Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Friday, 10th November, 2023

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

1. Tinubu Upon Arrival In Saudi Arabia, Signs MoU For Cooperation In Oil, Gas Sectors

President Bola Tinubu upon his arrival in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday, signed preliminary agreements on energy-related cooperation.

The Minister of Energy in Saudi Arabia, Abdulaziz bin Salman, confirmed the development.

Salman disclosed this during the Saudi-Arab-African economic conference in Riyadh.

At the meeting, Salman also met with Heineken Lokpopiri, Nigeria’s Minister of state for petroleum resources.

Global oil and gas stakeholders, at the event, discussed the conditions and stability of the petroleum market, as well as topics of common interest in the field of energy.

Speaking on partnerships with African countries, the minister of finance in Saudi, Mohammed Al-Jadaan, said the Saudi Fund for Development would sign agreements worth two billion riyals ($533 million) with countries in the region.

2. Any Appointee Who Shuns Senate Invitation Will Lose Their Job — Akpabio

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said any appointee of President Bola Tinubu who fails to honour the summons and invitation of the Senate will lose his or her job.

Akpabio stated that the Red Chamber under his watch was determined to draw a battle line with heads of Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) who ignored the summons of its Committees.

Akpabio issued the threat on Thursday while speaking at the public hearing on the 2024-2026 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) at the Senate.

He maintained that the interactive session with Heads of MDAs and the Chief Executive Officers of the revenue-generating officers was strategic and very important, saying that any serious appointee who wants President Bola Tinubu to succeed must be present.

The Senate President revealed that his leadership would convey its disaffection to the President on any head of federal agency who refused to appear before the Senate Joint Committees.

3. ‘It’s Troubling’ – Peter Obi Faults Allocation Of N60 Billion For Purchase Of SUVs For Lawmakers

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has condemned the purchase of Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) for members of the National Assembly.

Naija News reports that members of the National Assembly have come under heavy backlash over the purchase of SUVs valued at N160m for 469 lawmakers despite the economic situation in the country.

In a statement released via his X handle on Thursday, Obi said the recent expenditure of N60 billion for the purchase of SUV vehicles for federal lawmakers is part of a troubling trend in the nation.

The LP flagbearer said the federal government has continued to abandon the critical areas of development measurement while spending resources on needless luxury and creating comforts for those elected to serve the people.

The former Governor of Anambra State said allocating such a huge amount, which is more than what was allocated to Primary Health Care, is nothing but troubling.

Obi said with proper negotiation, part of the funds would have given them locally manufactured SUV vehicles from Innoson Motors or any local auto assembly plant to help boost the economy and create and retain jobs.

4. Labour Party Speaks On Withdrawing From Bayelsa Governorship Contest

The Labour Party (LP) has denied reports that the party has withdrawn from the Bayelsa State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, November 11, 2023.

The party also denied claims that it is now supporting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate and incumbent Governor, Duoye Diri for Saturday’s election.

The clarification follows an earlier allegation by the LP candidate in the forthcoming elections, Udengs Eradiri who claimed in an interview with Arise TV on Thursday that the party’s leadership in the state are backing Governor Diri.

Some other reports said the LP has broken into four factions.

Reacting to the reports, however, the Labour Party’s national publicity secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said there is no truth in such reports, adding that the LP is very much in the race and is in it to win.

He also denied any form of alliance with the PDP and Governor Diri.

5. Wike Remains My Oga, Rift Now In The Past – Fubara

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State on Thursday met with his predecessor in office and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Naija News reports the two leaders met and exchanged pleasantries in Port Harcourt, the State capital at the rededication service of the 2023/2024 Legal Year. The event was held at the Saint Cyprian’s Anglican Church, Hospital Road in the state capital.

It was the first time both politicians would be meeting in public since the political crisis in the state.

Speaking at the event, Fubara pledged his loyalty to his predecessor, maintaining he (Wike) remains his principal.

