Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Thursday, 1st October, 2020

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Thursday, 1st October 2020

1. October 1: Presidency Releases Updated Statement On Buhari’s Nationwide Broadcast

The Presidency on Wednesday noted that part of activities of commemorating the 60th independence anniversary of the country will see President Muhammadu Buhari address the nation on Thursday October 1, 2020 at 7am.

The development was disclosed in an updated statement on Wednesday evening.

The presidency also called on all television, radio and other electronic media outlets to hook up to network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) respectively for the address.

President Buhari Spokesman, Femi Adesina, further stated that his principal will thereafter, proceed to the Eagle Square, Abuja to review the Anniversary Parade and participate in other activities beginning at 10am, which will be covered live by major television and radio stations.

It said that “This updated statement supersedes our earlier one indicating an open-air live Presidential Address on October 1.”

2. Federal Government Approves ₦13.08tn Budget For 2021

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has projected a N13.08 trillion budget for the 2021 fiscal year.

This was disclosed in Abuja to State House Correspondents after the weekly virtual FEC meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking further the Minister for Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed who made this known stated that the projected Capital Expenditure for the year is projected at N2.083 trillion.

Naija News recalls that President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to present the proposed 2021 national budget to a joint session of the National Assembly next week.

3. FG Lifts Ban On Emirates Airlines As UAE Agrees To Issue Visas To Nigerians

The federal government of Nigeria has confirmed the conditional lifting of the ban imposed on Emirates Airlines from operating in the country.

The development was confirmed on Wednesday by Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika who explained that the decision to lift the ban follows an agreement by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to issue visas to Nigerians.

The Minister explained that the decision to allow Emirates to fly again in Nigeria is premised on the commencement of visa issuance by the UAE government.

Below is Sidika’s statement as released on his Twitter handle.

“UAE has written to state that they agree to issue visas to Nigerians, consequently decision has been reached to allow Emirates to fly into Nigeria. Commencement of the Visa issuance is condition precedent. Please bear with this unusual situation. Many thanks”

4. Court Rejects Suit Challenging Buhari’s Appointment Of 21 Judges

A suit challenging President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing 21 individuals as judges in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has been struck out by the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Naija News reported earlier that President Muhammadu Buhari has been accused of breaching of section 256(2) of the Nigerian Constitution after sending names of 11 candidates recommended to him by the National Judicial Council for appointment as judges of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory to the Senate for screening and confirmation.

However, on Wednesday, September 30, the FCT High Court judge, Justice Okon Abang, in his judgment on the suit challenging the president over the appointment of 21 out of 33 persons as judges, held that the plaintiff lacked the locus stand to institute the case since they have not shown any special interest as to confer on them the locus to commence the suit against the respective parties.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report, the plaintiff, JRP Foundation Ltd/GTE, comprises about 15 Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs).

5. Independence Day: IPOB Dares Nigerian Govt, Security Agencies Over Sit-At-Home Order

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has dared the Nigerian government and its security agencies over its October 1 sit-at-home order earlier announced.

The Biafra agitators in a statement on Wednesday, September 30 by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, warned the federal government and security agencies to steer clear.

According to Powerful, nobody could reverse the call on Igbo people to sit-at-home on October 1 as earlier declared by the group.

He said, “Nigeria Police and those claiming to be fighting for Biafra freedom but stand against the coming of Biafra are inconsequential because they cannot afford to stop us.”

6. Petroleum Industry Bill 2020 Scales First Reading In Senate

The Petroleum Industry Bill 2020 has scaled through first reading on the floor of the Nigeria Senate during plenary on Wednesday.

According to the report reaching Naija News, the leader of the Senate, Yahaya Abdullahi, presented the proposed PIB bill at the plenary while Ahmad Lawan, the President of the Senate read the bill for the first time.

Naija News recalls that the senate president in 2019 lamented that the bill had stayed too long in the National Assembly since its introduction and that the delay in concluding works on it was affecting the petroleum sector.

Lawan stated this in September 2019 at the plenary during the inauguration of the 70 Standing Committees of the Senate.

However, the leadership of the National Assembly on Monday, September 28, 2020, pledged to accelerate legislative action on the Petroleum Industry Bill submitted by the President, Muhammadu Buhari, two weeks ago.

7. Nigeria Has Recovered ₦700 Billion Through Whistle-Blowers

The federal government has recovered at least ₦700 billion through its Whistle Blower Policy.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and Planning, Zainab Ahmed, made this known during a media briefing at the National Conference on the whistleblower policy in Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja,

Zainab Ahmed said the government had been able to recover large sums of money from the efforts of whistleblowers who had exposed some corrupt activities.

She said: “There were recoveries and the cleaning of the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS); stoppage of non-compliance with the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and violations of the procurement Act 2007”.

The minister lamented that “at inception, there was widespread enthusiasm as Nigerians volunteered numerous actionable information”.

She said such information was being investigated by the EFCC, ICPC, NFIU or DSS.

8. Independence Day – The Times Of Idle, Lame Promises Are Over – Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on all Nigerians to work together in moving the country forward and achieving the country many constantly dream about.

He also urged Nigerians to put aside ethnic, religious, and all other forms of differences tending to pull the country apart and work towards a collective purpose.

Atiku who praised the resilience and doggedness of the Nigerian youth called on the government to harness their potential and invest in them so they can turn the potential to passion and excellence that will result in a better country for everyone.

The former Vice President made the call in a statement on Wednesday, 30th September which he released in commemoration of the October 1st 60th independence anniversary of the nation.

9. Lagos Govt Cancels Independence Day Parade

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu government of Lagos State has announced the cancellation of the planned parade for the October 1 Independence Day celebration.

This announcement was contained in a statement on Wednesday by the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, who noted that all other activities involving the gathering of more than 50 people have been cancelled in the state.

The commissioner who spoke on behalf of governor Sanwo-Olu urged residents in the state not to relax their vigilance against COVID-19. According to him, the Lagos State Government has opted for a low key celebration of the 60th Independence Anniversary due to the ravaging effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The statement reads further, “Governor Sanwo-Olu directed that the planned parade and other activities that involve the gathering of more than 50 people should be cancelled.”

10. Lagos: Retire Bode George – Fayose Charges PDP

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has called on the former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Bode George, to retire politically to allow the party progress in Lagos State.

Fayose’s spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, in a statement released on Wednesday, said Fayose stated this during the inauguration of the PDP Campaign Committee for the Lagos East senatorial bye-election on Tuesday.

He canvassed support and votes for the PDP candidate, Babatunde Gbadamosi.

The former Governor in his statement noted that George should rather be a father figure for the younger ones in the party instead of dragging positions with them.

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