Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Tuesday, 10th October, 2023

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 10th October 2023.

1. Tinubu Appoints Fela Durotoye, Nwabufo, Others As Media Aides

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of some Nigerians into the Media and Publicity Directorate in the Office of the President.

In a statement issued on Monday, the presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, said the appointment is with full respect for the tenets of Nigeria’s Federal Character Principle and the Supremacy of Merit.

Ngelale said the president appointed Fela Durotoye as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Values and Social Justice, while Fredrick Nwabufo was appointed as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Engagement.

The presidential aide added that Linda Nwabuwa Akhigbe was appointed as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Strategic Communications, while Aliyu Audu was appointed as the Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs.

Ngelale said Francis Adah Abah was appointed as the Personal Assistant to the President on Special Duties.

He said President Tinubu further approved the secondment of Mrs Akhigbe to serve as the Communications Adviser to the President of the ECOWAS Commission.

Ngelale said the President tasks all new appointees who are serving in the Media and Publicity directorate to uphold the highest standards of decorum and decency in their engagements with all members of the public.

2. Kyari Meets Tinubu In Aso Rock, Denies Fuel Subsidy Return

The Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, has denied claims that the government has returned fuel subsidy.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu, on May 29, during his inauguration, announced the end of the fuel subsidy regime, saying that the subsidy payment was not captured in the 2023 budget.

But oil marketers and organised Labour have recently alleged that the government had restored the subsidy, contrary to its earlier resolve, claiming that with the removal of the subsidy, fuel pump price stability, despite fluctuations, is unexplainable.

However, speaking with journalists at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, after a meeting with President Tinubu on Monday, Kyari said there is no fuel subsidy and the policy has not been returned.

The NNPCL boss said that the oil company is recovering its full cost from the products that it has imported.

3. FG To Commence Home Delivery Of Nigerian Passports In February 2024

The Federal Government has revealed plans to commence home delivery of Nigerian passports to applicants, Naija News has learned.
This means that Nigerians would not have to queue at any immigration office nationwide for their passports again.

According to the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, from February 2024, passports will be delivered to homes, offices, and other locations.

The minister said this on Monday at the opening ceremony of the International Week of the University Of Lagos, titled, ‘Breaking the Borders of Partnership.’

Tunji-Ojo said that by January next year, Nigerians would be able to complete the application process online.

4. Wike Slams EU Over Report On 2023 Presidential Election

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has faulted the European Union (EU) over its report on the 2023 presidential election.

Wike faulted the report on Monday during a working visit of the EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Samuela Isopi, to his office in Abuja, Naija News reports.

Recall that the European Union Election Observation Mission (EUEOM) had, in its final report submitted in June, faulted the conduct of the last Nigerian general elections.

Speaking during the meeting, Wike said the report did not give the true position of the last election held, especially in Rivers State and in the country but created a wrong impression on the minds of the electorate.

Wike said the EU was supposed to serve as an observer during the last election and not to present a report that would not give the true picture of Nigerian democracy.

The minister, however, said Nigerian laws can’t be the same as those of the EU because they have different environments.

5. Bolanle Raheem: Police Officer Drambi Vandi Sentenced To Death By Hanging

Assistant Superintendent of Police Drambi Vandi is to die by hanging for his role in the death of Lagos lawyer, Bolanle Raheem, the court ruled on Monday, October 9, 2023.
It would be recalled that Raheem was killed on Christmas day last year under questionable circumstances in the Ajah area of Lagos State.

She was said to be returning from church when she was shot and killed by the officer attached to Ajiwe Police Station later identified as ASP Vandi.

Ruling on the matter which attracted national attention when it occurred in 2022, Justice Ibironke Harrison of a Lagos High Court on Monday found the police officer, Darambi Vandi, guilty on a one-count charge of murder and sentenced him to death by hanging for shooting and killing the Lagos-based lawyer, Mrs Omobolanle Raheem at the Ajah underbridge checkpoint on December 25, 2022.

Naija News reports the Lagos state government had taken the matter to court after the Police Force had suspended Vandi following an in-house investigation and according to Justice Harrison on Monday, the case against the suspended officer has been proven beyond all reasonable doubt.

6. ‘Even 1,000 Of Them Can’t Save You’ – Atiku Slams Tinubu Over Appointment Of New Media Aides

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has suggested that President Bola Tinubu is appointing more media aides to help him push propaganda and shore up his reputation among Nigerians.

Atiku however added that Tinubu’s reputation can’t be redeemed even if he hires one thousand media aides.

The PDP flagbearer said this in a statement on Monday by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu in reaction to the appointment of new media aides by President Tinubu.

Shaibu alleged the new appointments are a confirmation of his earlier disclosure of plans by Tinubu to unleash propaganda.

He added that the President is trying to cover up the lies about his academic records and other scandals in the United States.

Reacting to the fresh appointments, Atiku’s aide said not even a thousand media aides can save the reputation of President Tinubu, which is currently drowning in scandals.

7. CBN Denies Viral Report On eNaira

Nigeria’s apex bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has denied reports claiming that the country’s digital currency, eNaira, is a threat to the nation’s financial stability.

Naija News reports that the CBN dismissed such fears in a statement released on Monday by its Director, Corporate Communications, Isa AbdulMumin.

The statement by the apex bank titled ‘eNaira No Threat To Financial Stability,’ read: “The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been drawn to news items on some media platforms traditional and social suggesting that the country Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), the eNaira, is a threat to the nation’s financial stability.

“After reviewing the reports, which appear to have been syndicated, there seems to be a lack of understanding of portions of the Foreword, and some articles, in the bank’s recently released Economics of Digital Currencies: A Book of Readings.

8. Tinubu Receives Briefing From Akume After Allegations Of ‘Disappearing’ From Public Space

The presidency on Monday shared pictures of President Bola Tinubu receiving briefings from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume.

According to the statement from the presidency, the President got a briefing from Akume at his office in the Aso Rock Villa.

The photos were released with the caption: “President Tinubu @officialABAT receives briefing from SGF Akume at The Aso Villa, State House, Abuja | 09 Oct 2023.”

The pictures were shared shortly after fresh questions were raised by concerned Nigerians about the whereabouts of President Tinubu.

9. I Never Said We Should Use Children To Produce Toothpick – Uju Kennedy

The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy has said that reports claiming that she advocated for child labour in her proposition of local toothpick production have no truth in them.

The minister insisted that she has always been a champion of empowering school girls.

Kennedy stated this while responding to reports credited to her where she purportedly proposed that Nigeria models China in the involvement of schoolchildren to produce commodities like toothpicks on Fridays.

Speaking during an appearance on Monday’s edition of Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Kennedy reiterated her commitment to providing vocational training opportunities for children, emphasising that she never suggested using children for toothpick production.

10. ‘I’m Still Around And Well’ – Yakubu Gowon Denies Death Rumours

Former Military Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, has denied media reports claiming that he is dead.

Naija News understands that reports emerged on social media that the former Nigerian leader had died at the age of 89.

But Gowon, in a short statement on Monday night by his spokesman, Adeyeye E. Ajayi, said he is alive, still around and healthy.

The former head of state said he is not in a hurry to die, asking the general public to disregard his rumoured death.

He said: “I am still around and well. I am not in a hurry.”

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