Top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 16th January 2023
1. President Buhari Travels Out To Receive Peace Award
President Muhammadu Buhari will on Monday 16th January depart the shores of Nigeria for Nouakchott, Islamic Republic of Mauritania to receive a peace award.
According to a statement on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the award will be conferred on Tuesday 18th January.
The presidential media aide said Buhari will receive the “African Award for Strengthening Peace’’ for his leadership role in promoting peace on the African continent, through regular inventions, counsels, and conciliatory positions.
He added that, “The award will be presented to President Buhari by the Abu Dhabi Peace Forum, which is an assembly of leaders established in 2014 to pursue new ways to embrace inclusive citizenship, promote lasting peace, and work towards a safer and more sustainable world for everyone.”
According to Adesina, before the international recognition for serving Nigeria, and the larger interest of peace in Africa, the President will participate in the Programme of the Third Forum of the African Conference for Peace, where he will deliver a speech on milestones and gains in the African peace process.
The President is expected back in the country on Wednesday.
2. ASUU Strike: FG Set To Pay CONUA Salary Arrears
The federal government is set to pay the rival university lecturers’ union, the Congress of University Academics (CONUA), their withheld salaries due to the eight-month strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
It was gathered that the government through the office of the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) has requested details of the CONUA members to begin processing their payment.
Truetells Nigeria recalls CONUA was recognized by the federal government in October 2022 during the lingering ASUU strike, sparking mixed reactions among the stakeholders.
The union in December 2022, threatened to drag the Federal Government to court over the withheld salaries of its members, as it maintained that its members were not part of the eight-month ASUU strike, which lasted from February to October 2022.
CONUA insisted that the ‘no work no pay’ policy adopted by the government against ASUU shouldn’t affect its own members.
As a development on the matter, a report monitored by our correspondent on Punch has it that a circular dated January 13, 2023, which was signed by the Director, Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, Charles Wali on behalf of the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) and addressed to the CONUA president, Dr Niyi Sunmonu requested details of the union members for their payments to be processed.
3. Buhari, Osinbajo, Others Lay Wreaths On Armed Forces Remembrance Day
Nigeria’s President and Vice President, Muhammadu Buhari and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, respectfully participated in the Wreath laying ceremony in Abuja on Sunday to mark the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
Truetells Nigeria reports that the event was held today, Sunday, 15th January 2023, at the National Arcade, the Three Arms Zone, Abuja.
President Buhari was said to have arrived at the event venue today at about 10:00 am and was ushered onto the saluting dais for the National Salute.
After the two first citizens, other top government officials and heads of the security agencies also participated in the wreath laying.
Meanwhile, Buhari had inspected the Guards of Honour in the company of the Commander, Brigade of Guards, Major General Muhammad Takuti Usman, before he proceeded to the Cenotaph for the Wreath Laying Ceremony.
The likes of Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, also participated in the event.
4. ‘This Emi Lokan Politics Is Bad’ – Tunde Bakare Opens Up On 2023 Presidency
The Presiding Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church (formerly known as Latter Rain Assembly), Pastor Tunde Bakare has revealed his mind about the forthcoming presidential election in Nigeria.
The fiery cleric in his state-of-the-nation address, on Sunday, described ’emi lokan’ as a politics of entitlement, adding that it is bad for the country.
Though he didn’t mention any specific name in his address, the ’emi lokan’ slang is popularly associated with the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.
Speaking ahead of the February 25, 2023, presidential election in Nigeria, Pastor Bakare explained that the politics of ’emi lokan’ does not focus on serving the people but rather is about gratifying a personal ambition.
He however cautioned that it would be wrong to sacrifice the destiny of an entire country for the ambition of a single politician.
The clergy added that such a mentality makes those in power tend toward dictatorship and makes them less accountable to the people who elected them.
Also speaking during his address, Pastor Bakare said it is wrong of politicians to delegate others to answer questions they are asked directly.
He added that anyone that is interested in occupying a political office must be willing to communicate directly and engage with the voters.
5. Suspected Terrorists Burn Catholic Priest To Death In Niger
Suspected terrorists have burnt to death a Catholic Church Priest identified as Rev Father Isaac Achi in Kafin-koro in the Paikoro local government area of Niger.
Truetells Nigeria reports that Father Achi, who was the Priest of St. Peters and Paul Catholic Church in the area, was burnt to death in the Church’s parish house around 3 am on Sunday morning.
Information gathered by this platform reveals that the suspected terrorists razed the catholic parish house after failed attempts of gaining entrance to the house.
