Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Truetells Nigeria roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Thursday, 10th June 2021
1. President Buhari To Commission Project In Lagos State
President Muhammadu Buhari will tomorrow, Thursday, visit Lagos to launch the Deep Blue Project of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Truetells Nigeria that President Buhari’s visit was confirmed on Wednesday by the state police spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi.
The Deep Blue Project is meant to strengthen national security on land, sea and air, as initiated by the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Federal Ministry of Defence.
The president’s visit is coming two days to the massive June 12 protest scheduled to take place at Freedom Park, Ojota, Lagos.
2. Judiciary Workers Suspend Strike
The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has announced the suspension of its strike action.
Truetells Nigeria reports that the union made this known in a communique released on Wednesday, June 9.
The communique which contained the signature of Emmanuel Abioye, Deputy President of the union and Isaiah Adetola, the General Secretary, revealed that all staff will resume work on Monday.
Truetells Nigeria understands that the strike was called off by the union after its emergency National Executive Council meeting held earlier today.
3. FG Lists Condition For Ban On Twitter To Be Lifted
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, Wednesday disclosed that the microblogging platform, Twitter is set to engage with the Federal Government.
Recall that the Federal Government suspended the operations of Twitter in Nigeria last Friday.
The Minister while speaking with State House correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday, noted that the social media platform had reached out to the government seeking high-level discussion to resolve the issue.
Mohammed listed conditions that must be met even if there is a discussion with Twitter including that it must now be registered in Nigeria as a business concern.
He further stated that Twitter was suspended because it provided an avenue for people threatening the corporate existence of Nigeria.
4. IGP Gives Update On Existing Permits After Ban On Tinted Glass Permit
The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba has clarified that all those with existing and duly approved tinted glass permits are not affected by the recent ban on tinted glass permits.
The IGP gave the clarification in a statement on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba following the confusion generated by his directive which banned the issuance of tinted glass permits and SPY number plates to individuals.
It will be recalled that the IGP on Monday halted the issuance of police permits to owners of vehicles with tinted glass in the country.
The IGP also ordered that the issuance of spy number plates be put on hold.
Giving an update on the matter, the Police boss noted that the directive affects fresh applicants, and owners of valid permits can continue using theirs.
5. Polytechnic Lecturers Suspend Strike
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP has suspended its national strike action which started months ago.
Truetells Nigeria understands that the development was contained in a statement released on Wednesday by the union’s National Secretary, Abdullahi Yalwa.
According to Yalwa, the resolution was reached after the government commenced partial implementation of the items contained in the Memorandum of Action they signed.
Truetells Nigeria recalls that ASUP had, in a nine-point demand, requested among others, implementation of a new salary scheme, revitalisation of polytechnics, the inauguration of the national commission for polytechnics, implementation of new national minimum wage and payment of arrears.
6. Why We Embark On Indiscriminate Arrest In Imo – Police Explains
Imo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has explained why its personnel carried out some indiscriminate arrests in the state.
Speaking during a visit by the Orlu branch of the Nigerian Bar Association at his office on Wednesday at the force headquarters in Owerri, the state Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro, said the emergency situation in the state led to the incessant arrests by the security operatives.
Commending the NBA for partnering with the command in the fight against insecurity in the state, the CP said that the Easter Monday jailbreak at Owerri Correctional Centre had worsened insecurity in the state.
7. Buhari Receives First-Ever Made-in-Nigeria Smartphone
President Muhammadu Buhari has received the first-ever Made-in-Nigeria mobile phone amid the suspension of Twitter in the country.
The President received the mobile device at a virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held inside the State House, Abuja on Wednesday.
The device was presented to the President by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, before the commencement of the FEC meeting.
8. Shun FG’s Threat, Continue Using Twitter – NASS Joint Minority Caucus Tells Nigerians
The ban of Twitter in Nigeria by the All Progressive Congress administration has been condemned in its totality by the Joint Minority Caucus of the Senate.
Truetells Nigeria reports that following a meeting with members of the House of Representatives over the ban imposed by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government, the Minority Caucus encouraged Nigerians to continue to use the microblogging platform.
The declaration was contained in a communique signed by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe the Minority Leader of the Senate) and Hon. Ndudi Elumelu the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
The Joint Minority Caucus described the ban of the widely used social media platform as draconian and unacceptable.
The Caucus asked Nigerians to shun threats by the APC-led government to arrest and prosecute citizens using Twitter. It reiterates that Nigerians would not be contravening any law in Nigeria or any international statute.
9. Senate Screens Lauretta Onochie, Five Others As INEC Commissioners
The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, on Wednesday, directed the Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission to screen President Muhammadu Buhari’s spokesperson, Lauretta Onochie and five others as INEC commissioners.
The Senate took this decision on Wednesday eight months after the president sent the list of the nominees to the Senate for screening.
It was gathered that the protests by members of the Peoples Democratic Party in the red chamber hindered the process of the screening.
The opposition party had accused Onochie, who is presently a presidential spokesperson of attacking the party at any giving chance.
10. Biafra/Oduduwa: Calls For Secession Idiotic – Obasanjo
Former Nigeria President Olusegun Obasanjo has described calls for Nigeria’s disintegration by various groups as idiotic.
Truetells Nigeria reports that he stated this in Abeokuta, Ogun State, at the luncheon and investiture of Kehinde Isijola as the new chairman of Nigerian Institution of Surveyor (NIS), Ogun State chapter, on Wednesday.
He faulted calls for secession at a period that Africa gears towards political, social, and economic reintegration.
While stated that disintegration is not the solution, Obasanjo warned that minority groups would suffer if the country breaks up.