Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Thursday, 9th September, 2021

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 9th September 2021

1. President Buhari Approves 5G Network In Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari-led government has approved the National Policy on fifth-generation (5G) networks for the country’s digital economy.

Naija News understands that the policy was approved on Wednesday, 8th September during the weekly Federal Executive Council presided by President Buhari himself.

Confirming the development, Femi Adeluyi, technical assistant (on Information Technology) to Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), minister of communications and digital economy, said the country will as a result of the development enjoy advantages which include much lower latency, higher bandwidth, greater device density, longer battery life for nodes and greater network flexibility.

He noted that implementation of the National Policy is with immediate effect.

2. VAT: Wike Blows Hot, Threatens FIRS, Vows To Shut Down Oil Companies In Rivers State If…

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has threatened that he would not hesitate to shout down the office of any oil company or other business outfit that continues to pay VAT to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as from this September.

This is as he declared that all VAT payments in Rivers must be made into the coffers of the state government as from the said date.

He also warned the FIRS not to believe it can use federal might to intimidate him as he is a governor that has the political will to talk and execute.

Wike made the submissions on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, the state capital during a televised live meeting with business owners and operators in the state.

Speaking during the meeting with business people in the state on Wednesday, Wike noted that the injustice where some states generate VAT revenue and some other states share the funds must stop.

He added that he won’t hesitate to take over all FIRS offices in Rivers State if the federal government agency insists on using federal might on a case that has been decided by a court of law.

3. Sunday Igboho Aides: Armed Robbers Steal DSS Case File

Daredevil armed robbers have allegedly stolen the case file of the Department of State Services, DSS, on the trial of Sunday Igboho Aides.

Naija News reports that this was made known on Wednesday by the counsel to the DSS, I. Awo at the Federal High Court.

The case file was related to the Fundamental Human Rights Enforcement application filed by the aides to Igboho.

According to Awo, his colleague who was to bring the case file to court had boarded a vehicle belonging to armed robbers commonly known as ‘one chance.’

The DSS lawyer said his belongings including the case file were hijacked by the armed robbers.

4. Open Grazing Ban: You Are Not Above The Law, We Will Defend Our Land – Akeredolu Tells Miyetti Allah

Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu has told the Miyetti Allah Hataul Hore that the ban on open grazing will continue in Ondo State and other southwestern states.

This is as he warned members of the Miyetti Allah group that they are not above the law, telling them to key into the new government policy.

The Governor in a statement on Wednesday through his aide on Special Duties and Strategy, Dr. Doyin Odebowale added that there is no going back on the ban on open grazing.

Akeredolu told the Miyetti Allah group that it is obvious they are not interested in finding solutions to the frequent clashes between herdsmen and farmers and the resultant loss of lives and property but only out to secure their selfish interests.

He noted that no bandit or criminal will be allowed to operate in the state under any guise and those caught will be dealt with accordingly.

5. FG Recognizes Kogi As An Oil-producing State, To Get Oil Derivation Fund

The Federal Government has recognized Kogi State as one of the oil-producing states in the country, Naija News reports.

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) made this known in a letter dated August 24, 2021, and signed by its Secretary, M.B Shehu.

According to the letter which was addressed to the state Governor, Yahaya Bello, the commission has attributed Oda River oil well- 1 to the North Central state.

The letter added that the state is also eligible for the 13 percent derivation fund as enshrined in Section 162, Sub-section 2 of the Nigerian Constitution.

It added that the commission has also approved the attribution of Anambra River one, two and three oil wells to be shared on a fifty percent basis between Anambra and Kogi pending the final delineation of boundaries between the two states.

6. DSS Hits Sunday Igboho’s Aides With Fresh Terrorism Charge

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday filed terrorism charges against two aides of Yoruba Nation agitator Sunday Adeyemo also known as Sunday Igboho.

Naija News reports that the charges were filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

In the suit with no FHC/ABJ/CR/305/2021, which was dated August 31, 2021, the DSS through its lawyer S.M. Bello, filed five-count terrorism charges against Noah Oyetunji and Amudat Babatunde (female).

The secret police accused Oyetunji of possession of firearms for terrorism-related activities while Babatunde promoted terroristic acts through her Facebook account.

This is coming over two months after the DSS had arrested the duo alongside ten others during a deadly raid on the Ibadan home of Sunday Igboho.

7. Presidency Is Part Of Miyetti Allah, I Won’t Keep Quiet Until… – Ortom Speaks Again

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has accused the presidency of providing undue support for the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association because it is a part of the group.

He said this has emboldened the group to go against directives issued by the state governments and continue to kill innocent farmers across the nation.

Ortom alleged further that over 1.5 milion people have been displaced from their ancestral lands by the Miyeti Allah group in Benue State alone.

The Governor vowed to continue defending the rights of the people and insisted he won’t keep quiet until what is right is done and justice is served.

He made the submissions during a press briefing on Wednesday in Makurdi, the state capital.

8. VAT: Lagos Unfairly Treated By Federal Government – Obasa

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has said the proposed law on Value Added Tax (VAT) would help the state meet developmental goals.

Naija News report that the Speaker stated this on Wednesday during a public hearing on a bill for the Lagos State Value Added Tax (VAT) and for other connected purposes.

This was as stakeholders at the hearing commended the Lagos State Assembly and its leadership for their determination to ensure that the bill becomes law.

Speaking at the hearing Obasa noted that states have always felt financially strangulated and unfairly treated by the Federal Government in her administration and appropriation of receipts of VAT.

Obasa, who spoke through the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Wasiu Eshilokun-Sanni, said that Lagos state generates an excess of N500 billion in VAT.

9. It’s Unconstitutional, We Don’t Need NCC Approval For Electronic Transmission Of Election Results – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has again rejected the idea of having to seek approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) before it can electronically transmit election results in Nigeria.

The electoral umpire submitted that it is wrong for the National Assembly to have subjected its operations to approval from another federal agency.

INEC national commissioner and chairman, electoral operations and logistics committee (EOLC), Okechukwu Ibeanu made the stand known on Tuesday during the commission’s third quarterly meeting with media executives.

He said the constitution has already empowered INEC to do everything necessary to deliver credible elections in the country without having to defer its operations to external influences.

10. Herdsmen: Anti-open Grazing Bill Best Way To Ensure Security – Lagos Assembly

Stakeholders at Wednesday’s public hearing held at the Lagos State House of Assembly agreed that prohibition of open cattle grazing was the best way to ensure the security of lives and property.

This was as the Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, said the bill was intended to create an atmosphere that would encourage peaceful co-existence among residents.

Obasa, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Wasiu Eshilokun-Sanni, said in his keynote address that it was important to address the issue of cattle rearing, especially as it affects security and other human desires.

The Speaker added that the issues involved with the current ways of cattle rearing and open grazing called for concerted efforts for stability and economic development.

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