It was also learnt that Father Achi’s Father Collins, who was trying to escape from the scene was shot in the shoulder.
The Niger State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that police tactical teams attached to Kaffin-Koro Division have been drafted to the scene.
The Niger police spokesman DSP Abiodun Wasiu said the terrorists had escaped before the police tactical team got to the scene.
Wasiu noted that the corpse of Father Achi was recovered while Father Collins was rushed to the hospital for treatment.
6. Insecurity: ‘I Will Continue To Pray For You’ – Wike Hails Buhari
The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his efforts at combating insecurity in Nigeria.
Speaking on Sunday at the Government House in Port Harcourt after the wreath-laying ceremony to mark the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Wike said the sustained efforts of the government in fighting Boko Haram, insurgents, unknown gunmen, and terrorists in different regions of the country are yielding results.
He praised the efforts of the Buhari administration in restoring peace to the troubled areas.
Wike said the restoration of peace and the conduct of a fair and peaceful election are legacies Buhari can leave for Nigeria.
Wike also praised the sacrifice and commitment of the nation’s military to tackling all forms of insecurity and threats posed by the unknown gunmen, Boko Haram, and other insurgents in the troubled regions of the country.
He commended them for their bravery, commitment, and courage in keeping Nigeria safe.
The Governor vowed to continue to pray for President Buhari and other leaders to succeed in their efforts to lead Nigeria in the right direction.
7. Soludo ‘Pulls Down’ Peter Obi’s Bill Boards In Anambra
The Governor Charles Soludo-led Anambra State Government, through the Anambra Signage and Advertising Agency (ANSAA) has reportedly pulled down some of the billboards of Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
ANSAA reportedly removed the billboards at the weekend over the alleged inability of Peter Obi to pay the State Government.
Confirming the removal by its operatives, Managing Director ANSAA, Tony Ujubuonu, said one of the LP billboards was removed on Saturday but not on the orders of Soludo.
He maintained that when the billboard was removed, government refunded the advertising agency that mounted the advert its money.
Ujubuonu stated that the agency doesn’t deal directly with the Labour Party, stressing that they only deal with the advertising agency that mounted the board.
8. Security Operatives Rescue 12 Edo Train Attack Victims
Joint security operatives have rescued twelve more victims from that attack on a train station in Igueben, Edo State.
Truetells Nigeria gathered that the state Governor, Godwin Obaseki stated this while addressing newsmen on Sunday at the Police Cottage Hospital in Benin City, the state capital.
The rescued victims are been recuperated at the Police Cottage Hospital in Benin City.
Obaseki said, “We were able to track them and release 12 out of the 14 that were being held hostages unharmed.”
“We think it is something worth celebrating and appreciate our members of the security forces for the sacrifice they have put in, the sleepless nights they have put in. We thank God that today which is Remembrance Day, we have something to rejoice about.”
Following the recent rescue, the number of victims left in captivity is now two.
Gunmen last Saturday reportedly abducted not at least 31 passengers.
The Edo State Governor on Sunday took a swipe at the Nigerian Railway Corporation and accused the railway authorities of negligence.
9. Atiku vs Ortom: Benue Govt Speaks On Rift In PDP
The Benue State government has dismissed reports of a faction in the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a statement issued Sunday in Makurdi the Special Adviser to the Benue State Governor on Media and Publicity,
Terver Akase said Benue state is united and there is nothing like Samuel Ortom and Atiku Abubakar factions in the party.
Akase made the clarification while responding to an allegation by the APC which accused Governor Ortom of sponsoring the destruction of PDP billboards in Gboko.
According to Ortom’s aide, Governor Ortom does not have any personal problem with the Presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku.
10. “Tinubu Cannot Be The Best Product From Lagos” – Atiku Camp Attacks APC Candidate
The Special Assistant to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu has questioned the performance of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in office as the Lagos State Governor.
Truetells Nigeria reports Tinubu who was the Lagos State Governor between 1999 and 2007, is now the 2023 presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
One of his major campaign points has been that he would transform Nigeria just like he did to Lagos State if elected as the President during the February elections.
However, Shaibu in a statement on Sunday said Tinubu’s performance in office is woeful and can’t be used as a measure of good governance.
Atiku’s aide in his submission, rated Lateef Jakande as the best Governor of Lagos State and described Tinubu as the worst civilian Governor in the history of the state.
He said Jakande achieved so much within his four years in office and his performance remains the benchmark for measuring good governance in Lagos State.
Shaibu also accused Tinubu and his team of attempting to project falsehood to unsuspecting members of the public by painting a grim picture of Lagos State and claiming he turned things around.
