Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Tuesday, 17th August, 2021

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 17th August 2021

1. President Buhari Signs Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) Into Law

President Muhammadu Buhari has signed into law, the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) recently passed by the National Assembly.

This was confirmed in a statement on Monday by his spokesperson, Femi Adesina.

Adesina noted that Buhari signed the bill while working from home due to the COVID-19 quarantine which the President is observing after his return from the UK.

He added that the ceremonial part of the signing will be done on Wednesday after the isolation must have been completed as required by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19.

2. Plateau Killings: IGP Deploys Helicopter, CTU As 13 More Suspects Are Arrested

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba has approved the deployment of a surveillance helicopter to Plateau State to support security efforts.

Apart from the surveillance helicopter, Naija News reports that (2) Units of Police Mobile Force (PMF) and two (2) Cells of Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) were also deployed to ensure peace and calm is restored.

The deployments were confirmed in a statement on Monday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba.

The fresh deployments are targeted at restoring peace in the state following the attack by bandits on Saturday which resulted in the killing of at least 22 innocent travellers while many were injured and others missing.

3. Reason APC Will Breakup Before 2023 Elections – Melaye

Former Kogi West lawmaker, Senator Dino Melaye has predicted that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will implode before the 2023 general elections.

In an article released on Monday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain said the party will break up due to the illegal leadership of the Caretaker Committee led by Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State.

Melaye claimed that the ruling APC was not a political party but a non-governmental organization that is destined for destruction.

4. Amaechi Joined APC Because Of Patience Jonathan, He’ll Return To PDP – Chairman

The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State, Desmond Akawor, has expressed optimism the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Rotimi Amaechi, would return to the PDP.

Naija News reports that Akawor said this during an event on Saturday where he received scores of new PDP members in Ikwerre Local Government where Amaechi, the current Minister of Transportation, hails from in Rivers State.

While speaking, the PDP chairman said the current minister of transport has to return to the PDP which he said is Amaechi’s family.

5. Why FG Adopted Digital Economy Policy – NCC

The Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC, has said the Federal Government adopted digital economy policy because it wants youths to be self-employed through Information and Communication Technology, ICT.

Naija News reports that this was made known by the NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Prof Umar Danbatta.

He stated that the government has started a nationwide digital literacy training exercise for 1,000 Nigerian youths to empower them with ICT skills.

The NCC boss spoke during the North-West belt of the two-week training organized by the commission at the Kano Campus of Digital Bridge Institute (DBI).

A statement on Monday by Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, NCC Director of Public Affairs, disclosed that the programme was part of efforts at implementing the Federal Government’s policy to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.

6. Plateau Killings: Nigerians Must Stop Behaving Like Animals And Start Acting Like Human Beings – Fani-Kayode

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode has condemned the killing of some innocent travellers in Plateau State which happened over the weekend.

According to him, two wrongs never makes a right and such barbaric behaviours should not be encouraged.

Naija News recalls the gruesome murder of at least 22 travellers on Saturday was confirmed by the Police following an attack by bandits along Rukuba Road in Jos North LGA, Plateau state.

The travellers were part of worshippers who were on their way to Ondo state after attending the annual zikr prayer in Bauchi, when they were attacked.

Reacting to the unfortunate incident, Fani-Kayode in a series of tweets on Monday morning, cautioned Nigerians to stop behaving like animals.

He also commiserated with those who lost loved ones and prayed for God’s consolation for them.

7. Olu Of Warri Crown Is Stolen From Palace

The royal crown of the Warri Kingdom has been stolen from the private apartment of the late Olu of Warri, HRH Ogiame Ikenwoli Godfrey Emiko.

According to POLITICS NIGERIA, the two sons of the late monarch have been declared wanted by the Nigeria Police Force for stealing the ancient crown.

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali, through the Force Criminal Investigation Department Zone ‘5’ Headquarters, Benin City declared Prince Onyowoli Emiko and Prince Omatsuli Emiko wanted for the crime.

The police declared both princes wanted after warrants of arrest were issued by a Federal High Court in Benin City, Edo State.

8. Gunmen Kidnap Students, Teacher Of Agriculture College In Zamfara

Some students and teachers of the College of Agriculture and Animal Health in Bakura, Zamfara State have been abducted by gunmen.

The development was confirmed on Monday by the Deputy Registrar of the college, Aliyu Bakura while speaking with BBC Hausa.

“Last Sunday night around 110 pm they entered and opened fire and took away 15 students and a teacher and his wife and two children,” he said.

It was reported that four people were allegedly killed during the attack on the school on Sunday night.

The Registrar of the school was quoted as saying that four persons, including a police officer and three gatemen, died in the attack.

9. 2023: IBB Names Orji Uzor Kalu As A Possible Buhari Successor

Former Head of State, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, has named the lawmaker representing Abia North district, Orji Uzor Kalu as a possible successor for President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

The former military president stated this in a documentary aired on AIT on Sunday.

This is coming after Babangida spoke on the kind of character a politician is expected to exhibit in his desire to take over in 2023.

10. BBNaija Housemate Withdraws From Reality TV Show

KayVee, one of the male housemates in the Big Brother Naija show, season 6 has officially withdrawn from the show.

Naija News reports that this was announced by Big Brother on Monday.

According to Biggie, Kayvee is unwell and will not be able to continue the show.

Also, the organisers of Big Brother Naija Reality TV show, Multichoice, have reacted to the unexpected exit of one of the housemates, Kayvee.

In a recently released statement, Multichoice noted that Kayvee exited from the show on medical grounds.

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