Good Morning, Welcome to Daily News24 Roundup of Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines for Thursday, Jan. 6th.
- PDP, others kick as Buhari dismisses state police, insists on grazing routes
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Wednesday restated his opposition to state police, saying it was not an option for addressing insecurity in the country.
The President also insisted that the establishment of grazing routes would solve the problem of farmers, herders’ clashes in the country.
Buhari, who said these during an interview with Channels Television, also dismissed Igbo leaders’ plea for the release of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
2. Debt servicing gulps 76% of revenue, experts, Buhari disagree on borrowings
The Federal Government on Wednesday disclosed that it spent N4.2tn on debt servicing between January and November 2021.
This sum represents 76.2 per cent of the N5.51tn revenue generated during the period under review.
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, disclosed this in Abuja during the public presentation of the details of the 2022 Appropriation Bill, signed by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) on December 31, 2021.
3. 2023: I Don’t Care Who Succeeds Me – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday said he does not care about who succeeds him, stressing that 2023 is not his problem.
His assertion is in contrast to former President Olusegun Obasanjo who worked to ensure that late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua succeeded him in 2007 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
President Buhari, who was asked to say something about the 2023 elections, said: “2023 is not my problem, I don’t care who succeeds me, let the person come, whoever the person is.
4. Senate probes BPE, alleges unremitted $679.4m rent on ports’ concession
The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has begun an investigation of the Bureau of Public Enterprises for allegedly failing to remit $679.4m realised from the concession of various ports to 23 companies the Nigerian Ports Authority over a period of 10 years.
The investigation is based on the ‘Auditor-General for the Federation’s Annual Report on Non-Compliance/Internal Control Weaknesses Issues in Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria for the Year Ended 31st December 2019.’
The Acting Auditor-General of the Federation, Adolphus Aghughu, had presented the report to the Clerk to the National Assembly, Ojo Amos, on September 15, 2021, while the Senate and House Committees on Public Accounts launched an investigation into the queries.
5. Boko Haram Attacks Yobe Town, Burns Ambulance
Gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members on Wednesday invaded Gujba Town of Yobe State.
A member of the vigilante group in the area, Mohammed Musa, said the insurgents invaded the town through the southern flank without firing a single shot.
He said the attackers in their motorcade forcefully gained entrance into a hospital and carted away some drugs
6. I can’t release Nnamdi Kanu, says Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday night, said detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, should answer for his actions.
The President, who responded to questions on several national issues on the programme, said: “I wouldn’t dare interfere with the judiciary.
“We cannot rule out possibility of political solution, but if he will behave himself all well and good.
7. Okorocha: Uzodimma has a killer squad
Former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has accused Governor Hope Uzodimma of setting up a killer squad known as Hopism Strike Force (HSF).
He also alleged that the strike force is behind the mayhems in the state. The governor has denied the allegations.
Addressing reporters at his residence in Owerri, Okorocha said the strike force comprises the military, police, DSS and Ebubeagu.
8. Bandits storm Zungeru Dam, kill 2 guards, kidnap 2 Chinese, injure another
Daredevil bandits have stormed the Zungeru Multi-billion Naira Hydro Electricity Power Dam in Wushishi Local Government Area, LGA of Niger State, killed two guards, kidnapped two Chinese workers and shot another at the site.
Vanguard gathered that the fully armed bandits stormed the site on Motorcycles on Tuesday evening and started shooting sporadically to scare the workers and nearby villagers in the area.
The workers were said to be busy connecting high tension extension from Zungeru Dam to Gusase community when the bandits attacked the site.
9. Resource control: We’ll partner other minorities — INC President
The apex Ijaw socio-cultural body, the Ijaw National Congress, INC, has said it would continue to partner the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, MOSOP, and other ethnic Nationalities in Niger Delta to realise resource ownership and self-determination.
According to the President of INC, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, the Ogoni people had played a critical role in the struggle of the Niger Delta minorities against environmental pollution and resource injustice over the years.
In his address to commemorate the 30th celebration of Ogoni Day with the theme, “Leaving No One Behind,” he said: “The Ijaw nation is resolute in our solidarity with the MOSOP cause for environmental justice, resource control and self-determination.
10. 2021AFCON: Confident Super Eagles Off To Garoua
Super Eagles players and officials were in buoyant mood as they fly out to Garoua, Cameroon on Wednesday night ahead of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, Completesports.com reports.
25 players and technical crew members made the trip from the Nnamdi Azikwe international, Airport, Abuja.
The contingent will fly straight to Garoua where an advanced party are already waiting for them.
