Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Monday, 23rd August, 2021

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 23rd August 2021

1. Benue: Ortom Threatens to Sue Buhari Govt If…

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has threatened that his government won’t hesitate to drag the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government to court if needed.

Ortom made this known on Sunday while speaking with newsmen at the Makurdi Airport on the recent order by the President for the revival of some grazing areas in 25 states of the federation.

The Benue State Governor insisted that President Buhari has clearly been misinformed by his aides regarding the matter as the Land Use Act has invested control of such matters in the Governor of the state.

He added that any attempt by the federal government to forcefully take over any land will be firmly resisted in the courts of law, adding that it is a retrogressive policy.

2. Bandit Terrorists Release 15 Kaduna Bethel Baptist Students

Bandit terrorists have released fifteen kidnapped students of the Bethel Baptist High School, Kaduna State.

Recall that terrorists had on July 5 invaded the school and abducted more than 100 students around 2am at the school premises along the Kaduna-Kachia highway, Damishi, in Chikun Local Government Area of the state.

Despite the release of 28 Baptist students on Sunday, July 25, after N50m ransom was paid, 87 were still reportedly in captivity.

The students were 121 in number, according to the president of the Kaduna Baptist Conference, Rev. Ishaya Jangado, who is also the proprietor of the school.

The chairman of the Kaduna State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. John Hayab, disclosed that 15 students were released on Saturday night by the bandits.

3. Resident Doctors Refuse To Sign FG’s New Agreement, Reveal Why

Striking doctors under the aegis of the National Association of Resident Doctors have explained why they rejected the fresh Memorandum of Understanding presented for their endorsement with a view to ending their three-weeks old industrial action.

The NARD President, Dr Okhuaihesuyi Uyilawa, said accepting the government’s new offer would have amounted to them paying for the government’s failure.

He said, as medical doctors, they were not after crippling the nation’s health sector, but insisted that they could not sign the new MoU because of the introduction of an undisclosed clause in the agreement.

Uyilawa spoke to journalists in Abuja on Sunday after he led the leadership of NARD to another marathon closed-door meeting with the Federal Government and other stakeholders aimed at ending the strike.

4. PDP Crisis: Leave Wike Alone – Bode George Defends Rivers Governor

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olabode George, has warned critics to stop tackling Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.

Naija News reports that Wike has been accused of being behind the recent crisis rocking the main opposition party.

Recall that the national chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, had survived plots to remove him two weeks back by some members of the party.

Speaking to PUNCH on Sunday, George stated that Wike should not be blamed for the failures of the Secondus’ leadership.

5. Rest, Allow Your ‘Children’ Run For Presidency – Yahaya Bello Tells Bola Tinubu

The Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has called on the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, to drop his presidential ambition.

Naija News reports that Bola Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos state, is reportedly plotting to replace President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023, though he is yet to officially declare his intention.

Speaking in an interview with DailyTrust, Yahaya Bello, who described Tinubu as his father, urged the APC leader to allow his ‘children take over the mantle of leadership.’

The governor however stated that the former Lagos governor has a right to contest the election as he is a man of integrity.

6. Don’t Give Surrendered Boko Haram Fighters Special Treatment, Archbishop Kaigama Tells FG

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Reverend Ignatius Kaigama, has cautioned the Federal Government against treating surrendered Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters as “newly found brothers”.

Similarly, Kaigama also cautioned religious groups against sentimentalism in the controversy around the proposed rehabilitation of repentant insurgents in the North East.

This, the Catholic prelate noted, could be a recipe for disaster.

In a statement he personally signed and dispatched to journalists in Abuja on Sunday, the Archbishop argued that patting those who have inflicted pains and agony on the back while abandoning communities and people who are haunted by the horrors of the terrorism was ironic.

However, the revered clergyman noted that forgiveness was a good way to end conflicts such as Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgency, but insisted on the dispensation of justice on the criminals as a form of deterrence to willing to take up arms against the Nigerian State.

7. Obasanjo Kneels Before New Olu Of Warri, Makes Request In His Speech

Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo on Sunday put age aside and highlighted respect for tradition and culture as he was pictured kneeling before the new Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III.

The former President was seen paying homage to the newly crowned 37-year-old king in what many observers have described as a great lesson in tradition.

Naija News recalls Omoba Tshola Emiko was on Saturday crowned as the 21st Olu of Warri Kingdom and the Ogiame Atuwatse III of the Warri Kingdom.

Speaking on Sunday during the thanksgiving service for the Olu held at his Palace, Obasanjo charged the new king to always remember that God gave him the seat and position to serve his people.

During his speech, however, Obasanjo noted that in his lifetime, he has been blessed to witness the installation of three monarchs in the Itsekiri kingdom and doesn’t wish to see the coronation of the fourth.

8. Nigeria Not Buhari, Bola Tinubu Personal Property – Yahaya Bello

Any agreement between President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, on the 2023 election is not biding on Nigerians.

Naija News reports that this was stated by Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.

The governor was reacting to a statement by Senator Rufai Hanga, a key founding member the APC, who implied that there was an arrangement between Tinubu and Buhari on the 2023 presidential election.

In an interview with DailyTrust published on Sunday, Yahaya Bello stated that Nigeria is not the personal property of any politician.

He maintained that Nigerians must be guided by the provisions of the 1999 constitution, adding that every activity of power is spelt out in the constitution.

9. Olabode George Speaks On Those Who Killed Funsho Williams 15 Years Ago

A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olabode George, has said the killers of Chief Funsho Williams will be apprehended not matter how long it takes.

Recall that Funsho Williams was on July 27, 2006, found bound, strangled, and stabbed at his home in Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi.

Naija News reports that no one has been arrested and prosecuted for the murder of the PDP chieftain.

Speaking to The PUNCH on Sunday, Bode George stated that no matter how long it takes justice will be meted out to those who took the life of the politicians ahead of the 2007 governorship election.

Asked about the yet-to-be concluded Investigation into the murder, he said: “We should ask the police who investigated it. The truth will prevail one day.

10. Nigerians Not United, Suffering Poverty And Insecurity Under Buhari – Yahaya Bello

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has stated that what Nigerians need in 2023 is someone who can unity the security and tackle Insecurity.

The governor called for the jettisoning of zoning, stressing that such is not found in the constitution of the All Progressives Congress (APC) or the 1999 constitution.

Speaking in an interview with Daily Trust published on Sunday, the APC chieftain stated that today there is poverty everywhere and insecurity is almost everywhere.

According to him, if the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which has been tagged a failure had practice zoning, then the ruling APC should not follow such part.

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