Here are top 20 headlines in Nigerian newspapers today, 9th October 2024 on business and economy, politics, sports and entertainment among others.
1. Oil Marketers to Begin Direct Purchase From Dangote Refinery
Major oil marketers are to begin direct purchase of premium motor spirit popularly known as petrol from Dangote Refinery from between Thursday and next week.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAccording to sources from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria, it was confirmed that NNPCL pulls out as the sole off-taker of the product, giving room for other players in the downstream to buy products directly from the Dangote refinery.
2 Rivers Crisis: Fubara Orders Probe Of Attacks At LG Councils Headquarters
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has inaugurated a seven-man Judicial Commission of Inquiry to begin investigation into the arson, killings and destruction of property at various Local Government Council areas in the state.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi, on Tuesday, which stated that the commission has one month to conclude its assignment. Read more
3. Stop Crude-for-loans Deals – Dangote Tells Nigerian Govt
The President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has said that Nigerians government needs to stop mortgaging crude oil proceeds.
Speaking during a summit organised by the Crude Oil Refinery Owners Association of Nigeria (CORAN) in Lagos, Dangote said: “To ensure sufficient feedstock availability we will need to stop mortgaging crude. It is unfortunate that while countries like Norway are putting oil proceeds into a future fund through their national wealth funds, in Africa, we are spending oil proceeds from the future today.” Read more
4. FG Confirms Approval of Airstrip for Canaanland
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has confirmed the approval of an airstrip for Canaanland, the site of the Living Faith Church in the Otta area of Ogun State.
This was announced by the founder of the church, David Oyedepo, during the Tehillah Night Special Edition at Covenant University Chapel, Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State, on Sunday. He was seen in a short video celebrating the development, telling the congregation of the latest government approval for the church.
5. Supreme Court Schedules Oct 22 to hear 16 state suit filed against EFCC
The Supreme Court has scheduled to hear a suit filed by 16 state governments challenging the legality of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on October 22.
The suit was instituted by the Kogi State government and 15 other states. The 15 other states joined in the suit, marked: SC/CV/178/2023, are Ondo, Edo, Oyo, Ogun, Nasarawa, Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, Jigawa, Enugu, Benue, Anambra, Plateau, Cross-River and Niger.
6. INEC to Release Electoral Materials for Edo Governorship Poll to PDP Today
The Independent National Electoral Commission has said it will make available to the Peoples Democratic Party, electoral materials for the September 21 Edo State governorship poll, today (Wednesday).
This was disclosed by the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha during an interview with newsmen on Tuesday amid complaints of delay by the PDP.
7. Nigerian Govt Begins Appointment Of Permanent Secs From 8 States
The Federal Government, through the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, has began the process of appointing new Permanent Secretaries to fill vacancies in eight states.
According to a memo from the OHCSF, signed by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, on 7 October 2024, it stated that the appointment process had been approved by President Bola Tinubu and also indicated that officials currently undergoing disciplinary procedures were barred from applying for the positions of Permanent Secretaries.
8. Speed Darlington Released on bail From Police Custody
Darlington Okoye, also known as Speed Darlington, has been released on bail after spending five days in police custody.
According to Deji Adeyanju, the human rights lawyer, a formal complaint was filed by Burna Boy claiming that Darlington defamed and cyberstalked the Grammy Award winner, which led to the singer’s detention in Abuja.
Adeyanju confirmed that the singer was arrested in Lagos last Friday and then transferred to Abuja, where he had been detained and was released to his lawyer on Tuesday evening after meeting the bail conditions set by the police in Abuja.
9. Senate Seeks Immediate Dredging of Rivers Niger, Benue to Prevent Flooding
The Senate has asked President Bola Tinubu to direct the immediate dredging of Rivers Niger and Benue, as part of measures to prevent flooding.
It equally asked the the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), to intervene in the rehabilitation of Shuwa, Jigalambu and Baladega Bridge.
10. Odegbami seeks financial aid for ailing ex-Nigerian goalkeeper
Nigerian football legend, Segun Odegbami, is seeking financial aid for ailing ex-Nigerian goalkeeper, Peter Fregene.
According to a statement by Odegbami on Tuesday, Fregene who is a former goalkeeper of the Nigeria national football team, with a career spanning over two decades, is currently hospitalised in Sapele, Delta state, and urgently needs medical attention and financial assistance.
