Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Friday, 13th August, 2021

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 13th August 2021

1. Buhari Demands Total Defeat Of Bandits As Senate Approves Extra Fund For Military

The Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, has said there was the need to approve extra-budgetary funding for modern military equipment to enhance the firepower and operational needs of the armed forces.

Lawan disclosed this at the graduation ceremony for the National Defence College (NDC) Course 29 Participants in Abuja.

The Senate President argued that the additional funding passed by the National Assembly would help the military to acquire Counter Improvised Explosive Devices (CIEDs), intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, reconnaissance and communication equipment.

According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari has insisted on a total defeat of criminals as part of his agenda to fix Nigeria’s security challenges.

2. Why I Attended Meeting APC Chieftain Wished Buhari Dead – Ex-Gov Bindow

Former Adamawa State Governor Jibrilla Window has revealed why he attended a meeting in which some persons present at the meeting, abused President Muhammadu Buhari and wished him dead.

A leaked audio of the meeting also led to the suspension by the All Progressives Congress (APC) of its caretaker chairman in Yola South, Suleiman Adamu.

Naija News reports that the Department of State Services (DSS) had on Wednesday questioned the former governor and some members of the APC.

But in a statement on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Sadiq Abdullateef, Bindow said he attended the session as the Vice Chairman of the North-East Reconciliation Committee of the APC.

According to the former governor, he was not the convener of the meeting but was invited by aggrieved APC stakeholders in Yola South.

He said he met with all factions in Yola South and not a group as being insinuated.

3. Nigeria’s Unity Cannot Be Negotiated – Police, NOA Tell Youths

The Nigerian Police Force and the National Orientation Agency, on Thursday, said urged youths to oppose those pushing an agenda for the break-up of the country saying Nigeria’s unit could not be negotiated.

Naija News reports that the Police Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba, who spoke at the National Youth Dialogue on Peace and Security in Abuja, said noted that Nigeria was very trying times.

He, however, stressed the need for Nigerians to work together to neutralize the efforts of those working to destabilize the nation through secessionist agitations.

Therefore, he called for capacity building, financial and political inclusion as well as job opportunities for young people as a panacea to the problem of youth restiveness.

He argued that when a majority of the youths in the country are engaged, it becomes easier for the police to deal with crimes and criminality.

4. Former President Shehu Shagari’s Widow, Hadiza Dies Of COVID-19

The wife of the late President Shehu Shagari, Hadiza Shagari is dead.

It was gathered that Hadiza died at a COVID-19 isolation centre in Abuja at 80 years.

She is expected to be buried today according to Islamic rites.

The Sarkin Marafan Shagari, Muhammad Bala Shagari (retd Capt.) in a statement released on behalf of the family announced Hadiza’s demise on Thursday.

5. We Have Deployed NYSC Members, Consultants To Replace Striking Doctors – Health Minister

The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire has revealed that the government has mobilized corps members and consultants to manage hospitals as resident doctors continue their strike action.

Speaking on Thursday, Ehanire noted that the government is aware of the impact created by the striking doctors on the health facilities but has deployed replacements to mitigate the impact.

The Minister insisted that it is wrong for the medical doctors to embark on strike given the sensitive nature of their duties and the impact it can have on the citizens.

Naija News recalls the resident doctors on August 2, embarked on strike action, accusing the federal government of failing to implement agreements it had with their union on issues including salaries, hazard allowances, and others.

The strike has made the nation’s health care system vulnerable and close to total collapse but Ehanire said corp members and consultants have been drafted to save the situation pending when the issue will be resolved.

6. Keyamo Distances Self From APC Crisis That ‘Consumed’ Oshiomhole

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo SAN, has absolved himself of any complicity in the crisis that led to the sack of Adams Oshiomhole as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Keyamo said he was not involved in the crisis that “consumed” Oshiomhole during the last governorship election in Edo State, stressing that political tussle between Gov. Godwin Obaseki and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in Edo State is well known to Nigerians.

Oshiomhole, had while asking to be left out of the current APC leadership debate, accused Keyamo of providing legal support for those who had worked for his removal as then National Chairman of the ruling APC. He added that the same Keyamo cannot now be rooting for his reinstatement as claimed in some quarters.

An APC chieftain, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, even accused Keyamo and others of working to bring back the sacked Adams Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee (NWC).

7. FG Reveals When Another COVID-19 Lockdown Will Be Announced

The Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government on Thursday said it will only consider a lockdown if the rising cases of COVID-19 infections across the country become more threatening.

Naija News reports that this was made known during the weekly ministerial briefing organized at the State House in Abuja.

Speaking at the briefing, Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said the number of cases were not yet threatening enough for a lockdown to be considered.

According to the minister, the new Delta variant of the virus does not pose the sort of threat that might warrant a lockdown of any form

He added that administrators would rather employ precision lockdowns on specific areas of the country under threat.

8. Army Denies Assassinating Col. Sakaba Over Alleged Looted Funds

The Nigerian Army has denied reports that late Colonel Ibrahim Sakaba was assassinated for refusing to loot funds meant to prosecute the Boko Haram war.

Recall that Oluwaseun, the widow of late Sakaba, had accused the Nigerian Army of killing her husband for refusing to be part of the plot to loot funds meant to prosecute the Boko Haram war.

Her allegation followed the army’s statement that 1,081 Boko Haram terrorists have surrendered in Bama on Monday.

In a statement on Thursday signed by its spokesman, Onyema Nwachukwu, the Army denied the claim, stressing that Sakaba was not assassinated neither was there any plot to loot military funds.

The Army spokesman added that the late soldier was killed during a military mission with a clear objective.

9. We’ve Rescued 29 Hostages, Arrested 51 Insurgents In Two Weeks – DHQ

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has disclosed that 29 civilians were rescued, while no fewer than 51 Boko Haram insurgents were arrested in the last two weeks.

Speaking during a press conference on Thursday, Acting Director of Defence Information, Bernard Onyeuko, added that 27 insurgents were killed during various military operations across the country.

He noted that over 1,000 insurgents, including two bomb experts and their family members, have also surrendered to troops of operation Hadin Kai in the North-East.

Onyeuko said the intensity of operations by the military has yielded tremendous results across the North-east and North-west.

10. Nigeria Ranks 5th On World Bank’s Borrowers’ List

Nigeria has been listed as the fifth-highest borrower from the World Bank Group and among the 10 highest debt risk exposure globally.

This is contained in a recent report which is the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) financial statement of the International Development Association (IDA), a subsidiary of the World Bank.

Naija News reports that the country’s debt portfolio with the international financial institution currently stands at $11.7 billion (about N4.816 trillion).

According to the report, India is leading with $22bn debt, Bangladesh next with $18.1bn, Pakistan, $16.4bn, Vietnam, $14.1bn, and Nigeria occupies the 5th position with an $11.7bn debt.

Those are the top Nigerian newspapers headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.