Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Wednesday, 28th October 2020
1. #EndSARS: My Government Respects Nigerians’ Rights – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday stated that his government respects the right of Nigerians.
Buhari who was represented by the state Minister of Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar D Aliyu, said his administration has put in place strategies to address the demands of the End SARS Protesters.
He further stated that his administration will do everything in its power to ensure that all sides are satisfied with the decision taken to achieve peace in the country.
Aliyu stated this at the stakeholders’ meeting on peace in Damaturu, Yobe State.
He said, “In the spirit of democratic governance and appreciation of the fundamental human rights of all citizens as enshrined in the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria and other laws, we knowledged the genuine concern of the members of the public regarding the excesses and use of force by some members of the SARS.”
2. FG Begins Payment Of N30,000 To 330,000 Nigerians
President Muhammadu Buhari’s led government said it has commenced the implementation of the Economic Sustainability Plan with the payment of N30,000 one-time grant to 330,000 artisans across the nation.
According to the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo in a statement released on Tuesday, October 27, the first batch of the disbursement of the one-time grant of N30,000 will begin in Lagos, Kano, Federal Capital Territory, FCT and nine other states in the country.
The VP noted that enumeration and verification are still ongoing for the Payroll Support Scheme while free CAC Business Names’ Registration for 250,000 MSMEs has also commenced.
A part of the statement made available to newsmen by Laolu Akande, the VP’s spokesman reads: “The payments are being made to sets of verified beneficiaries of the Artisan Support Scheme, a track under the MSMEs Survival Fund,”
3. Tambuwal: Buhari’s Minister Asked Me To Delay The Distribution Of COVID-19 Palliatives
The Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal has given reasons why the distribution of COVID-19 palliatives to citizens in the state was placed on hold.
Tambuwal, who spoke on Tuesday while addressing citizens on the government’s effort to check riots in the state, said Sokoto has no hoarded relief materials meant for distribution.
He said Sokoto has only received two categories of palliatives since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said the first relief materials received from the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) was a bit delayed because the donors wanted the materials to be pooled together before distribution.
He added that as soon as this was achieved, the distribution was done. He said the delay in the sharing of the second category, received on October 17 from the federal government, was on the request of Sadiya Umar Farouk, minister of humanitarian affairs, who wanted to be around when the distribution starts.
4. 2023: Why We Have Not Resumed Voter Registration – INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has blamed the COVID-19 pandemic for its inability to resume the continuous voter registration (CVR) exercise ahead of the 2023 general election in Nigeria.
This explanation comes after some citizens of Nigeria raised a petition against the electoral umpire for the delay in commencing the CVR exercise.
Rotimi Oyekanmi, chief press secretary to the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu explained that the commission should have resumed the CVR exercise in the first quarter of 2020 but have been restricted due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
He explained that INEC is conscious of the peculiarities of the pandemic and is being careful so as not to expose workers to avoidable risk.
Oyekanmi however added that INEC is deliberating on the development and a definite course of action will be announced to the public in the next few days.
5. Sanwo-Olu Approves Full Daily Reopening Of All Markets In Lagos
Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed the full reopening of all markets in the state. This includes both food and non-food markets.
This development was confirmed in a statement on Tuesday by the Lagos Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Dr Wale Ahmed.
It will be recalled that before the new directive, food and non-food markets in the state were only permitted to open three times a week as part of efforts to curb further spread of the coronavirus disease.
However, the state government has now approved the opening and operation of all markets every day of the week.
Ahmed in the statement, noted that the decision to lift all restrictions on market opening is to further reduce economic hardships residents may be dealing with as a result of the lockdown.
6. INEC: President Buhari Nominates Yakubu For Second Term
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu, has been nominated for re-appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari.
President Buhari special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this in a statement titled, “President Buhari nominates Prof Yakubu as INEC chairman for second term in office.”
The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari has presented the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, for a second term in office.”
“In a letter to President of the Senate, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, the President said in accordance with the provision of Section 154 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), ‘I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate, the nomination of Professor Mahmood Yakubu for appointment as Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a second and final term.”
“Prof Yakubu was first appointed by President Buhari in November 2015.”
7. Biafra: Governor Wike Threatens To Sack All LG Chairmen In Rivers Over IPOB
Governor Nyesom Wike has threatened to sack all Local Government chairmen in Rivers over the activities of the all proscribed Indigenous Peoples Organisation of Biafra (IPOB) led by Nnamdi Kanu.
Naija News reports that Governor Wike charged the 23 LG chairmen, and youths in the state to fish members of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples Organisation of Biafra (IPOB) in the south-south state.
This online news platform understands that Governor Wike made this statement during a meeting with all the 23 Local Government chairmen, Community Development Committees, and youths leaders at the Government House, in Port Harcourt on Monday, October 26.
The Rivers State Governor warned that any council chairman that allows IPOB to hold processions and hoist its flag within their jurisdiction in Rivers State, risk sack.
8. Palliatives: ‘May God Forgive My Accusers’ – Sadiya Farouq
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouk, has asked God to forgive persons who accused her of misappropriating COVID-19 relief materials.
The minister made the remarks while answering questions from the media on Monday in Gusau, Zamfara State.
“I am aware many people have made various spurious allegations and accusations against my person and my ministry over the way we distributed Federal Government palliatives to cushion the effect of COVID-19.
“I have always said I am carrying out my duties and responsibilities to the best of my ability and with fairness to all parts of the country.
“Now that they have realized their mistakes, l will only pray to God to forgive us all,” she maintained.
Miss Farouk had paid a courtesy call on the Emir of Gusau, Alhaji Ibrahim Bello, and the monarch used to opportunity to urge the Federal Government to reconsider the security situation in Zamfara State.
9. 1914 Amalgamation: Igbos Didn’t Choose To Be Part Of Nigeria – Orji Uzor Kalu
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, former Abia State Governor and current Senator representing Abia North in the National Assembly has submitted that Igbos did not get to decide if they wanted to be a part of Nigeria in 1914 or not.
It will be recalled that the Northern and Southern protectorate were merged as one to become Nigeria in 1914 by British colonialists.
History has it that Nigeria was formed out of the amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorate in 1914 after Lord Fredrick Lugard signed a document on behalf of the British government to merge the two regions.
Naija News understands the amalgamation was done by the British colonial government to ease administrative burdens on their part without given due consideration for the differences and diversities of the people they were bringing together.
Kalu has now given what appears to be another argument in support of claims from certain quarters for a referendum to be conducted for federating units that make up the country Nigeria to decide if they want to continue with the ‘forced union’ or not.
The Senate Chief Whip made the assertion in his newly released autobiography titled ‘My Life.’
Specifically, Kalu noted that the Igbo people never had a say in deciding if they wanted to be a part of Nigeria in 1914 or not.
He, however, submitted that the Igbo nation has been able to rise above the situation and distinguish themselves in various callings of life and in different parts of Nigeria.
10. Eid-El Maulud: FG Declares Thursday As Public Holiday
President Muhammadu Buhari-led government has declared Thursday, October 29, as public holiday to celebrate Eid-El- Maulud.
Eid-El-Maulud is the celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).
Rauf Aregbesola, Minister of Interior, disclosed the development in a statement released through Mohammed Manga, Director (Press & Public Relations).
The minister urged Muslims to “imbibe the spirit of love, patience and perseverance which are the virtues of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).”
The Minister called on all Nigerians to use democratic means to tackle some of the issues confronting the country.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
source https://www.naijanews.com/2020/10/28/top-nigerian-newspaper-headlines-for-today-wednesday-28th-october-2020/
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