Here are top 20 headlines in Nigerian newspapers today, 29th October 2024 on business and economy, politics, sports and entertainment among others.
1. Tinubu Summons Adelabu, Ribadu over Blackout in North
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has summoned Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, over the prolonged electricity blackout in the North which has severely disrupted daily life and economic activities of the people of the region.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIn a statement on Monday by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu, expressed his concerns over the situation and also charged the Minister and other relevant agencies to expedite action towards restoration of electricity to all affected states.
2. Ministerial Nominees Begin Documentation as Screening Holds Today
Ministerial nominees have begun submitting their relevant documents ahead of their screening and confirmation by the Senate which is set to commence today (Tuesday).
This was confirmed by the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Basheer Lado, on Monday evening.
3. Aitana Bonmati wins Women’s Ballon d’Or for the Second Consecutive Time
Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati has won the Ballon d’Or Féminin for the second consecutive time, after overcoming competition from her teammate Caroline Graham Hansen and other top nominees.
The 26-year-old’s exceptional performances played a pivotal role for Barcelona, marking the first time the club’s women’s team has achieved this feat.
4. Rodri Wins 2024 men’s Ballon d’Or award
Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodrigo has been awarded the men’s Ballon d’Or on Monday after winning a fourth consecutive Premier League title and Euro 2024.
Prior to the event, Real Madrid’s Liga and Champions League double winner Vinicius Junior was widely seen as the favorite. However, hours before the festivities in Paris, the Spanish club announced its delegation would not attend the ceremony at Chatelet Theatre because of what it perceived as a snub of Vinicius. Read more
5. Jigawa Prosecutes 403 EndBadGovernance Protesters
The Jigawa State Government has prosecuted 403 persons arrested in connection with the August 1 – 10 #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria protest in the state.
This was made known by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Bello Abdulkadir-Fanini, while speaking with newsmen in Dutse on Monday.
6. Mbah Flags off Dualization of Penoks-Abakpa Nike-Opi-Nsukka road
Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has flagged-off construction and dualisation of the 43.7km Penoks-Abakpa Nike-Ugwogo-Nike-Opi Nsukka Road with streetlights and 18-month completion time frame. This is in line with his administration’s vision to make the state the premier destination for investment, business, tourism, and living.
While speaking during the flag-off ceremony at Opi, Mbah stressed that the project, which includes straightening of many bends, would help reduce accidents and criminality on the road.
7. Lamine Yamal wins Kopa Trophy at age 17
Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Kopa Trophy at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris making him the first player under the age of 18 to win the Kopa Trophy, which is awarded annually to the best young talent in world football.
Lamine Yamal outperformed strong contenders, including Arda Güler, Kobbie Mainoo, Savinho, and his Barcelona teammate Pau Cubarsi, to claim the top honor, which made a significant impact for both his club and country since his breakthrough season.
8. North Blackout: 19 govs Meet, Calls for Diversification of Energy
Governors of the 19 northern states in Nigeria have called for the diversification of energy following persistent blackouts in 17 states of the region recently.
They made the call during a meeting on Monday, 28 October.
Apart from Niger and Kwara, 17 states in the North are without electricity supply in the last two weeks with Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Gombe and Katsina, being the most affected.
9. Police Arrest Abia Lawmaker over assault on Bolt Driver
Member of the House of Representatives representing Aba North/Aba South federal Constituency, Alex Mascot Ikwechegh who was allegedly seen in a viral video assaulting a bolt driver and threatening to make him disappear, has been arrested by the Police in Abuja.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command said in a statement on Monday by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, that it has taken the lawmaker into custody for questioning. Read more
10. Reps Panel Decries State of Abuja-Kaduna Road
House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee overseeing progress and implementation of Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road has decried the state of the Kaduna-Abuja axis following slow pace of work by the contractor.
Chairman, Aminu Jaji, who spoke when he led members on a visit to inspect the Abuja-Kaduna highway at the weekend, had said the committee would ensure that work begins on the road and it is ready for use.
11. Naira Falls: Nigerians Struggle As Exchange Rate Hits N1,740/$1
As the Naira continues its downward trend, reaching an all-time low of N1,740 per dollar in the parallel market, many Nigerians are left grappling with the effects. Over the past year, the Naira has depreciated by over 70% in the unofficial market, impacting everyday expenses and business costs for citizens. Read more
12. Recapitalisation: FBN Holdings opens N150bn Right issue at N25 per Share
FBN Holdings Plc has commenced its Rights Issue, offering 5.983 billion ordinary shares at 50 kobo each, priced at N25 per share, raising N150 billion for existing shareholders.
The offer is structured as one new share for every six ordinary shares held as of October 18.
13. Judicial Commission of Inquiry summons 109 witnesses over Rivers crisis
The Rivers State Judicial Commission of Inquiry investigating the recent arson, killings and destruction of local government property has summoned 109 witnesses.
According to Chairman of the commission, Justice I.R. Mínà kiri, on Monday, the summon was pursuant to the call and receipt of memoranda by the commission.
14. 10,000 Youths to Receive ₦50,000 from December, NDDC
The Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has said that 10,000 beneficiaries of the commission’s youth internship scheme will get ₦50,000 monthly stipend as from December.
This was announced when he was decorated as an Ambassador Extraordinaire of the University of Ibadan (UI) by a delegation led by its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, at the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
15. Lagos, other States ‘Paying’ Above FG’s N70,000 minimum wage
After President Bola Tinubu has approved the N70,000 new minimum wage on Monday, 29 July 2024, many states have begun to express readiness to either adopt the new N70,000 wage benchmark or pay above the federal government.
However, while 21 state governors have confirmed their readiness to pay state workers at least N70,000 monthly, some states have exceeded the national benchmark by indicating their willingness to pay N80,000 or more as the minimum wage within their jurisdictions.
16. Minister of Women Affairs Seeks Laws to Empower Women
Newly appointed Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has vowed to advocate laws to empower and protect the rights of women.
While addressing the ministry’s management, staff and stakeholders in Abuja, she promised that her tenure would be innovative and not business as usual.
17. Winners Emerge In Lagos Business School Dean’s Cup
Doctor in Business Administration (DBA) and Modular Master of Business Administration (MMBA 6) have emerged winners in the football and volleyball competitions respectively at the 2024 Lagos Business School Dean’s Cup.
The collegiate tournament which is done annually, witnessed actions by eight teams in football and five teams in volleyball.
18. WACP Offers free Medical Care to Kuje Residents
The West African College of Physicians (WACP) has offered free medical services to residents of Kuje in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The services were provided during the weekend at the 48th Annual General Scientific Meeting and medical outreach of the organization which was held in Abuja.
19. 10 Road Contracts Terminated Due To Delays – Minister of Works
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, had said that the ministry has terminated several road contracts nationwide due to delays in their completion.
He confirmed that due process was followed in the terminations, many of which had been ongoing for over 20 years although he did not specify which projects were affected.
20. Leadership is Not About Easy Decisions – Minister of Interior
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has said that authentic leadership involves making difficult decisions, while reflecting on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic policies under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
While speaking at a retreat for his ministry and heads of Paramilitary officials, he praised Tinubu as a progressive leader committed to improving life in Nigeria while asserting that backlash against his policies would not deter him. He also urged Nigerians to to support Tinubu’s bold initiatives to tackle long-standing economic issues.