Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Saturday, 13th July, 2024
Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Saturday, 13th July 2024.
The Presidency has slammed the Chief Whip of the 10th Senate, Mohammed Ali Ndume, over claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not aware of events happening outside the Presidential Villa, in Abuja.
According to him, the Nigerian leader has been trapped and confined by specific groups.
Naija News reports that the lawmaker representing Borno South senatorial district made this remark during a press conference on Wednesday at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
Ndume expressed his frustration that President Tinubu’s administration has not taken significant steps to address the ongoing security issues plaguing the nation.
He stated that the public’s dissatisfaction stems from the government’s inability to effectively address the issues of poverty, insecurity, and hunger, among others, which have severely impacted the nation.
In response, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, in a post via X on Friday, said Ndume has a horrible reputation for being a loose cannon and careless talker.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
Naija News reports that the appointment was disclosed in a statement on Friday by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.
According to the statement, the President has also approved the appointment of Senator Adedayo Adeyeye as Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
Dr. Dantsoho holds a Doctorate degree in Maritime Technology from Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, and a Master’s degree in International Transport from Cardiff University of Wales, United Kingdom.
Before his appointment, he had served in various roles in the Nigerian Ports Authority as Assistant General Manager; Technical Assistant to the Managing Director; Port Manager, Onne Port; and Principal Manager, Tariff & Billing.
Former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, has urged Niger Delta elders to plan a future outside oil and gas.
Jonathan lamented that the future of hydrocarbon resources is bleak.
The former president stated this on Friday at the Niger Delta stakeholders summit.
Naija News reports that the Niger Delta accounts for over 90 per cent of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon resources.
However, Jonathan has stated that it cannot be relied on, adding that it may dry up someday.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially designated the National Arts Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos, as the Wole Soyinka National Arts Theatre in honour of Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka.
Naija News reports that this announcement was made through a formal letter sent by Tinubu to the renowned literary figure as part of the celebrations for his 90th birthday.
Tinubu emphasized that the decision to name the theatre after Soyinka was a tribute not only to his outstanding literary contributions but also to his steadfast commitment to upholding principles of human dignity and justice.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday granted bail to former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, in the sum of ₦10 billion with stringent conditions attached.
Mamman, who is facing a 12-count charge of alleged involvement in an ₦33 billion fraud, was previously remanded in Kuje prison.
Justice James Omotosho, presiding over the case, stipulated that the defendant must provide two sureties owning landed properties worth at least ₦750 million each within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The sureties are also required to present a three-year tax clearance certificate and swear an affidavit of means, alongside submitting their recent bank statements and passport photographs.
Further tightening the bail conditions, Justice Omotosho directed that Mr Mamman surrender his international passport to the court’s registrar, who must verify all documents before his release from custody.
Alternatively, the court allowed for a bank guarantee or bond of ₦10 billion if suitable sureties were not forthcoming.
The Chief Whip of the Senate, Ali Ndume, has lamented the leadership situation in Nigeria, submitting that the country is being led by “kakistocrats” – a government run by the worst, least qualified, or most unscrupulous citizens and “kleptocrats” – government by people who use their power to steal their country’s resources.
Ndume added that though President Bola Tinubu himself may have good intentions, those around him do not mean well.
The Borno federal lawmaker made the submission during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday.
Senate Chief Whip, Ali Ndume, has commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for securing financial autonomy for Local Governments, marking it as the president’s most significant achievement since his inauguration in May 2023.
The affirmation came in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling, initiated by Tinubu’s administration, which mandated the direct payment of Local Government allocations, thereby stripping state governors of their long-held control over these funds.
In a statement released to the press on Friday, Ndume praised the Supreme Court’s decision as a pivotal moment for grassroots governance in Nigeria.
A former spokesman for the Atiku Abubakar/Ifeanyi Okowa presidential campaign in the 2023 presidential election, Daniel Bwala, has lampooned the Chief Whip of the 10th Senate, Mohammed Ali Ndume, following his recent remark about the incumbent government.
Naija News reports that Senator Ndume, during a recent chat on BBC Hausa, criticized President Bola Tinubu’s government over its inability to address security challenges and other issues bedevilling the country.
The federal lawmaker further asserted that some ministers have been unable to meet with the President to discuss pressing matters.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed profound sorrow over the collapse of Saints Academy in Jos, Plateau State, which resulted in significant casualties and injuries.
The tragic event, which occurred on Friday, claimed 22 lives and left 132 individuals injured, according to a statement issued by Presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale.
In his statement, President Tinubu extended his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and the people of Plateau State, describing the incident as a “huge loss” to the nation and a “devastating development.”
He remarked on the excruciating nature of the tragedy and the pain it has brought to the affected families and the community at large.
Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has slammed a member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Henry Marah and Channels TV, with a ₦3 billion lawsuit over alleged defamatory comments about the probe of N423 billion loan.
Naija News reports that Marah, in a recent interview with Channels TV, commented on the ongoing probe into El-Rufai’s alleged borrowing of funds valued at N423 billion during his tenure as Governor between 2015 and 2023.
Marah was quoted in the interview as saying that El-Rufai’s borrowings were done without due process and the funds unaccounted for.
According to Daily Trust, in the writ of summons filed before an FCT High Court dated July 11, 2024, El-Rufai, through his counsel, A.U. Mustapha (SAN), is contending that the interview on June 5’s “Politics Today” on Channels TV titled “Investigation of El-Rufai Administration” was malicious, unwarranted, without justification, defamatory and greatly damaging to the reputation of the claimant.
