Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Friday, 17th August, 2018

Here Are The Major Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Friday, 17th August, 2018

1. UN report says FG paid ransom for Dapchi girls

The United Nations has revealed that the Nigerian government through the Information Minister Lai Mohammed lied that they didn’t pay any ransom to free scores of female students kidnapped by the Boko Haram from their school in Dapchi.

The report recently submitted to the UN Security Council on Boko Haram stated the government paid huge ransoms to secure the release of the girls.

2. NEC moves to decentralize Nigerian police

The National Economic Council (NEC) has set up a committee to work on decentralizing the operations of the Nigerian Police Force.

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, Today disclosed this at the end of the NEC meeting chaired by Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

3. DSS appoints Afunanya as spokesperson

The Department of State Services has appointed Nnochirionye Afunanya as its spokesperson.

The appointment was disclosed in a statement issued by the Public Relations Department of the agency in Abuja on Thursday.

4. Jonathan secured release of some Chibok girls but didn’t publicize it – Abati

Reuben Abati, former media aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan says Jonathan secured the release of some Chibok girls but was told not to publicize it.

He said Sambo Dasuki, the then national security adviser (NSA), in a bid to protect the identities of the freed girls then, advised the government against making the release public.

5. Lawal Daura is been debriefed, not detained – Presidency

The Presidency has revealed that contrary to popular opinion, the sacked former DSS boss, Lawal Daura is not in detention, but is been debriefed.

The Presidency maintained that there was absolute need for proper debriefing and handing over process by Daura to the new leadership of the Department of State Services.

6. Nigerian government insists it didn’t pay ransom for Dapchi girls

The Nigerian Government has denied claims by a United Nations report that it paid huge ransoms to secure the release of the Dapchi girls.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, in a statement issued in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Thursday, challenged anyone who has any evidence of payment to publish such.

7. FG declares Tuesday and Wednesday as public holiday for eid-el-kabir

Tuesday, Aug. 21, and Wednesday, Aug. 22 has been declared by the Federal government as public holidays to celebrate the 2018 Eid-el-Kabir.

Retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, the Minister of Interior, in a statement, through Dr Mohammed Umar, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, made the development known on Thursday in Abuja.

8. Court stops Saraki from declaring Akpabio’s seat vacant

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki has been ordered by an Abuja High Court not to declare the seat of former Minority Leader of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio vacant.

The Presiding judge, Justice Othman Musa also ordered Saraki not impede Senator Akpabio’s access to the Senate building or taking any action aimed at “overreaching his privileges and rights as a Senator pending the determination of the originating Summons of the applicant.”

9. Governors declare they have more to do than just paying salaries

Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) have said they were not voted into power to pay salaries alone but also to provide good roads, electricity, education and other necessary amenities.

This comes as the governors yesterday discussed, amidst arising concerns to minimum wage implementation.

10. Falconets crash out of FIFA U-20 World Cup

Nigeria’s Falconets were no match for the Spain female team, as they were defeated 2-1 on Thursday during a tough quarter-final encounter in 2018 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in France.

With the win over Nigeria, the Spanish side are making it to the semi-final stage for the first time in their history.

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