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Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 6th November, 2024
1. Shettima Reveals Why Tinubu Released Minors Charged With Treason
The Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday disclosed that President Bola Tinubu ordered the release of the minors facing trial for treason on compassionate grounds.
According to Shettima, there are video and photographic evidence of some of the protesters which were uploaded by the actors themselves.
He lamented that the nation lost over N300 billion from the destruction and halting of economic activities orchestrated by the protesters.
Shettima made this claim while receiving the minors at the Presidential Villa, shortly after their charges were dropped by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.
2. FG Scraps 18-year Admission Benchmark For Tertiary Institutions, Hints On Education Policy Review
The new Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has announced the abolishment of the 18-year admission benchmark into tertiary institutions in the country.
This is as he hinted at the possibility of his administration reviewing the nation’s education policy.
The Minister, however, stated there would be no reversal on the federal government’s decision to void over 22,700 degree certificates obtained by Nigerians in some “fake” universities in neighbouring Togo and Benin Republic.
Alausa spoke on Wednesday in his inaugural ministerial press conference in Abuja.
3. Why Tinubu Promoted Acting COAS Oluyede To Lieutenant General – Presidency
President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, promoted the acting Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, to the rank of Lieutenant General.
The President also decorated Oluyede with his new rank at the brief ceremony held at the State House in Abuja.
A statement released by the Special Adviser to Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the President promoted the Acting COAS in recognition of his commitment and service to the Nigerian military.
President Tinubu added that Oluyede’s exemplary record is commendable.
During the event, President Tinubu commended the military for its unwavering courage, dedication, and patriotism in maintaining the nation’s security.
President Tinubu assured the military that the government would always listen to their advice and keep the country on the path of peace and prosperity.
4. Why Grid Collapsed 10th Time – TCN
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has explained the reason for Tuesday’s collapse of the national grid.
Naija News reported that the national grid recorded another collapse making it the 10th in 2024, a situation that plunged Nigerians into darkness.
In a statement, on Tuesday afternoon, hours after the report of the grid collapse, the TCN General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, disclosed that the collapse happened at 1:52 pm.
According to Mrs Mbah data from the National Control Centre (NCC) revealed that a part of the grid was not affected by the bulk power disruption.
She explained that engineers have already started working quickly to restore bulk power to the states affected by the partial disturbance. She added that line tripping was responsible for the grid collapse.
The TCN spokesperson apologized to Nigerians for the inconvenience, assuring that efforts are to ensure full restoration.
5. You Are Africa’s Most Infamous Election Loser, Failed Fantastically As VP – APC Tackles Atiku
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has slammed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, describing him as Africa’s most infamous election loser.
Reacting to Atiku’s latest jab at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said the former Vice President failed to implement his economic plan when he governed Nigeria from 1999 to 2007.
In a statement obtained by Naija News on Tuesday, the APC said Atiku failed fantastically to execute his economic ideas as vice president and also failed to get his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to do so in all of their 16 years in power.
Morka stated that Nigeria’s intelligent and discerning electorate will not act against their own best interest by electing into office “a man with some of the most obscene record of breach of public trust.”
The APC pointed out that Atiku was the Vice President in the government that created crooked and viscerally corrupt petrol subsidy hydra-headed dragon that has crippled Nigeria’s economy.
6. Citizens Without Insurance Access To Get FG’s Financial Protection
The Federal Government has initiated a strategy to provide financial protection for millions of Nigerians who are currently without insurance coverage.
The initiative, which marks the first major implementation phase of the recently signed Aso Accord, brings together the nation’s top financial and insurance regulators in a collaboration to transform Nigeria’s insurance landscape.
Speaking at a roundtable meeting on Tuesday, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia said outcomes of the roundtable will be presented to the National Economic Council (NEC).
Hadejia explained that financial inclusion through insurance is an economic imperative, saying, “We cannot build a resilient economy while leaving millions of our citizens financially exposed.
“Financial inclusion, particularly through insurance access, serves as the crucial driver that will propel Nigeria toward sustainable economic growth,” he added.
7. Oil Marketers Set To Partner With Dangote Refinery On PMS Purchase
Oil marketers in Nigeria have expressed readiness to collaborate with Dangote Refinery by purchasing refined Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from the facility, affirming their support for the local refinery.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Tuesday, the President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Gilli Billis-Harry, emphasized that oil marketers are open to buying products from the refinery if all necessary market terms and conditions are met.
The PETROAN president also announced that a meeting had been scheduled this week between oil marketers and Dangote Refinery officials to finalize discussions on establishing a seamless working relationship.
This engagement is expected to cover agreements on pricing, distribution logistics, and other operational terms.
The development comes as Nigeria pushes for self-sufficiency in petroleum refining to reduce dependence on imported fuel and stabilize domestic prices.
8. NAF Air Strikes Kill Senior ISWAP Commander, Bashir Dauda, 49 Fighters In Borno
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed the death of a high-ranking Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commander, Bashir Dauda, along with 49 other fighters in targeted air strikes in Marte Local Government Area, Borno State.
The operation, conducted by NAF fighter jets, also led to the destruction of a crucial ISWAP supply depot in the Jubularam enclave, which stored substantial quantities of food and essential supplies.
According to NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, who announced the operation on Tuesday, the air strikes were a coordinated response aimed at crippling ISWAP’s logistical base and weakening its operational capacity.
Akinboyewa said the successful air strikes, which he said were targeted at terrorists and logistics bases, underscored NAF’s ongoing “commitment to supporting ground forces and enhancing joint efforts to decimate terrorist strongholds in the region.”
9. #EndBadGovernance: You Will Face Legal Action If You Fail To Rehabilitate Minors – Falana Warns FG
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has threatened to sue the Federal Government if the minors arrested and arraigned in connection with the recent hunger protests are not rehabilitated after their release.
He stated this on Tuesday while reviewing a book titled ‘Judiciary Terrorism’ by Richard Akinnola in Abuja.
Naija News reports that on Tuesday, the Federal High Court, Abuja, had struck out the case against 119 protesters, following an application by the Attorney-General of the Federation to discontinue the FG’s case against the protesters.
In his reaction, Falana said withdrawing the charges was not enough. He added that the government must rehabilitate them and send them back to school.
10. Tax Reform Bills Dead On Arrival – Ndume Dares Tinubu
The lawmaker representing Borno South in the National Assembly, Senator Ali Ndume, has sharply criticized the recent tax reform bills submitted by President Bola Tinubu, describing them as “dead on arrival.”
The seasoned lawmaker urged Tinubu to heed the recommendations of the National Economic Council (NEC) and the Northern Governors’ Forum, calling for the immediate withdrawal of the bills.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today program on Tuesday, Ndume expressed his disapproval, emphasizing that the legislative arm sees no need to study the bills further.
Ndume, known for his outspoken and often unconventional views, argued that the government should focus on alleviating the tax burden on Nigerians instead of proposing increases.
The tax reform bills have sparked significant debate, with critics contending that additional taxes could worsen the economic challenges many Nigerians currently face.
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