Top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 28th February 2022
1. Russia vs Ukraine: Nigerians Can Get Into Romania, Hungary Without Visas – Buhari Govt
The Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government has stated that Nigerians fleeing the crisis in Ukraine do not need visas to pass through the borders into Romania and Hungary.
Truetells Nigeria reports that this was made known in a statement on Sunday by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gabriel Adudar.
He stated that the Nigerian government has also made arrangements for accommodation and feeding pending evacuation.
The Ministry urged parents, guardians, and wards of Nigerians in Ukraine to remain calm as the Federal Government is working very hard to get them all home safely.
2. ASUU Speaks On Demanding N1tr From Nigerian Govt To End Strike
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has denied requesting a fresh N1tr from the federal government as a condition to end its ongoing strike action.
The report of the huge cash demand was denied on Sunday by the National Chairman of ASUU, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke.
Truetells Nigeria reports that Osodeke made the denial in reaction to reports that the academic union had laid fresh monetary demand of N1tr to end the ongoing strike action by University lecturers which commenced on 14th February 2022.
While acknowledging that little progress has been made in negotiations with the federal government, the ASUU president denied making such monetary requests.
3. Nigerians Need To Tell Us The Kind Of Igbo President They Need – Osita Chidoka
A former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, has claimed that Nigerians are treating Igbos unfairly.
He told Arise TV in an interview that Nigerjans need to indicate to the Igbo the kind of leader they want to see contest the 2023 election.
According to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, this will prove to the Igbo that they (Nigerians) are being fair to every ethnic group.
Chidoka said, “I don’t want to recommend to them (Nigeria) the Igbo man they should choose. It is a contest. It is Nigerians who have to be fair to every ethnic group.
4. “Provide Just One Evidence” – Sowore Denies Campaigning For Buhari
Human rights activist, publisher, and politician, Omoyele Sowore has denied ever campaigning for Muhammadu Buhari to become the President of Nigeria.
Sowore said anyone accusing him of campaigning for Buhari should provide the evidence.
Truetells Nigeria reports Sowore made the denial during an interview with Punch published on Sunday where he was asked a question on why he and some others campaigned for Buhari to become the President of Nigeria in 2015.
In his response, however, the activist denied the allegation and challenged anyone who believes he campaigned for Buhari to make the evidence public.
5. PDP Primaries: You Will Be Shocked – Wike Fires Atiku
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has lambasted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for expressing confidence in winning the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential ticket.
The Rivers State governor was reacting to Atiku’s comment after a meeting with ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Alake of Egbaland in Ogun State on Saturday.
Atiku had told newsmen that he would declare his intention to run for the 2023 presidential election after meeting with those that mattered in the political scene.
“Have I ever failed to get the ticket? I’m confident,” he said.
In a statement on Sunday by his media aide, Kelvin Ebiri, Wike said the outcome of the PDP presidential primary will be surprising.
According to the governor, the former vice-president went too far with his comment.
He also warned politicians and party members to resist making divisive utterances as the PDP pushes to reclaim power in 2023.
6. 2023: Sagay Speaks On Plan To Field Jonathan, Buni Under APC
The Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Corruption (PACAC), Itse Sagay, on Sunday warned former President Goodluck Jonathan against joining the All Progressives Congress.
According to Sagay, Jonathan will be denigrating himself if joins the ruling APC ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Sagay noted there is a plan to bring Jonathan into APC so that he would hand over to Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni after serving for one term.
7. ASUU Speaks On Ending Strike, Negotiating With FG
President Muhammadu Buhari-led government has been accused by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of showing levity in its negotiation with its members.
The President of ASUU, Emmanuel Osodeke in an interview with Vanguard noted that ending the industrial action is dependent on the readiness of the Federal Government
He stated that the strike will end if the Federal Government take the issue with importance and do the needful.
Osodeke further stated that the last meeting between its members and the federal government was not productive because the government team acted as if it did not know the issues at stake.
8. ‘Jonathan Has Not Indicated Interest In Joining 2023 Presidential Race’ – Chidoka
A former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, has said former President Goodluck Jonathan is yet to indicate interest in the 2023 presidential race.
He stated that if the former president was interested in the presidency he would come out to tell Nigerians his intentions.
Speaking in an interview on Arise TV, Chidoka said Jonathan does not need to be convinced or pushed by anyone to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to the former minister, during his last discussion with Jonathan the former president never indicated any interest in the nation’s number one seat despite him (Jonathan) being in a good place to seek re-election.
9. Father Mbaka Warns South-East Governor Over Executive Order
The Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry, Enugu Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, has warned Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State against the ban placed on the operations of motorcycles (Okada), tricycle, and tipper-truck in three local government areas of the state.
Truetells Nigeria recalls that Ugwuanyi had on Thursday signed Executive Order No.1: 2022, banning operations of tricycle, motorcycle, and tipper-truck in entire Nkanu East, Nkanu West, and some communities in Enugu South LGA.
Reacting on Sunday, Father Mbaka accused the governor of taking the decision without thinking of the effects on the poor.
10. Boko Haram Kills Eight In Borno Village For Giving Nigerian Troops Information
Boko Haram/ISWAP have killed eight persons in a revenge attack in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State on Saturday night.
The terrorists had stormed Mandaragirau and Ghuma villages in Biu Local, where they slaughtered eight residents.
It was gathered that the insurgents also left an unconfirmed number of persons injured.
According to Zagazola Makama, nine terrorists on three motorcycles, stormed the villages of Mandaragirau and Ghuma, to wreak havoc, after accusing the locals of disclosing information of their plans to plants mines against the military in the road.
The insurgents also burnt down some shops, looted foodstuff and livestock belonging to the residents.