Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Saturday, 31st August, 2024

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Saturday, 31st August 2024.

1. Again, Police Summon NLC President, Ajaero, Scribe

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, and the General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, have been summoned by the Nigeria Police Force to appear at the Force Headquarters on September 5, 2024.

This fresh summons comes less than 24 hours after Ajaero honoured a previous police invitation related to allegations of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.

This time, the police are summoning both Ajaero and Ugboaja to respond to allegations of criminal intimidation, conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace and malicious damage to properties.

The invitation is reportedly issued by the Force Intelligence Department (FID) of the Nigeria Police Force.

This development signals an escalating tension between the NLC leadership and the Nigerian authorities, as the union has been at the forefront of challenging government policies and actions that it deems detrimental to Nigerian workers and the general public.

Naija News recalls that Ajaero was accompanied by Femi Falana (SAN), Marshal Abubakar, Deji Adeyanju, and several senior officials from the NLC to respond to the police invitation on Thursday.

2. Court Orders INEC To Recognise Imumolen As Accord Party Chairman

An Abuja High Court, under the leadership of Justice M. M. Adamu, has mandated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to acknowledge Christopher Imumolen as the National Chairman of the Accord Party.

This order is in effect until the court hears and resolves a case brought forth by Imumolen and twelve additional party officials against Maxwell Mgbudem and thirteen others.

In a ruling on a motion ex parte presented by Christopher Okonkwo, the legal representative for the applicants, the court instructed the defendants to cease presenting themselves as the national executive committee of the Accord Party until the main case is adjudicated.

Furthermore, the court has prohibited the defendants from organizing any state or local government congresses for the Accord Party.

The defendants named in the lawsuit include Mgbudem, INEC, the Inspector General of Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and ten others.

The hearing is scheduled for September 2, 2024.

3. Victor Osimhen Makes Major Decision On His Future

Super Eagles of Nigeria forward, Victor Osimhen, has made a significant decision regarding his future in the world of football as the summer transfer window in major leagues across Europe closed.

After intense negotiations with both Chelsea and Saudi Pro League club, Al Ahli, Victor Osimhen has ultimately chosen to remain with Napoli.

Chelsea’s interest in Osimhen arose from their desire to address their scoring woes, but they were unable to meet the wage demands of the highly sought-after Nigerian striker.

In their quest to bolster their attacking options, Chelsea had also pursued Ivan Toney from Brentford, but this move also failed to materialize, with Toney moving to Al Ahli.

Despite Victor Osimhen’s previous agreement with Al Ahli, a transfer to the Saudi Arabian club couldn’t be completed due to a failure to reach an agreement with Napoli over the transfer fee. Furthermore, reports indicate that Chelsea offered a weekly wage of £130,000 to Osimhen, but the player declined the offer.

Reports claimed that Napoli manager Antonio Conte may be hesitant to work with Victor Osimhen, which influenced the club’s decision to secure the services of Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea.

As the future unfolds, whether Victor Osimhen will move to Saudi Arabia remains to be seen, considering that the 2024 summer transfer window in the Middle East closes on October 6, 2024.

Amid the uncertainty about his future, Osimhen has been notably absent from Napoli’s matchday squad for the opening two games of the 2024-2025 Serie A season.

4. Get The Economy Working For The People, Nigerians Care More About Bread And Butter – Donald Duke To Tinubu

Former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, has urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to reconsider some of his economic policies.
Duke noted that whatever policy the government is implementing should be about the people first.

Speaking as a guest on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, which was aired on Channels Television on Friday, the former Governor said President Tinubu made the “fundamental error” of removing subsidies on petrol and electricity at almost the same period.

He stressed the need for the government to make the economy work for the people.

“What we are doing to our people is just not sustainable. We’ve got to revisit all those policies and put our people first. And this is not (about) subsidy, this is about enhancing the productivity of our people.

“If you reduce energy prices and people become more productive, the economy will grow even further,” he said.

Duke identified the factors driving inflation in Nigeria to include high energy costs, over-inflated contracts, ill-distribution of wealth and high interest rates.

According to him, most Nigerians care about their daily bread and butter more than the act of governance, so it is the responsibility of those in power to ensure that the citizens are okay.

5. ‘A Thousand Bode George Cannot Stop Atiku From Becoming President’ – Timi Frank

A former deputy national publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, says a thousand Bode George cannot stop Atiku Abubakar from becoming Nigeria’s next president if God wills.

Naija News reports that Frank made this statement in response to a recent remark about Atiku by the former Deputy National Chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

George had recently spoken about the political aspirations of former Vice President Atiku.

George suggested that Atiku postpone his presidential ambitions until 2031, as the PDP is expected to nominate a southern candidate for the 2027 elections.

In contrast, Frank rejected George’s counsel, accusing him of exceeding his authority and indulging in self-deception.

Frank emphasized that no level of opposition from George or any other individual could thwart Atiku’s potential rise to the presidency of Nigeria if it is divinely ordained.

He said: “How can a man living at the mercy of the Supreme Court assume the position of God?”

Frank questioned, referencing George’s past conviction by a Lagos High Court in 2009 on charges of abuse of office and contract splitting during his tenure as chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority.

Despite George’s acquittal by the Supreme Court in 2013, Frank contended that this background renders him unfit to make definitive statements regarding the nation’s future leadership.

6. Hardship: Tinubu Is Tightening Belt Around Neck Of Nigerians – Adebayo

A former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (PDP), Adewole Adebayo, has slammed President Bola Tinubu for his economic policy choices.
Adewole Adebayo accused President Tinubu of living large while he asked citizens to endure the economic hardship caused by his administration’s policies.

