Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Friday, 31st December, 2021

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 31st December 2021

1. Those Who Looted NDDC Funds Will Be Punished – President Buhari Vows

President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed that all those found complicit in looting several billions of naira from the Niger Delta Commission (NDDC) will be made to face the wrath of the law.

The Nigerian leader made the submission on Thursday during the virtual commissioning of the NDDC Prototype Hostel at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Buhari highlighted that he ordered the forensic audit of the NDDC after observing how the funds meant for the development of the Niger Delta region was been squandered by those in charge.

Naija News reports that the outcome of the forensic audit discovered about N6trn was looted from funds meant to have been used for the commission’s operations between 2000 and 2019.

Speaking on Thursday, President Buhari reiterated that all those eventually found guilty in the case of the looted funds will be prosecuted and jailed, stressing that no one found guilty will be spared.

He added that the NDCC should have recorded more achievements if some people had not connived to misappropriate funds meant for the commission’s operations and development of the region.

2. Lai Mohammed Lists 100 Achievements Of President Buhari In 2021

Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed on Thursday said the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has recorded huge progress and achievements in the year 2021 despite many economic and political challenges.

The Minister made the submission while addressing a press conference on Thursday in Lagos State, the nation’s commercial capital city.

Naija News reports Mohammed in his submission, highlighted one hundred (100) major achievements recorded by the Buhari government.

He added that the list is not exhaustive and the government is not relenting.

Mohammed listed areas of security, economy, infrastructure (rail, road, etc), job creation, and others as part of achievements recorded by the current administration in the year 2021.

3. 2023: Sambisa Forest A Business Opportunity For Igbo Man – Ikpeazu

The Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, has said that while people from different places may be afraid of the dreaded Sambisa forest in the North, an Igbo speaking man only see a business opportunity to explore.

Naija News reports that the South-East governor stated this while speaking on the 2023 Igbo Presidency on Thursday at the Presidential Villa shortly after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

It is no longer news that Sambisa forest, a large forest in Borno State, houses dreaded Boko Haram terrorists and other deadly sects causing unrest in the part of the country.

However, Ikpeazu believes an Igbo man because of his industrious and adventurous nature can make good out of an ugly situation.

Speaking on the 2023 presidential election, Ikpeazu said the South-East region should be considered for the position of president of Nigeria because they know the country more than other people.

He, however, urged his tribesmen not to look at the 2023 presidency as a right, rather they should negotiate with other parts of the country on the need to allow the zone to produce the President of the country.

4. Lai Mohammed Reveals Buhari Govt’s Biggest Challenge In 2021

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has listed the biggest challenge faced by the Muhammadu Buhari government in 2021.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday in Lagos State, Mohammed stated that insecurity remains the biggest problem faced by the Buhari administration.

In his submission, the minister said that the security challenge in the country is being addressed despite the long list of achievements by the Buhari government.

Mohammed stressed that the military has continued to perform very well, saying that Nigerians owe them a debt of gratitude for their patriotism and sacrifice.

5. Don’t Drag Us Into Your Rift With Okorocha, IPOB Tells Uzodinma

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has advised Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State not to drag the group into his rift with his predecessor, Rochas Okorocha.

In a statement on Wednesday by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, the Biafra group urged the governor to expose its financial backers, stating its supporters home and abroad are its sponsors.

IPOB also accused Uzodinma of planning to implicate his political enemies by naming them as sponsors of the outlawed group.

The group submitted that Uzodinma would have been one of its sponsors if they were swayed by money.

6. Oil Actually Belongs To Niger Delta Not Nigeria – PANDEF Replies Obasanjo

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has replied to former President Olusegun Obasanjo over his comment that oil belongs to Nigeria and not Niger Delta.

Recall that Obasanjo had said that crude oil found in the South-South region and other mineral resources found in the country belongs to the Federal Government.

In a letter to elder statesman, Edwin Clark, the former president said he does not hate Niger Delta as claimed by the Ijaw leader.

Reacting to Obasanjo’s comments, National Publicity Secretary of PANDEF, Ken Robinson, said Obasanjo was being mischievous with his statements.

Robinson stated that the controversies trailing the issue of resource control started during the Obasanjo government.

He, however, advised the former Nigerian leader to stop commenting on issues concerning resource control, adding that Obasanjo does not have the moral right to speak on the issue.

7. Buhari Is A Blessing To Nigeria – Newly Appointed Minister

The newly appointed Minister of State for Works and Housing, Muazu Sambo, has described President Muhammadu Buhari as a blessing to the country.

Sambo, who was recently screened and confirmed by the Senate, stated that critics of the president would only realise his relevance after the end of his tenure in 2023.

He made the submission on Wednesday when he assumed office and was received by the Permanent Secretary and staff members of the ministry.

The new minister argued that President Buhari has chosen the right direction for infrastructure development in the country, adding that it was important to the socio-economic growth of the nation.

He gave examples of China and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates as countries with competitive edges due to their infrastructural investments.

8. Jonathan Visits Buhari In Aso Rock

Former President Goodluck Jonathan was at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday to see President Muhammadu Buhari.

Naija News gathered that both leaders met about 3 pm behind closed doors inside the Council chamber.

It is understood that the agenda of the meeting might be connected to Jonathan’s activities as ECOWAS Special Envoy to Mali.

Jonathan is leading mediation talks even as Mali remains under military rule following the August 2020 coup that ousted President Ibrahim Keita.

9. Buhari Issues Directive To PAGMI Over Solid Minerals Fund

The Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Development Initiative has been charged by President Muhammadu Buhari to provide a six-month progress report on the Solid Minerals Development Fund.

The report which is to be designed to capture accruals from investments is part of the president’s effort to enthrone probity and best practice in the mining sector.

Buhari at a Steering Committee and Management Team of PAGMI, asked the team to scale up operations in the mining sector by ensuring that investments go beyond artisanal and small-scale levels.

10. Your Govt Has Reduced Value Of Nigerian Lives To Near Zero – Edo Govt Tackles APC

The Edo State Government has lampooned the All Progressive Congress, APC, in the state for speaking against the administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Naija News understands that APC in the state had convened a press conference, slamming the administration of Obaseki.

Wondering if the APC suffers from amnesia, the state government in a statement issued by its Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Andrew Emwanta JP, said the opposition party should direct its blames on the Federal Government which is spearheaded by its failed leaders.

Boasting of its performance, the Edo State government said the state is today one of the most peaceful places to live in the entire country with incidences of crime and criminality in the state, over the last three months nearing almost zero.

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