Good morning Nigeria, welcome to roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Friday, 21st May 2021
1. President Buhari Launches New Warplanes
President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated new JF-17 fighter jets to the Nigerian Air Force.
The aircraft was launched at the Makurdi Air Force Base, on the occasion of the 57th anniversary of the Air Force.
”The three aircrafts would boost the operational capacity of the Service and add significant fight against terrorism, insurgency, armed banditry and other forms of criminalities,” said Buhari, who was represented by Defense Minister Bashir Magashi.
He added that he was confident that the Nigerian Air Force would continue to fight terrorism across the country.
He also appealed to Nigerians to put aside their ethnic, racial and religious differences so that they can work together and survive together.
2. Ben Ayade Dumps PDP For APC
Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Naija News reports that Ayade revealed his decision on Thursday morning in a meeting with six APC governors who visited him at the Government House.
The governors who visited Ayade include Governors of Kebbi, Imo, Yobe, Plateau, Jigawa and Ekiti State.
On why he was joining the APC, Ayade highlighted the character attributes of President Muhammadu Buhari and the realization that Cross River, which has been emasculated economically following the ceding of its oil wells, needed to be in sync with the party at the centre.
3. Nigerian Governors Recommend N385 As New Price Of Petrol
Nigerian governors have recommended an increase in the pump price of petrol from the current price to not less than N385 per litre.
It is understood that the price increase is part of recommendations by a committee headed by Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai which was set up by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).
The six-man committee was set up to review the pump price of petrol in the country.
The governors gave the recommendation at its 30th teleconference meeting which held on Wednesday according to a communique released after the meeting by NGF Chairman, Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi.
The governors are expected to make their recommendation to the National Economic Council headed by Vice-president Yemi Osinbajo at a later date, Naija News understands.
4. Boko Haram: How Shekau Was Killed As ISWAP Takes Over Sambisa Forest
The leader of the Boko Haram terrorist group, Abubakar Shekau has been reportedly killed according to multiple sources.
Information gathered by Naija News on the development has it that Shekau died on the evening of Wednesday, 19th May 2021.
He was said to have died following the invasion of his Sambisa forest stronghold by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) loyal to the Islamic State (ISIS).
ISWAP was a part of the Boko Haram group before it broke away in 2016 over ideological differences and pledged allegiance to ISIS – an international terrorist organization.
It was gathered that the ISWAP fighters stormed Shekau’s stronghold on Wednesday with multiple gun trucks and overpowered the Boko Haram fighters including Shekau’s bodyguards leading to the death of fighters on both sides.
He was given the option to voluntarily relinquish power and order his fighters in other areas to declare allegiance to ISWAP’s authority.
However, Shekau according to sources had other ideas as instead of issuing a statement as expected, he blew up a secret suicide vest he had on him, killing himself and many others present during the negotiation.
5. IBB’s Death Cannot Be Hidden – Media Aide
Reports that former Military President Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida had died has been dismissed by his media aide.
Truetells Nigeria reports that some online media on Thursday morning claimed the former ruler, popularly called IBB had died.
But speaking to The Nation, one of his media aide, Mahmud Abdullahi stated that IBB is not dead as widely reported.
According to Abdullahi, death cannot be hidden in the north.
He stated that if the former President is dead, the news would not be hidden and cannot be hidden.
6. Open Grazing Ban: Northern Governors Can Ban Sale Of Spare Parts – AGF Malami
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has condemned the ban on open grazing by the governors of the 17 southern states.
Recall that Southern Governors had in a meeting in Asaba, Delta, ban open grazing in the region, while calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to convene a national summit.
Speaking on Wednesday in an interview with Channels TV, Malami said the ban is equivalent to prohibiting spare parts trading in the north.
According to the AGF, the decision of the governors does not align with the provisions of the constitution and “does not hold water”.
7. Nigerian Military Breaks Silence On Shekau’s Death
The Nigerian military on Thursday disclosed that it has not received any information on the reported death of the leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau.
There were reports that the Boko Haram leader was killed during a face-off with fighters of the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, when questioned on the development said he doesn’t have information on that.
“Sorry, I don’t have information on that,” Brig.-Gen. Onyeuko said.
8. Bandits Kill Emir Of Kontagora’s Son
Bandits on Wednesday killed the son of the Emir of Kontagora, Bashir Saidu Namaska, during an attack on the Emir’s farm.
It was gathered that the Emir’s son was on the farm along Zuru road in the LGA when bandits invaded the community.
The bandits also killed other people working with him on the farm while an unspecified number of cows were rustled.
Sources that spokes on the incident noted that the bandits also stopped commercial and private vehicles plying the road, collected phones, money and other valuables from the people on board.
Passengers with cash and valuables were beaten up mercilessly and whisked to an unknown place.
The deceased had been holding forth for his father, Sarkin Sudan, Alhaji Saidu Namaska, who has been sick.
9. PDP Reacts To Gov Ayade’s Defection To APC
The Peoples Democratic Party has wished the Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade well following his defection to the All Progressives Congress.
The party in a statement released on Thursday charged its members in the state to remain united following the governor’s defection.
PDP made this call in a statement released through its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, on Thursday.
Ologbondiyan urged the members to ensure that all structures of the party in the state remained intact.
10. Drama As Senate Spokesperson Asks Malami To Resign For ‘Rubbishing’ Buhari
The Nigerian Senate has called on the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) to resign immediately.
The Senate made the call in a statement on Thursday through its spokesperson, Senator Ajibola Basiru (APC-Osun).
Recall that Southern Governors had in a meeting in Asaba, Delta, ban open grazing in the region while calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to convene a national summit.
But speaking in an interview with Channels TV, Malami said the resolve to ban open grazing by southern governors is equivalent to prohibiting spare parts trading in the north.
Reacting, Senator Basiru accused Malami of “rubbishing” the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said equating the activities of nomadic herdsmen destroying peoples’ means of livelihood with others legitimately “carrying on businesses by selling spare parts in their shops stands logic on its head”.
