Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Thursday, 24th September, 2020

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Thursday, 24th September 2020

1. President Buhari Travels Out Of Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari will on Thursday, September 24 (today), depart Abuja, Nigeria for Bissau to attend ceremonies celebrating the National Day of the Republic of Guinea Bissau.

According to a statement on Wednesday by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on media and publicity, Buhari will join the Heads of State and Government of Senegal, Cote d’ Ivoire, Rwanda, Mauritania, Togo and Liberia to mark the 47th independence anniversary of Guinea Bissau.

The statement added that while “in Bissau, President Buhari will also commission a road named in his honour by the host government.”

“The Nigerian leader and other invited Heads of State will attend an official lunch hosted by President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea Bissau.”

The President will be accompanied by top government officials including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, the Minister of Defence, Major-General Bashir Salihi Magashi (Rtd), the National Security Adviser, Major-General Babagana Monguno (Rtd) and the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.

2. Kogi: Over Thirty People Killed As Tanker Collides With Keke Napep

The people of Kogi were thrown into mourning on Wednesday after a collision between a tanker and a tricycle saw over 30 people burnt to death.

Information gathered revealed that the incident occurred at about 9am on Wednesday.

It was reported that a family of six burnt to ashes in a Toyota Sienna bus.

The incident which saw victims helpless as they burnt beyond recognition, occurred along the ever busy Lokoja/ Okene/ Abuja road.

Among the casualties of the incident were Kogi State Polytechnic students, school bus conveying primary and secondary school students, residents, and passersby.

An eyewitness stated that the petrol tanker which was coming from Okene had a break failure which led to the accident.

The accident saw more than 10 vehicles burnt to ashes.

3. Nigeria To Spend $1.96b On Construction Of Rail Line From Kano To Niger Republic

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday, approved the sum of $1.96 billion to construct the 248-kilometre railway line from Kano to Maradi in Niger Republic.

Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi disclosed this to State House Correspondents after this week’s FEC meeting which held at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.

According to him, the $1.96 billion construction cost includes 7.5% value added tax (VAT).

Naija News understands the contract for the construction was initiated in February 2018 and designed to connect three Nigerian states in the north; Kano, Katsina and Jigawa state, as well as seven senatorial districts.

The rail line, which will start from Kano, is to pass through Dambatta, Kazaure, Daura, Mashi, Katsina, Jibia and terminate in Maradi, Niger Republic.

The rail line when completed, is expected to assist in the supply of crude oil from Niger Republic to the refinery being built in the border town between both countries.

4. Court Faults Buhari Over Breach Of Law On Judges’ Appointment

President Muhammadu Buhari has been accused of breaching section 256(2) of the Nigerian Constitution after sending names of 11 candidates recommended to him by the National Judicial Council for appointment as judges of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory to the Senate for screening and confirmation.

According to Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Abuja Federal High Court on Wednesday, September 23, the president acted in contravention of the law.

Naija News understands that Ekwo made the pronouncement in a suit filed by an Abuja-based lawyer, Oladimeji Ekengba, contending that the forwarding of the names of the 11 nominees by Buhari to the Senate was in breach of section 256(2) of the Nigerian Constitution.

The suit noted that Buhari, without proper briefing, picked 11 names from among the 33 recommended to him in April this year by the NJC for appointment as FCT High Court judges.

It is also understood that the president forwarded to the senate the 11 names for screening, but the lawmakers had declined to act on the President’s list having admitted that it had no role to play in the appointment of FCT judges.

The 11 judges have since been sworn in by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad.

5. Edo: ‘Get Rid Of Lions, Tigers From Tormenting Edo People’ – Okowa Tells Obaseki

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, just like President Muhammadu Buhari, has admonished Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State to be magnanimous and graceful in victory.

During a “thank you” visit to the Delta State governor in Asaba on Wednesday, September 23, the governor felicitated with Obaseki who contested and won in the just concluded election in Edo State under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, urged him ‘not to allow the lions and the tigers to torment the people again’.

Naija News understands that Okowa’s statement was disclosed by the media unit of the Delta Government House, following Obaseki’s visit to the state.

Okowa expressed appreciation to God for the victory, saying that he was inspired to support Obaseki because of his humility and the fact that he was being oppressed. He said, “I want to congratulate you once again, and I feel very excited that you won the election.”

“I believe God did this in your life because you have proven to be a very humble man and people who boast too much don’t usually end well. I urge you to show lots of magnanimity and grace, but do not allow the lions and the tigers to torment the people again.”

