Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Friday, 18th September, 2020

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Friday, 18th September 2020

1. President Buhari Signs Police Bill Into Law

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, has signed into law the Nigeria Police Bill 2020.

This was revealed in a series of tweets on Thursday, September 17, 2020 by Bashir Ahmad, Personal Assistant to the president on New Media.

The presidential aide noted that the new bill signed into law repeals the Police Act Cap. P19. Laws of the Federation, 2004, and provides for a more effective and well organized Police Force, driven by the principles of transparency in its operations and management of its resources.

2. Wale Babalakin Resigns As UNILAG Pro-Chancellor

University of Lagos Pro-Chancellor, Wale Babalakin, has resigned from his position.

This is coming after the alleged disagreement with the federal government’s visitation panel sent to the university.

Recall that he was recently replaced with John Momoh.

Babalakin said there were too many vested interests in the UNILAG leadership issue.

His letter of resignation was addressed to the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, and copied to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Babalakin in the letter appreciated President Buhari for giving him the opportunity to serve as the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos from May 2017.

3. Ondo Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi Speaks On Forming New Alliance With PDP To Defeat Akeredolu

The Ondo State Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi has denied any plan to team up with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Eyitayo Jegede ahead of the 2020 governorship polls in the state.

Ajayi who is the candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) said those promoting such rumours in the media are those paid to spread fake news by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

It will be recalled Ajayi who initially joined the PDP after decamping from the All Progressives Congress (APC), dumped PDP for ZLP after he lost out on the party’s 2020 governorship ticket.

While denying any plans to form a new alliance with Jegede and the PDP, the Deputy Governor said he is in the race to win and won’t be distracted by any cheap political propaganda.

Ajayi made his view known in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Babatope Okeowo.

4. Edo Election: IGP Orders Restriction of Vehicular Movement

In a bid to prevent the influx and use of deadly arms, hard drugs and as well checkmate the movement of political thugs during the September 19 governoship election in Edo State, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the restriction of vehicular movement in and out of Edo State.

According to the IGP in a statement released on Thursday, September 17, the restriction would help to prevent touts and other criminally-minded individuals within and outside the state from hijacking and disrupting the electoral processes.

Adamu noted that the vehicular movement restriction will start from 11:59PM on Friday, 18th September, 2020 through 6pm on Saturday, 19th September, 2020.

The IGP enjoins citizens to go out en-masse on Saturday and vote candidate of their choice, noting that the Police and other security agencies have been sufficiently mobilized to provide a safe, secure and conducive environment for the election.

5. UNILAG Crisis: Buhari Receives Report Of Findings From Visitation Panel

The Special Visitation Panel set up by the Federal Government to investigate the management crisis at the University of Lagos has submitted a report of its findings.

The government had set up the panel to look into the crisis rocking the university, following the removal of its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, by the Dr. Wale Babalakin-led governing council over allegations of financial infractions and others.

Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, who inaugurated the panel, headed by Prof. Tukur Sa’ad, had warned members against interference with the activities of UNILAG management. The panel had a two-week timeframe to complete its assignment following its inauguration on August 26, 2020.

Receiving the report on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja on Thursday, Adamu said the recommendations of the panel would be thoroughly scrutinised with the aim of full implementation.

6. Coronavirus: NCDC Confirms 131 New Cases Of COVID-19 In Nigeria

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, has confirmed one hundred and thirty-one new cases of Coronavirus disease in the country.

According to the health agency in a post on its verified Twitter account on Thursday night, September 17, the new cases were confirmed from 18 states of Nigeria.

The development brings the total number of the dreadful virus to 56,735 in Nigeria.

So far 48,092 persons have been discharged from the novel virus, while 1,093 have been reported dead since the emergence of the pandemic in Nigeria

7. Edo 2020: Why Obaseki May Defeat Ize-Iyamu In Edo Governorship Poll – Momoh

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Tony Momoh has declared that he won’t be surprised if Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emerges winner of the 2020 Edo Governorship election.

He noted that the PDP has a very strong presence in Edo and the power of incumbency might also come into play during Saturday’s election.

Prince Momoh added that while as a loyal party man, he wants APC to win, he understands that there is a lot of work to be done.

He noted that despite how strong PDP seems in the state, the APC candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu is a strong grass root politician who also enjoys a strong fan base in the state.

Momoh, a former Minister of Information and former National Chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC), made his views known during an interview with INDEPENDENT.

8. FG Approves Creation Of New Anti-Corruption Agency

The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday approved the establishment of a new anti-corruption agency that will be in charge of all recovered looted assets.

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, revealed this development while speaking with state house correspondents after the FEC meeting on Wednesday.

The Minister of Justice further stated that assets recovered have been in the hands of several agencies and that better coordination will encourage international/overall coordination in recovering more looted assets.

Malami added that the new anti-corruption agency will be named ‘Proceeds of Crime Recovery and Management Agency’

He told newsmen that FEC has approved transmission of a bill, titled, “Proceeds of Crime Recovery and Management Agency Bill,” to the National Assembly.

The AGF noted that once the bill becomes law and the agency is established, it would see to proper documentation and management of such recovered assets and thereby guarantee transparency and accountability.

9. US Visa Ban List: Governor Wike Tables Fresh Request Before US, UK

The governor of Rivers State, south-south Nigeria, Nyesom Wike, has urged the United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK) to publish the names of citizens indicted till date on the US visa ban list.

Governor Wike made this call in reaction to the visa ban slammed on some Nigerians involved in election rigging and violence by the ban the United States government.

Naija News had reported earlier the United States Government slammed visa ban some Nigerian politicians according to a statement issued on Monday by the spokesperson for the Department of State, Morgan Ortagus.

According to US officials, more Nigerian politicians may be included on the US Visa Ban List after the Edo governorship election slated for September 19 if they are involved in electoral malpractice. It was gathered that those affected by the latest visa ban have received notification by email and or text messages.

10. Nigeria Jumps To 29th Position In Latest FIFA Rankings

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have moved up two places in the latest monthly Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) rankings.

Naija News learnt that the three-time African champions occupy the 29th spot in the world and third in Africa.

The Super Eagles garnered 1493 points, same as the points acquired in the last edition released in March which ranked the West Africans 31st.

Nigeria is third in Africa behind 2019 Africa Cup of Nations runner-up, Senegal, who have 1555 points and Tunisia [1506] while Algeria and Morocco are placed fourth and fifth respectively.

That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.