Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Wednesday, 12th July, 2023

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 12th July 2023

1. President Tinubu Reacts To Plateau Killings, Mourns Death Of 8-Month-Old Baby

President Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness and grief over the latest round of violence and killings in Plateau State leading to the loss of several innocent lives.

The President in a statement on Tuesday by his media aide, Dele Alake condemned in strong terms the most recent killings in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State and parts of Benue State.

President Tinubu found very depressing the festering reprisal attacks, needless and avoidable bloodletting among communities in the two States.

He, therefore, called for tolerance and forgiveness so the killings can stop while directing security agencies to fish out the killers.

2. Shettima, Abbas, Kalu, Other NASS Principal Officers Meet In Aso Rock

Vice President, Kashim Shettima on Tuesday held talks with key members of the House of Representatives.

The meeting, which took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, wass led by Speaker Hon Tajudeen Abass.

Other high-ranking members of the House of Representatives were also in attendance, including the Deputy Speaker, Hon Benjamin Kalu.

This marks the first time the House leadership has met with the Vice President since they assumed the roles of Speaker and Deputy Speaker, respectively.

3. Tinubu Names Tunde Rahman, Sikiru Adekunle, 18 Others As Aides

A longtime media adviser Tunde Rahman of President Bola Tinubu has appointed as his senior special assistant (SSA) on media matters with 19 more aides.

This is coming about three weeks after the president made the last set of major appointments.

Sikiru Adekunle Tinubu was also named among 19 other special assistants, personal assistants, and photographers, recently appointed by the president.

Ibrahim Masari was appointed SSA on political matters while Abdulaziz Abdulaziz was appointed SSA on print media, reports Premium Times.

Others are Damilotun Aderemi – senior special assistant (private secretary); Toyin Subair – senior special assistant (domestic); O’tega Ogra – senior special assistant (digital/new media); Demola Oshodi – senior special assistant (protocol); Tope Ajayi – senior special assistant (media and public affairs); Yetunde Sekoni – senior special assistant; Motunrayo Jinadu – senior special assistant; Segun Dada – special assistant (social media); and Paul Adekanye – special assistant (logistics).

4. Details Of PDP Governors Meeting Emerge

Governors elected under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday expressed serious concerns about the deteriorating security situation across the nation.

These fears are especially high for Plateau and Zamfara States where numerous Nigerians have lost their lives and property.

The governors, who met as part of the PDP Governors Forum in Abuja on Tuesday, discussed the escalating situation during a closed-door meeting that lasted five hours.

The chairman of the forum, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, delivered a statement after the meeting.

He reported that he and his fellow governors are urging the Federal Government and security agencies to step up and address the growing crisis.

5. Senators Send Fresh Message To President Tinubu On Fuel Subsidy Removal

The Senate on Tuesday commended President Bola Tinubu on his decision to implement the total removal of fuel subsidy in Nigeria, describing it as a move in the right direction.

They also expressed happiness that the decision was taken during the tenure of the 10th National Assembly.

The lawmakers of the upper chamber of the National Assembly however called on Tinubu to quickly fashion out and implement the palliatives for Nigerians to cushion the effect of the removal.

The Senators during plenary in a motion moved by Senator Patrick Ndubueze, representing Imo North Senatorial District and titled “Need to Investigate the controversial huge expenditure on Premium Motor Spirit(PMS) under the Subsidy/Under Recovery Regime by the NNPCL, agreed to among others, constitute an Adhoc Committee to holistically investigate all controversies surrounding “subsidy and under recovery regime.”

Ruling on the motion after deliberations and contributions by members on the floor of the Senate, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio got the nod of his colleagues to formally commend President Tinubu on his courageous decision to stop the payment of subsidy on PMS.

6. Ondo Govt Gives Update On Akeredolu’s Health Condition After Adamu’s Claim

The Ondo State government has dismissed a statement attributed to the national chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Abdullahi Adamu which suggested that Governor Rotimi Akeredolu was seriously ill and hospitalized abroad.

The government criticized the report as “wicked, mischievous and insensitive”.

Adamu was allegedly quoted making the statement at a meeting between the party’s national leadership and APC state chairmen in Abuja on Monday.

The state’s commissioner for information and orientation, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju responded swiftly to the claims.

In a statement issued in Akure, the state capital, Ademola-Olateju suggested that Adamu was quoted out of context.

The commissioner clarified in the statement that “At no time did the Chairman mention that the Governor was in a state of ‘extreme incapacity’.”

7. IGP Egbetokun Visits NSA, Nuhu Ribadu

The acting Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has met with the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

According to the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi who made this known on Tuesday, the meeting is part of efforts to strengthen internal security and improve synergy among security institutions in the country.

8. President Tinubu Forwards List Of Service Chiefs To Senate For Confirmation

President Bola Tinubu has forwarded a list of newly appointed service chiefs to the Senate for confirmation.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the letter from President Tinubu on the confirmation of the appointment of Service Chiefs during plenary on Tuesday.

The names and positions listed are:

1. Maj. Gen. C.G Musa, Chief of Defence Staff

2. Maj. Gen. T. A Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff

3. Rear Admiral E. A Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff

4. AVM H.B Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff

After reading the letter, the request of Mr. President was referred to the Committee of the Whole.

Naija News recalls last week Thursday, the President had written to the House of Representatives as well, seeking the confirmation of the new service chiefs.

9. Akpabio Announces Chairmen, Vice Chairmen Of Senate Committees

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has announced the chairmen, vice chairmen, and members of some Senate standing committees for the 10th National Assembly.

Naija News reports Akpabio made the announcement of the leadership and composition of the committees during the plenary on Tuesday.

The committees announced include; Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senate Committee on Senate Services, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence and Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance.

10. Drama As Judge Hands Over Police Lawyer To EFCC Over Unauthorized Charges Against Sen Oduah

An unexpected event unfolded at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday when Justice James Omotosho handed over a police lawyer, Ibrahim Mohammed, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Mohammed is being investigated for filing criminal charges against former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Adaeze Oduah, without the required authorization from the EFCC.

The police lawyer had filed an 8-count criminal charge against the former Minister in the name of the EFCC. However, he did this without the anti-graft agency’s permission, leading to the unexpected order by Justice Omotosho.

In an unusual court event on Tuesday, police lawyer, Mohammed, found himself in hot water when he announced his representation of the Nigeria Police Force for a case involving Stella Oduah, a former Minister of Aviation. Mohammed told the court that Oduah was absent due to health reasons.

However, when the court discovered that the charges against Oduah were signed by a police officer, questions arose.

The police officer who signed the charges had been temporarily assigned to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), but was returned to the police force in November 2022. This raised eyebrows as the charges were filed by the EFCC in June 2023, but are being prosecuted by the police.

The judge questioned the legitimacy of the prosecutor’s explanation and subsequently ordered the EFCC to conduct an investigation into the prosecution counsel, Mohammed.

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