Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Saturday, 19th August, 2023

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Saturday, 19th August 2023.

UniCal’s Ndifon: Lecherous Lecturers Must Let Female Undergraduates Breathe

In a rare display of courage and resolve to expose the long-standing issue of sexual harassment within the faculty, female Law students of the University of Calabar on Monday took to the streets of UniCal to protest against the rampant demand for sexual favors by some of their lecturers in exchange for grades. Armed with placards inscribed with very distressing and obscene inscriptions, the protesters (led by the Law Students Association of Nigeria, Unical branch president, Benedict Otu), the lawyers in embryo drew attention to the distressing experiences that female students have endured due to sexual molestation by some lecturers. While the demonstration has since been framed as revolving around the Dean of the Faculty, Prof Cyril Ndifon, suffice to state that the protesters’ angst was also against other sexual predators among the faculty. Indeed, one of their placards had the inscription: “We are tired of s*cking d*cks”.

While the pluralizing of the male sex organ in the placard confirms that the sexual molestation isn’t just an isolated case or perpetrated by a single lecturer, the accused Dean in his response claimed he was targeted and that the protest was campus politics at play. According to him, “Since I defeated some persons in an election that was keenly contested, to emerge as Dean of the faculty, it hasn’t been easy. These allegations are baselessly masterminded by my detractor, who had vowed to ensure that my image is dragged to the mud just because I won the faculty elections twice.” Ndifon continued in an interview he granted CrossRiverWatch, “If you look at the placards, you will discover that the placards have one person’s handwriting. Again, how come the protesters know that we were holding a meeting with the Vice Chancellor if it is not the handiwork of an insider.”

President Tinubu Fixes Date To Hold First FEC Meeting

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has scheduled Wednesday, next week, for his first Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting since he was sworn in as president on May 29.

Naija News understands that the inaugural FEC will hold after the swearing-in of new ministers into his cabinet on Monday.

It was gathered that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume and the cabinet office are working on the focus of the first FEC which will be more like induction, where President Tinubu is expected to share his priorities under Renewed Hope Agenda with the new cabinet.

The FEC meeting may also approve Ministerial retreat, which is expected to hold immediately after, Western Post reports.

DSS Arrests Former NSPMC Boss, Abbas Masanawa Over Probe Of Emefiele

The Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly arrested the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), Abbas Umar Masanawa, for his alleged role in the ongoing corruption probe of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

According to Peoples Gazette, Masanawa was arrested and detained in DSS custody three weeks ago and has remained there while their investigation continued.

The news platform reports that Masanawa’s arrest stemmed from his role as the managing director of Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC).

A source familiar with the arrest said: “He was conspiring with Godwin Emefiele to loot the printing and minting agency. We are still tracing billions they stole.”

Appeal Court Dismisses Smart Adeyemi Appeal Against Ododo’s Candidacy

On Friday, the Court of Appeal in Abuja rejected Senator Smart Adeyemi‘s appeal to nullify the All Progressives Congress (APC) Kogi State governorship primary election that nominated Ahmed Usman Ododo for the November 11 poll.

The Court of Appeal in its ruling held that the appeal argued by Adekunle Oladapo Otitoju on behalf of Senator Adeyemi was completely bereft of merit and was thrown out.

The unanimous decision of the three-judge panel stated that Adeyemi, a recent representative of Kogi West Senatorial District, couldn’t substantiate claims against the APC primary’s conduct.

Justice Mohammed Lawal Shuaib, delivering the main verdict, stated Adeyemi’s accusations of primary election result manipulations needed stronger proof.On Friday, the Court of Appeal in Abuja rejected Senator Smart Adeyemi‘s appeal to nullify the All Progressives Congress (APC) Kogi State governorship primary election that nominated Ahmed Usman Ododo for the November 11 poll.

ECOWAS Defence Chiefs Continue Discussion On Possible Niger Attack

Defence chiefs of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are currently holding a second day of talks in Ghana on possible armed intervention in Niger.

