Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Saturday, 12th August, 2023

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Saturday, 12th August 2023.

Job Racketeering, A Major Evil In Nigeria’s Civil Service

The House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating alleged employment racketeering and gross mismanagement of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System disclosed that no fewer than 35 ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs, of the Federal Government refused to submit themselves to probe. While this isn’t the first time government parastatals will shun federal lawmakers, this particular no-show suggests having something to hide. If only Nigeria was a country that cares about probity and accountability, these MDAs accused of job racketeering would have jumped at the opportunity to clear themselves of any wrongdoing.

Chairman of the ad hoc committee, Yusuf Gagdi, accused the MDAs of applying for a waiver for recruitment without advertising the same, adding that such were usually used to perpetrate fraud. It is common knowledge that government jobs go to the highest bidders in Nigeria. This is after those in the corridors of power have cornered the choicest of such openings to their loved ones and cronies. Even when the vacancies are advertised in the national dailies as required by law, those who sorely need the jobs or are deserving of it will not apply because they know that the slots have already been distributed and that the announcement is a mere formality.

Resident Doctors Suspend Nationwide Strike

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Friday evening announced the suspension of its nationwide strike.

Naija News gathered that members of NARD embarked on a strike to press home their demands from the federal government.

Some of the demands of the resident doctors include payment of the 2023 medical residency training fund (MRTF); immediate release of the circular on one-for-one replacement and upward review of the consolidated medical salary structure (CONMESS).

Others are payment of outstanding arrears of consequential adjustment, hazard and skipping allowance.

Four Die As Zaria Central Mosque Collapses On Worshipers

There was a commotion in Kaduna State on Friday after Zaria Central Mosque collapsed on worshippers.

Reports reaching Naija News revealed that at least four worshippers died while seven others sustained injuries in the incident.

Daily Trust quoted the Emir of Zazzau, Mallam Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, saying the victims were observing the Asr prayer around 4 pm when the incident occurred.

He said, “We had earlier observed a crack on the wall of the mosque yesterday and were planning to deploy a team of civil engineers to effect repairs when this unfortunate incident happened.”

President Tinubu Redeploys Permanent Secretary, Ministry Of Labour And Employment To Health

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Kachollom Daju has been redeployed by President Bola Tinubu to the Federal Ministry of Health with immediate effect.

Naija News understands that Daju takes over from the Permanent Secretary, of Health, Engr Funsho Adebiyi, who has been redeployed to the State House, Aso Villa.

Daju has served as the Permanent Secretary, Labour and Employment for a period of 15 months, within which she brought about a lot of changes through her capable leadership, hard work and meticulous eye for detail.

Her exemplary work ethic and top-notch leadership qualities stood her out as one of the outstanding Permanent Secretaries to have served in the Ministry.

Restore Electricity To Niger For The Benefit Of Masses – Falana Tells Tinubu

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has asked President Bola Tinubu to restore electricity supply to Niger Republic in the interest of the people.

Naija News recalls that the Nigerian government has since cut off electricity supply to Niger following the ouster and detention of President Mohamed Bazoum by military forces.

In a statement issued on Friday, Falana said the masses of the country are bearing the brunt of the power outage while the coup leaders and the political class have since switched to generators.

Shaibu Desperate To Become Edo Governor, May Consider Coup Against Me – Obaseki Cries Out

The political situation in Edo State has taken a fresh turn with the State Governor, Godwin Obaseki alleging that his current deputy, Philip Shaibu has a desperate ambition to become the next governor of the state.

The Governor lamented that Shaibu is so desperate and exploring every possible option to achieve his aim including engineering a coup to remove him (Obaseki) from power.

The Governor was quoted to have made the allegation during a meeting with elders and leaders from Etsako West, East and Central Local Government Areas of the State, held in Jattu, Etsako West LGA, as part of campaigns for the September 2, 2023, local council election.

The details of Obaseki’s submission were made available to Naija News on Friday in a statement by the office of his media aide, Crusoe Osagie.

ECOWAS Vows To Hold Russia Responsible If Wagner Violates Human Rights In Niger

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Friday vowed to hold Russia to account if Wagner violates human rights in Niger Republic.

Wagner is a private military contractor of the Eastern European nation.

The ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah stated this during an interview on Channels TV.

Musah further stated that another West African nation had a separate arrangement with the security outfit.

Nigeria Army Speaks On Partnering Asari Dokubo’s Security Outfit

The Nigerian Army has distanced itself from reports that it partnered with ex-Niger Delta militant leader Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, or his security outfit, in some military operations.

Recall that Dokubo had, in an interview on a Podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, claimed he had a military company engaged by the government to work alongside the military in some states of the federation.

“I don’t have an army, but I have a private military company that was engaged by the Nigerian government, and I have been doing the work for the Nigerian state. Private military companies exist all over the world; we have Black Waters, we have Wagner, we have so many private military companies.

“So, I have a private military company that is engaged by the government, and we are fighting side by side with the Nigerian military in many places. Like Niger, Plateau, Abia, Imo, and parts of Rivers State. We were in Anambra too. We are doing a good job, and we are being commended by the host communities,” he had said.

‘El-Rufai Loses Interest In President Tinubu’s Ministerial Appointment, Recommends Replacement’

The former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has reportedly withdrawn his interest in President Bola Tinubu’s ministerial appointment.

Naija News learnt that El-Rufai lost interest in serving in President Tinubu’s cabinet after a meeting at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday.

Recall that El-Rufai visited the President a day after the Senate confirmed 45 ministerial nominees after a week-long screening and confirmation.

The upper legislative chamber, however, withheld his confirmation and those of two others, citing security reports from the State Security Service for the action.

I Am Too Big To Have A Godfather, President Tinubu Was Begging Me To Be Minister – El-Rufai

The immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has said in a viral video that he is too big for someone to be his godfather.

In the video seen by Naija News on the internet, El-Rufai said he had told President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on several occasions that he didn’t want to work with him.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain said the incumbent President had been the one pressuring him to work with his administration but that he has repeatedly rejected the offer.

Naija News understands that El-Rufai said this while granting a brief interview to journalists recently.

That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.