Top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 5th October 2022
1. Buhari To Present N19.76tn 2023 Budget To NASS On Friday
President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to present the N19.76trillion 2023 appropriation bill before the National Assembly on Friday, October 7, 2022, Naija News reports.
Recall that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, revealed earlier in September that the Nigerian leader will present the proposed budget for the 2023 fiscal year before the National Assembly in the first week of October.
The Speaker made the disclosure while inspecting the renovation of the assembly complex ahead of the delivery deadline of August 2023.
It was, however, confirmed in a fresh report obtained by Naija News on Tuesday that the budget presentation will take place at 10:00 am at the temporary chamber of the House of Representatives.
The Letter on the Budget presentation by President Buhari was personally written by him and read in Plenary Tuesday by the President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan.
2. FG Presents Certificate Of Registration To ASUU Faction
Amidst the crisis in the education sector, the Muhammadu Buhari-led Government has presented a certificate of recognition and registration to the Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA).
Truetells Nigeria reports that CONUA is a breakaway faction of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
On behalf of the government, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, presented the certificate to CONUA leadership on Tuesday.
The presentation took place at the Conference Room of the Ministry, Federal Secretariat, Phase 1, Abuja.
It is understood that CONUA is been led by Niyi Sunmonu, a lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife.
Ngige also presented a certificate of registration to the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA).
3. PSC Sacks Seven Top Police Officers, Demotes 10
The Police Service Commission (PSC), on Tuesday, announced the dismissal of seven senior officers from the police force.
The affected personnel were sacked over alleged gross misconduct. This is as the commission also approved the reduction in rank of ten other officers.
Truetells Nigeria reports that the development was announced today during the continuation of the 15th plenary meeting of the Commission.
The summit which is presided over by the force’s acting chairman, Justice Clara Ogunbiyi, is expected to end on Thursday, October 6th, 2022.
At the event, the force acted on all the Pending Disciplinary Matters (PDM) before it.
A total of 47 PDM were reportedly attended to while the commission also treated some appeals from dismissed police officers.
Addressing newsmen shortly after the meeting in Abuja, the spokesman of the commission, Ikechukwu Ani said, the dismissed officers include: 1 CSP, 1 SP and 5 ASPs.
He added that one SP was also retired in public interest.
4. Details Of PDP BoT Meeting With Wike Emerge
The details of the meeting between the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike have emerged.
Truetells Nigeria had earlier reported that members of the BoT met with Wike at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital on Tuesday.
This platform learnt that the meeting which started around 1 pm on Tuesday ended in a deadlock despite the effort of the BoT to end the crisis in the party.
The meeting which was held behind a closed door for almost four hours ended at about 4:35 pm.
The acting Chairman of the PDP BoT, Adolphus Wabara, while addressing newsmen said they had a frank discussion, he, however, stated that there was no conclusion during the meeting.
Wike speaking after the meeting said, “As the BoT acting chairman said, the most important thing is to have unity. What is important is that the house is united. So, the issue of whether we achieved peace today or not is immaterial.”
5. Sanwo-Olu Announces Salary Increase For Lagos Workers
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced approval for the increase in the salary of civil servants employed by the state government.
Governor Sanwo-Olu made the announcement on Tuesday while addressing Lagos workers during a visit to the Alausa Secretariat.
He said the increase is in recognition of the sacrifices being made by the workers amidst the challenges of inflation and other economic issues in Nigeria.
Sanwo-Olu added that he has given directives during a cabinet meeting for the necessary Ministries and agencies to work on implementing the approved increase.
The announcement generated huge cheers and excitement from the civil servants who gathered to listen to the Governor’s speech.
Speaking further, the Governor said there’s no need for the state to wait for the federal government as according to him, “this is Lagos.”
6. Buhari Meets Gbajabiamila, Wase Over ASUU Strike
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, met with the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and the Deputy Speaker of the House, Ahmed Wase.
Truetells Nigeria gathered that the President met when two leaders of the Green Chamber at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, at about 3:00 pm.
It was learned that the meeting featured discussions on the ongoing strike embarked by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Recall that Gbajabiamila had over the last few weeks conveyed a stakeholders meeting comprising members of ASUU and representatives of the Federal Government.
Speaking at the last meeting with the stakeholders, Gbajabiamila had said the House will prepare and submit the report of its intervention in the ongoing strike to President Buhari.
He said the report will reflect their interactions with the stakeholders and provide recommendations to enable the President to assess the situation from an informed second option.
7. 2023: PDP To Kick Off Presidential Campaign On Oct 10
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is set to commence its presidential campaign on Monday, 10 October 2022.
The Director General of PDP National Campaign Management Committee (NCMC), Sokoto State Governor, Aminu
Tambuwal on Tuesday disclosed that the kick-off will be held in Akwa Ibom State.
Tambuwal, while addressing newsmen at Atiku’s campaign office in Wuse, Abuja, described the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar as the most prepared.
The Governor of Sokoto State further stated that only the former vice president of Nigeria can provide the required leadership in Nigeria.
According to Tambuwal, Atiku has experience in governance at the federal level, adding that none of the presidential candidates can match him.
8. CONUA Releases First Statement After FG’s Approval, Registration
The National Coordinator, Congress of University Academics (CONUA), Niyi Sunmonu has released a statement after the Federal Government presented a certificate of registration to the union.
Truetells Nigeria gathered that CONUA released the statement in Osogbo, Osun State shortly after the recognition by the Federal Government.
Recall that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, presented the certificate to CONUA leadership on Tuesday.
CONUA, in the statement, said the union will work towards ensuring that the nation is no longer traumatized by academic union dislocations.
Sunmomu described the registration of CONUA as a trade union and the validation of the power of the human will.
9. FG Sues Owners Of Facebook, Instagram And WhatsApp, Demands N30bn
The Federal Government through its agency, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has disclosed that it has lodged a suit against Meta Platforms Incorporated (owners of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp platforms) and its agent AT3 Resources Limited at the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division.
According to a statement released on Tuesday, ARCON is seeking a declaration among others that the continued publication and exposure of various advertisements directed at the Nigerian market through Facebook and Instagram platforms by Meta Platforms Incorporated without ensuring the same is vetted and approved before exposure is illegal, unlawful and a violation of the extant advertising Law in Nigeria.
The apex regulatory body for Nigeria’s advertising ecosystem, stated that Meta Platforms Incorporated’s continued exposure of unvetted adverts had also led to loss of revenue to the Federal Government.
ARCON is therefore seeking N30 billion in sanction for the violation of the advertising laws and for loss of revenue as a result of Meta Incorporated’s continued exposure of unapproved adverts on it’s platforms.
ARCON reiterated that it would not permit unethical and irresponsible advertising on the Nigeria’s advertising space.
According to ARCON, the Council is not regulating the online media space, rather, it’s focus is on advertising and marketing communications on the online platforms in line with its establishment Act.
10. Biafra: I Live And Meet With Them, They Are Not Terrorists – Peter Obi Defends IPOB
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party for the 2023 election, Peter Obi has rejected the terrorist tag slammed on the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by the federal government.
Truetells Nigeria reports IPOB under the leadership of Nnamdi Kanu was in 2017, proscribed by the federal government of Nigeria under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.
However, during a chat with Channels Television, Obi maintained that proscribing IPOB as a terrorist organization is not the right move.
Defending his stand, the former Anambra State government explained that he lives, moves and interacts with members of the group who are demanding an independent Biafra and has never felt threatened by them.
According to Obi, the agitators are not a threat to Nigeria.