NIGERIAN NEWSPAPERS: Things you need to know this Wednesday, 23rd March, 2022

1. The lingering foreign exchange scarcity in the country has continued to worsen, even as the exchange rate on the parallel market is inching towards N590/$1. The development may lead to massive job loss in the manufacturing industry, among other sectors, according to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria.

2. An independent investigation panel has fixed March 30 for the suspended DCP Abba Kyari to appear in a petition of alleged unlawful arrest filed by three persons. The Panel is investigating the allegations of human rights violations by the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Nigerian Police.

3. The Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, on Tuesday, met with police officers in the Ogun State Command over a threat to embark on strike by the junior officers. It was gathered that the Police IG had begun a meeting with the police officers nationwide over the looming strike.

4. President Muhammadu Buhari has commissioned the Dangote Fertiliser Plant in Lagos State. The President said the plant is an endorsement of his administration’s target of food sufficiency, adding that it will reduce dependence on imported fertilizers and create employment for Nigerians.

5. The Senate will, on Wednesday (today), debate the ruling of a Federal High Court in Abia State, which nullified the controversial section 84 (12) of the amended Electoral Act. This followed a point of order raised by Senator George Thompson Sekibo (PDP, Rivers), who drew the attention of his colleagues to the court ruling.

6. Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, will miss Nigeria’s FIFA 2022 World Cup playoff against the Black Stars of Ghana on Friday due to illness. The Super Eagles made the announcement in a post via the team’s Instagram account on Tuesday afternoon.

7. The Senate has asked the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Usman Alkali Baba, to as a matter of urgency, carry out a holistic investigation into the maltreatment and torture of Nigerians by foreign nationals living in Nigeria.

8. Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo, Tuesday, gave an insight into the finances of the State, saying that the State’s economy is not robust. Speaking in an interview, Soludo said from the audited account of the State ending December 31, 2021, there is about N300 million to N400 million cash in various banks and about N1.5 billion debt.

9. A Federal High Court, Abuja, will on Friday, deliver judgment in a suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State over his defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

10. The House of Representatives Committee on Power, yesterday, chided the Minister of Power, Abubarkar Aliyu for coming to read speeches to them whereas they needed answers and solutions to the current blackout in Nigeria. The lawmakers had invited the Minister to explain the current situation to them.

11. Dangote: Buhari Commissions Largest Fertilizer Plant In Africa

President Muhammadu Buhari has commissioned the largest fertilizer Plant In Africa and the second-largest in the world.

The President inaugurated the Dangote Fertiliser Plant at the Lekki area of Lagos State on Tuesday.

Speaking at the commissioning of the plant, Buhari appreciated the Dangote Fertiliser team for their hardwork and making sure that the inauguration of the facility was a success.

He stated that the fertiliser plant will support his government’s drive to ensure food sufficiency in the country.

Buhari revealed that his government is focused on providing enabling environment for the private sector to thrive and contribute its quota to the country’s development.

 

12. 2023: PDP Trying To Destabilize Nigeria But The Party Will Die If It Doesn’t Change – Presidency Blows Hot

The presidency on Tuesday accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of scheming to destabilize Nigeria so it can get back to power in 2023.

The statement from the presidency issued by the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina said PDP is unpatriotic and doesn’t wish the country well.

The statement cautioned that the PDP might be on its way to extinction if it has nothing good to wish Nigeria as a country.

The presidency statement comes after an earlier statement by the PDP on Sunday in which the opposition party said President Buhari has not only failed, but also abdicated his responsibilities and the frustration in the country can trigger another round of protests worse than the recent #EndSARS protests if the situation is not addressed immediately.

Responding, Mr. Adesina said the PDP is still unhappy that Nigerians kicked it out of power in 2015 and voted for the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging the party to stop threatening the citizens with anarchy.

13. Enforce The Use Of Coins By Nigerians – 

House Of Reps Tell CBN

The House of Representatives on Tuesday, instructed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure Nigerians carry out transactions using coins as a way to curb inflation in the country.

The lawmakers gave the directive following the consideration of a motion by Muda Umar from Bauchi state who argued that the non-usage of coins like other notes by Nigerians is having a negative impact on the economy.

Nigerian coins comprise 50 kobo, N1 and N2 but have all been phased out of usage due to the non-availability of lower denomination transactions.

But the House of Reps said the coins should be brought back and enforced to tackle and stabilize price inflation in the country.

The motion was adopted after it was put to a voice vote by the Deputy Speaker, Idris Wase, who presided over Tuesday’s House plenary.

The lawmakers thereafter directed the CBN to ensure banks comply and use the coins to the fullest while it also directed its committee on banking and currency to monitor and ensure compliance.

14. 2023 Presidency: PDP Has To Choose Between Zoning Its Ticket And Winning Election – Tambuwal

Sokoto State Governor and 2023 presidential aspirant, Aminu Tambuwal has suggested the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) can’t win the presidential election if it chooses its candidate purely by zoning.

He made the submission on Tuesday in Abuja during a meeting with some former principal officers of the National Assembly.

According to him, the PDP would have to choose between zoning its presidential ticket and winning elections.

The statement comes amidst the clamour in some political quarters for a southern presidency in 2023.

According to Tambuwal, the PDP must not deceive itself or be sentimental going into the 2023 general elections.

15. PDP vs APC: Court Picks Date To Decide Ben Ayade’s Fate As Cross River Governor

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has picked Friday, 25th March, 2022 to decide on a suit seeking to sack Ben Ayade as the Governor of Cross River State.

