Newspaper headlines for today, Thursday 31st March 2022
Former President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has listed five things that the federal government must do to end the current insecurity across the country.
In posts on his verified social media pages, Saraki emphasized the need for effective intelligence sharing and the use of technology in order to combat terrorism in Nigeria.
Saraki described as unacceptable reports that terrorists overran an airport in Kaduna, bombed two trains with thousands of Nigerians, and killed and injured several innocent citizens.
The former Kwara governor said the recent attack at the Gidan train station is yet another example of why people no longer feel safe in Nigeria.
2. 2023: Okupe Quits Presidential Race, Backs Peter Obi
Former Presidential spokesman, Doyin Okupe has withdrawn from the 2023 presidential race to support former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi.
Okupe had earlier expressed his intention to contest in the presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The PDP chieftain announced the decision to quit at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Iwe Iroyin, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Okupe further stated that he and his supporters would be supporting Obi in the forthcoming election.
He also asked all other aspirants from the South; Dele Momodu, Senator Pius Anyim, and Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, to declare their support for Obi’s candidacy.
3. NDLEA Drug Allegation: Abba Kyari, Other Police Officers Safe But No Special Treatment For Them In Kuje Prison
The embattled former head of the IGP Intelligence Response Team (IRT), DCP Abba Kyari would come to no harm in prison custody, officials have assured.
The assurance was given by the Public Relations Officer of the Federal Capital Territory Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Mr. Chukwuedo Humphrey who confirmed that Abba Kyari and others have been received in Kuje prison facility.
He added however that no one is afforded special treatment while in custody and the case of Kyari and others with him won’t be different.
Mr. Humphrey said there is nothing to be worried about as Kyari and others with him are very safe and no harm will come to them.
He added that prison officials are very professional in their duties and have the backup of other security agencies including the police and DSS in ensuring everything goes fine.
4. Gov Mala Buni Hands Over APC Chairmanship To Adamu
The newly-elected National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Adamu, has been officially handed the leadership of the party.
NewsroomNaija reports that Adamu emerged chairman of the party during the just concluded national convention held at the Eagles Square in Abuja.
Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni who has been at the helm of the party’s affair for about twenty-one months, handed over on Wednesday.
Recall that Buni had faced some challenges as the Chairman Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the party in the last few months.
He eventually handed over today and the brief ceremony was held at the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja.
The event was witnessed by all the newly elected executive members and Nasarawa Governor, Abdullahi Sule, Naija News understands.
5. ‘A Horror Dream’ – NGF Condemns Kaduna Train Attack
The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) has expressed sadness over the terror attack on a Kaduna-bound train which left eight dead and 16 others injured.
Recall that bandit terrorists on Monday night bombed the Abuja-Kaduna train between Katari and Regina axis, leading to the death of some passengers.
The terrorists thereafter attacked the passengers and abducted some whose whereabouts are still unknown.
In a statement on Wednesday by its chairman, Kayode Fayemi, the NGF described the attack as a horror dream and called for immediate action to stop the senseless killing in the nation.
The forum said the level of attacks is becoming too regular which questions the governors’ capacity to lead their states, urging security agencies to prevent future attacks on the country’s infrastructure.
It pointed out that the spate of attacks in the country’s national experience will certainly be forgotten while commiserating with the families of the victims.
6. Nigerian Senate Directs DStv, GOtv, Others To Adopt Pay-Per-View Method
The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday instructed operators of pay television services in the country to adopt the pay-per-view method instead of the monthly subscription method.
This follows the adoption of a motion by Benue South Senator, Abba Moro who observed that Nigerians are been short-changed over Pay-TV tariff hikes, and recommended a Pay-Per-View subscription model.
He lamented the recent upward review in the price of pay-tv subscription packages coupled with the epileptic power supply in the country which bars most subscribers from accessing the service they paid for.
According to Senate President Ahmad Lawan, DSTV can’t do what it is doing in Nigeria in many other countries and escape with it.
7. 2023: PDP Raises Alarm Over Alleged APC Plan
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that the Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) plans to introduce certain clauses into the newly passed Electoral Act 2022 that will compromise the 2023 elections.
The party’s publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba stated that the ” the APC, having realized that it is running out of time and cannot meet up with the already released electoral timetable now seeks to frustrate and derail the ongoing electoral process”.
They stated further that the Buhari-led government had perfected plans to use the new APC leadership in the National Assembly to allegedly orchestrate an amendment to the Electoral Act to create an opening for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to change its already released 2023 Election Timetable and Schedule of Activities to accommodate the APC.
PDP noted that they would not accept the alleged plot by the APC to shift the goal post in the middle of the game and cautioned INEC to resist such a heinous design against democracy.
8. NFF Apologizes To Government, Nigerians Over Super Eagles’ Failure To Qualify For World Cup
The Nigeria Football Federation has tendered an unreserved apology to the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria for the failure of the Super Eagles to qualify for this year’s FIFA World Cup finals holding in Qatar.
NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi regretted that the team failed to qualify despite the enormous support of Government and the good people of Nigeria who turned out in throngs to fill up the 60,491 –capacity Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja for the clash with Ghana’s Black Stars on Tuesday.
“There was nothing the team needed that was lacking. The Government provided necessary support; the NFF put all logistics in place with the active support of the Sports Ministry and; Nigerians turned out en masse to support the team. The truth is that we left nothing to chance. It is sad that things turned out the way they did.
9. Security Operatives Killed As Boko Haram/ISWAP Attacks Military Base In Borno
At least three security operatives have been killed during a terror attack on Malum Fatori military base in Abadam Local Government Area, Borno State.
NewsroomNaija reports that two Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) officers and one soldier were killed during the terror attack carried out by the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on Wednesday.
According to a Security expert, Zagazola Makama, the terrorists invaded the base on 20 gun trucks and motorcycles from Kangarwa- Madayi- Shuwaram-and Dogon Chikun area of the state.
As of the time of filing this report, the military authorities have yet to react to the reported attack.
10. Kaduna: Communities Shielding Criminals Living Among Them – El-Rufai
The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai has accused some communities in the state of shielding criminal persons living among them.
The Governor stated this on Wednesday when he paid a condolence visit to the Chief of Kagoro, Mr Ufuwai Bonet over the recent attacks in the area.
Speaking at the palace of the traditional ruler in Kaura Local Government Area of the state, Governor El-Rufai said if insecurity would end, the locals must work with the security agents and expose the criminals among them.
He cautioned traditional rulers to wake up to their responsibilities and deal with crime in their domains instead of allowing the youths to take over leadership.
He said if the traditional rulers take their responsibilities seriously, those behind criminal activities will be exposed and dealt with so that peace can reign.
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