Here are top 20 headlines in Nigerian newspapers today, 15th November, 2024 on business and economy, politics, sports and entertainment among others.
1. Nigerian Govt Approves $2.2bn External Borrowing
The Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council has approved a $2.2bn external borrowing plan on Thursday.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelWhile speaking with the State House Correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, the Finance Minister, Mr Wale Edun, said this was part of the Federal Government’s external borrowing plan for the 2024 Appropriation Act.
2. FG Approves MTEF for 2025-2027
The Federal Government has also approved the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for 2025 – 2027 and Fiscal Strategy Paper on Thursday.
While speaking to the State House Correspondents after this week’s Federal Executive Council meeting at Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, the Minister of the Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, said that according to the MTEF, the proposed 2025 budget size is N47.9tn, with new borrowings of N9.22tn.
3. Ondo poll: Security troops deployed to man borders
Ahead of Ondo State’s governorship election on Saturday, security agencies have deployed extensive personnel and resources to help ensure a peaceful electoral process and also to maintain law and order across the state.
The Defence Headquarters has also announced the deployment of troops to the border areas and flashpoints in an effort to support the Nigeria Police Force in order to ensure the smooth conduct of the election.
4. Military Pays Last Respect to late Chief of Army Staff
The military high command, on Thursday, paid last respect to the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, who died after a brief illness on Tuesday, 5 November 2024.
Top military personnel and other dignitaries, including the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, and other dignitaries paid their last respects to the deceased at the Air Force wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Ikeja after which his corpse departed for Abuja on Thursday.
5. EU Interested in Nigeria’s stability – Ambassador-designate
The European Union Ambassador-designate to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, on Thursday, had said that the EU is very much interested in Nigeria’s stability and future.
According to a statement which was released in Abuja, Mignot made this known during the inauguration of the second cohort of the Youth Sounding Board Nigeria, which comprised of 25 young people drawn from across the country.
6. Benue Recruits Ex-servicemen in State-owned Security Outfit
The Benue State Government has recruited ex-servicemen and women in the state-owned security outfit, known as the “Benue State Civil Protection Guard.”
This was disclosed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security and Internal Affairs, Chief Joseph Har, when he said that the engagement of ex-servicemen and women from the military, police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps into the state security outfit, was aimed at strengthening the command structure.
7. Access Bank (UK) to acquire Mauritius-based AfrAsia Bank
Access Holdings Plc has announced a binding agreement to acquire a majority equity stake in AfrAsia Bank Limited, the Republic of Mauritius’ third largest bank by total assets that its banking group’s subsidiary, The Access Bank UK Limited has entered into.
In a statement which was disclosed by the company, it stated that Mauritius, renowned for its robust financial services sector which contributes 13.4% to its Gross Domestic Product, will help provide Access UK with a solid foundation to expand its operations in the high-growth personal and corporate banking segments.
8. NNPCL Hits 1.8mbpd crude oil production
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and its partners have increased crude oil and gas production to 1.8million barrels per day (mbpd) and 7.4 standard cubic feet per day (scfd).
This was announced at a briefing yesterday, where the company said that the feat was achieved in compliance with the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Read more
9. Court orders compensation of lecturer over wrongful dismissal
The National Industrial Court in Akure has ordered the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), in Ekiti state, to pay the sum of N40 million as compensation to Professor Niyi Akingbe, the former Acting Dean of the Faculty of Arts, of the institution over wrongful dismissal.
According to the court documents, the judgement in suit no NICN/AK/58/2018 dated 29th October 2024 was given by the Presiding Judge, Hon Justice K.D Damulak in the case between the Claimant Dr Oniyide Ajisafe Akingbe and Federal University of Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State.
10. Arẹwà Group, Northern group Condemn calls for the Removal of INEC Chairman
The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) and the Northern Awareness Network (NAN) has condemned calls for the removal of Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, describing it as mischievous and uncalled for.
The Northern groups reaffirmed their unwavering support for Professor Yakubu and the Independent National Electoral Commission, saying, “Let us work together to build a Nigeria where the voices of the people are not only heard but are respected and upheld.”
11. You aren’t destined to be president – Wike’s aide to Atiku
Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka, has said that former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar was not destined to rule the country, asking him to jettison his ambition to govern the country in 2027.
In a statement in Abuja yesterday, Olayinka said “The PDP presidential ticket will no longer be available to be wasted by serial betrayals of the party, who are obviously suffering the consequences of their past sins against the party and its members”.
12. Commercial Bus Driver shot dead by Assailants in Makurdi
A yet-to-be-identified commercial bus driver, was shot dead by unknown assailants yesterday, in the North Bank area of Makurdi.
An eyewitness who pleaded anonymity stated that the driver was killed while conveying some passengers from North Bank park to the main town.
13. Gov Eno sacks MD of Ibom Power Company
Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, has sacked the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the state owned Ibom Power Company Limited, Meyen Etukudoh.
This was announced yesterday in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah.
14. FG Approves N250bn for Housing, Mortgage Financing
The Federal government has approved a N250 billion real estate investment fund yesterday which is aimed at providing affordable, long-term mortgages to Nigerians.
The government explained that the approval was part of the efforts to tackle Nigeria’s severe housing deficit and stimulate long-term economic growth.
15. CBN Board didn’t Recommend naira Redesign to Buhari, ex-deputy governor tells court
Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Kingsley Obiora, has said there was no time the CBN Board recommended the 2022 naira redesign to then President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said that the apex bank’s board first heard of the naira redesign policy on December 15, 2022.
16. Tinubu Appoints Bwala as Special Adviser on Public Communications
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Daniel Bwala as Special Adviser on Public Communications and Media at the State House.
This was announced in a statement by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday.
17. ECOWAS Court rejects SERAP’s suit over 2022 Kaduna Train Attack
The Community Court of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Court) has rejected a suit filed by a group of Nigerian activists known as the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), over an attack by bandits on an Abuja-Kaduna train which occurred on 28 March 2022.
SERAP filed the case after bandits attacked the Abuja-Kaduna passenger train in 2022. However, the court held that it lacks jurisdiction over the case because relevant ingredients that could qualify it to be entertained as a public interest litigation were missing.
18. NATE calls on Tinubu To Approve Bill On B.Sc., HND Dichotomy
The Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to approve the bill that seeks to abolish the academic and professional distinction between Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) and Higher National Diploma (HND) holders.
This appeal was made by the NATE’s National President, Hon. Dominic Udoatan, during NATE’s 2024 Conference and Annual General Meeting in Abuja, where he emphasized that this legislation has passed through all legislative stages and awaits the president’s approval.
19. Tinubu, Abdulsalami, Others To Attend 5th Ziks Annual Awards Lecture
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd) and Governor of Borno State, Prof Babagana Zulum among other eminent Nigerians and leaders are expected to attend this year’s Nnamdi Azikiwe Zik’s annual awards lecture.
The president is slated to be the special guest of honour, while Gen Abubakar will be the chairman of the occasion and Zulum will be the keynote speaker.
20. Police Parade 82 Suspects in Kano
The Kano State Police Command has paraded 82 suspects who were involved in a series of criminal activities across the state.
The commands’ spokesperson, Abdullahi Kiyawa while parading the suspects at the Commands headquarters Bumpai, Kano said that the suspects were arrested between 1st to 14 of this month.