The suit seeking Ayade’s removal from office was filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following the Governor’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/975/2021 was filed by the PDP lawyer, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), and is before Justice Taiwo Taiwo.

Joined in the suit is also the Cross River Deputy Governor, Ivara Ejemot Esu.

It will be recalled that twenty members of the Cross River State House of Assembly were sacked on Monday for dumping the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressive Congress (APC).

Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, sacked the lawmakers in a ruling on Monday.

16. 2023: I Didn’t Say South-South Can’t Win Presidency – Tambuwal

Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has distanced himself from a report claiming that the South-South region cannot win the presidency for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Tambuwal, in a statement on Tuesday by his spokesman, Muhammad Bello, said the report attributed to him was false and misleading.

The governor denied mentioning anything regarding the South-South not winning the presidency during a meeting with some former principal officers of the National Assembly on Monday.

According to the presidential hopeful, the report was a distortion, malicious, misrepresentation of the facts stated by him during the meeting.

17. Details Of PDP Southwest Leaders’ Meeting Emerge

The zonal caucus of the South West Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the end of their meeting on Tuesday has insisted on a 2023 southern presidency.

This was part of the resolutions reached by the PDP leaders at the end of their meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The meeting was hosted by Governor Seyi Makinde at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.

A communique read at the end of the meeting by the zonal chairman of the party, Chief Soji Adagunodo said apart from the southern presidency, they also agreed to resolve all pending issues and disagreements in the interest of the party.

He urged party members to put the house in order and ensure PDP victory starting with the governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti states and keep the momentum for the 2023 general elections.

18. MultiChoice Fixes Date To Increase Prices Of DStv & GOtv Packages, Blames Inflation

MultiChoice Nigeria has announced that the prices of its DStv and GOtv packages will be increased.

MultiChoice Nigeria is the Nigerian Subsidiary company of MultiChoice Africa, owner of DStv and GOtv.

In a statement by the company, the increase would take effect from April 1st, 2022.

The cable television blamed inflation and high cost of running its business operations for the increase.

“In light of the rising costs of inflation and business operations, we have had to review the price of our packages to keep delighting our customers with great entertainment, anytime and anywhere,” the statement reads.

“Therefore, from April 1, 2022, a new pricing regime for both our DStv and GOtv packages will be in effect.”

19. Court Judgment: Police Take Over Cross River Assembly

The Cross River State House of Assembly has been blocked by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.

Operatives of the security agency on Tuesday turned back staff of the assembly, asking them not to loiter around the complex.

Eyewitnesses disclosed that men of the Nigeria police force took over the assembly as early as 6 am.

The units at the state house of assembly include the anti-kidnapping and cultism squad and the regular policemen.

This coming after the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Taiwo Taiwo sacked 18 lawmakers in the state House of Assembly and two House of Representatives members for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.

20. Anambra State: Soludo Reveals Debt He Inherited From Obiano

The new Governor of Anambra State, Charles Soludo, on Tuesday revealed the debt left behind by the immediate past governor of the state, Willie Obiano.

Soludo while speaking on Arise TV said his predecessor left ₦300 million cash and a debt of over ₦400 billion as of December 2021.

The former Central Bank Governor further stated that other financial details from January to date is not available.

He, however, noted that the details will be made available as soon as possible because they’re public documents.

This is coming after the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) arrested Obiano at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

Obiano was reportedly on his way to the United States of America after handing over to Soludo.

21. PDP wants to sneak back to power through destabilization of Nigeria – Presidency

The Presidency on Tuesday urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to promote social cohesion and peaceful co-existence rather than inciting anarchy and disorderliness in the society.

22. Unacceptable! Senate reacts to court ruling on Electoral Act, to take decision Wednesday

The need for the Senate to debate the ruling of the Federal High Court ordering the Attorney-General of the Federation to remove Section 84(12) from the Electoral Act was established on Tuesday.

23. Plateau assembly declares ex-speaker’s seat vacant over defection

The Plateau State House of Assembly on Tuesday’s declared the seat of the lawmaker representing Jos East constituency, Hon. Ayuba Abok vacant for defecting to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

24. ENDSARS panel orders NDLEA to produce Kyari March 30

An independent panel of inquiry probing allegations of brutality and other rights violations by operatives of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) on Tuesday ordered the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to produce the suspended Head of Police Intelligence Response Team, Abba Kyari, unfailingly on March 30.

 

25. Again, Women storm National Assembly in protest against rejected gender bills

Women groups on Tuesday stormed the National Assembly to protest the rejection of a number of gender bills by the two chambers of the National Assembly.

26. Investors lose N51.4bn as FCMB fails to lift Nigeria’s stock market

Nigeria’s capital market maintained its downward trend on Tuesday as sell-off fuelled a 0.2 percent drop in shareholders’ investments at the bourse.

27. Buhari commissions new airport terminal in Lagos

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday commissioned a new terminal at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

28. Nigerian govt releases N142.6m to 14 tertiary institutions for mineral research

The Federal Government has released N142.6million to 14 tertiary institutions in the country to conduct research on mineral deposits.

29. Bandits kill two soldiers, 32 others in Kaduna attacks

Bandits on Sunday night killed 34 persons, including two soldiers during attacks on several communities in Kaura local government area of Kaduna State.

30. Okagbare didn’t appeal 10-year doping ban by AIU, Court confirm

The Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) has confirmed that Nigerian athlete, Blessing Okagbare, did not appeal against the 10 years ban handed to her.

Share a story or tip with us on WhatsApp: 09085969446 or 09018988278 | 

Ambassadornewsline@gmail.com |

Also, for your News Publications and Business Adverts