Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Monday, 27th June, 2022

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 27th June 2022

1. Ekweremadu: Nigerian Immigration Service Reveals Age Of ‘Organ Donor’

The Nigerian Immigration Service(NIS) on Sunday revealed that Nwamini David Ukpo, the young Nigerian at the centre of the ‘organ donor’ saga which led to the arrest of former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice in the UK is 21 years old.

The disclosure was made by the Comptroller General of NIS, Isa Jere amidst the controversy surrounding Ukpo’s age with some reports claiming he is 15.

But after a chat with newsmen, the NIS boss in a statement released, said that the date of birth on details submitted for verification is 12-10-2000 which also tallies with the National Population Commission (NPC) birth certificate record, his National Identity Number (NIN) details as well as the letter of indigeneship submitted by the applicant.

He submitted that due diligence was followed in screening the submitted documents before the passport was approved and issued.

The NIS boss added that the service was not involved in any age falsification or other shady deals regarding the ongoing saga.

2. Buhari Approves, Releases N41.6bn Take-up Grant For Presidential Power Programme

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday approved and released $100m (N41.6bn at the official exchange rate of N415.63/$) as a take-up grant for the Presidential Power Initiative.

The President released the $100m as part of the $200m approved for the programme, as the balance alongside additional would come on a later date.

President Buhari and German Chancellor, Angela Merkel conceived the PPI initiative during a meeting on August 31, 2018.

It was conceived as a three-phase initiative to rehabilitate and expand Nigeria’s electricity grid through improved generation, transmission, and distribution.

The Federal Government had to establish a special purpose vehicle, the FGN Power Company, to own and execute the PPI.

A document obtained from the company in Abuja on the financing for the power programme indicated that billions of naira had already been released for the initiative.

3. 2023: APC, PDP Has Failed Nigerians – Kwankwaso

The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso has called on Nigerians to reject the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 general election.

The former Governor of Kano State said the two parties have failed and had nothing to offer.

Kwankwaso stated this on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti, the State capital during a consultation visit to the State.

The presidential candidate further stated that NNPP has grown since he dumped PDP for the party.

Speaking on the alliance with PDP, Kwankwaso said, “Don’t forget we have candidates across the board now in NNPP ahead of the 2023 elections, so you will expect me to leave and join others in the PDP? It is not going to happen. I was a foundation member of the two major parties and they have nothing to offer again, that is why I left them and I can’t go back.”

4. Why We Can’t Release Dariye, Nyame Despite Presidential Pardon – NCS

Nigerian Correctional Service, NCS has opened up on the reason they can’t release former Governor of Plateau State, Senator Joshua Dariye, and former Taraba State Governor, Jolly Nyame despite being granted a presidential pardon.

On April 14, the Council of State led by President Muhammadu Buhari approved the pardon of 159 convicts including the two governors.

Dariye is serving 10 years’ imprisonment for N1.126 billion fraud while Nyame is serving a 12-year jail sentence for diverting N1.64 billion during his tenure.

However, information gathered by Punch has revealed that the two politicians and others who were pardoned are still in custody.

When the publication reached out to the NCS, its spokesperson Abubakar Umar, stated that they were not responsible for the delay adding that they are waiting for further instructions from the ministry of justice.

5. Atiku’s Camp Replies Obasanjo Over Running Mate Statement

AbdulRasheed Shehu, founder of the Atiku Kawai Media Group has said that former President Olusegun Obasanjo is very bitter that former vice president, Atiku Abubakar frustrated his tenure elongation agenda, otherwise known as ‘the Third Term Agenda’ in 2007

Speaking about the process that led to the emergence of his Vice, Obasanjo, who was interacting with some secondary school students at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun State, said he made a mistake while picking his running mate during the civil rule.

Obasanjo said he selected the wrong vice, but it was a genuine mistake in the end. Obasanjo said he made many mistakes in life, but that God made him overcome them.

Responding to the former president in a tweet, Shehu, who is a member of the Atiku Abubakar presidential election technical committee, said Obasanjo was “still bitter” that Atiku frustrated his tenure elongation agenda, otherwise known as the ‘Third Term Agenda’ in 2007.

6. Bala Mohammed Describes Bandit Attacks As Test From God

The governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed has described the incessant killings and kidnappings perpetrated by bandits across the country as a “test from God.”

It was reported that Bala stated this during a condolence visit on Sunday to Sabon Gida Jada in Alkaleri Local Government Area, where he urged religious, political and traditional leaders to pray for the country.

The governor lamented that the insecurity bedevilling the country was “getting out of hand” as bandits now trying to overwhelm the state.

7. Insecurity: Benue Traditional Ruler Advocates Creation Of Federal Ministry Of Chieftaincy Affairs

The Ter Makurdi and Chairman, Makurdi local government Traditional council, Vincent Aule, has called on the National Assembly to legislate on the need for President Muhammadu Buhari to create the Federal ministry of Chieftaincy affairs.

This, according to the traditional ruler, will help mediate between the federal government and the ruler populace and create an easy way for the government to manage insecurity in Nigeria.

Aule stated this on Sunday during a coronation ceremony for some traditional rulers in the local government.

He said the idea would also give a sense of belonging to the traditional institution as the ministry would create offices across 36 states for effective activities of the traditional council.

The traditional ruler challenged his subjects against tribalism and bias against vulnerable citizens who, in most cases, are not indigenes of Benue State.

He lamented the continuous attack on Nigerians, the situation he alleged was hampering the country’s development, especially in the rural areas.

8. Shehu Sani Reacts As Zamfara Arms Citizens With Gun Against Bandits

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani has applauded the decision of the Zamfara State government to provide its citizens with arms against bandit terrorists.

Naija News earlier reported that the commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Magaji Dosara, in a statement through the government asked the Commissioner of Police to issue a gun license to those eligible for it.

Ibrahim said that the government has resolved to take further measures to deal with the recent escalating attacks, kidnapping, and criminal levies enforced on innocent communities.

Reacting, Senator Shehu Sani in a post on Sunday via his Twitter account said that the decision of Zamfara to approve the distribution of arms is the only solution to the rising insecurity ravaging the state.

He added that the meetings and statements do nothing as Zamfara is the headquarters of terrorist groups.

9. Abducted Catholic Priest, Father Osia Is Dead

A Catholic priest Father Christopher Osia who was abducted on Sunday morning on his way to mass in the Ikabigbo community, Etsako West local government of Edo State has been killed.

The news of his death was confirmed by Fr. Peter Egielewa, Director of Social Communications Catholic Diocese of Auchi, who said Odia was 41 years old.

“With heavy hearts but with total submission to the will of God, we announce the death of our priest Rev. Fr. Christopher Odia, who was killed by his abductors after being kidnapped this morning 26th June 2022 at about 6.30am in his rectory while coming out to go for Sunday Mass at St. Michael Catholic Church Ikabigbo, Uzairue, Edo State,” he said.

10. What Bola Tinubu Discussed With Shettima, APC Senators

Senators elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday met with the party’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Naija News reports that the lawmakers had met with Tinubu alongside former Borno State Governor, Senator Kashim Shettima.

Recall that the ruling APC has recently been engulfed by a wave of massive defection by lawmakers who failed to secure the party’s ticket for various elective positions in the 2023 election.

Speaking after the meeting, Senator Shettima said the crisis threatening to rock the ruling party had been resolved by Tinubu.

He stated that Bola Tinubu helped to address the issues and ensure peace reigns among APC senators.

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