Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Wednesday, 24th November, 2021

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 24th November 2021

1. Buhari Suspends Inauguration Of NNPC Limited Board Indefinitely

The inauguration of the newly constituted Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has been suspended indefinitely by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Naija News reports that the suspension was announced in a statement issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, on Tuesday.

According to the SGF, the inauguration initially scheduled to hold on Wednesday, November 24, 2021, has been suspended until further notice.

Mustapha noted that a new date for the inauguration of the Board will be announced in due course, appealing to members of the board for the inconveniences caused by the suspension.

2. ‘Another Fake News’ – FG Responds To Lagos Judicial Panel Report

The Federal Government has dismissed the report submitted by the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses and other matters.

Naija News recalls that the report of the panel led by Justice Doris Okuwobi which was submitted to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos last week, disclosed that not less than eleven people were killed at the Lekki tollgate incident.

The report added that at least 48 protesters were either shot dead, injured with bullet wounds, or assaulted by soldiers.

The revelations have continued to generate reactions both locally and internationally particularly as the federal government had on several occasions after the Lekki Toll Gate shootings of October 20, 2020, insisted that no life was lost, and even demanded apologies from persons and organizations with reports on loss of lives during the incident.

Speaking at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, described the leaked report as fake and a hoax, saying that the report was an “intimidation of the majority by a minority”.

He stated that the report circulating in social media cannot be relied upon, saying the document was full of discrepancies and errors.

The minister added that the Lagos judicial panel failed to address some of the issues raised by a ballistic expert that testified before it and the testimonies of the Nigerian Army.

3. We Don’t Have Control Over It – FG Reacts As Price Of Cooking Gas Continues To Increase In Nigeria

The federal government has told Nigerians that it is not only the country that is experiencing an upward surge in the price of cooking gas.

This is as it explained that gas is not a subsidized commodity in Nigeria nor can its price be regulated internally as it is subject to international price fluctuations.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva made the submission on Tuesday while speaking with State House correspondents shortly after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa.

He however added that the government was working hard to bring down the price and cushion the hardship effect on Nigerians.

4. Nigerian Army Accuses IPOB Of Killing Soldier, Burning Houses In Imo

The Nigerian Army has accused members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) of killing a soldier and burning several houses in Awo-Mmamma community in Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State.

Naija News reports that the Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 82 Division Nigerian Army, Major Abubakar Abdullahi, made the accusation in a statement on Tuesday.

Abdullahi stated the troops conducting Exercise GOLDEN DAWN in the community were not responsible for the arson and destruction of properties around Ishieke junction.

The Army official stated that the outlawed group should be held responsible for the atrocities committed in the area during enforcement of the sit-at-home order.

He submitted that the troops killed one of the gunmen suspected to be IPOB/ESN members while one soldier was also killed during the gun duel.

5. Petrol May Sell For ₦340 Per Litre In 2022 – NNPC

The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, Mele Kyari, on Tuesday, hinted that the price of petrol may rise to ₦340 in 2020.

Kyari disclosed this during the presentation of the World Bank Nigeria Development Update, November 2021 edition titled “Time for Business Unusual” in Abuja.

According to the GMD of NNPC, fuel subsidy removal would be effected in 2022.

Kyari who spoke on the increase of prices of cooking gas said it was a demand and supply issue as there is a global challenge on the supply of gas and many countries are now threatened by lack of supply in December.

6. Gunmen Attack Imo Police Station, Kill Cop

A Police Divisional headquarters in Arondizuogu in Ideato Local Government Area of Imo State has been attacked by unknown gunmen.

The assailants that attacked the police station on Tuesday around 2 am killed a police officer who was on duty.

It was gathered that the Divisional Police Officer, (DPO) of the division left the scene of the attack with a broken head after he was attacked by the invaders.

The unknown gunmen also vandalized a Sienna vehicle attached to the division and DPO’s personal vehicles.

The spokesperson of the state police command, Michael Abattam, disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Hussaini Rabiu, is already on his way to the community to assess the level of damage done by the gunmen.

7. Bandits, Terrorists, Kidnappers Working Almost Unchallenged – Tambuwal

The Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, on Tuesday said Nigeria cannot survive another four years under the All Progressives Congress-led government.

The Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, stated this at the opening ceremony of a two-day PDP National Retreat 2021 themed “It’s Time to Rescue and Rebuild Nigeria”.

According to Tambuwal, Nigeria must restructure its polity, economy, security and embrace relative autonomy and decentralisation of power.

He added that the main opposition party can not afford to fail Nigerians as it remains the only credible alternative to the APC.

Tambuwal noted that PDP must strategise to take over from the APC government in 2023 as President Muhammadu Buhari-led government had failed Nigerians in the past six years.

8. Fani-Kayode Narrates Experience At EFCC Office As He Regains Freedom

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode has been released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The former Minister made this known in a statement on Tuesday evening made available to Naija News.

It will be recalled as earlier reported by this news platform that Fani-Kayode was arrested by the EFCC over alleged forgery and manipulation of documents.

The politician who recently defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) however after his release, denied that he was arrested, rather stating that he was invited by the anti-graft commission and he honoured their invitation.

According to Fani-Kayode, he arrived at the EFCC office in Lagos around 2 pm and left around 8.30 pm after he was granted bail on self-recognition.

9. Flights Cancelled As Air Traffic Controllers Protest Colleague’s Death

Passengers travelling from different airports across the country have been stranded following a two-day protest embarked on by the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA).

Naija News reports that the association announced the protest in a statement on Tuesday by its President, Abayomi Agoro, and Secretary-General, Agbonlahor Felix.

The statement said the air controllers are protesting the death of one of its members, Aniekan Effiong Inuk, who died while on duty at the Nnamdi Azikwe International airport, Abuja on Monday.

It stated the protest called “flow control” will run from November 23 till 24 to register their displeasure over the lack of poor working conditions.

The statement disclosed that nine members of the association have died on duty due to poor working conditions and inadequate staffing in the last two years.

10. VAT: Why I’m Happy Malami Has Gone To Supreme Court – Wike

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has expressed delight in the decision of the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami to take the disagreement on the collection of Value Added Tax (VAT) between the federal and some state governments to the Supreme Court.

Wike in his submission said the step will go a long way in strengthening the rule of law across all levels in Nigeria as the judiciary will be able to interpret where the law stands on the issue of VAT collection.

He made the observation in a statement by his media aide, Kelvin Ebiri when the Governor played host to a delegation led by the Managing Director of BusinessDay newspaper, Dr Ogho Okiti at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday.

According to him, the issue surrounding VAT collection has nothing to do with causing confusion in the country has been insinuated in some quarters but about giving proper interpretation to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution on issue of VAT collection in Nigeria.

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