Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Friday, 14th January, 2022

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 14th January 2022

1. Nigeria Has Exported Corruption And Must ‘Fight’ To Redeem Its Image – Boss Mustapha

The federal government of Nigeria says the image of the country has been deeply tarnished by corrupt practices and efforts must be sustained to reverse the trend.

The Secretary to the government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha made the submission in Abuja on Thursday while inaugurating the board of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Naija News reports that the 23-member EFCC board is the first to be put in place by the Muhammadu Buhari administration for the commission since it came into power in 2015.

According to Mustapha, the image of the country has been so badly hurt on the international scene that even the flow of foreign direct investment into the country has been negatively affected.

The SGF, therefore, stated that it is part of the responsibilities of the EFCC board to support the government’s fight against corruption and redeem Nigeria’s image both locally and internationally.

2. President Buhari Visits Ogun State, Commissions Projects

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday visited Ogun State for the commissioning of some infrastructural projects done by the Dapo Abiodun administration.

Buhari was received by the state governor, his Lagos counterpart, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; former Ogun governor Gbenga Daniel and members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

The Nigerian leader, who was scheduled to be in the South West state, arrived for the commissioning amidst tight security and was welcomed by residents of the state.

The projects he inaugurated include the 14km Epe/Ijebuode Express Road, the Ogun city gate, and the 42km Abeokuta/ Sagamu road located at the Sagamu interchange.

Others are two housing projects; 527 units of a low and medium Housing Scheme at Kobape and the high-brow, 83 duplexes at the Kings Court Estate at Oke Mosan in Abeokuta, the state capital.

According to the state government, the projects will be beneficial to residents of the state and develop the state socio-economically by making it one of the emerging economies in the country.

3. Umahi To IPOB: Ebonyi Will Never Be Part Of Biafra

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has asked the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) not to include the state as part of Biafra.

Speaking on Thursday at the Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki during a reception organized for him, Umahi said the state has been oppressed and would be part of Nigeria to develop.

The Ebonyi governor noted that the state is better in a fair and equitable Nigeria and would ensure that an average Igbo man is treated fairly.

Speaking further, Umahi said that the Igbo presidency will be a good development for the country.

4. They Are Ignorant Or Mischievous – Senate President Lawan Knocks Those Criticizing NASS For Approving Buhari’s Loan Requests

Senate President Ahmad Lawan has declared that those who have labelled the ninth National Assembly as a rubber stamp for the executive arm are mischievous and ignorant.

He stated this in a reaction to the growing level of borrowing by the federal government and the role of lawmakers in approving more external loans.

According to him, they are also not comfortable with the incessant borrowings by the federal government but since the country does not generate enough revenue, they have to look at other means of raising funds.

Lawan made his view known while speaking with journalists on Wednesday in Abuja.

The Senate President however added that the government was constantly looking for ways to reduce the loan burden by exploring other means of raising money.

Lawan went ahead to praise the ninth National Assembly, saying unlike the eighth National Assembly, they have stabilized the Nigerian economy and the polity and those calling them out don’t want them to succeed.

5. 2023: Soyinka Denies Endorsing Tinubu For President

Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka has refuted a post claiming that he has endorsed the presidential ambition of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
Naija News reports that the post, with had pictures of Soyinka and Tinubu, went viral on Wednesday after the former Lagos State Governor declared his presidential ambition.

The post, which first trended last year, quoted Soyinka as saying, “I have never involved myself in politics or campaign for any politician but in 2023 I will be involved in politics and campaign for a longtime friend in 1993 NADECO struggle.”

Dismissing the post in a statement titled, “Season of Fakery Galore,” on Wednesday, Soyinka denied the post as fake news, urging the public to disregard the viral quote.

The Nobel laureate described the authors of the post as illiterate public interlopers who lacked the courage of their conviction and must steal the identities of their betters.

6. You’re Wrong, Oil Actually Belongs To Niger Delta – Adebanjo Tells Obasanjo

The leader of the Pan Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has joined issues with former President Olusegun Obasanjo over the debate on resource control.

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

Speaking on the matter during a press conference on Wednesday in Lagos, Adebanjo countered Obasanjo’s claim, saying the Niger Delta owns the oil in the region.

The Afenifere leader described Obasanjo’s comment as provocative and mischievous, asking the former president to support the call for restructuring.

He recalled that there was peaceful co-existence among ethnic groups in Nigeria until 1966 when the military took over the government and “abrogated the constitution agreed to by our founding fathers and set up the present 1999 Constitution.”

7. 2023: Dele Momodu Meets PDP Chairman, Declares Presidential Ambition

Publisher, Dele Momodu, has declared his intention to vie for the number one seat in the country in the 2023 presidential election.

Momodu, who joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in October 2021, made this known while speaking to reporters after a meeting with the opposition party chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, in Abuja.

The former presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2011 election said he met with the Ayu to present him with a letter of interest to join the presidential race.

Speaking ahead of the 2023 presidential election, Momodu asked the PDP to be patient in choosing its presidential candidate and ensure that the person is qualified, competent and free of corruption.

The journalist noted that 2023 is very critical as it offers the opposition party the opportunity to rescue Nigeria from the shackles of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)

8. Twitter: Buhari’s Regime Violated Citizens’ Right Of Expression – Amnesty Int’l

Amnesty International has described as an attack and violation of citizens’ right of expression the ban on the microblogging site, Twitter by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

Naija News reports that the Federal Government on Wednesday lifted the suspension on Twitter usage in Nigeria after seven months.

It could be recalled that the widely-patronized social media platform was banned from use in the country since June 4, 2021.

The government’s action had received a barrage of condemnation from various stakeholders and citizens amongst those who make their living via the platform.

Reacting in a statement issued on Thursday after the government lifted its ban on the microblogging platform, AI stated that the prohibition of Twitter in the first place was illegal and as such had been used to attack the right to freedom of expression of Nigerians.

9. Primary School Teacher, Others Forfeit N110.4m To FG

An Abuja Federal High Court has ordered one James Erebuoye and seven other suspects to forfeit the sum of 110.4m which was traced to their account by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).

The ICPC spokesperson Azuka Ogugua issued a statement which revealed that a motion had been filed for the interim forfeiture of a Toyota Lexus Jeep, Toyota Venza car and an Ipad device which were said to be proceeds from over N500 million illicit fund found in the account of one primary school teacher Mrs. Roseline Uche Egbuha.

The commission maintained that the sum of N110,364,592.4 was moved from the account of the primary school teacher to the account of Erebuoye and others.

10. Troops Rescue Three Kidnapped Students Of Plateau State Polytechnic

The Nigerian Military has confirmed the rescue of three students of the Plateau State Polytechnic by troops of Operation Safe Haven deployed at Barkin Ladi.
The military statement on Thursday which confirmed the development was signed by Major Ishaku Takwa, the Military Information Officer of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH).

He noted in the statement that the students were kidnapped on Wednesday 12 January 2022 but have been rescued
unharmed by the troops.

Naija News reports the students were rescued at an abandoned poultry farm and have been reunited with their families.

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