In an interview with Arise TV on Thursday, Adebayo explained that Nigerians should not be made to choose to have the basic necessities of life because of the government’s economic policies.

He emphasized that blaming former President Muhammadu Buhari‘s administration for the current hardship in the country was unfounded.

7. Naija News Set To Launch YouTube Channel

Nigeria’s topmost online newspaper, Naija News is set to take the media space by storm with the launch of its own YouTube channel.

The launch of Naija News YouTube channel is a significant milestone in our mission to revolutionize the way Nigerians consume news.

In today’s digital age, video content has become an essential tool for news dissemination, and we are excited to join the ranks of forward-thinking news organizations leveraging this powerful medium.

The Naija News YouTube channel will offer a unique blend of news analysis, in-depth reporting, and engaging discussions on current events, politics, entertainment, and more.

Our team of experienced journalists and experts will provide insightful commentary and thought-provoking perspectives, ensuring that our audience stays informed and up-to-date on the latest developments.

The importance of a YouTube channel for a news organization like Naija News cannot be overstated.

In an era where fake news and misinformation run rampant, it’s crucial to have a trusted source of information that can reach a wider audience.

Our channel will provide an additional platform for us to share our stories, amplify marginalized voices, and hold those in power accountable.

Speaking on the launch of the YouTube channel, Naija News Online Editor, Ogbolu George, said: “Video content has been shown to be more engaging and memorable than text-based news, making it an ideal medium for storytelling and news presentation.

“Our channel will feature a mix of live streams, documentaries, interviews, and explainer videos as we move forward, all designed to educate, entertain, and inspire our viewers.”

8. ‘Eight Cities Where Government Still Pays Fuel Subsidy Despite Denial’ (Details)

In a surprising revelation, the Nigerian government is reportedly paying an average of ₦501.47 as a subsidy on each litre of petrol in at least eight cities across the country, according to a pricing framework obtained by Premium Times.

This disclosure comes amid the government’s continued denial of reintroducing fuel subsidies after President Bola Tinubu announced their removal in May 2023.

The review of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) data pricing for a trading day on 21 August 2024 revealed the extent of the hidden subsidy, which contradicts the government’s earlier stance on ending the costly practice.

Tinubu, in his inaugural speech on 29 May 2023, declared the removal of the subsidy to alleviate a significant financial burden on the government.

This decision led to an immediate increase in fuel prices from ₦197 to between ₦480 and ₦570 per litre, resulting in widespread economic hardship as transportation costs and the prices of goods and services soared.

In July 2023, the petrol pump price was further raised to ₦617 per litre at Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) outlets nationwide.

However, recent reports indicate that the government has quietly reintroduced a subsidy to maintain the pump price at this level, despite the depreciating naira and rising international crude oil prices.

This has led to increased public scrutiny and concerns over the government’s transparency regarding fuel subsidy management.

Despite these reports, the government has consistently denied the existence of any ongoing fuel subsidy, maintaining that the removal was a necessary move to promote long-term energy security and economic prosperity in Nigeria.

The revelation of the continued subsidy payments raises questions about the government’s commitment to its policy of subsidy removal and its implications for the Nigerian economy.

However, PMS pricing framework trading data obtained exclusively by this newspaper shows that the government pays an average of ₦501.4 for each litre of petrol in eight Nigerian cities.

9. BUA Boss, Rabiu Reveals People Who Frustrated Plan To Sell Cement For ₦3,500

The Chairman of BUA Cement, AbdulSamad Rabiu, has revealed that efforts by his company to reduce the cost of cement to ₦3,500 per bag last year were undermined by cement dealers.

Speaking at the 8th Annual General Meeting of the company in Abuja, Rabiu expressed his frustration over the inability to control the final market price of cement despite the company’s initiative.

According to Rabiu, BUA Cement sold over a million tons of cement to dealers at the reduced price of ₦3,500 per bag, with the expectation that these savings would be passed on to consumers.

However, he disclosed that instead of adhering to this plan, the dealers sold the cement to end-users at prices ranging between ₦7,000 and ₦8,000 per bag, significantly higher than intended.

Rabiu noted that the company ultimately had to abandon the policy, stating that their intention was not to subsidize dealers but to provide affordable cement to consumers.

He also highlighted that external factors such as the devaluation of the Naira and the removal of fuel subsidies further complicated the implementation of the pricing policy, making it unsustainable.

Despite these challenges, Rabiu reiterated BUA Cement’s commitment to exploring ways to make cement more affordable for Nigerians.

10. 2027 Elections: Shehu Sani Pushes For Southern Presidency, Urges North To Wait

Former federal lawmaker who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th Senate, Senator Shehu Sani, has offered his perspective on President Bola Tinubu’s potential re-election bid in 2027.

In a recent interview with The Punch in Kaduna State, Sani argued that candidates from the southern region should contest the 2027 election, suggesting that the North could then produce the president in 2031.

Sani emphasized that the Nigerian Constitution grants every citizen the right to contest elections and that this right applies to any region of the country.

Sani also pointed out that it would be just for the North to support Tinubu, given the support Tinubu had previously offered the North.

He recalled that Tinubu’s alliance with former President Muhammadu Buhari was instrumental in Buhari’s eventual victory after several unsuccessful attempts.

Sani argued that the North’s eagerness to return to power in 2027, as exhibited by some political elites, was driven by personal ambitions rather than the region’s interests.

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