Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Tuesday, 22nd June 2021
1. I Have Been Fair, Inclusive With My Appointments, Policies – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he has been fair and inclusive with his appointments and policies.
Speaking on Monday in Abuja at a conference organized for youths in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Buhari denied allegations of nepotism and lopsided appointments.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, the president said all the regions have been impacted positively.
2. Abaribe Reveals The Only Thing Igbos Want From Nigeria
Senate Minority leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe has declared that Igbos are the glue that holds Nigeria together but unfortunately, they are being marginalized.
The Abia Senator however insisted that despite the marginalization, they won’t be forced out of the country but will continue to demand their rights.
Speaking on what the Igbos actually want from Nigeria, Senator Abaribe said they want emancipation – set free from all forms of restriction and limitation.
He also accused the current government of being unfair in the treatment of Igbos in Nigeria.
Abaribe made his views known yesterday in Enugu during the inauguration of the Igbonine socio-cultural organization.
Despite all the lamentation, the lawmaker however insisted that they won’t be intimidated but will continue to demand their rights.
3. Why National Assembly Can’t Gag Media – Senate
The Nigerian Senate has maintained that it is impossible for the 9th National Assembly to stiffen the media in Nigeria.
The Spokesperson for the Senate, Dr. Ajibola Basiru, stated this while peaking to newsmen at the sidelines of a two-day capacity-building training for Media Aides to Principal Officers of the National Assembly, organized by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies in Abuja on Monday.
Senator Basiru stated that NASS current amendments to the acts which established the National Broadcasting Commission and the Nigerian Press Council were not targetted at gagging the media.
He said the amendments to the acts and other relevant laws should not be misinterpreted as an attempt to gag the freedom of speech and free press in the country.
4. Bandits Only Found A Lucrative Business, They Are Not After Any Religion – Gumi
Popular Islamic scholar, Abubakar Gumi, has said that bandits terrorizing the Northern part of the country are not after any religion in particular.
The Sheikh in a statement on Monday said the uneducated bandits are just going about with tending their cattle, and suddenly they found a lucrative way of making money.
Truetells Nigeria reports that Gumi stated this during an interview with Punch on efforts to rescue the kidnapped pupils of Tegina Islamic School, Niger State.
According to Gumi, the kidnappers kidnapping school pupils were disappointed that he negotiated with them without the involvement of the Federal Government.
The Islamic scholar insists that until the government engaged with the herdsmen, no school could be safe.
5. President Buhari Makes Fresh Appointments In EFCC
President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed a secretary and four board members for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
This was confirmed in a statement on Monday by the Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, and Minister of Justice, Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu.
The President George Abang Ekpungu as the EFCC Secretary with Luqman Muhammad (South South), Anumba Adaeze (South East), Alhaji Kola Raheem Adesina (North Central), and Alhaji Yahya Muhammad (North East) as board members.
The names have been forwarded to the Senate for confirmation, Naija News reports.
6. FG Suspends Emirates Flights From Nigeria
The Nigerian Government has announced the suspension of inbound and outbound flights of Emirates Airlines with immediate effect.
In a statement issued on Monday, the airline said passenger flights to and from Nigeria (Lagos and Abuja) are suspended from 21 June 2021 until further notice
The airline advised affected passengers to keep their ticket for future flights, saying it remains committed to Nigeria.
7. Insecurity: Buhari, Again Promises To Punish Those Threatening Nigeria’s Peace
Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has again promised to deal with criminal elements threatening the peace of the country.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha at the first Progressives Youths Conference on Monday in Abuja, the president stressed that any group causing unrest in the country will be brought to book.
Buhari assured that no effort will be spared in tackling every form of insecurity in Nigeria.
8. There Are No Bandits, Boko Haram Terrorists In Jigawa – Emir Boasts
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has been told that Jigawa State is currently the most peaceful state in the country.
Truetells Nigeria reports that the Emir of Dutse, HRH Nuhu Sanusi said this on Monday when he was paid a courtesy visit by the Minister.
The traditional ruler while conversing with the minister said in spite of being surrounded by insecurity ravaged states, there are no issues of bandits, Boko Haram and criminal groups in Jigawa.
Sanusi insists that the state remained the most peaceful in the country because of inclusive governance.
9. Buhari Approves 5 New Varsities, Appoints New VCs For All Universities
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the establishment of five new universities specialized in technology and health.
Truetells Nigeria reports that this is to close the huge gap in the doctor-patient ratio as well as in medical research and production of pharmaceutical products.
This was disclosed on Monday by the Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Education, Arch Sonny Echono.
He stated that Buhari also approved a take-off grant of N4 billion each for the Universities of Technology and N5 billion each for the Universities of Health Science from the funding resources of TETFund to ensure early take-off of the institutions.
10. FIFA: Siasia Life Ban Reduced To Five Years, $50,000 Fine Quashed
The Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) has reduced the life ban from football placed on former Super Eagles coach Samsom Siasia to five years.
Truetells Nigeria recalls that the world football body FIFA had in August 2019, banned Siasia for life and fined him $50,000 for agreeing to ‘the manipulation of matches’ for betting purposes.
The former Super Eagles coach’s ban, according to FIFA, followed an extensive investigation into matches that Wilson Perumal attempted to fix.
