Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Monday, 30th December, 2024

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 30th December, 2024

1. Why Tinubu Govt Couldn’t Fulfill Promise Of 6,000 MW Of Electricity – Power Minister

The Miniter of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has blamed the activities of vandals for the inability of the administration of President Bola Tinubu to actualize its promise to generate 6,000 megawatts of electricity by December 2024.

He, however, added that despite the inability to fulfill the promise, the current administration has made significant progress in the delivery of electricity to Nigerians.

The Minister, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Strategic Communication and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, said approximately 1,000 megawatts had been added since the current administration took office.

Adelabu noted that despite the hindrances, the plan to achieve 6,000 MW of electricity and upgrade power generation remains a priority for the current administration.

Naija News understands the current power generation in Nigeria ranges between 4,000 MW and 4,900 MW from 19 power generation plants.

2. ‘Shameless Procession’ – Atiku Fumes Over Seyi Tinubu’s Military Parade, Demands Probe

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has condemned a military parade involving the son of President Bola Tinubu, Seyi.

Naija News reports that Atiku, in a statement on Sunday through his Media Aide, Paul Ibe, demanded a thorough investigation into the incident and labelled it a gross violation of military tradition.

Atiku expressed outrage over the event, calling it an aberration for any Armed Forces branch to organize a formal parade for a non-designated public figure.

Atiku further questioned the legitimacy of the military-like outfit involved, stating that the so-called “Nigeria Cadet Network” group is not recognized within the Nigerian Armed Forces.

The former Vice President emphasized the disturbing fact that the name “Cadet,” associated with young, formally trained military personnel, was exploited by civilians to tarnish the esteemed traditions of the military.

Atiku stressed that preserving the integrity of the Nigerian Armed Forces is paramount.

3. Do Not Allow Cabals Stop LG Autonomy – NULGE Begs Tinubu

The President of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Hakeem Ambali, has accused the Federation Account Allocation Committee of being responsible for the delay in the direct allocations to local governments.

According to findings by Punch, six months after the Supreme Court granted financial autonomy to local governments in the country, the implementation of the judgment has yet to take effect.

On July 11, 2024, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgment affirming the financial autonomy of the 774 local government areas in the country and prohibiting governors from further control of funds meant for the councils.

The apex court also directed the Accountant-General of the Federation to pay local government allocations directly to their accounts, declaring the non-remittance of funds by the 36 states unconstitutional.

Speaking to the aforementioned publication on Sunday, Ambali urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure that politicians does not frustrate local government autonomy.

4. Why Tinubu, Shettima, Ministers, Others Should Publish Their Assets – SERAP

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to direct the Code of Conduct Bureau to publish his declared assets.

Naija News reports that the organisation, in a statement on Sunday signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, also called on Tinubu to encourage Vice-President Kashim Shettima, ministers, state governors, and National Assembly leaders to follow suit.

SERAP said Tinubu’s immediate action to request the CCB to publish his assets and encourage other government officials to do the same will promote public trust, transparency, and accountability.

The organisation commended Tinubu for his recent statement during his first Presidential Media Chat, in which he indicated that he might request the CCB to release his assets.

However, SERAP urged the President to act swiftly, stating that consideration would carry greater weight if promptly followed by directives.

The organisation highlighted the damaging effects of secrecy surrounding public officials’ asset declarations, describing it as a significant contributor to corruption across all levels of government.

5. Woman Supplying Bello Turji With Weapons Arrested

Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested a 25-year-old woman named Shamsiyya Ahadu, who is believed to be an ammunition courier for criminals, including the camp of notorious bandits kingpin Bello Turji.

Reports obtained by Naija News on Sunday revealed that the suspect was nabbed by forces from Sector 2 Joint Task Force North West, engaged in Operation Fansan Yamma.

Ahadu was taken into custody on December 28, along with her accomplice, a motorcyclist identified as Ahmed Husaini, in the Badarawa region of Shinkafi Local Government Area, according to NAN reports.

