Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Thursday, 7th October, 2021

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 7th October 2021

1. Buhari Meets Jonathan Behind Closed Doors At Aso Villa

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday evening met with former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

Naija News reports that the duo met behind closed doors inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja, after the meeting of the weekly Federal Executive Council.

Jonathan, who arrived for the meeting at about 4pm, did not speak with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting.

As of the time of filing this report, the Presidency also did not disclose the agenda of the meeting.

2. FG Speaks On Declaring State Of Emergency In Anambra

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, says drastic action may be taken if the continued killings and violence in Anambra State does not stop.

Malami disclosed that the Federal Government may declare a state of emergency in the South-East state to ensure that the forthcoming governorship election holds.

The minister said the government has resolved that the November 6 election will take place, adding that the government is determined to ensure a hitch-free election in Anambra.

Briefing newsmen on Wednesday after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Malami noted that the security of lives and properties of Nigerians living in Anambra is paramount to the government.

The minister stated that a state of emergency may be declared in the state if national security is attacked, and the sanctity of the constitutionally guaranteed democracy is threatened.

3. Fire Guts Federal Secretariat Abuja

The Federal Secretariat located at the Three Arms Zone in Abuja was on Wednesday gutted by fire.

Naija News reports that the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained as at the time of filing in this report.

Although men of the FCT fire service are currently battling the fire, some vehicles were said to have been affected by the inferno.

4. We Don’t Want Biafra Republic, It’s Madness – Umahi

Governor of Ebonyi State, who is also the Chairman of the South-East Governors Forum David Umahi, had stated that most elites in the region do not want Biafra.

Describing agitations for Biafra as madness, he said what southeasterners want is to be treated equally like other regions.

Umahi stated this while appearing on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday morning.

The All Progressives Congress chieftain lamented the violence that has engulfed the region.

According to the Ebonyi governor, it started as a cry against marginalization but later turned into violence.

5. Opposition Parties Demand Impeachment Of Buhari By NASS, List President’s ‘Sins’

The National Assembly has been called upon by the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) to immediately initiate impeachment proceedings against President Muhammadu Buhari.

The spokesperson of the coalition, Ikenga Ugochinyere made the call on Wednesday during a press conference.

He listed the impeachable offences against the President to include gross abuse of office as well as the inability to secure the lives and property of citizens.

He lamented that wanton killings are now the order of the day in Nigeria and the leaders “do not even show empathy anymore”.

The CUPP spokesperson also demanded the sack of the National Assembly leadership headed by Senate President Ahmad Lawan and House Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila.

Ugochinyere said both lawmakers have failed woefully in their responsibilities and have only become willing tools and toys in the hands of a non-performing executive arm of government.

6. President Buhari Scraps DPR, Replaces It With NURC

President Muhammadu Buhari has scrapped the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and replaced it with the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NURC).

Naija News reports that the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, made this known on Wednesday during the confirmation of the appointment of board members of NURC.

Lawan stated that the new agency has automatically replaced DPR, and would take over its responsibilities in the petroleum industry.

The confirmation of the nominees followed the consideration of a report by the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) led by its chairman, Senator Albert Akpan.

7. Pandora Papers: Presidency Reacts To Corruption Scandal Involving Bagudu, Oduah, Others

The Presidency has reacted to the corruption scandals involving Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Oduah, among others.

Naija News reports that Bagudu, who chairs the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), and Oduah, who recently defected to the All Progressives Congres (APC), have been accused of corruption by the Pandora Papers.

In an interview with Daily Trust on Tuesday, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, stated that the Presidency will comment on the development soon.

He disclosed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Ministry of Justice are responsible for any action on the matter.

Shehu added that the two institutions will advise President Muhammadu Buhari on the next line of action.

8. NCC Disqualifies Nigerians Below Certain Age From Getting SIM Cards

Henceforth, Nigerian citizens below the age of 18 would not be allowed to own a Subscriber Identity/Identification Module (SIM) card.

The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC revealed this in a recent publication on its official website, Naija News reports.

According to the draft copy of the modified registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulations, only subscribers above the age of 18 are entitled to SIMs. The commission said the new regulation was in line with the powers conferred upon the commission by section 70 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

In accordance with Section 57 of the Act, the NCC conducted a Public Inquiry on the Registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulations, alongside the draft SIM Replacement Guidelines and the draft Spectrum Trading Guidelines at its head office in Abuja on Tuesday.

9. WHO Endorses First Malaria Vaccine

In order to curb the malaria epidemic in Africa, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has endorsed the first malaria vaccine for children.

Briefing newsmen on Wednesday, Director-General of the WHO, Tedros Ghebreyesus, said the long-awaited malaria vaccine for children is a breakthrough for science, child health and malaria control.

Ghebreyesus added that the endorsement of the vaccine followed a two-year vaccine programme that involved children in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi.

The WHO boss expressed optimism that the vaccine will improve efforts on malaria prevention in Africa and save thousands of young ones.

10. Leave South-East And Face Terrorists, Bandits In North – IPOB Tells Nigerian Army

The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has asked the Nigerian Army to leave the South-East immediately and move to the North that is being ravaged by Boko Haram terrorists and bandits.

IPOB stated this in a statement on Wednesday signed by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, while reacting to the launch of a military exercise codenamed ‘Golden Dawn’ in the South East.

Naija News reports that the Army had launched the exercise on Monday at Igbariam, Anambra East Local Government Area by the Commander 302 Artillery Regiment (General Support) Col. Abdulkarim Usman.

The exercise, according to Army authorities will target secessionist groups, kidnappers, gunmen, and other criminal elements who have recently turned Anambra State into a troubled zone.

Reacting, IPOB said the operation was another ploy by the military to kill residents of the region, similar to what was done with Python Dance in which many lives were lost in 2017.

The pro-Biafra group condemned the Nigerian Army for leaving the North that is being ravaged with terrorism and banditry, only to concentrate on the South-East and other Southern regions.

IPOB slammed political leaders in the region for not speaking against the operation, accusing them of being selfish and wicked.

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