Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Tuesday, 13th October, 2020

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Tuesday, 13th October 2020

1. #EndSARS: President Buhari Finally Addresses Nigerians

The President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, 12th October bowed to pressure from the #EndSARS protesters and addressed Nigerians on Police reforms.

It will be recalled that Nigerians had taken social media platforms particularly Twitter and also embarked on physical protests to press home their demands about the need for government to intervene and end various forms of Police brutality.

The protesters are demanding an end to the extrajudicial killings, excessive use of force, extortion, and other vices by operatives of the Nigerian Police.

They called on the government to disband the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) which was done on Sunday by the Inspector-General of Police but also demanded the President, Muhammadu Buhari address Nigerians to assure them of what his government is doing on their demands.

The President on Monday, finally acceded to the demands of the protesters.

He said in the video uploaded on his Twitter handle on Monday that, “The disbanding of SARS is only the first step in our commitment to extensive police reforms in order to ensure that the primary duty of the police and other law enforcement agencies remains the protection of lives and livelihood of our people.”

He also promised that all operatives of the now-disbanded SARS unit found to be guilty will be brought to justice without fear or favour.

He appealed to Nigerians not to allow the few bad eggs within the Police Force to tarnish the good works and image of the majority who are hardworking and diligent in the discharge of their constitutional duties.

2. Federal Government Extends Suspension Of New Electricity Tariff

The Federal Government has extended the suspension of the new electricity tariff regime by one week.

Prof. James Momoh, Chairman, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) said this when the ad hoc Technical Committee on Electricity Tariff submitted its interim report at a reconvene bilateral meeting between Federal Government and Organised Labour on Monday in Abuja.

The new tariff was earlier suspended for two weeks and ended at midnight on Oct. 11, when the organised labour suspended the planned industrial action over agitation on the hike in electricity tariff on Sept. 28.,

It would also be recalled that the committee which was Chaired by Mr Festus Keyamo, Minister of State for Labour is to examine the justifications for the new policy in view of the need for the validation of the basis for the new cost-reflective tariff.

It was also agreed that while the committee carries the justification that electricity tariff should be reduced for two weeks.

Momoh while speaking, said the one-week extension new tariff said was to enable the committee to review and work out modalities for the implementation of the agreement reached on the electricity tariffs structure.

3. #EndSARS: Osinbajo Makes Fresh Promise To Nigerians

The Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has on behalf of the federal government, assured Nigerians that a better replacement will be provided for the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Osinbajo on Monday, promised that the government is determined to do all that is necessary to ensure that the entire Police Force is reformed to meet the expectations of the people.

He re-echoed the declaration by President Muhammadu Buhari who had earlier told Nigerians in a video broadcast on Monday that the recent ban of the SARS unit was only the beginning of many other reforms planned for the Police Force.

The Vice President added that the issue of police brutality is of great concern to him and everybody, noting that as the victims of the excessive actions by the police force are crying for justice, so is the government committed to bringing the perpetrators to justice.

4. Senate President Lawan Calls For End To ASUU Strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has been charged by Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, to call off their strike.

The President of the Senate stated this during a meeting with the leadership of ASUU and some Principal Officers of the Senate.

Lawan noted that the Federal Government and the union have to find a common ground for universities to reopen and offer the kind of services expected of the universities in the country.

“We don’t need this kind of situation where our universities are shut because our children are main victims of this.”

“We cannot afford as a country to continue to have this kind of crisis.”

“This may explain why those that can afford will normally go out of the country even to West African countries like Ghana to receive University education.”

“I believe our universities can be better but they are better than most of these universities that our children go to in other African countries especially.”

“The idea is to find out how we can resolve the outstanding issues and it is supposed to be a give and take situation,” he declared.

5. #EndSARS: IGP Reveals When Training Of New Police Unit Will Begin

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, has disclosed that the training of a new police unit to take over form the Special Anti -Robbery Squad (SARS) which was scrapped on Sunday, will commence next week.

Naija News reports that the IGP made this disclosure when Nigerian singer, David Adeleke popularly called Davido, visited him in office in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital on Monday over the ongoing #ENDSARS protests.

