Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Monday, 12th July 2021
1. COVID-19 3rd Wave: Govt Issues Fresh Directive To Churches, Mosques, Others
The Lagos State government has directed all religious houses in the state to operate at 50% capacity due to concerns about the 3rd wave of COVID-19 in the state.
The State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu in a statement on Sunday noted that the government is worried about the increasing cases of positive infection which has been on the rise since the beginning of July.
He, therefore, cautioned that greater vigilance is required at this time to curb the further spread of the virus.
To this end, the Governor ordered full compliance with all protective protocols including the compulsory use of masks in all public places, social distancing, temperature checks, provisions for hand-washing and sanitizers, and a maximum of 50 percent occupancy in enclosed spaces.
2. Buhari Has Done His Best To Unite Nigeria – BMO Knocks Col. Umar
The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has berated a former Military Administration of Kaduna State, Col Abubakar Umar (rtd), for accusing President Muhammadu Buhari of being the cause of the separatist agitations threatening the country’s unity.
Truetells Nigeria recalls that Col. Umar in a statement titled ‘Nigeria; A Nation Challenged, said the Buhari government has failed to unite Nigeria.
He also condemned the Federal Government for threats against separatists, while there is less action against kidnappers, bandits and insurgents in the Northern part of the country
Umar added that the arrest of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, is of no serious consequence.
But reacting in a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke in Abuja, BMO described Umar as a victim of a “distorted vision and a misperception engendered by frustration borne out of lack of recognition”.
According to the group, Buhari has left no one in doubt of his commitment to the resolution of security and other sundry challenges bedevilling the country.
3. PDP: Police Harass Zamfara Deputy Governor For Not Joining Matawalle To APC
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have been accused of harassing Mahdi Aliyu Gusau, the deputy governor of Zamfara State.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday by its publicity secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, alleged that the Zamfara second in command was harassed by some security men over his refusal to decamped to the All Progressive Congress, APC, alongside the state governor, Bello Matawalle.
Truetells Nigeriareports that PDP condemned the development in its totality.
The opposition decried the “attempt by the police to undermine the statutory powers of Gusau, given the decision of Governor Bello Matawalle to vacate his office by decamping to the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
4. Former Kaduna State Deputy Governor Is Dead
Former Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Barnabas Yusuf Bala Bantex, is dead.
Truetells Nigeria reports that this was made known in a statement on Sunday by Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Bala, a top chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), served as deputy to El-Rufai in his first term between 2015-2019.
5. Bandits Marry Off Kidnapped School Children In Yobe State
Some of the female students kidnapped from their secondary school in Yobe State have been married off by their abductors, the kidnappers have told the parents of their victims.
The parents raised the alarm adding that the kidnappers sent them footage showing their daughters are already married.
Truetells Nigeria recalls the girls were kidnapped from the Federal Girls’ College Yawuri, Kebbi State about two weeks ago.
According to Daily Trust, one of the parents told BBC Hausa that whenever they called the kidnappers, they would tell them that their children are safe and healthy.
The parent, however, added that the kidnappers have informed them that they would only negotiate with the government and not the parents.
6. 2021 Eid-El-Kabir To Be Observed On Tuesday
The President-General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, has declared Sunday, July 11 as the first day of Dhul-Hijja 1442AH.
The development was disclosed in a statement released by the Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto, Prof. Sambo Junaidu.
With the declaration by the Sultan, Nigerian Muslims will observe the 2021 Eid-el-Kabir on Tuesday, July 20, which is equivalent to 10th of Dhul-Hijja 1442AH.
7. Armed Bandits Abduct Emir, Family Members In Kaduna
Gunmen suspected to be bandits have kidnapped the Emir of Kajuru, Alhaji Alhassan Adamu at his residence in Kajuru LGA of Kaduna state.
According to DailyTrust, the gunmen also abducted 12 other family members of the emir including women and children.
The attack was confirmed on Sunday by the grandson of the emir and traditional title holder of Dan Kajuru, Saidu Musa.
He said the incident happened around 12:30 am.
8. Biafra: Ohanaeze Pledges Support For Nnamdi Kanu, Raises Legal Team
The apex Igbo organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has pledged its support for the arrested leader of the Indigenous Peoples Of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
The group made this known in a communique issued after the meeting of its National Executive Committee (NEC) held on Saturday in Enugu and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia.
Ohanaeze also raised a legal team led by the National Legal Adviser of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and eminent Igbo leaders to monitor Kanu’s trial.
The group, however, asked the Federal Government to try Kanu within the ambit of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and in line with global best practices.
9. Release Igboho’s Aides Now, South-West Monarchs Tell DSS
South West monarchs have called for the immediate release of the 13 aides of the Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho.
Truetells Nigeria reports that the aides were arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) during a raid on his Ibadan residence on July 1, 2021.
But in a statement on Saturday, the monarchs, under the aegis of Forum of the Yoruba Obas, condemned the DSS invasion of Igboho’s Ibadan home in Soka and killing of his aides.
The statement signed by the President of the forum and Molokun of Atijere Kingdom, Ondo State, Oba Samuel Adeoye (Edema I); its General Secretary, Dr Abdulrasaq Abioye, Olukotun of Ikotun Ile, Kwara State; and 17 others.
The South West monarch also described the invasion of Igboho’s home as an infringement of his fundamental human rights and demanded the immediate release of his aides and compensation for the families of those killed during the raid.
10. Popular Nigerian Singer, Sound Sultan Is Dead
Popular Nigerian singer, Olanrewaju Abdulganiyu Fasasi, also known as Sound Sultan, has been pronounced dead.
A statement on Sunday signed by his brother, Kayode Fasasi, on behalf of the family said that Sound Sultan died at the age of 44 after a battle with throat cancer.
The statement added that that late singer and songwriter is survived by his wife, three children, and his siblings.