11. First Stanza of National Anthem will be rendered at official Functions – NOA
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), has said on Tuesday, that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the first stanza of the national anthem to be rendered at official functions, while the three stanzas should be for special occasions.
NOA said these occasions included Independence Day, Democracy Day, Inauguration of the National Assembly, Children’s Day, Armed Forces Remembrance Day and Workers Day.
12. Grandmother, 4 Children dies after consuming pap in Akure
A 68-year-old woman, Mrs Esther Adeola, and her four grandchildren, are reported to have died mysteriously after consuming pap in Akure.
According to a family source, the grandmother had died suddenly and was taken to the mortuary. The family never suspected anything as the cause of the death as the deceased was advanced in age. However, after her death, a family member together with her husband, children and their cousin went to tidy up the deceased house where they saw some processed dried pap in the kitchen. The children craved the pap and after eating it, began to writhe in pain and were rushed to the state Specialist Hospital, Akure. The parents began to suspect that the pap must have been contaminated or poisoned and could have been the cause of the death of the deceased. The children died after spending three days in the hospital which could have been avoided if they were promptly attended to by the medical personnel.
13. Lagos, Jigawa, Kano lead in Cholera deaths
Lagos, Jigawa, Kano, Oyo and four other states are leading in the number of deaths caused by cholera since the beginning of the year.
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), a total of 10,837 suspected cases and 359 deaths from Cholera have been reported. Nine states with the highest casualties are Lagos (134), Jigawa (52), Kano (46), Oyo (26), Ebonyi (16), Adamawa (16), Rivers (13), Katsina (12) and Bauchi (10).
14. Man Arrested for Attempting to set Himself Ablaze
A young man identified as Adamu Mainasara has been arrested and arraigned before a Kano Magistrates’ Court No. 4 Gyadi Gyadi in Tarauni Local Government Area of Kano State for allegedly attempting to set himself ablaze.
The suspect had gone to Dangwauro in the outskirts of Kano, poured petrol on himself and was about to set himself ablaze before he was restrained and arrested by the police.
15. Patients Lament over Ongoing Indefinite Strike by Health Workers in Kaduna
Patients and their relatives have lamented over the ongoing strike by health workers in Kaduna State.
The strike which is in response to the state government’s failure to address demands related to remuneration and other long-standing issues has severely impacted healthcare services in government-owned hospitals as many patients are being turned away from public hospitals or referred to private facilities, where they face higher costs and limited access to care.
16. Lagos Task Force Apprehends 28 Miscreants
The Lagos State Task Force has apprehended 28 miscreants linked to the notorious “Omotaku” gang in a raid spanning Mile 2, Alaba Rago, FESTAC, Apapa, and neighbouring areas.
The Chairman of the Lagos State Task force, CSP Adetayo Akerele, had said that the operation was aimed at restoring peace to residents and motorists who have endured significant distress due to the gang’s activities. The suspects have been terrorising motorists, extorting money from those whose vehicles break down on the highway.
17. Boat Accidents: Safety on Waterways Remain Our Priority – NIWA
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has said that safety on waterways remains its priority.
Speaking during his visit to commiserate with people of Gbajibo community in Kwara State, the Managing Director of NIWA, Bola Oyebamiji, frowned at the way and manner boat operators and passengers do flout safety tips, noting that overloading and non use of life jackets while traveling on waterways by operators or passengers would attract stiffer penalties.
18. Oba of Benin Asks Okpebholo to Fulfill campaign Promises
Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II has charged Edo State governor-elect, Monday Okpebholo, to fulfill his campaign promises on assumption of office.
He said this at his palace when he received Okpebholo and Deputy Governor-elect Dennis Idahosa who presented their certificates of return to him.
19. Army Cautions IPOB Against Calling on Igbo Youths to Shun Ongoing Recruitment
The Nigerian Army has cautioned the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) against issuing warnings to South-east youths to shun the ongoing recruitment into the army.
This is contained in a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Tuesday in Abuja.
20. Naira Gains N73.39 At Official Market
Naira appreciated by N73.39 on Tuesday at the official market.
According to the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) data published on the FMDQ Securities and Exchange platform, this reflects a 4.48% gain as naira trades at N1,561.76 per dollar compared to Monday’s trading rate of N1,635.15 per dollar. Read more