Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Tuesday, 22nd August, 2023

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 22nd August 2023.

1. President Tinubu Issues Directives As He Swears In His Ministers

President Bola Tinubu on Monday vowed to hold his newly inaugurated Ministers accountable for the standards that Nigerians have been promised.

Naija News gathered that President Tinubu stated this during his address to the ministers at the Conference Centre of the State House, Abuja.

He said, “I know you and I delegate this authority, but the greatest number of Nigerians are highly expectant of delivery, accountability, and transparency. Nigerians expect that you will act with integrity, dignity, and deliver. I will hold you to that standard we all promised Nigerians.

“It’s all about a great team, and I believe we have them here. It is a high honour to be chosen to serve as a minister in the Federal Executive Council of our beloved republic, and with such a high honour comes tremendous responsibility.

“In this moment of abundant promise and peril in equal measure, all of you who have been sworn in have been called to distinguish yourselves.

“Your assignment begins immediately. As your country honours you today with this call to service, you must each work to make your self worthy in the eyes of God and all our nation’s people.

“Your highest obligation is to restore public faith in government so that our people can once again believe that the right hands in government can be a positive force for transformation and a vehicle for the collective progress of this country.”

2. VP Shettima Departs Abuja To Represent President Tinubu At BRICS Summit In South Africa

The Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima would depart Abuja today for Johannesburg, South Africa to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 15th BRICS Summit of Heads of State and Government.

This was confirmed in a statement issued on Monday by Olusola Abiola, Director of Information Office of the Vice President.

Naija News understands BRICS, an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is a group of five major emerging and developing economies.

According to the statement, Vice President Shettima will be joining other business and political leaders across the world at the Summit scheduled for the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg from August 22 to 24.

Notable leaders expected to attend the event include South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa; President Xi Jinping of China; Brazil’s President, Luiz Lula da Silva, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The summit is expected to deliberate on issues on trade and investment facilitation, sustainable development, innovation, and global governance reform.

It will also continue its outreach to Leaders from Africa and the global South; as it focuses on global geopolitics, trade, and infrastructure development.

3. Peter Obi Speaks After Reports Of Coalition With Atiku, Kwankwaso Against APC

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has spoken amidst the report alleging he was in talks with Atiku Abubakar and Rabiu Kwankwaso for a possible merger to wrest power from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

It was reported that the trio were looking at the possibility of an alliance which would enable them to present a formidable stand against the APC.

Speaking at a mega rally in Edo State on Monday ahead of the local government elections in the state, the former governor of Anambra State told hundreds of party supporters that some of the things they are hearing everywhere were rumours.

He further assured the supporters of his commitment to the Labour Party.

“Labour Party will continue to grow. We will continue to go stronger (and) better. Half of the things you are hearing everywhere are rumours, don’t listen to them. We are committed to building a better and a new Nigeria where we will move Nigeria from consumption to production,” Obi said to loud cheers from the crowd.

4. Wike Resumes As FCT Minister, Issues Directive

The newly sworn-in Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesome Wike, has resumed office.

Naija News reports that Wike, the immediate-past Governor of Rivers State, resumed on Monday with the minister of state, Mariya Mahmud.

The duo arrived at FCTA at about 1:20 pm after the swearing-in ceremony at the presidential villa.

The former Rivers state governor was accompanied by a large crowd into the FCTA.

Speaking at a press conference, Wike vowed to return the FCT to its original masterplan.

He said land allottees who have been given Certificates of Occupancy but failed to develop would also lose their lands to give way to those ready to build.

5. Senator Adeola Reveals Those Responsible For Aide’s Death

The Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, has alleged that soldiers of the Nigeria Army, operating checkpoints around the Ikeja axis of Lagos State, are responsible for his aide’s death.

Naija News recalls that Adeola’s senior aide, Adeniyi Oluwatosin Sanni, was robbed and killed in the early hours of Saturday, August 5, 2023.

In a statement personally signed on Sunday, Senator Adeola said, his aide was held by men in military uniform who demanded the documents of the vehicle, and it was sent to him by his wife.