During the operation, she was found in possession of 764 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and six magazines intended for delivery to the hideout of the notorious terrorist leader, Bello Turji.

The statement reaffirmed the dedication of the forces to dismantling all terrorist networks and to preventing the illicit movement of arms and ammunition within their area of operations.

6. Wike Blasts Odili For Failing To Play Fatherly Role In Rivers Crisis

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has accused the former Governor of Rivers State, Peter Odili, of failing to play a fatherly role in solving the issues in the state.

Speaking on Sunday in Port Harcourt during a thanksgiving service for the speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, Wike claimed Odili was biased for choosing to support Fubara.

The thanksgiving service was held at the Church of the Holy Spirit Anglican Church, Port Harcourt, in honour of Amaewhule.

In attendance were top politicians from across party lines, including APC South-South National Vice Chairman Victor Giadom, Rivers PDP Chairman, Aron Chukwuemeka, amongst other dignitaries.

The speaker expresses gratitude to God for his political journey so far in his address.

In his address, the FCT minister addressed the political crisis in the state. He aimed at the former governor Peter Odili, whom he accused of taking sides with Fubara against him.

Wike further highlighted some of the things he did for Odili and wondered why the former governor was biased against him.

7. ‘Saraki Betrayed Me Despite Playing Crucial Role In His Emergence As Senate President’ – Ndume

Senator representing Borno South, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has revealed that former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, allegedly betrayed him despite rallying support for his emergence as the 8th Senate President.

Naija News reports that Ndume made this known while speaking to Deutsche Welle (DW) Hausa service.

He recounted how he was suspended from the 8th Senate without salary and removed as Chief Whip in the 10th Senate for speaking the truth.

The lawmaker also expressed concerns that despite his unrelenting commitment to improving the welfare of the poor people in the country, their situation remains dire, lamenting that democracy has lost its essence in the country.

8. PDP Makes Demand Over Mistaken Sokoto Military Bombing

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has demanded an investigation into circumstances that led to the killing of innocent civilians in Sokoto State during a recent military operation.

The PDP also demanded compensation for the families of victims of the accidental airstrike and adequate medical attention for the speedy recovery of the wounded.

The position of the party was made known in a statement on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba.

It would be recalled that not less than ten villagers were mistakenly killed during an accidental airstrike which affected civilians in Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa villages of Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State during an operation against Lakurawa terrorists by the military.

The PDP described the incident as unfortunate and urged that steps be taken to avoid future occurrences.

The party commiserated with the government and people of Sokoto over the sad development and urged the military not to relent in its efforts at fighting terrorism in the country but to be more professional.

9. Afe Babalola: ‘My Battle Axes Are Newly Sharpened, I Am Ready For War’ – Dele Farotimi Boasts

Embattled human rights activist, Dele Farotimi, has stated that he remains undaunted in the face of his ongoing defamation trial.

Naija News reports that a few weeks ago, a Chief Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti had granted Farotimi ₦30 million bail.

The lawyer was arrested for allegedly defaming Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, ABUAD.

Farotimi was subsequently freed after meeting his bail conditions.

Speaking via a post on his X account on Sunday, Farotimi said his battle axes had been sharpened, his guns primed, and he is ready for war.

He boasted that he was strong enough to confront principalities and powers but also human enough to express gratitude to God for the efforts of those who helped him through his predicament.

10. Do Not Provoke Nigeria’s Wrath With Your Absurd Assertions – Fani-Kayode Warns Niger Republic

Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has said that Nigeria does not need to seek support from France and Lakurawa terrorists to destabilize Niger Republic.

He stated this while reacting to claims by President Tchiani of Nigeria Republic that President Bola Tinubu was conniving with France to destabilize his country.

Speaking via his X account on Sunday, Fani-Kayode asserted that Nigeria is not part of the Western powers sponsoring terrorist organizations to wretch havoc on the West African sub-region.

He insisted that Nigeria has been the victim of major terrorist attacks and no president in the country would indulge in such a dangerous act.

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