Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Tuesday, 21st January, 2025

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 21st January, 2025

1. Tinubu Govt Approves 50% Tariff Increase For Telecommunications Operators

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has granted approval for tariff adjustment requests by Network Operators in response to prevailing market conditions.

Naija News reports that this was made known in a statement on Monday by NCC Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka.

The adjustment, capped at a maximum of 50 percent of current tariffs, though lower than the over 100 percent requested by some network operators, was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability.

These adjustments will remain within the tariff bands stipulated in the 2013 NCC Cost Study, and requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis as is the Commission’s standard practice for tariff reviews. It will be implemented in strict adherence to the recently issued NCC Guidance on Tariff Simplification, 2024.

2. Suleja Tanker Explosion: Victims Moved To Tertiary Medical Centres After President Tinubu’s Directive

Victims of the Suleja petrol tanker explosion have been moved to tertiary medical centres for enhanced care in line with an earlier directive by President Bola Tinubu.

The Special Assistant to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed on Media, Rabiu Ibrahim, confirmed the development in a statement made available to Naija News on Monday.

He disclosed that 20 patients have been admitted to Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital in Abuja, while two additional patients have been transferred to the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, Abuja.

The statement added that the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide timely updates to Nigerians.

Recall the President had, on Sunday, expressed worry over the unfortunate tanker fire incident and ordered the movement of the victims to tertiary healthcare facilities for enhanced welfare.

3. ‘I Will Expect A Man Of His Calibre To Mind His Words’ – Wabara Warns Wike

Former Senate President and Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, Adolphus Wabara, has responded to comments made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, describing them as unguarded and disrespectful.

Wike, during a live television interview on Sunday, had disparaged Wabara while discussing the leadership crisis within the PDP.

Reacting to the comments, Wabara said it would be beneath him to engage in a public exchange with Wike, citing his status as a former Number Three Citizen of Nigeria.

The former Senate President, however, said that he had expected the FCT Minister to refrain from unguarded utterances, at least as a mark of respect for the position “he occupies as a Minister of the Federal Republic, and as a former Governor.”

Wabara said it was disgraceful for a supposed man of honour to speak without decorum, adding that spewing gibberish like a broken water pipe without a tap is not a mark of maturity.

Naija News reports that Wabara, who distanced himself from corruption, said, “I will expect a man of his calibre and status to mind his language and words.

4. Again, Lawmakers Summon Edun, Bagudu Over ₦9 Billion Budgetary Allocation

The National Assembly has summoned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Ministers to testify regarding the ₦9 billion budget allocation for the Ministry of Solid Minerals for 2025.

Those involved are the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, the Budget and Economic Planning Minister, Atiku Bagudu, and the Director-General of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu.

Naija News reports that this decision was made during a meeting of the joint committee on Solid Minerals on Monday, following Bagudu’s failure to attend a previous session.

The joint committee, led by Senator Sampson Ekong (PDP, Akwa Ibom South), had requested Bagudu’s presence last week to clarify the reasons behind what was deemed an “inadequate” allocation for the Ministry of Solid Minerals. However, the minister did not appear.

The Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, had previously stated that the proposed ₦9 billion capital allocation for the ministry in the 2025 fiscal year was insufficient.

He made these remarks during his appearance before the committee for the budget defence last week.

The committee reiterated that the proposed amount was significantly inadequate for the ministry’s needs.

In the latest summons issued on Monday, January 20, Bagudu, Edun, and Yakubu are expected to appear before the committee on Tuesday.

5. NAF Clarifies Involvement In Wellhead Explosion At Buguma Community, Rivers

The Nigerian Air Force has denied allegations of being responsible for the explosion at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company wellhead in the Buguma Community, Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Naija News reports that in a statement on Monday, the NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa, described its purported involvement as false and unfounded.

Akinboyewa clarified that the wellhead had been leaking crude oil for a prolonged period due to persistent illegal activities in the area and urged media organizations to verify their reports before publication.

He stated that high-definition video footage from previous NAF missions, including recordings from December 2024, showed the wellhead leaking crude oil and the surrounding area already engulfed in flames before NAF operations commenced.

