Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Wednesday, 16th August, 2023

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 16th August 2023.

1. President Tinubu Gives Fresh Update On Hike Of Fuel Price

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians that there will be no increment in the price of fuel.

He disclosed that his administration is already taking steps that would ensure there is no increase of fuel prices in the country without having to reverse the nation’s decision to exit the subsidy regime.

Tinubu gave the assurance on Tuesday while addressing newsmen in the Presidential Villa, Abuja via his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.

According to Ngelale, Tinubu is taking steps to clean up inefficiencies within the petroleum industry.

Speaking further, Ngelale stated that the threat by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) to go on an indefinite nationwide strike if the prices of PMS increased was premature, urging all stakeholders to be circumspect in reacting to the current situation in the country.

2. Nigeria’s Inflation Rises To 24.08% In July

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has said Nigeria’s headline inflation jumped to 24.08 per cent in July 2023, making it the highest recorded leap in a while.

Naija News reports that in June, inflation was recorded at 22.79 per cent, but has now jumped by 1.29 percentage points.

In a statement on Tuesday, the bureau said the headline inflation rate was 4.44 percent points higher compared to the rate recorded in July 2022, which was 19.64 per cent.

The NBS said, “In July 2023, the headline inflation rate rose to 24.08 per cent relative to June 2023 headline inflation rate which was 22.79 per cent.

“Looking at the movement, the July 2023 headline inflation rate showed an increase of 1.29 per cent points when compared to June 2023 headline inflation rate.

3. Aviation Security Workers Embark On Nationwide Strike

The Aviation security and logistics sub-sector has been directed by the National Union of Air Transport Employees to proceed on an immediate strike from Wednesday, August 16, 2023, following poor wages.

The directive was in a circular sent to the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the Commissioner of Police, Airports Command, the Airport Commandant, Director, Department of State Security, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos Command.

The circular, which was signed by the General Secretary of NUATE, Comrade Ocheme Aba, lamented that AVSEC graduates are paid a meagre sum of N30,000 monthly.

He added that all efforts to negotiate improved wages for their members in the past proved abortive.

4. FG Reveals Kick-off Date For Students Loan Scheme

The federal government has revealed that the disbursement of the Students Loans scheme is scheduled to commence during the 2023/2024 academic session.

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, David Adejo who made the disclosure said specifically that the government had set a September 2023 commencement date.

Speaking further, Adejo debunked rumours that federal universities were increasing their charges because of the loan scheme, stating that the recent increase in charges by some federal universities in the country was unfortunate, adding that no federal University in the country was allowed to collect tuition fees from students.

On the take-off of the students’ loan scheme, the permanent secretary disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has directed the completion of necessary work on the modalities for its implementation.

Adejo further stated that the president has established a coordinating committee, with the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila serving as the chairman, adding that the committee comprises key entities such as the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Federal Budget Office, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Finance, and others.

He noted that the committee has additionally established a technical team tasked with establishing a solid framework for initiating the program and addressing any legal obstacles that could hinder Nigerians’ access to the loan.

5. Why Wike Visited Ganduje – APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has disclosed the reason behind the visit of former Rivers State Governor and Minister-designate, Nyesom Wike to the party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje.

As earlier reported by Naija News, Wike visited Ganduje at his residence in Abuja.

Speaking on the reason for the visit, the APC disclosed that Wike was on a congratulatory visit to Ganduje who recently emerged as the party’s national chairman.

Taking to its official Twitter account, the ruling party shared photos of the visit and wrote: “Former Governor of Rivers State and a Minister-designate, HE. Nyesom Wike, paid a congratulatory visit to the National Chairman, HE. Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje at his residence in Abuja.”

6. Akpabio: ‘N2 Million To Each Senator Has Been Standard Practice’ – NASS Management

The management of the National Assembly, has made clarification regarding the controversial two million Naira paid to Senators and members of the House of Representatives before embarking on a long recess.

Naija News recalls that last week Monday, before the senate went on recess, the president of the senate, Godswill Akpabio said the Senate clerk sent a token to the lawmakers to enable them to “enjoy their holidays.”

A comment he later withdrew to say he was sending prayers into the mailboxes of all senators for the holiday.

The statement sparked a lot of controversies, as several Nigerians blamed the lawmakers for enjoying themselves whilst ignoring the economic hardship bedevilling many Nigerians.

In a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday, the Secretary, of Research and Information, Ali Umoru, said the two million naira allowance to lawmakers in the upper and lower legislative chambers was mischaracterized and misunderstood by many Nigerians.

He said the allowance is part of the senators’ statutory running cost of the offices as provided in the 2023 budget.

According to Umoru, the two million Naira has been standard practice and the funds are used to facilitate the various activities of the senators.

7. President Tinubu Inherited Terrible Economic Situation – Oshiomhole

A former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and current senator representing the Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole on Tuesday declared that President Bola Tinubu inherited a Nigerian economy that was already in a terrible situation.

The former Edo State Governor made the submission while speaking to newsmen shortly after a closed-door meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Oshiomhole however appealed to Nigerians to exercise some patience with the Tinubu government as the President was already taking steps to revamp and reposition the economy.

He added that both Tinubu and Shettima are taking courageous steps toward ending corruption in the system.

8. Nigerian Army Confirms Killing Of Soldiers In Niger State

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the ambush on its troops on Sunday night, during an operation to stop bandits’ attacks on local communities in the area.

Authorities in a statement released on Tuesday revealed that many soldiers were killed during the attack.

There had been claims that soldiers lost their lives in the attack, while the Airforce said its helicopter MI 171 carrying casualties of the ambush crashed around the Shiroro area.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu speaking on the incident said, “I can confirm that there was an incident in Wushishi LG of Niger state.

“Our gallant patriots paid the supreme price when they ran into an ambush staged by insurgents.

“They were courageous till the end. They stood their ground and defended our great country with their lives.

“The focus now is how to console and bring respite to those they left behind.”

9. Federal Government Files 20 Fresh Charges Against Emefiele

The federal government has filed 20 fresh charges against the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

Naija News understands the charges were filed at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court.

One of the counts accuses Emefiele of “conferring unlawful advantages”.

As earlier reported by Naija News, the Federal Government on Tuesday, made an oral application before Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos to withdraw a charge against suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

The application made by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mohammed Bakodo Abubakar was to withdraw the “illegal possession of firearms” charges against Emefiele.

The Judge however adjourned the matter till Thursday, August 17.

Speaking with journalists after the day’s proceedings Mr. Abubakar disclosed that there was a pending 20-count charge against Mr Emefiele at the FCT high court, which involves allegedly conferring unlawful advantages bordering on procurement under the ICPC Act.

10. FG Takes Action Against Advertising Standard Panel After ‘All Eyes on The Judiciary’ Billboard

The federal government of Nigeria has taken punitive action against the Secretariat of the Advertising Standard Panel (ASP) over the emergence of the ‘All Eyes on The Judiciary’ billboard in Abuja.

A statement on Tuesday by the Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo said the billboard is capable of blackmailing the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal and should not have been approved.

To this end, ARCON ordered that all the materials being exposed be brought down immediately and the violators sanctioned.

Furthermore, the Council has also suspended its Director and Deputy Director in charge of Regulations to allow independent investigations into the issue.

Though the ARCON boss noted that the adverts were not approved by the ASP, he said the Panel erred in the approval of one of the concepts as the advertisement failed vetting guidelines.

According to him, a matter that is awaiting judicial pronouncement is precluded from being a subject of public statement, debate, discussion, and advertisement.

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