Good morning Nigeria, welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 29th September 2023.
1. Tinubu Wants Nigeria To Be Among 20 Largest Economies Of The World By 2030 – Akume
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume on Thursday delivered a welcome address at the symposium organized as part of celebrations for Nigeria’s 63rd independence anniversary.
Naija News reports the symposium was held at the State House conference hall and had several dignitaries and top government officials including Vice President Kashim Shettima in attendance.
During his opening speech, Akume disclosed that the anniversary is being held low-key because of the prevailing economic realities.
He said part of the expectation from the symposium is that speakers would be able to make submissions that would address Nigeria’s economic potential as well as the government’s policies and programs that could turn them into vehicles for achieving the aspiration of making the country one of the 20 Largest Economies of the World by 2030.
He assured of the readiness of the President Bola Tinubu-led government to consider and implement suggestions made during the symposium.
2. Don’t Go On Strike – Shettima, Governors Beg Organized Labour
The National Economic Council (NEC) has appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to shelve their planned nationwide strike.
The NEC, presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima made the appeal during its 136th meeting held on Thursday inside the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The NEC is constitutionally headed by the Vice President, with State governors, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, amongst others as members.
The NEC on Thursday urged members to prevail on organised labour unions to shelve proposed industrial action.
Recall the organised labour comprising of the NLC and the TUC on Tuesday said their strike is set to commence on October 3.
The unions announced that workers will proceed on indefinite strike over the government’s failure to provide palliatives to cushion the effect of the removal of subsidy on petrol.
Briefing newsmen after the NEC meeting, the Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, said the council asked Labour leaders to resume negotiations at the state level.
According to him, the council believes dialogue can still be used to resolve the industrial dispute.
3. Aggrieved Workers Hold Protest As Umahi Stops Them From Entering Ministry
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, on Thursday locked out civil servants from the ministry.
Naija News understands that the Minister prevented workers who came to work late from gaining access to the ministry.
However, after the gate was opened, the workers, comprising the Housing and Works Ministry, refused to enter the ministry.
The aggrieved workers occupied the entrance of the gate and insisted that the minister must come out to address them.
They also claimed that he stopped engineers and directors from doing their work, and has been breaking public service rules since his appointment, by bringing in consultants to run the affairs of the ministry.
4. Confusion As Uba Sani Claims Victory In Kaduna Tribunal Ruling
The Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani has reacted after the tribunal ruling of Thursday on the outcome of the 2023 governorship election in the state.
Reacting in a personally signed statement on Thursday, Sani said the judgement of the tribunal is an affirmation of the popular mandate graciously given to him by the good people of Kaduna State.
The Governor’s reaction is coming after earlier claims in several reports that the tribunal declared the election inconclusive and has ordered a rerun.
However, Governor Sani in a statement released via his X account claimed victory.
He added that the victory is for the people and called on other candidates from other political parties to join hands with him in moving Kaduna State forward.
5. APM Asks Supreme Court To Nullify Tinubu’s Victory
The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has filed 10 grounds of Appeal before the Supreme Court seeking to remove President Bola Tinubu from office.
APM decision comes after the Presidential Election Petition Court (APM) affirmed the victory of President Tinubu.
The party in its notice of appeal filed by its new counsel, Chukwuma Machukwu Ume is asking the apex court to set aside the judgment of the presidential tribunal for its numerous errors in law.
It said that sections 131 and 142 (1) of the 1999 Constitution are inextricably linked and neither can be confined as a pre-election matter, as these qualifications are conditions precedent to, for being elected into the office of President.
The party claimed that President Tinubu contested the presidential election without a lawful running mate.
The party added that the withdrawal of Ibrahim Kabir Masari and the expiry of the 14 days permissible for changing, withdrawing, or dead candidates under Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, made Tinubu’s election and return, invalid.
According to the party, the PEPC abandoned its duty and jurisdiction of hearing and determining APM’s question of whether President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima were “validly elected” to the office of President and Vice President under the Constitution as stipulated by Section 239 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
6. No Agreement With Federal Government To Suspend Indefinite Strike – NLC
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Thursday distanced the union from a report claiming that it has reached an agreement with the Federal Government to suspend the proposed indefinite strike.
Naija News had earlier reported that the organised labour comprising of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) on Tuesday slated the strike to commence from October 3.
The unions announced that workers will proceed on indefinite strike over the government’s failure to provide palliatives to cushion the effect of the removal of subsidy on petrol.
There had been claims online that the Director of Press, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Olajide Oshundun said there was an agreement between the organized labour and the government to suspend the proposed strike.
Though Oshundun had distanced himself from the report, the NLC said there was no agreement with the Federal Government.
The union added that the Federal Government has not invited the union or given any date to meet with the union over the proposed strike.
7. Obaseki Accepts Shaibu’s Apology, Reveals What Dep Gov’s Unwarranted Provocation Caused Him
The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has accepted the public apology made by his deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, noting that as a person of faith, he was under obligation to accept the apology.
In a letter titled, “Re: Public Apology By The Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu,” the governor said in good faith, he trusts that the public apology as expressed by Shaibu is genuine and followed by contrite steps to improve his conflict resolution skills.
Obaseki further noted, “In good faith, I trust that the public apology as expressed by the Deputy Governor is genuine and followed by contrite steps to improve his conflict resolution skills. I also enjoin the Deputy Governor to guide his proxies to act in accordance with his piety.”
He added, “It is my sincere hope and that of my other colleagues in government and all well-meaning Edo people, that these rhetorics will be put to an end forthwith to enable this administration finish strong and deliver the dividends of democracy to the greatest number of Edo people over this final twelve (12) months.”
8. What El-Rufai Told Me During Visit To My Office – Oyetola
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, visited the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola on Thursday.
Naija News reports that Oyetola made this known in a post via X, alongside photos of him and the ex-governor.
According to the former Osun State Governor, El-Rufai came to congratulate him on his ministerial appointment and wish him success in the service to Nigeria.
Oyetola said, El-Rufai also offered suggestions on how the country can tap the potential of the Maria and Blue Econony.
9. Independence Anniversary: FG Declares Monday, October 2 Public Holiday
President Bola Tinubu-led government has declared the 2nd of October, 2023 as a public holiday in commemoration of Nigeria’s 63rd independence anniversary.
This was announced in a statement released by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade.
According to Akinlade, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo made the declaration in Abuja on behalf of the federal government.
According to her, the Minister, however, said that the Government is daily making efforts to confront these varied and numerous challenges with all the might available until respite comes our way.
Tunji-Ojo reiterated that the eminent position of Nigeria in the comity of Nations and the greatness ahead of the country is achievable if we all work together in unity.
10. Lukman Meets Akande, Oshiomhole Over APC Crisis
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman, has met with two former National Chairmen of the ruling party, Chief Bisi Akande, and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, respectively.
The immediate past National Vice Chairman (North West) of the ruling party made this known in a statement issued on Thursday morning in Abuja.
According to the statement, the former Director General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) said he extracted a commitment from Akande and Oshiomhole on the need to return APC to its founding vision of progressivism.
Lukman said he met with the two APC leaders and discussed recent developments in the party, including an initiative to produce his forthcoming book titled ‘APC and Transition Politics’.
The APC chieftain said his forthcoming book, which documents happenings in the party and proffers solutions to anti-democratic tendencies afflicting it.
Lukman added that he also met recently with the incumbent National Chairman of the party, Abdullahi Ganduje, to present the book to him ahead of the launch of the publication.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
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