Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Monday, 20th September, 2021

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 20th September 2021

1. Buhari Grants Approval For Incorporation Of NNPC, Appoints Board Members

President Muhammadu Buhari has given approval for the incorporation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).

The development is in line with the recently signed Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

A statement on Sunday by Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina said the President in his capacity as the Minister of Petroleum Resources, acted in accordance with the provisions of Section 53(1) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.

Apart from the incorporation of the NNPC, President Buhari also approved the appointment of the Board and Management of the NNPC Limited.

The statement by Adesina revealed that Senator Ifeanyi Ararume was appointed as Chairman and the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr Mele Kyari, as Chief Executive Officer.

Each of the six geo-political zones in the country also has a representative on the board.

2. If You Don’t Want A Northerner As President In 2023 You Can Get Out – Hakeem Baba-Ahmed

The Northern Elders Forum, NEF, has insisted that anyone who doesn’t want a northerner as president in 2023 can leave the country when it happens.

Naija News reports that there have been clamours for the two major political parties in the country to zone their presidential ticket to the south.

The southern governors’ forum had last insisted that they would not support any party that fields a northerner as a presidential candidate in 2023.

However, NEF spokesperson, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has stated that northerners would not be treated as second class as they have the population to decide who becomes president.

He stated this while speaking at the maiden Maitama Sule Leadership Lecture Series organized by the students’ wing of Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

3. Fani-Kayode Has Short Capacity To Build And Sustain Relationships – APC Governors’ Forum DG

The Director-General of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Dr. Salihu Lukman has reacted to the recent defection of Femi Fani-Kayode to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Lukman in a statement on Sunday titled “APC’s High Profile Membership Recruitment and Issues for 2023″ however observed that many party members are not happy with Fani-Kayode’s defection and the red-carpet reception he was accorded in Abuja by party leaders.

He lamented that Fani-Kayode lacks the character that can endear him to people, submitting that he abuses and hurls insults at people without any iota of respect.

Dr Lukman on Sunday added his voice to those of members who seem disenchanted and unconvinced by the political value Fani-Kayode will add to the APC by his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Lukman said many members of the party are also not happy with the development.

Explaining what he feels might be responsible for this, the DG of the PGF said functional relationship is something every politician should have but Fani-Kayode lacks this capability.

He added that Fani-Kayode’s capacity to build and sustain relationships was short, not just politically, but in every aspect of his life.

4. Former CBN Deputy Governor Obadiah Mailafia Is Dead

A former deputy governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and renowned economist Obadiah Mailafia is dead.

It was gathered that the former CBN Deputy governor died on Sunday morning, aged 64 years.

Confirming his death, a family lawyer, Mr Yakubu Bawa, told Channels TV that Dr Mailafia died in the early hours of the day.

According to Bawa who is the Chairman of the Plateau State chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association, Dr. Mailafia’s death followed a brief illness.

5. We Will Not Allow Buhari Govt Grant Amnesty To Boko Haram – Ndume

Senator Ali Ndume (APC-Borno South) has kicked against granting blanket amnesty to surrendered members of Boko Haram.

Naija News reports that it has emerged that the Buhari government is reportedly planning to grant amnesty to Boko Haram terrorists and reintegrate them back into the society.

But speaking to Vanguard on Sunday, Senator Ndume insisted that terrorists would not be granted amnesty.

According to the former senate leader, the federal government would not be allowed to grant repentant terrorists amnesty.

6. NJC Recommends New Chief Judges, Judicial Officers Appointment

The National Judicial Council, NJC, has recommended the appointment of six Chief Judges and 30 others as Judicial Officers.

The NJC considered the list of candidates presented by its Interview Committee and recommended the 36 successful candidates to their respective state governors for appointment as Heads of Courts and other Judicial Officers in Nigeria.

This was made known in a statement to newsmen on Sunday by NJC Director of Information, Mr Soji Oye.

According to the statement, the swearing-in of the candidates is subject to approval by President Muhammadu Buhari and their respective State Governors.

They are also expected to be confirmed by the respective State House of Assembly.

7. President Buhari Departs Nigeria For New York To Attend UNGA

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday departed Nigerian for the United States to attended the United Nations General Assembly.

Naija News reports that Buhari is scheduled to speak to world leaders during the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA76) in New York.

The UNGA session opened on Tuesday, September 14.

Apart from the UN meeting, the President will also hold some high-level meetings and interactions while in the United States.

8. 2023: PDP Don’t Know Jonathan’s Value, APC Should Negotiate Very Well – Salihu Lukman

The Director-General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), Dr. Salihu Lukman has advocated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) must avoid any political landmine if it decides to choose former President Goodluck Jonathan as its 2023 presidential candidate.

Lukman observed that Jonathan has shown himself as a true defender of Nigeria’s democracy but the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) don’t really know his value.

He added that should the former President eventually defect to APC for the 2023 presidential ticket, the party must ensure members are placated so as to avoid internal wranglings and possible implosion.

The PGF DG also observed that choosing Jonathan as a 2023 presidential candidate is a tricky choice and a gamble which may ruin the former president’s political reputation if not properly handled.

Lukman made the observations on Sunday while giving his views on the several rumours making the rounds that Jonathan will dump the PDP for APC and contest the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the ruling party.

The DG said the APC must be careful about how the party’s 2023 presidential candidate will emerge.

9. INEC Office In Enugu Set Ablaze By Suspected Hoodlums

Some arsonists on Sunday burnt down an office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) located in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The incident was confirmed in a statement by the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye.

Okoye confirmed that the fire caused extensive damage to the store section where election materials are kept but no life was lost and the movable election materials had been removed from the store before the fire incident.

He said the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Enugu State, Mr Emeka Ononamadu reported the incident and the quick intervention of a joint team of security agents saved the facility from further damage.

10. SERAP Asks Lawan, Gbajiamila To Reject Buhari’s Loan Request

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan to deny President Muhammadu Buhari’s request for a new loan.

The group has demanded that the loan request of $4bn, €710m should only be considered after President Buhari gives details of how the loans he has been incurring since May 29, 2015, is being spent.

SERAP made the demand known in an open letter dated September 18, signed by it’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare.

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