6. Actualization Of Water Resources Bill Is A Must – Lai Mohammed

The federal government of Nigeria has maintained its position on ensuring passage of the National Water Resource Bill 2020 into law.

This was restated by the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Lai Mohammed who noted that the bill was nothing new from the existing law.

According to the minister in his reaction to critics by Nigerians over the establishment of the bill, the overall objective of the amalgamation is the efficient management of the water resources sector for the economic development of Nigeria and the wellbeing of its citizens

Mohammed condemned those lamenting and accusing the government of seeking the control of water, usage and its resources, describing them as “anti-people” and also being mischievous. According to the Minister, the bill is a consolidation of four existing laws aimed at the efficient management of water resources in the country.

The minister admonished Nigerians to avail themselves of the provisions of the bill, adding that no one should allow himself be misled by those who have chosen to politicise the bill.

7. We Are Still Fighting Boko Haram Terrorists – Buhari Tells UN

The President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday told other World leaders that the country is still fighting Boko Haram terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements.

This Buhari disclosed in his pre-recorded address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

He, therefore, called for support from the International community in ensuring all forms of banditry and insurgency are overcome.

Specifically, he urged the leaders to take decisive action against the illicit flow of small arms and light weapons.

“Nigeria remains deeply concerned over the illicit trade, transfer, and circulation of small arms and light weapons, particularly on the continent of Africa. In Nigeria, we are still facing violent extremism from the insurgency of Boko Haram and bandits,” he said.

Furthermore, President Buhari reiterated the need for international cooperation such as what Nigeria has with its neighbours in fighting terrorists in the Lake Chad Basin region.

8. Police Arrest 7 Fake Soldiers Operating On Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

The Ogun State Command of the Nigerian Police has arrested and paraded seven fake soldiers after their failed operation on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

They were paraded on Tuesday by the Commissioner of Police in Ogun state, Edward Ajogun at the command’s headquarters at Eleweran, Abeokuta.

The Police boss narrated that the fake soldiers were part of a gang that had operated at Ijebu-Ife around 2.30am on September 4 in military camouflage uniforms.

One of the suspects was killed when they decided to engage policemen in a gun battle, while another seven escaped.

Ajogun however explained that the Special Anti- Robbery Squad, led by CSP Muhammad Tijani launched a search operation leading to the arrest of the suspects from their different hideouts within and outside the state.

Six of the suspects listed as Ikechukwu Alore, Ifeanyi Emmanuel, Chinbueze Kingsley, Obiora Michael, Elias John and Vincent Magnus– were arrested at different locations in Lagos, while the remaining one, Chigozie Michael, was apprehended in Sagamu, Ogun State.

9. Biafra: IPOB Issues New Directives To Southeast States Ahead Of October 1

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has urged all its members in the Southeast states and outside to shutdown their markets, schools, and businesses on Octorber 1 as a mark of respect to all those who were killed as a result of terrorism in Nigeria.

Naija News understands that IPOB issued the directive on Wednesday, September 23, with claims that the sit-at-home order was aimed at expressing displeasure over bad leadership being experienced in the country over the years.

IPOB in the statement signed and released by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, lamented over the killing of innocent civilians especially Christians, clashes in Southern Kaduna, and elsewhere across the Middle Belt.

The group called for total lockdown on October 1, urging all Biafrans and conscious Nigerian citizens to boycott every government organized ceremony designed to eulogize what the country has become. According to IPOB, “this is the time to let the world know how disastrously intolerable human existence is in Nigeria today.”

10. Wilfred Ndidi Ruled Out Of Super Eagles’ Friendlies Against Tunisia, Ivory Coast

Super Eagles’ player, Wilfred Ndidi, has been ruled out of Nigeria’s international friendly match against Tunisia and Ivory Coast scheduled for October 2020.

This is as a result of a groin injury sustained by the English Premier League player while playing for his club, Leicester City on Sunday, September 20, Naija News understands.

Naija News recalls that Leicester City on Sunday had a 4-2 win over Burnley in the EPL.

SportingLife in a report on Wednesday, confirmed that the 23-year-old will be missing out on the trip to Austria for the friendly games against Ivory Coast and Tunisia.

Affirming to the development, the Media Officer of the Super Eagles, Toyin Ibitoye, said Eagles’ head coach, Gernot Rohr has already been informed of Ndidi’s challenge.

That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.