Good morning Nigeria, welcome to the Editor roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Saturday, 5th August 2023.
1. President Bola Tinubu has informed the National Assembly about ECOWAS proposed military action and other sanctions against coupists in Niger Republic. He stated this in an official communication addressed to the Senate and read at plenary by President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.
2. Northern Senators Forum has cautioned the Economic Commission of West Africa State (ECOWAS) under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, against the use of military force in restoring democracy in Niger Republic. The lawmakers led by Sen. Abdul Ahmad Ningi (Bauchi), however, called for political and diplomatic means to restore democracy in that country.
3. President Bola Tinubu on Friday flagged off the Gwagwalada Independent Power Plant (GIPP) project of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited. Tinubu described the event as an important tool of the country’s infrastructure, noting that the project is very necessary and commendable for the economic growth of the country.
4. President Bola Tinubu has said a comprehensive forensic audit of the Central Bank is underway, adding that a thorough overhaul of the civil service payroll was imminent. The President disclosed this during an audience with the President of the World Bank, Ajay Banga, on Friday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
5. The Governor of Kebbi State, Comrade Nasiru Idris has sent a delegation to Benin Republic to facilitate the release of 10 of the State’s indigenes arrested and clamped in detention by security operatives in the country. They were said to be returning home from Benin Republic on Thursday, June 1, when they were reportedly arrested at Kaini Tunga village of Benin Republic by the country’s security operatives.
6. The immediate past Minister of State for Labour, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, is on his way back into the federal cabinet. President Bola Tinubu on Friday asked the Senate to screen him as one of his ministerial nominees.
7. Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has approved the implementation of the new retirement age and length of service for all categories of teachers in the State that are recognized by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN). In a circular signed by the State Head of Service, Moses Ogbogbo Ode (Ph.D.), the new implementation takes effect from May 2023.
8. The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State, Haliru Zakari Jikantoro has resigned. Speaking to newsmen after an emergency State Executive Council meeting which he called, Jikantoro said that his resignation was in the best interest of the party and its future.
9. Niger’s ambassador to France, Aichatou Boulama Kane, on Friday, insisted she was still in her post despite the coup in the West African country, saying she remained loyal to detained President Mohamed Bazoum. Kane, who has been in her job since July 2022, said she rejected as “null and void” an order by the coup leaders.
10. The Nigerian Army said on Friday that troops of Operation Hadarin Daji have neutralised more bandits, rescued kidnapped victims, recovered items, and destroyed bandits’ hideouts in some States in the North-West. It noted that troops of Operation Hadarin Daji in Katsina State rescued four persons who were captured from their farmland by armed bandits along Ungwan Madugu of Dandume LGA.
