Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Wednesday, 19th January, 2022

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 19th January 2022

1. Our Administration Working Towards Food Sufficiency For Nigeria – Buhari Declares

The President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari has declared that his government is on the path of taking the country to food sufficiency.

Buhari made the disclosure on Tuesday in Abuja during the unveiling of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mega Rice Pyramids.

According to him, with the steady increase in the number of farmers and food items getting support from the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, and the visible progress in that regard, Nigeria is surely on track towards food sufficiency.

The President stated that already, maize, rice, oil palm, cocoa, cotton, cassava, tomato and livestock are part of the 23 commodities supported by the scheme which has led to improved food production and employment generation both directly and indirectly.

2. Buni Confirms February 26 As APC National Convention Date

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, has confirmed February 26 as the date set aside for the party’s national convention.

Buni, who made this known on Tuesday at the ongoing Progressive Women Conference in Abuja, said the date is sacrosanct and nothing will stop the convention from holding.

He, however, urged women in the party to come out massively and contest in the forthcoming national convention.

3. FG To Launch Second Satellite In 2022 – Pantami Confirms

Federal Government has confirmed that a second communication satellite would be launched in the country before the end of this year.

According to the government, processes are ongoing to boost the nation’s satellite communication system in 2022.

Naija News understands that the development was disclosed on Monday in Abuja by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami.

The minister who spoke during the one-day working visit and interaction with the staff of the Nigerian Communications Satellite in Abuja said he had secured the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari to purchase another Communications satellite for the country.

Pantami disclosed further that he had already approved the establishment of some subsidiaries under NIGCOMSAT, as part of the ongoing effort to revive the institution to the path of progress and productivity.

He stressed that he had gone further to lobby the Minister of Finance to ensure that this is included in the 2022 budget.

4. Nigerian Army Battle IPOB/ESN Fighters In Anambra, Kill Many, Recover Weapons

Many fighters of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who are members of the group’s armed unit, Eastern Security Network (ESN) have been killed by troops of the Nigerian Army in a joint operation.

The IPOB fighters were killed during a gun battle with soldiers of the Nigerian Army and other security forces in Anambra State.

According to a statement on Tuesday by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the gun battle took place on Monday at Lilu Forest in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State

Naija News understands Lilu is a border town between Imo and Anambra States and according to the Army statement, the forest has served as an operational hideout for the IPOB/ESN members.

The statement by Nwachukwu revealed that several weapons and items including 10 Pump Action Shotguns, two locally fabricated guns, One Revolver pistol, rounds of 7.62 mm special, live cartridges, machetes and IPOB flags were recovered from the battle scene.

5. Buhari Has Not Directed Petroleum Subsidy Removal – Senate President

Senate President Ahmad Lawan on Tuesday stated that President Muhammadu Buhari has not given any order on the removal of petroleum subsidy.

Speaking to State House correspondents after a meeting with President Buhari, Lawan said lawmakers were concerned over the different protests and agitation currently rocking the nation which has led to discussions with the president.

He said: “Well, it will be of interest to Nigerians to hear what I’ve come to discuss with Mr President among several other things.

“Many of us are very concerned with the recent agitations, protests, and many citizens were so concerned, our constituents across the country are very concerned that the federal government will remove the petroleum subsidy. And for us, as parliamentarians, as legislators representing the people of Nigeria, this must be of interest to us.

“And we’ve just finished our recess, we had gone home to our constituencies and senatorial districts. And will feel the pulse of our people. And I found it necessary to visit Mr President, as the leader of our government and our leader in the country, to discuss this particular issue of concern to Nigerians, and I’m happy to inform Nigerians that Mr President never told anyone that the petroleum subsidy should be removed.”

6. IPOB’s Nnamdi Kanu Case Adjourned Till Wednesday

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has adjourned the case of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Naija News reports that the case was adjourned till tomorrow, Wednesday, to enable Nnamdi Kanu take his plea after the federal government slammed adjusted charges against him.

The court also directed Mr Kanu to meet with his lawyers inside the courtroom for some minutes before going back to DSS custody.

Recall that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government had amended the charges which was initially a seven-count treasonable felony charge to a 15-count amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015.

The IPOB leader was represented today by a legal team which includes, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Aloy Ejimakor and Maxwell Opara among others.

7. Reps To Rework Electoral Bill, Send To Buhari For Assent

The House of Representatives will on Wednesday reintroduce the Electoral Act Amendment Bill to address the concerns raised by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, made this known on Tuesday while addressing the lawmakers who resumed sitting for the year after Christmas and New Year break.

Gbajabiamila stated that the bill will be immediately reworked, passed and sent to President Buhari for assent after the House resolved not to override the president.

He said that the failure of political parties to have a standard register of members was being used to deny Nigerians the opportunity to participate in the nomination of candidates for elections.

The Speaker noted that there is a need for lawmakers to fast-track work on the electoral reforms ahead of the 2023 general elections.

8. Nigeria Will Soon Begin Exporting Rice – RIFAN

Nigeria will soon begin exporting rice in order to achieve the twin goals of food security and economic diversification, this is according to the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN)

Mr Ado Hassan, Secretary of the RIFAN chapter in Kano State, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the Abuja unveiling of the mega rice pyramids.

According to NAN, the pyramid, which will be unveiled by President Muhammadu Buhari, is a collaboration between the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and RIFAN under the CBN’s Anchor Borrowers Program.

Hassan refuted claims that the rice pyramids on display were not entirely composed of rice, stating that the commodity was brought in by rice farmers from virtually every state in the country.

9. ‘You’re The Only Candidate In Your Party’ – PDP’s Aliyu Campaigns For Osinbajo

Former Governor of Niger State, Muazu Babangida Aliyu has campaigned for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

Naija News reports that Aliyu is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while Osinbajo is of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking on Tuesday at the ongoing 2022 annual lecture of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Kano, Aliyu said Osinbajo is the best candidate in the ruling party.

The former governor added that Osinbajo is the only candidate that knows the country and has the acceptance of everyone across the country regardless of tribe and religion.

“Mr Vice President, do you know you are the best candidate in your party?” he asked.

Speaking further, Aliyu said Nigerians will not allow any “riff-raff or moneybags” to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023 even if they bring all the money in this world.

10. Troops Clash With Bandit Terrorists In Kaduna

Troops of the Nigeria Army on Tuesday engaged in a fierce gun battle with bandit terrorists with both sides suffering casualties.

Naija News reports that the clash happened at the Ung uwar Musa Tudun Wada Kudansa in Maraban Rido, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

It was gathered that normalcy has returned to the affected communities as residents are not going about their normal businesses.

Speaking to newsmen, Joseph Garba, who is the community leader, said the conflict between the security agents and the bandits lasted for some hours.

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