Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Thursday, 9th November, 2023

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 9th November 2023.

1. Tinubu Signs 2023 Supplementary Budget Into Law

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday signed the 2.17 trillion naira 2023 supplementary budget into law.

Naija News reports that the signing was carried out by President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Alongside the President during the signing of the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Act at the State House this afternoon were the president of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass.

Others standing with the president at the brief signing ceremony, which was held in his office, included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; and Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji.

Others at the signing were Senate Leader, Sen Opeyemi Bamidele; and the chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Sen Olamilakan Adeola.

2. No One Should Refuse Accepting Old Naira Notes As Means Of Payment- CBN

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has told Nigerians to continue collecting old and new Naira notes, reiterating that all banknotes remain legal tender.

The apex bank’s comment comes as Nigerians continue to scramble for new notes ahead of the December 31st date fixed during the previous administration to phase out the old naira note.

“For the avoidance of doubt, while reiterating that there are sufficient banknotes across the country for all normal economic activity, we wish to state unambiguously that every banknote issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) remains legal tender and should not be rejected by anyone as stipulated in Section 20 (5) of the CBN Act,2007,” the statement partly read.

Clarifying that both the old and new note remains legal tender in a statement on Wednesday, the apex bank disclosed that all branches of CBN across the country had been directed to continue issuing different denominations of both the old notes and the redesigned ones to deposit money banks.

3. President Tinubu Gives Update On Conducting National Population Census

The National Population Commission (NPC), on Wednesday, received support from President Bola Tinubu.

The President promised to support NPC to conduct the botched census in the country.

The President gave the assurance at the launch of the National Geospatial Data Repository, Digital CRVS System and inauguration of the National Coordination Committee for CRVS at the Presidential Villa Abuja.

Tinubu while calling for collaboration among Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government, underscored the relevance of data to national growth.

He called on the census experts to deploy cutting-edge technology in gathering data on Nigeria’s population.

According to the President, the nation cannot afford to lag behind in efficient data sourcing.

Tinubu noted that Nigeria has a lot to be grateful for because it is not prone to natural disasters.

4. Peter Obi Makes Observations On 2023 Supplementary Budget

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has made some observations about the 2023 supplementary budget.

It was earlier reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the N2.17 trillion 2023 supplementary budget into law.

Items in the supplementary budget include the controversial N5 billion allocated for a Presidential Yacht. N605bn was earmarked for security, to further enhance the capacity of the armed forces and security agencies to address current and emerging security challenges nationwide.

Other items include N5.5bn for the student loan scheme and over N616bn in wage awards for civil servants to augment the heightened cost of living post-subsidy.

In a statement issued via his X account on Wednesday, Obi said the most pressing national needs and emergencies have not featured in the supplementary budget.

The LP flagbearer said no budget was made to fight hunger in the country after the United Nations (UN) and World Food Programme recently alerted that up to 6.5 million Nigerians will go hungry next year.

Obi also noted that no fund was earmarked for urgent social welfare in the supplementary budget, saying that the items being made to dominate public discourse on the budget include a mysterious Presidential yacht, and official vehicles among others.

He stated that the Bola Tinubu government’s overall attitude does not indicate that it is aware that the country is in a huge crisis, nor is it in tune with the plight of all Nigerians.

5. Tinubu Set For Saudi-Africa Summit

President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, will depart Abuja for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to attend the Saudi-Africa Summit.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, disclosed this on Wednesday,

Ngelale noted that the Summit is scheduled for November 10, 2023.

He revealed that the President at the Summit will underscore Nigeria’s commitment to attracting more Foreign Direct Investment and expanding business partnerships, strongly reinforced by his administration’s ongoing domestic economic reforms.

Also, discussions at the first Saudi-Africa Summit will revolve around supporting joint actions, enhancing political coordination, addressing regional security threats, and facilitating economic transformation through research and the local development of new energy solutions, all while bolstering cross-sectoral investment cooperation.