During the meeting, the Police boss said with SARS being disbanded, there was a need to get a new structure to carry out the duties the defunct police unit was carrying out, which is fighting violent crimes.

According to the IGP, the new police unit will be intelligence-driven, properly trained and only act on special occasions that require their attention. He added that the unit would be made up of fresh personnel with a fresh orientation and not officers from the scrapped unit.

IGP Adamu said opportunities would be created for members of the public to participate in and make inputs to the formation of the new unit, this was even as he revealed that this was the first time they have decisively taken to dissolve SARS and called for calm as they continue to resolve all the issues.

Speaking further, the IGP who noted that Davido‘s visit to talk about the issue is the best way to deal with the current problem, said in the formation of the new unit corrections would be taken from the experience of SARS.

6. Details Of What President Buhari Discussed With Okonjo-Iweala Emerges

President Muhammadu Buhari has again assured Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala that his administration will give all the necessary support for her to emerge as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The President gave the assurance on Monday when he hosted the former Nigeria Minister of Finance at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Naija News reports that Okonjo-Iweala, a former Managing Director (Operations) of the World Bank is one of the two final candidates in the race to become the next DG of the World Trade Organization.

Buhari during their meeting on Monday, has assured her that she will be given all the necessary support for her to clinch the job just as Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina was supported to emerge president of the African Development Bank.

The president who promised to call other world leaders to give their support, also expressed confidence in her abilities and capabilities which she has exhibited in various other positions in the past.

The details of the discussion between the two leaders was made available to Naija News in a statement signed by Mallam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity.

7. Lagos Govt Okays Resumption of All Classes In Schools

The Lagos State Government on Monday okayed the resumption of all classes in pre-primary, primary, and schools in the state.

Naija News reports that the government has been reopening schools in phases after their closure in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

In a statement, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, said the remaining classes in both public and private schools in Lagos can resume from Monday, 19th of October, 2020.

The Commissioner urged all schools to adhere to the COVID-19 safety protocols and hygiene guidelines.

Part of the statement read, “The physical resumption which is for 2020/2021 academic session will now include pupils in pre-primary i.e, daycare, kindergarten and nursery schools.

“All public and private schools are strongly advised to put safety first by adhering to the COVID-19 safety protocols and hygiene guidelines as instructed by the State Government through the Ministry of Education.

8. #EndSARS: Senator Calls For Closure Of All SARS Detention Centers Nationwide

The spokesperson of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Ajibola Bashiru has urged the federal government to close the various detention centers of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the Nigeria Police.

The Senator who represents Osun Central constituency at the upper chamber of the National Assembly noted that this will give further credence to the readiness of the government to listen to the demands of the people.

He lamented that it is rather unfortunate that the people have lost confidence in not just SARS but many government institutions.

Senator Bashiru made the submission in a statement on his Twitter page on Monday in his reaction to the #EndSARS demonstrations across the country.

He wrote: “Beyond terse statement that SARS is dissolved, the police authorities must demonstrate a commitment to #EndSARS by showing evidence like the closure of the many SARS detention centres and formations. It is unfortunate that government institutions have lost the confidence of the people!”

9. Edo House Of Assembly Speaker Impeached, New Speaker Emerges

The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Francis Okiye has been impeached by 9 out of 10 members of the Assembly.

The lawmakers also elected Hon. Marcus Onobun as the new Speaker of the Assembly.

This happened during the house plenary on Monday, 12th October.

10. Wike Bans All Forms Of #EndSARS Protests In Rivers State

Governor Nyesom Wike has banned all forms of protests in Rivers State and particularly, the #EndSARS protests currently rocking many cities across the country.

The Governor in a statement on Monday evening, announced that no form of #EndSARS protest will be allowed in the state.

Wike in the statement signed by the State Commissioner for Information, Paulinus Nsirim said the decision to ban the protests followed the announcement by the Inspector-General of Police that the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) has been dissolved.

He, therefore, argued that since SARS has been dissolved, there is no need for the protests to continue.

He also ordered law enforcement agencies to ensure violators of the order face justice.

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