Nigerian Newspapers Summary
Good morning! Here is today’s summary from Daily News 24. Stay informed with the top headlines making waves across Nigeria, including the organised labour’s call for dialogue to prevent protests, the Federal Government’s intervention in the Dangote refinery dispute, and significant actions in local governance and national security.
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1. Organised labour urges President Tinubu to engage in dialogue to avert nationwide protest: The leadership of the organised labour, led by Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero, has advised President Bola Tinubu to prevent a looming nationwide protest by engaging in dialogue with the protest’s organisers. Ajaero emphasized that many Nigerians are suffering from severe economic hardship and that the government needs to address their concerns.
2. Federal Government intervenes in Dangote refinery dispute: The Federal Government has stepped in to mediate the conflict between Aliko Dangote and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). On Monday, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, held a high-level meeting with stakeholders to resolve issues affecting the Dangote Refinery project.
3. Kaduna governor criticizes toxic politics in the North: Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State expressed his disappointment over the persistent toxic politics and “pull him down” syndrome among some Northern politicians. He noted that despite positive development indicators, certain politicians continue to engage in blame games rather than introspection and constructive efforts.
4. Electronics dealer loses N2.6 million worth of property in Kwali fire: Yusuf Tijjani, an electronics dealer known as Babson, lost property valued at over N2.6 million when a fire razed his shop in Kwali Area Council of the FCT. The incident occurred on Saturday around 3 am, shortly after Tijjani had closed his shop located behind the motor park in Kwali town.
5. Finance Minister defends proposed tax on forex gains by banks: Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Olawale Edun, defended the federal government’s proposed one-off tax on 2023 foreign exchange (forex) gains by banks. The tax plan, part of the proposed amendment to the 2023 Finance Act before the National Assembly, aims to capture the banks’ significant forex profits.
6. President Tinubu appoints Professor Obafunwa as NIMR Director-General: President Bola Tinubu has appointed Professor John Oladapo Obafunwa as the new Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR). The appointment will take effect on Wednesday, July 24.
7. Government allocates N3 trillion from supplementary budget for new minimum wage: The Federal Government announced that the N3 trillion recurrent component of the N6.2 trillion supplementary budget before the National Assembly will be primarily used to address the new national minimum wage. This was disclosed by Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, while speaking to the House of Representatives’ Committee on Appropriation.
8. Federal High Court denies motion to halt spending from Rivers State consolidated revenue fund: On Monday, the Federal High Court in Abuja refused to grant a motion to stop Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State from using the state’s consolidated revenue fund. Justice James Nwite ordered the plaintiffs to notify Fubara and other defendants before proceeding with the case.
9. Court of Appeal upholds 15-year sentence for ex-Baale of Shangisha: The Court of Appeal in Lagos affirmed the 15-year imprisonment sentence of the dethroned Baale of Shangisha, Mutiu Ogundare, for faking his own abduction. The lead judge, Justice Peter Bassi, upheld the High Court’s previous ruling, maintaining the severe punishment for Ogundare’s actions.
10. House Speaker supports renewable salary cuts for economic relief: Speaker Abbas Tajudeen announced that the House of Representatives’ decision to cut salaries by 50% for six months to aid struggling Nigerians might be renewed if necessary. Tajudeen emphasized that the House members understand the economic challenges faced by the public and are committed to making sacrifices to alleviate their hardships.