6. Court Grants Former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele Bail

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Maitama on Wednesday, granted the embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele bail.
Emefiele was granted bail by Justice Olukayode Adeniyi who noted that there must be an end to detention without trial.

Justice Adeniyi ordered the federal government to release Emefiele to his lawyers. He also instructed lawyers for the former CBN Governor to deposit his passport in court.

He however instructed his lawyers to produce him in court on November 15 when he is scheduled to be arraigned before another judge of the High Court of the FCT in a charge earlier filed by the EFCC against him and one other person.

7. Ajaero: All Flights To Imo Banned, Uzodimma Declared Persona Non-Grata

All flights to Owerri, Imo State, from airports across Nigeria have been blacklisted by the unions in the aviation industry.

The action follows a joint directive by the Labour Union, which consists of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), in response to the brutalisation of the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, in Owerri last week.

The joint statement issued by the aviation unions, which include the National Union Of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots And Engineers (NAAPE), confirms this decision.

The joint statement by their General-Secretaries, including Comrades Ocheme Aba; NUATE, Frances Akinjole; ATSSSAN, Abdul Rasaq Saidu; ANAP and Umoh Ofonime, NAAPE, also declared Governor Hope Uzodimma persona non grata in all airports.

8. Presidency Replies Peter Obi Over Observations On 2023 Budget

The Presidency has replied to the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, over his observations on the 2023 Supplementary Budget.

Naija News earlier reported that Obi, in a statement via his X handle, said the 2023 supplementary budget did not reflect mostly pressing national needs and emergencies of national welfare.

The LP flagbearer said no budget was made to fight hunger in the country after the United Nations (UN) and World Food Programme recently alerted that up to 6.5 million Nigerians will go hungry next year.

Obi also noted that no fund was earmarked for urgent social welfare in the supplementary budget, saying that the items that dominated public discourse on the budget include a mysterious Presidential yacht, and official vehicles among others.

He stated that the Bola Tinubu government’s overall attitude does not indicate that it is aware that the country is in a huge crisis, nor is the government in tune with the plight of the generality of the people.

Reacting in a series of posts via his X account, presidential aide, Dada Olusegun, advised Obi to always perform due diligence before critiquing government actions moving forward to establish a credible opposition.

Olusegun said the National Security and Defense received an allocation of N605 billion in the overall budget to fight insecurity and N400 billion was designated for Cash Transfers to Households, aimed at mitigating subsidies’ effects and granting credit access to market women.

The presidential aide stated that N210 billion was earmarked for wage awards for federal government workers and N200 billion was set aside for Agricultural Inputs and Infrastructure, including support for dry season farming beginning next week.

9. Those Who Opposed Tinubu’s Emergence Now Getting FG Appointments – Lukman Calls Out Uzodinma, Others

Former National Vice Chairman, North West of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman has lamented that some people who did not support the emergence of Bola Tinubu as the APC presidential candidate are now getting choice appointments from the federal government.
Specifically, he called out the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma who is also the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum.

According to him, Uzodinma financed the attempt to manipulate the emergence of Sen. Ahmed Lawan as the consensus presidential candidate of the APC against Bola Tinubu.

The APC chieftain in a lengthy statement on Wednesday also accused President Tinubu of not relating well with party members and leaders since getting into office, accusing some of his aides of blocking access to him.

Lukman in the statement titled “Agonising Experience of Being APC Member; Message to APC Leaders,” said he has made attempts to reach out to some people close to Tinubu so the President can prioritise reforming the APC however noted that his attempts have been unsuccessful.

10. INEC Is Facing Legitimacy Crisis After 2023 Elections – Kukah

The convener of the National Peace Committee, Bishop Matthew Kukah, has said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is facing a legitimacy crisis after the 2023 elections.

Kukah, speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, stated that to pave the way for a better future, the electoral body must address errors of the past.

Kukah highlighted that trust is essential in the conduct of elections, and institutions entrusted with this responsibility should function in a way that commands respect.

The cleric also called for greater focus on national issues and improving institutions in the country in light of the 2023 electoral process.

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