Victor EzejaHere are top 20 headlines in Nigerian newspapers today, 28th September 2024 on business and economy, politics, sports and entertainment among others.
1. EFCC Detains Ex-Taraba Gov Ishiaku Over ₦27bn Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has detained former governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku over alleged ₦27 billion financial fraud.
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2. Naira Further Appreciates, Ends Week On Good Note
The Nigerian naira further appreciated at the official market on Friday, ending the week on a positive note. Read more
3. Oil, Gas Firms owe Nigerian Govt $6bn – NEITI Report
Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has revealed that as of June 2024, the federal government was owed $6.071 billion and N66.4 billion in unpaid revenues from the oil and gas sector.
NEITI made this known on Thursday during the public unveiling of its 2022 and 2023 Independent Oil and Gas Industry Reports in Abuja.
4. Presidential CNG Initiative Begins 40% Transport Fare Reduction
The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative on Friday began a Transport Fare Drop programme nationwide, starting with Abuja.
Representatives of the PCNGi signed an MOU with the National Union of Road Transport Workers covering the Abuja to Itakpe Station—Ajaokuta Train Station—Adavi route to convert fleet vehicles to CNG in return for a 30-40 per cent fare reduction.
5. More Controversies Trail How Bobrisky Spent Jail Term in Kirikiri Special Cell
Reactions have continued to trail revelations of how popular Nigerian crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, AKA Bobrisky, spent his six-month jail term at Kirikiri special cell.
Sources said he was taken to the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, as his presence began to attract attention and generate publicity.
Reports indicated prison rules allow for provision of special cells for certain inmates considered as VIP or well-behaved, but come at a certain cost to the inmate.
6. Petrol Landing Cost Drops to N981/litre – Marketers
Data released by the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) on Thursday, revealed that the landing cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly called petrol, has dropped to N981/litre.
The petrol landing cost which was around N1,130 in previous weeks, came down by over N140 as of 25 September 2024. This was attributed to the recent drop in global crude oil prices.
Prices of petroleum products including petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, kerosene are determined by crude oil prices and exchange rate.
7. ExxonMobil Moves to Invest $10bn in Nigeria’s Oil Sector
ExxonMobil’s proposed $10bn investment in Nigeria’s deep-water oil operations.
This was revealed during a during a high-level meeting between Nigeria’s vice President, Kashim Shettima and ExxonMobil executives on the sidelines of the ongoing 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in York, United States.
The vice President, who welcomed the proposal, Sai it aligns with the President Bola Tinubu administration’s vision for a more investment-friendly Nigeria.
8. Court Remands 4 Bloggers for Cyberstalking, False Publications Against GTCO CEO
Federal High in Lagos has ordered the remand of four bloggers for allegedly cyberstalking and spreading false information aimed at insulting the Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company PLC, Segun Agbaje.
Justice Ayokunle Faji of court, gave the order on Friday.
The bloggers who are, Precious Eze (38), Olawale Rotimi (47), Rowland Olonishu, and Seun Odunlami, were remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
9. Independence Day: Nigerian Govt Declares Tuesday Public Holiday
Nigerian Government has declared Tuesday, October 1, 2024, a public holiday to commemorate the nation’s 64th Independence Day.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on Saturday on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani.
10. High Interest Rate Hurts Economy – LCCI
Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has again warned that increasing interest rate as a way of combating inflation in Nigeria is hurting the economy.
The LCCI in a statement by its Director General, Dr Chinyere Alumona, criticised the recent increase in the benchmark interest rate to 27.25 per cent, stating that it will exacerbate the challenging business environment.
11. Govt Policies Hurting Us, Manufacturers Cry out
Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, has raised concerns about certain government reforms and policies that have negatively impacted the manufacturing sector.
MAN President, Francis Meshioye, named some the policies to include the removal of fuel subsidies, floating of the naira, exchange rate policies and increase in monetary policy rates, among others.
12. Court Grants Whistleblower, PIDOM, N5m Bail in Cybercrime Case
A whistleblower, Isaac Bristol Tamunobifiri, who was arraigned and detained in prison custody for allegedly exposing a classified document, on Friday, secured N5 million bail from the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The defendant, who is popularly known as PIDOM, is facing a nine-count charge that was instituted against him by the Nigeria Police Force, NPF.
13. Nigeria to Reduce food imports, to Boosts Agricultural Self-sufficiency
Nigeria’s minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, Wale Edun, has stated that plans are underway by the federal government to drive food sufficiency and cut down on the country’s reliance on imports.
Edun made this known during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, marking the country’s 64th Independence Day celebration.
He said this is part of a bold strategy to boost domestic agricultural production and enhance food security.
14. We can’t Subsidise Passport Fees – Nigerian Govt
Nigerian Government has said it cannot afford to subsidise the cost issuing international passport. travel document.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, stated this during a press conference on Friday to clarify the reason for the recent increase in passport fees.
The government had last month announced that Rd price of 32-page passport booklet will increase from ₦35,000 to ₦50,000 and 64-page booklet move from ₦70,000 to ₦100,000 with effect from September 1, 2024.
Many Nigerians had criticized the government for increasing the passport fees.
Tunji-Ojo said the passport fee adjustment was caused by the high exchange rate between the dollar and the naira.
15. FIFA Ban Argentina Goalkeeper Martinez for ‘Offensive Behaviour’
Argentina’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been banned for two matches by FIFA for “offensive behaviour”, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) announced on Saturday.
The 32-year-old Aston Villa star was also found guilty of “violating principles of fairplay” in two separate episodes.
16. Emirates Resumption: Nigerian Airlines to Begin Direct Flights to UAE
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has negotiated an agreement on reciprocal rights to ensure that Nigerian airlines begin direct flight operations to the United Arab Emirates, UAE.
The new Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) reached by the two nations, comes ahead of the resumption of Emirates Airlines’ flight operations to Nigeria on Tuesday, 1 October. Read more
17. Banditry Allegation: Court Okays suit to Compel FG to Probe ex-Gov Matawalle
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Friday, okayed a suit seeking to compel the Federal Government to investigate the alleged link between the Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle and the operation of bandits in Zamfara State.
18. Tinubu Appoints 7 Executive Directors for NTA
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of seven executive directors for the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Friday, gave the names of the executive directors.
19. Reps invite EFCC Chairman, VeryDarkMan, Bobrisky over Bribery Allegations
The House of Representatives has summoned EFCC Chairman, Nigerian Correctional Service Comptroller General, Bobrisky, VeryDarkMan, and all officers involved in the prosecution of Bobrisky.
This was contained in a letter written by the Lead Chairman of the joint committee, Jon Ginger Onwusibe to parties on Friday over the disturbing allegation of corruption against the Economic and Financial Crime Commission EFCC, the Nigeria Correctional Services.
20. Brazil Coach Urges Patience over Neymar Return
Brazil coach Dorival Junior called for Neymar to be given as much time as he needs to make a complete recovery from a knee injury that has sidelined him for almost a year.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star ruptured his meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament while on international duty last October.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
