ – Rufai Oseni Fires Tinubu
Popular journalist, Rufai Oseni, has expressed disappointment with the submissions by President Bola Tinubu during the first presidential media chat by his administration on Monday.
Though Oseni acknowledged that the chat in itself was a welcome development, he lamented that it took President Tinubu such a long time to address Nigerians after his two economic policies had far-reaching negative effects on the lives of the people.
He pointed out the two major policies as fuel subsidy removal and floating of the naira.
The journalist said President Tinubu does not have a total grasp of issues, as confirmed in his responses to questions asked him during the chat.
Speaking on Tuesday during the Morning Show on Arise News, Oseni submitted that the chat has left him more scared about what’s in store for Nigeria.
Oseni, while criticizing Tinubu for gloating over many of the questions asked during the chat, particularly called out the President for failing to use the opportunity to sell the controversial Tax Reform Bills to the people.
He added that not all Ministers are effective as the President claimed during the chat.
6. Christmas: Provide Support To Rice Stampede Victims – Jonathan To FG
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called on the federal government to support victims of stampedes at Christmas rice-sharing centers across the country.
Goodluck Jonathan described the stampedes recorded in Okija, Ibadan and Abuja as tragic and unfortunate.
In his Christmas message on Tuesday, the former President advised that measures be taken to ensure that such goodwill gestures do not end in tragedy.
President Jonathan further emphasized the need for citizens to embrace and spread unity, love and hope while celebrating Christmas.
He charged Nigerians to extend hands of friendship to those in need and foster unity across all divides.
Christmas is a time of love, unity, and hope. It reminds us of the importance of caring for one another and working towards peace and harmony in our communities.
7. Christmas: We Have Subsidised Road Transport On 144 Routes – Tinubu Announces
President Bola Tinubu has disclosed that the Federal Government has subsidised transportation costs for Nigerians as part of moves to ease the hardship during the festive period.
Speaking in his Christmas message for 2024, the President revealed that the government has provided free train rides and subsidised road transport.
He felicitated with Nigerians on the Christmas celebration and asked the citizens to pray for the nation’s leaders at all levels.
According to Tinubu, Christmas embodies the fulfilment of divine prophecy and symbolises the triumph of love, peace, and unity.
8. Stampede: It’s Our Fault, We Failed To Provide Food To Nigerians – APC Chieftain
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jesutega Onokpasa, has said the stampedes recorded across the country in centers where Christmas palliative rice was shared should be blamed on the government.
Onokpasa regretted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has failed to meet up with his promise of making food available to all citizens.
In an interview with Channels TV on Tuesday, a strong supporter of President Tinubu, Onokpasa stated that there was the need for the government to take action against hunger in the country.
While describing the stampedes recorded in Okija, Ibadan and Maitama as unfortunate, the APC chieftain called on the President to work towards reducing high cost of food items in the country.
9. Hardship: ‘The Worth Of Life In Tinubu’s Government Is About ₦5,000’ – Okonkwo
Legal practitioner and former Labour Party (LP) chieftain, Kenneth Okonkwo, has blamed the recent tragic stampedes during food distribution events in Nigeria on widespread desperation and hunger.
The incidents, which occurred in Oyo State, Anambra State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), left several people dead and many others injured, sparking nationwide grief and debate over the root causes.
The stampedes reportedly took place at events organized to distribute food items to vulnerable Nigerians as part of humanitarian efforts during the festive season.
Days after the stampedes, Tinubu in a media chat, rated his government well in the country’s governance. He defended his administration’s policies including the removal of fuel subsidy, insisting they were necessary steps to getting Nigeria working.
Okonkwo, however, faulted Tinubu’s claims about his government, saying the president cannot rate himself.
10. Police Make Over 30,000 Arrests, Recover Nearly 2,000 Firearms In 2024 – IGP
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has announced that the Nigeria Police Force recorded 30,313 arrests, seized 1,984 firearms, and recovered 23,250 rounds of ammunition in 2024.
In a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Egbetokun revealed these figures during a strategic meeting with senior officers at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
The meeting, held at the Goodluck Ebele Peacekeeping Hall, was an opportunity to assess the Force’s progress and plan for future improvements in law enforcement.
The IGP highlighted the successes of the past year, emphasizing the reduction in crime and the strengthening of community relations.
He underscored the significance of cooperation between the police and the public in fostering mutual trust and security.
The statement detailed the Nigeria Police Force’s achievements in 2024, noting that 30,313 suspects were arrested for various serious crimes, alongside the recovery of firearms and ammunition, and the rescue of 1,581 victims of kidnapping.
Looking ahead to 2025, the IGP outlined plans to enhance the Force’s operations by incorporating innovative technologies and modern policing practices to stay ahead of emerging challenges.
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