He described the recent political crisis in the state as a thing of the past, calling again for peace in the oil-rich state. Fubara noted that Rivers State can if the actors and their supporters are peaceful.

6. Ajaero: ‘Do Not Allow The Labour Party To Destroy The Labour Movement’ – Keyamo Warns As NLC Disrupts Flights In Abuja

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has warned the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) against disrupting flight operations in the country.

Keyamo said disruption of flight activities would affect both foreigners and locals and paint the country in a bad light.

Speaking on Thursday at the Ministerial Retreat of the Ministry in Effurun, Uvwie local government area of Delta State. the Aviation Minister said the sector was not involved in the saga which resulted in the recent beating of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), President, Joe Ajaero in Imo State.

He added that the Labour Movement must resist the urge to destroy themselves on the platform of politics because there is a difference between the Labour Movement and the Labour Party (LP) and stakeholders must learn to distinguish between labour activities and political activities.

While condemning the manhandling of Ajaero in Imo, Keyamo appealed to the labour leaders not to mix up politics with the labour movement as what is currently happening is pure politics and not a fight for workers.

7. Tinubu Govt Replies Peter Obi Over Observations On 2023 Supplementary Budget

The Federal Government has faulted the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, over his observations on the 2023 Supplementary Budget.

Recall that Obi, in a statement via his X handle on Wednesday, 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 and 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.

But in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the 2023 supplementary budget is a bold and pragmatic response to address the current economic challenges.

Idris, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Rabiu Ibrahim, said highlights of the budget included allocations for essential sectors including security; agriculture and food security, works and housing, wage increase for workers, student loan schemes and social safety nets, among others.

The minister stressed that all the items in the budget are aimed at strengthening the country’s economic foundation and improving the living conditions of Nigerians.

8. There Are Plans By Hoodlums To Disrupt Saturday’s Elections – Nigerian Military

The Nigerian Military has raised an alarm over plans by some criminals to disrupt the off-cycle governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba who made this known during a press briefing on Thursday in Abuja, said the hoodlums plan to disguise as legitimate military troops to perpetrate evil during the Saturday, November 14 governorship polls.

He however warned those with such plans to jettison them or face the consequences of their actions as no individual or group would be allowed to disrupt the elections in the three states.

The military spokesperson reiterated the readiness of the armed forces to provide adequate security and ensure a free, fair, and credible election on Saturday.

9. Strike: ‘I Have A Cordial Relationship With NLC In Imo’ – Uzodinma Insists, Accuses Ajaero Of Partisanship

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma on Thursday insisted that he has a cordial relationship with the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

Maintaining his stand while speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Thursday, the Imo state governor said he was surprised to hear that there is a dispute between the state chapter of the NLC and his government.

“I’m surprised to hear that there is a showdown between the government of Imo state and the Nigeria Labour Congress. I do not think it is correct because there is no conflict, the relationship of that of my government and the Nigeria Labour Congress in Imo state is very cordial, all i have heard is that the national leadership, the president of the Nigeria Labour congress continue to issue threats; how he will shut Imo state down, how he will occupy Imo, how he would make life unbearable for Imo citizens, I’ve not been given the opportunity to understand the reason behind all this threats,” Mr Uzodinma said.

The governor also accused Ajaero of being a member of the opposition Labour Party.

His comment comes as the NLC and Trade Union Congress shut down economic activities in the state over the treatment meted on the union’s president.

10. Remi Tinubu Wants More Women To Join, Advance In Rank Within Nigeria’s Military

First lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has called for the need for more women to join and advance in rank in the Nigerian military.

In a statement by the special adviser to the first lady on media and publicity, Busola Kukoyi, the first lady explained that gender equality was needed in addressing complex security challenges.

Kukoyi, in the statement, detailed that the first lady made the call while speaking at the gender mainstreaming conference of the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

Represented by the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, the first lady called for the need to integrate gender perspective into security policies, urging women to join and advance in rank within the armed forces.

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