Akinboyewa stated that the Air Force was committed to professionalism, emphasizing that its operations are thoroughly planned to ensure only illegal refining sites and equipment are targeted while safeguarding lives and vital infrastructure.

6. Kemi Badenoch Denigrating Nigeria So She Can Be Accepted By Party Members – Bwala

Presidential spokesman, Daniel Bwala has stated that Kemi Badenoch is trying to curry favour from her party members by demarketing Nigeria.

Badenoch recently said she does not want the UK to become like Nigeria where she claimed the government has failed.

Reacting to the UK Conservative Party leader’s statement during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Bwala said Badenoch is trying to gain acceptance from her party members.

The presidential spokesman, however, dismissed fears that Badenoch’s remarks about Nigeria will affect the country’s efforts to bring investors.

7. Niger Tanker Explosion: Death Toll Rises To 98

At least 98 people have been confirmed dead, and 69 others injured following a petrol tanker explosion on Saturday in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.

The explosion occurred when a petrol tanker lost control and spilled its contents.

The Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba-Arah, provided the updated casualty toll in a statement on Monday, describing the incident as a devastating loss.

According to Baba-Arah, over 20 shops were destroyed during the incident.

He said the explosion occurred on Saturday when a tanker conveying petrol crashed and another tanker was brought to transfer the contents.

Naija News learnt that a crowd had gathered to scoop fuel before the tanker exploded, causing widespread casualties.

8. President Tinubu Is A Team Player, Not One Man Squad – Bwala

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Daniel Bwala, has said the collaborative governance style of the President was instrumental to harmony between the federal government and governors.

Naija News reports that Bwala highlighted the Tax Reform Bill, local government autonomy and foreign travels as instances the President collaborated with governors to ensure smooth relationships.

In an interview with Channels TV on Monday, Tinubu’s spokesman stated that the President believed in teamwork rather than a man-squad leadership style.

He disclosed that the delay in sending local government allocations directly to the council chairman was based on the President seeking consultation with governors.

Bwala disclosed that governors have been getting funds from the federal government aside from the monthly allocation.

He stated that the President was comfortable with any move that would guarantee the development of the nation.

9. Bello Turji Fled Like A Coward, Leaving Son, Fighters Behind – DHQ

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) announced on Monday that troops from Operation Fansan Yamma successfully killed the son of terrorist leader Bello Turji and several of his fighters during a major clearance operation.

The operation, which took place on January 17, targeted key areas including Shinkafi, Kagara, Fakai, Moriki, Maiwa, and Chindo.

Naija News learnt that the troops also destroyed a logistics base used by the terrorists.

In a statement from the outgoing Director of Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, it was revealed that Turji’s son was killed in an attack on the Fakai high ground, where the terrorists had set up camp.

Turji himself was branded a coward for fleeing the area and abandoning both his son and his fighters during the battle.

The DHQ highlighted that Turji had long taunted the military, even challenging them in December 2024 to confront him at his hideout after his associate, Baka Wurgi, was captured by troops. The military vowed to neutralize him in 2025.

In addition to killing several terrorists, the operation also led to the rescue of numerous hostages who had been kidnapped by Turji’s group.

10. Trump Sworn In As 47th US President, Pledges Swift Action On Immigration, Culture Wars

Donald Trump, 78, has been sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, marking a historic comeback four years after losing to Joe Biden.

The Republican leader vowed to immediately implement sweeping changes on immigration and US cultural policies, setting the tone for his second term in office.

In contrast to his outsider status at his first inauguration in 2017, Trump’s second swearing-in saw him surrounded by some of America’s wealthiest and most powerful figures.

Breaking from Trump’s refusal to attend Biden’s 2021 inauguration, the outgoing president joined former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton at the ceremony.

Departing from tradition, foreign leaders attended Trump’s inauguration, including Argentina’s hard-right president Javier Milei and Italy’s far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Due to icy conditions, Trump’s inauguration was moved indoors, the first time since Ronald Reagan’s 1985 swearing-in. This change meant missing the customary massive crowds along the National Mall.

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