Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Friday, 8th January, 2021

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Friday, 8th January 2021

1. Buhari Govt Directs Reversal Of Increased Electricity Tariff

The Federal Government has directed the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to inform all Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) to reverse to tariffs that were applicable in December 2020.

Naija News reports that the directive was made known in a statement by Aaron Artima, the Senior Special Adviser, Media and Communications to the Minister of Power, Mr Saleh Mamman, on Thursday.

He said the order to reversal to the old tariff was to promote a constructive conclusion of the dialogue with the Labour Centres (through the Joint Ad-Hoc Committee).

2. NIN: NIMC Workers Commence Strike Over Funding, Exposure To COVID-19

A strike has been embarked on by the staff of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) leaving thousands of applicants outside their premises.

Naija News correspondent who was at a registration center in the University of Ilorin on Thursday morning disclosed that applicants who were there as early as 6 am were told to return to their houses.

The notice of strike was signed by the President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, NIMC branch, Lucky Michael, and its Secretary, Odia Victor.

3. Disability Bill: I Have Fulfilled My Promise To Nigerians With Special Needs – Buhari

President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, noted that he has fulfilled his promise to Nigerians with special needs with the signing of the disability bill.

The President made the submission when he hosted members of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities led by Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq.

They were in the State House in Abuja on a courtesy visit to the President.

In his remarks, President Buhari called on the commission to continue the work he started by signing the disability bill and fulfill the vision.

4. COVID-19: More Patients Need Oxygen In Lagos – Sanwo-Olu

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday had a meeting with Nigeria President, Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Gov. Sanwo-Olu while speaking with State House Correspondents disclosed how the Lagos State government is managing the second wave of COVID-19 in the state.

The Lagos Governor also revealed how it’s administration is trying to rebuild the infrastructure destroyed during the #EndSARS protests.

He further stated that Lagos State remains the epicentre of the virus while noting that the second wave appears more infectious than the first.

5. Niger Delta Militants Reject More Talks With FG, To Begin Bombing Of Oil Facilities

A coalition of nine militant groups under the aegis of Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA) has rejected the appointment of Mr. Akwa Okon as Sole Administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Naija News gathered that peace talks between the RNDA and the Federal Government was initiated, last year, by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.

In a statement on Wednesday, the National Coordinator of RNDA, self-styled “Major General Johnmark Ezonebi, said it has backed out of peace talks with the Federal Government.

6. Nigeria Customs Surpass Target, Generate Over N1.5tr In 2020

Despite the challenges of the covid-19 pandemic, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revealed that it generated the sum of ₦1,562,115,419,216.32 for the year 2020.

The figure is much higher than the target of ₦1,380,765,353,462.00 for the year and the sum of ₦1,342,006,918,504.55 generated in 2019.

The Customs Public Relations Officer, DC, Joseph Attah who made the disclosure in a statement obtained by Naija News, disclosed that the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col, Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) has commended the feat and praised the officers for their dedication to duty.

7. I Won’t Negotiate With Bandits From Mali And Sudan – Niger Gov

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State has vowed not to negotiate with foreign bandits inflicting pains on the people of the state.

Speaking with journalists on Wednesday after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Bello said the reason is that the bandits have never been honest in their talks.

The governor said most of the bandits operating in the North are from Mali and Sudan and are recruited through social networking platforms such as Facebook.

8. ‘We Only Cut Salaries, Not Revert To Old Minimum Wage’ – Kano Govt

The Kano State Government says it only deducted salaries of workers in the state and not revert to N18,000 minimum wage.

Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, made this known while speaking to Daily Trust on Wednesday.

Naija News had reported that the state government had announced on Wednesday that it has stopped the payment of the new minimum wage of N30,000.

According to the Special Adviser on Media to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano, Salihu Tanko Yakasai, the state government has reverted to the initial minimum wage due to the recession caused by COVID-19.

9. Nigeria A Wasteland Where Leaders Milk The Country Dry – Bishop Kukah

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Most Revd. Matthew Hassan Kukah has slammed political leaders of Nigeria over their failure to develop the country.

The Catholic Bishop spoke while delivering a sermon entitled ‘A Nation in Search of its Soul,’ at the wake keep Mass for His Grace, Archbishop Peter Jatau at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral, Kaduna.

According to Bishop Kukah, stated that the privileged few were busy looting the country dry and seeking repentance in foreign pilgrimages.

He described the country as a huge wasteland, huge debris of deceit, lies, treachery, double-dealing and duplicity.

10. Sim Registration: EFCC Warns Against NIN Sale

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has warned Nigerians against selling and buying National Identity Number acquired from the National Identity Management Commission offices across the country.

EFCC noted that some people are reaching out to applicants to sell their NIN for a fee.

The EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, in a statement on Thursday, noted that the buyers of the numbers were also trading with persons “whose motives are anything but noble.”

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