The defence chiefs aim to restore civil rule in the Niger Republic should diplomatic efforts to reverse a coup there fail.

According to Al Jazeera, the defence chiefs are expected to announce any next steps at a closing ceremony at 4 p.m.

Naija News had earlier reported that troops of the ECOWAS expressed their readiness to participate in a standby force that would restore democracy in Niger after generals toppled and detained President Mohamed Bazoum.

‘Wait And See’ – Fresh Details Emerge About Wike Dumping PDP For APC

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Ogbonna Nwuke has downplayed the possibility of the immediate past Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike dumping the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to him, Wike has not told the Rivers PDP anything about plans to dump the party and the PDP has also not moved against Wike in terms of suspending him, hence there is no concrete information about a defection.

Naija News reports Nwuke, a former House of Representatives member spoke against the backdrop of the recent visit of the minister-designate to the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

He added that Wike and Ganduje’s friendship goes way back as both politicians have always visited each other previously and with the former Governor’s nomination as a Minister, he needs to be seen in good light with the leadership of the ruling party.

‘President Tinubu Repeated Buhari’s Insensitivity In Assigning Ministerial Portfolios’

A political analyst and public commentator, Mahdi Shehu has slammed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the distribution of portfolios to Ministers-Designate.

In an interview on Arise TV, Shehu accused the president of repeating the same insensi­tivity displayed by his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari.

He stated that Tinubu highly favoured the Southwest and South-South while refusing to give same favour to the South-East because they refused to support him in the 2023 presidential election.

According to Shehu, Tinubu may have favoured the South-South to compensate former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and ex-militant warlord, Asari Dokubo.

Controversy Trails Gov Mai Buni’s Commissioner Nominees’ List

Speculations have emerged that the first commissioner nominees’ list forwarded by the Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, to the state assembly was empty.

Naija News gathered that the first list, which was sent to the state assembly on July 27, remained unveiled until Tuesday’s plenary when a second batch was brought.

The Secretary to the Yobe State Government (SSG), Alhaji Baba Malam Wali, reportedly forwarded a letter containing a list to the Yobe State Assembly for screening and confirmation on July 27, but the house failed to unveil the names to the public.

While the Yobe State Speaker, Hon. Buba Chiroma-Mashio, and the state government have denied the first list had the names of four nominee commissioners, some lawmakers in the assembly have asserted that the first list was blank and it was sent to meet the constitutional deadline of 60 days.

Other People Will Raise Your Sons And Daughters – DHQ Sends Strong Warning To Terrorists

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has vowed to go after terrorists and bandits causing havoc in different parts of the country, warning that they have no place to hide.

Speaking during a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Maj Gen Edward Buba said the Nigerian Military is determined to hunt down and eliminate the terrorists and other criminal elements.

Stressing the resolve of the military, Gen Buba warned that the terrorists would not live to raise their sons and daughters if they have any.

He made the angry but bold declaration while confirming that three officers, 22 soldiers, two pilots and crew members were killed while another seven persons were wounded in action during an ambush by terrorists, which resulted in a fire-fight with insurgents in Shiroro, Niger State.

Edo Speaker Clears The Air On Obaseki Instructing State Assembly To Impeach Shaibu

The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku has described some reports about plans to impeach the Deputy Governor of the State, Philip Shaibu as rumours from the pit of hell.

The Speaker revealed that when the rumours started making rounds, the state Governor, Godwin Obaseki called him to ascertain the truth and he told the Governor the lawmakers were not planning anything of such.

Agbebaku who spoke on Friday when the 24 members of the Assembly visited Governor Obaseki at the Government House, in Benin City said he also called the Deputy Governor to inform him the lawmakers have no impeachment plans against him.

He, therefore, urged the people of the state to disregard any report claiming they want to impeach Shaibu or that the Governor has directed the legislators to impeach him.

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