Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Thursday, 8th December, 2022

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 8th December 2022

1. Yuletide: Second Niger Bridge To Be Opened For 30 Days To Ease Traffic

Fresh information has emerged that the Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, has ordered the opening of the new Second Niger Bridge ahead of the Yuletide season.

Naija News reports that the Federal Controller of Works in Delta, Jimoh Olawale, who disclosed this on Wednesday in Asaba, said the bridge would be opened to ease traffic for the festivities on 15 December 2022.

According to him, Fashola gave the directive that the bridges, which are 95% complete, should be opened only for 30 days to ease traffic during the Yuletide.

Olawale submitted that “As we know, during the Christmas celebration, commuters suffer hardship accessing the old Niger Bridge due to traffic jams but with this arrangement, traffic congestion on Asaba-Benin Expressway will ease.

“We have notified the state government of this arrangement and we are working with the Federal Roads Safety Corps to ensure a hitch-free vehicular movement.

“Motorists going towards Owerri direction would divert through the access road near the old Niger Bridge to the new bridge.”

2. Ofili-Ajumogobia Reinstated As Judge After Dismissal For Alleged Fraud Case

Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia has been reinstated as a Judge of the Federal High Court by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

Naija News reports that the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, made this known in a circular dated Monday, December 5, 2023.

In the circular sent to all Judges of the Federal High Court, Justice Tsoho said the reinstatement of Ofili-Ajumogobia is with immediate effect.

The Chief Judge also copied the Chief Registrar of the court as well as the Director of Library and Deputy Director of Finance and Accounts.

3. Peter Obi Speaks On Being Involved In Corruption

The flagbearer of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has said he has never been involved in any corruption during his time as the Governor of Anambra State.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Owerri, the Imo state capital, on Tuesday, Obi said he and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, are not corrupt and have never been indicted by an anti-graft agency.

The former governor asserted that he and his running have clean records, having been in public offices in the past.

Speaking further, Obi also promised that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will not embark on industrial action if he is elected president.

The former governor of Anambra vowed to dialogue with ASUU leadership and also promised to work with the students.

He said the future of any serious country is dependent on education and health, adding that he would invest in the two sectors.

4. ICPC Releases Statement On Why D’banj Was Arrested

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has released a statement on why it arrested Nigerian singer, Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, better known as D’Banj.

Naija News reported on Wednesday morning that the government agency apprehended D’banj over alleged involvement in fraudulent activity.

In a statement made available to newsmen hours later, the ICPC spokesperson, Azuka Ogugua, explained that D’banj was being investigated for fraud associated with the N-Power Programme.

Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari‘s government introduced the scheme on 8th June 2016 to address the issues of youth unemployment and empowerment and help increase social development.

Ogugua noted that the agency had repeatedly summoned the singer and others mentioned in a petition for interaction. While others are said to have complied, D’banj reportedly shunned the invitation.

5. Nigerians Are Aware That Atiku Is A Well-Packaged Crook – APC Slams Momodu Over Comments On Tinubu

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has on Wednesday lashed out at the Director of Strategic Communication of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council, Dele Momodu over his comment on the performance of Bola Tinubu at Chatham House.

Naija News recalls that in an article titled “Weep not for Tinubu but for Nigeria”, Momodu had described the APC flag bearer as a complete charade and a theatre of the absurd.

According to him, what happened at Chatham House in London was a complete charade.

“The Bola Tinubu handlers fumbled, and bungled it big time; they showcased him like a packaged invalid. It would have been better to present him as a brilliant politician and administrator who is capable of independent thoughts,” he said.

However, speaking with Daily Independent, the Minister of State, Labour and Employment and Director, Public Affairs and Spokespersons, Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, Festus Keyamo (SAN) said Momodu has no moral right to pass judgment on Tinubu’s performance.

He argued that Nigerians have rejected the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar at every election cycle having realized that he is a “well-packaged and whitewashed crook.

