Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Sunday, 22nd October, 2023

Good morning Nigeria, Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Sunday, 22nd, October 2023.

FG Reveals Nigerians Who Will Not Enjoy Cash Transfer, CBN Begins Payment (Full List)

The Federal Government is set to commence cash transfers in the country to alleviate poverty across Nigeria.

Naija News understands that President Bola Tinubu-led government would transfer the money directly to the beneficiaries through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and not through consultants.

The first batch of bulk payments would begin next week for five million households.

The Conditional Cash Transfer scheme is part of the National Social Investment Programme of the Federal Government, which is a project created to change the lives of millions of Nigerians living in extreme poverty, upgrade their standards of living and improve the economy.

Wike: Ohanaeze Fumes, Accuses Gumi Of Instigating Threat To National Security

The Chidi Ibeh-led faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has accused popular Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, of instigating a religious war in the country with his recent outburst on Christians and the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Naija News reports that Gumi had earlier this week said it was dangerous to entrust Nigeria’s national security to Christians and Southerners.

He asserted while condemning Wike for receiving the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria in his office and planning to collaborate with Israel over security issues in Abuja.

Gumi also accused the FTC Minister of planning to make Abuja an extension of Tel Aviv, stressing that bearded Muslims in the city would be tagged Osama Bin Ladin and killed.

Commands, Formations On Alert As IGP Condemns Benue Bank Robbery, Killings

The Acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has strongly condemned the recent armed bank robbery in Otukpo, Benue State, which resulted in the tragic loss of lives of both Police Officers and innocent civilians.

Naija News reports that daredevil armed robbers had attacked some banks in Otukpo, Benue State, on Friday, killing three police officers and some civilians.

In a statement on Saturday, Police Spokesman, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, described the killing as an assault on the principles of peace, security, and justice that the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies work tirelessly to uphold.

According to him, the IGP extended his heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims affected by this senseless act of violence.

NURTW Crisis: You Are Jeopardising Our Reconciliation Process, Stop Supporting Lawlessness – Baruwa To Lalong

The president of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Tajudeen Baruwa has accused the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong of exhibiting bias in the ongoing reconciliation process.

Baruwa claimed that Lalong is favouring the Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede-led faction of the Union.

He made the allegation via a statement issued by the General Secretary of the Union, Comrade Anthony Asogwa Chukwudi, in Abuja.

Baruwa stated that the Minister held a secret meeting with the Agbede faction of the Union on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, and allegedly advised them to arrange a fresh National Quadrennial Delegates Conference.

Proposed N160 Million SUVs For Lawmakers Violate RMAFC’s Law – Reports

National Assembly’s proposed N160 million Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) for legislators violates the prescribed package for lawmakers by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), findings revealed.

Naija News reports that there have been a series of controversies over the planned vehicle acquisition, considering the current economic situation in the country.

However, despite the opposition both in the political space and by concerned Nigerians, the National Assembly has maintained it is buying “operational vehicles” for all the 469 members.

The federal lawmakers are said to have rejected cheaper Sedan and Salon cars and chosen instead expensive luxury sport utility vehicles (SUVs), thereby violating the revenue package put together for them and other public office holders by the RMAFC.

‘Tinubu Reveals What Would Have Happened If Fuel Subsidy Was Not Removed’

President Bola Tinubu, on Friday, revealed that the policies and programmes of his administration are aimed at achieving a fairer, better and honest society.

The President stated this while speaking during an audience with a delegation of South-West Muslim faithful, led by Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to Tinubu, sacrifice is needed for the country to make progress.

Tinubu further stated that Nigeria would have collapsed if the fuel subsidy had not been removed.

We Are Struggling To Pay Salaries, There Is No Money Anywhere – FG

The Federal Government has announced that it is experiencing enormous challenges and revenue deficit amid a growing population.

The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu said that the government is finding it hard to pay salaries.

Speaking in Abuja, the Minister called on non-governmental organisations to help the government cover the spaces it could not.

Bagudu, represented by the ministry’s Director of International Cooperation, Dr. Sampson Ebimaro, lamented that Nigeria’s population is fast increasing, adding that unemployment is surging amid a high inflation rate.

Israeli Govt Shuts Down Al Jazeera Office Over Reports On Hamas War

The Israeli government has reportedly approved emergency regulations that grant the authority to close the office of Al Jazeera news channel in Israel.

These regulations, Naija News learnt, also allow for the confiscation of all equipment belonging to the news channel. Israeli public broadcaster, KAN, noted in a publication on Saturday that the Al Jazeera office is facing strict action due to concerns that its coverage poses a threat to Israel’s national security.

The Israeli i24 news website has also quoted an Israeli statement claiming that Al Jazeera broadcasts propaganda in support of Hamas in both Arabic and English, reaching audiences worldwide.

Though Al Jazeera has refuted these allegations, it has yet to respond to the latest decision made by the Israeli government as of the time of filing this report.

NURTW: It Is Not Correct To Make Such Suggestion – Lalong Tackles NLC

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, has rejected claims by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) that he (Lalong) is taking sides in the dispute between factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

Recall that the NLC had on Thursday, in a statement issued by its General Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Ugbaja, accused the Minister of violating the agreement by supporting a faction of the NURTW against a democratically elected leadership of the Union. The Labour Centre had vowed to resist any attempt to impose another leadership on the NURTW.

Ugboaja lamented that the factional union is bent on sabotaging the recently ratified agreement between the Labour movement and the federal government.

The NLC wondered how a Federal Minister of Labour, tasked with safeguarding the rights and interests of diverse economic stakeholders, would take actions that could undermine the very foundations of collective engagement.

IRev: There Would Not Be Glitches In Result Upload For Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi Polls – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Friday, vowed that there will be no glitches in the upload of results for the Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi governorship elections on the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

Naija News recalls that the upload of results was a major issue in the 2023 elections, which INEC attributed to technical difficulties.

The Chief Press Secretary of the electoral body, Rotimi Oyekanmi, in an interview on Channels TV stated that there would not be a glitch.

He said, “We have been using the IReV for all governorship elections, but it [2023] was the first time we deployed it for the general election setting. Well, we had a glitch for some hours, and we fixed it. But I can assure you that this time around we are not going to have glitches.

“I can affirm that those technical issues have been resolved. Last week, we undertook the mock accreditation, and one of the reasons we did that was to test run these technology gadgets we were going to use, and it was successful.”

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