Top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 14th October 2021
1. Covid-19 Update: FG Fixes Date To Ban Unvaccinated Workers
The Federal Government has stated that workers will be denied entry from their offices from Dec 1 if they are unable to show proof that they have been vaccinated against COVID-19 pandemic or a Polymerase Chain Reaction PCR test done within 72 hours.
Mr. Boss Mustapha, chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee PSC on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF announced this on Wednesday, during a press briefing.
He said: “With effect from 1st December, 2021, Federal Government employees shall be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result done within 72 hours, to gain access to their offices, in all locations within Nigeria and our Missions. An appropriate service wide advisory/circular will be issued to guide the process.
2. Obaseki Speaks On Returning To APC After Meeting Buhari
Emerging from a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in the Aso Rock Villa on Wednesday, the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has reiterated his resolve not to return to the All Progressives Congress (APC) even as he addressed the lingering crisis in the state chapter of his new party.
He stated that it was not his will to leave the political platform that sponsored his election in his first tenure but was pushed out of the party when he wanted to run for the second tenure.
Truetells Nigeria had reported the Governor’s visit to the presidential villa barely a day after he explained why he is yet to sign the anti-open grazing law which southern governors resolved to pass in their states.
Asked by state house correspondents whether he was contemplating a return to the APC, Obaseki said, “I think I have shown that I’m a politician with integrity and I have made it very clear that I didn’t leave the other party on my own.
3. Anambra Deputy Gov Dumps APGA For APC, Meets Buhari
Ahead of the November 6 Anambra governorship election, the deputy governor of the state, Dr Nkem Okeke, has officially dumped the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Truetells Nigeria reports that Okeke also met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday.
Okeke was led to the President by the APC Caretaker Committee Chairman and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma.
Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Uzodinma said there will be more defections to the ruling party before the upcoming governorship election in the state.
4. Sunday Igboho Hospitalized, In Critical Condition – Lawyer
Embattled Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has been reportedly rushed to the hospital.
It was confirmed to newsmen on Wednesday, October 13 by one of the agitator’s legal counsel, Yomi Aliyu, that that Igboho is critically ill and has been rushed to the hospital.
Truetells Nigeria reports that Aliyu while interacting with BBC Yoruba earlier, alleged that the rights activist developed the illness in Benin Republic prison custody.
According to him, the agitator has also been critically ill and rushed to the hospital for treatment. The lawyer raised an alarm that Igboho is in dire need of medical treatment.
5. PDP Rejects Senate’s Adoption Of Direct Primary For Party Elections
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the adoption of the direct primary for picking candidates for elections in political parties.
Truetells Nigeria reports that the National Publicity Secretary of the opposition party, Kola Ologbondiyan, stated this in a statement on Tuesday.
This news medium had reported that the Senate on Tuesday approved that all political parties must use the direct primary for the election of candidates.
But according to the PDP, the Senate decision to adopt direct primary is a hindrance to the development of democratic norms, and a plot to introduce anarchy in parties.
The PDP stated that the adoption is a retrogressive provision that seeks to wipe off the gains achieved in the nation’s electoral practice since 1999.
It said such the direct primary was not operable and does not reflect the wishes and aspirations of the majority of Nigerians, asking the Senate to immediately reverse itself on the decision.
6. Nigerian Army Denies Constructing Ruga Settlement In South East
The Nigerian Army has refuted reports that it was constructing a Ruga settlement in the southeastern region of the country.
In a statement released on Wednesday, October 13, the army warned members of the public to disregard the viral claims, saying that the reports are far from the truth.
The communique which was signed and issued by Major Abubakar Abdullahi, acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, read thus: “The 82 Division Nigerian Army has noted with utmost concern, a baseless allegation aired through an outlawed online radio that the Division of the Nigerian Army is currently constructing a Ruga Settlement at Igbo-Etiti community of Udi Local Government Area, Enugu State.”
Truetells Nigeria reports that the Nigerian Army maintained that it remains a credible institution that unites the nation, adding that it has no place for ethnoreligious sentiments.
Giving clarification on the alleged ruga creation, the army said they are rather constructing a military training facility at Igbo-Etiti Community of Udi Local Government Area, Enugu State, and not ruga as claimed in some quarters.
7. 2023: Seven Political Parties To Join Forces Against APC And PDP
Some political parties, not less than seven are working eagerly in time for the 2023 elections in Nigeria to present a mega party capable of challenging the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
This was disclosed by a politician and former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Kingsley Moghalu.
He said the aim is to present a credible and alternative platform to Nigerians different from the APC and PDP which he described as the “same side of a coin.”
Moghalu made this known while fielding questions from newsmen in Abuja when he played host to the candidate of African Democratic Party (ADC) in the November 6th governorship election in Anambra State, Nzeh Akachukwu.
8. North Central PDP Picks Former Senate President As Consensus Candidate For National Chairman Post
The North Central zone of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has agreed to the choice of Benue-born former Senate President, Iyorchia Ayu as their candidate for the position of national chairman of the party.
This was disclosed to newsmen by the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom after a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Benue State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, late on Tuesday.
The meeting was also attended by former Senate presidents David Mark, Bukola Saraki, and Iyorchia Ayu himself.
Others present at the meeting include former Kogi State Governor, Idris Ibrahim; PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan; former Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu; and former Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, and many others.
After the meeting, Ortom disclosed that after several hours of meeting in which 5 prospective candidates were considered, they agreed on the choice of Ayu.
9. NASS Upgrades Adeyemi College Of Education To University
The Adeyemi College of Education has been upgraded to a full-fledged university.
Truetells Nigeria reports that the National Assembly on Wednesday passed a bill to upgrade the federal government-owned higher education institution located in Ondo City, Ondo State, Nigeria.
The development followed the concurrence of the Senate to the House of Representatives Bill which was earlier passed at the Green Chamber.
The institution, Naija News understands will now go by the new name the Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo.
Speaking after the passage of the bill, the President of the Nigeria Senate, Ahmad Lawan, said the bill has repealed the Act that established Adeyemi College of Education and re-enacted a new one for the establishment of the Adeyemi Federal College of Education.
10. 2023 Presidency: Nigeria Needs Patriots, Not Ethnic Bigots – Fayemi
Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has asked political and socio-cultural leaders to stop making divisive comments that would tear the country apart.
Speaking at an event on Tuesday in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, Fayemi advised the leaders to look for a new way of communicating their opinions rather than make inciting statements that would cause division in the nation.
He added that Nigeria needs patriots and not ethnic crisis entrepreneurs and bigots who see everything from the prism of ethnic and religious conspiracy.
The governor also asked politicians to communicate their politics responsibly, and not resort to ethnic jingoism, sectarian and divisive rhetoric.