However, his aide was later found at the Toyota Bus Stop area of Oshodi, close to a military barrack, with his body ridden with bullets.

Senator Adeola called on the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, to fish out killers of his aide for further investigation, prosecution and justice for the deceased as a pattern of killings and armed robbery has been established against soldiers mounting late-night checkpoints around Ikeja.

Senator Adeola added, that, to date, the aide’s black Toyota Camry, including his phones and other valuables, are yet to be recovered.

6. We Will Be Telling Nigerians Only The Truth About President Tinubu’s Government – Malagi

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi has promised Nigerians that his duty, as mandated by President Bola Tinubu is to tell the citizens the truth about the government and its policies.

The Minister said under his watch, there will be no room for lies or fake news about government activities and policies, promising to operate an open door policy.

Naija News reports Magagi stated this on Monday during an official reception, organized in his honour by the ministry on Monday in Abuja.

The new Minister said the President has given him the mandate to tell Nigerians the truth about the government and as an experienced practitioner with about thirty years of experience, he is reporting for duty.

Malagi vowed that under his watch the Ministry would be reinvigorated and repositioned.

The Minister made the pledge in the company of his Arts, Culture and Creative Economy and Tourism counterpart who were also part of the official reception by the ministry.

7. Gov Sani Slashes School Fees Of State-Owned Tertiary Institutions In Kaduna

The Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, on Monday, announced the reduction in school fees of state-owned tertiary institutions.

The governor, as learned by Naija News, disclosed that the downward review of the school fees was in fulfilment of his electioneering, as well as to cushion the hardship experienced by parents following the removal of fuel subsidy.

This platform reports that the development is coming after the immediate former governor of the state, Nasir El-Rufai, had increased school fees in state tertiary institutions.

Sani, during a press conference on Monday at the Government House, submitted that the move was also in response to public outcry on the current fees being charged.

He explained further that the downward review of the fees aligns with the commitment of his administration to offer palliatives to cushion the effect of the rising cost of living in the polity, especially in the wake of recent petroleum subsidy removal.

8. Protesters Hit Kano Streets, Defy Police Order

Some Kano citizens have trooped out in large numbers to stage protests on major streets, defying an earlier order by the state police command.

Naija News had reported that the state Police Commissioner, Mohammed Usain Gumel, on Monday issued an order that banned all forms of protests in Kano State.

The directive was coming after members of the ruling New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) asked their members to assemble at strategic spots in the state to protest over alleged bribery of the judiciary.

The police commissioner in the state, however, said in his directive that any attempt to disrespect the ban would be treated as an offence against National Security.

However, shortly after the order, some residents converged on the streets and headed for the Government House, Naija News learnt.

9. Presidential Tribunal: ‘Peter Obi, Atiku, Kwankwaso Plan Alliance To Take Power From APC’

Prominent opposition politicians including Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) are reportedly working on an alliance to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Naija News gathered the trio are looking at the possibility of an alliance which would enable them to present a formidable stand against the APC.

It is further understood that the extent of their agreement to work together is still in the early stages, is being planned in phases, and also dependent on the eventual outcome of the 2023 presidential election tribunal in which the victory of President Bola Tinubu is being challenged.

The discussion among the top politicians according to ThisDay, started with the one between Atiku and Kwankwaso.

After the first leg of the meetings was adjudged successful, another one between Obi and other critical elements in PDP reportedly started to take shape, after the other two stakeholders agreed to bring him in.

10. Why President Tinubu Appointed Me As Minister Of Solid Minerals Development – Alake

Dele Alake on Monday revealed why President Bola Tinubu appointed him as the Minister of Solid Minerals Development.

There had been speculations that Alake would be assigned to the Information and Communication Ministry.

However, on Monday, Alake was sworn in as the Minister of Solid Minerals Development.

While addressing newsmen after the inauguration of the forty-five ministers, Alake said he was assigned the portfolio by President Tinubu because of the sensitive position of the sector to economic renewal.

The minister said he specifically asked the President to assign the ministry to him contrary to the general perception that he would be given a particular portfolio.

Alake said the much talked about portfolio speculated for him was not necessarily tailored for only him.

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