6. 2023: Former Deputy Speaker Lasun Yusuf Dumps Obi For Atiku

Former Deputy Speaker, Lasun Yusuf has dumped the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi for his counterpart in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.

Naija News reports that the former deputy speaker dumped Obi at the Freedom Park on Wednesday during the PDP presidential campaign flag-off of the PDP in Osogbo, capital of Osun State.

Yusuf was said to have been presented to the party at the campaign event by the PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.

The former deputy speaker, at the campaign rally, prayed for Atiku’s emergence as the winner of the 2023 presidential poll.

Yusuf is said to have been elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) before defecting to Labour Party in 2022, and now has decamped to the PDP.

The PDP national chairman urged the people of Osun State to vote out APC and restore hope for the country by voting for PDP.

7. 2023: Amidst Fight With Atiku, PDP, Ortom Predicts Party That Will Win Benue State

The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has predicted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will win all positions in the state during the 2023 elections.

He urged the people of the state to go all out and work for the PDP in the forthcoming polls, adding that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has failed Nigerians.

Naija News reports the Governor said this at the flag-off of the PDP senatorial campaigns in Benue South held at Pavilion Square in Oju Local Government Area of the state.

The rally had supporters from the nine local government areas that make up the zone.

Addressing the party supporters and loyalists, Ortom said: “Let me tell you that PDP is a serious business in Benue State. By the grace of God, we are going to win all our elections. We are one indivisible body that is committed to the winning of our party, the PDP, because APC has failed this nation.”

The declaration is coming at a time the Benue Governor and other aggrieved Governors in the party popularly known as the G5 remain at loggerheads with the PDP national leadership.

8. We Have Fully Implemented Demands Of #EndSARS Protesters – FG

The Federal Government has announced that it has fully implemented the demands presented by #EndSARS protesters.

Naija News reports that the Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Dingyadi, made this known on Tuesday at an event in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Recall that in October 2020, the #EndSARS protesters took to the streets across the country to demand an end to police brutality and the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

The protesters made five demands to the government which includes the immediate release of all arrested protesters, and justice for all deceased victims of police brutality.

Other demands are the setting up of an independent body to investigate police misconduct; psychological evaluation of SARS operatives before redeployment; and salary increase for police officers.

Speaking at the event, Dingyadi said the government has also set up the Police Public Complaints Committee for citizens to report police misconduct.

9. NASS Pass Nigeria Peace Corps Bill For The Second Time

The two chambers of the National Assembly on Wednesday (today) passed the Nigerian Peace Corps (NPC) establishment bill for the second time.

With the new development, the clerk of the National Assembly is expected to transmit the bill to President Muhammadu Buhari for his assent.

If passed into law, the bill, among others, seeks to establish the Nigerian Peace Corps as a body charged with the responsibilities to develop, empower and provide gainful employment for youths, facilitate peace, volunteerism, community services, neighbourhood watch and nation-building.

Also, the bill would give statutory backing to the existing Peace Corps of Nigeria, established over two decades ago under the National Commandant, Professor Dickson Ameh Akoh.

During a press briefing on Wednesday, Akoh thanked the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, for considering the bill worthy of passage thereby doing justice to it.

He also thanked members of the two chambers of the National Assembly for the sense of patriotism displayed in ensuring that the bill saw the light of day.

He pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the bill this time as a lasting legacy of his government and a befitting parting gift to the Nigerian youth.

10. I Do Not Assign Project I Can’t Fund – Wike

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has expressed his dislike for uncompleted projects.
Wike explained that he would not assign a project if he is unable to fund them.

The Governor stated this while speaking at the kick-off of Elekahia internal roads in Port Harcourt Local Government Area, performed by Chief Dan Orbih, National Vice-Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Wike said his administration would always make sure there were funds available before awarding projects.

He urged the people of Rivers to hold his administration responsible for what they had promised to deliver within it’s lifespan.

The Governor mocked peddlers of propaganda against his administration, who alleged that Elekahia community, among Rebisi communities, had been denied projects.

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