Good morning Nigeria, welcome to the The Herald roundup of top Nigerian newspaper headlines today, Friday 29th March 2024
Details of the meeting between controversial Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, and security agents have emerged.
The Herald reports that the federal government had invited Gumi to answer questions on security situation in the country, particularly banditry which has bedeviled some northern states for years now.
Taking to his Facebook page on Tuesday, Gumi said: “Only one person is above the law: the innocent.
“Last night I got many frantic calls from well-wishers and journalists about a news item that I was interviewed by security. There is absolutely no cause for alarm.
The Lagos State Government has announced that the state is expected to experience “more than normal amount of rainfall” during the year 2024 rainy season with a total of 1936.2mm predicted rainfall.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab made this disclosure on Tuesday at a media briefing on the Seasonal Climate Predictions (SCP) and the Socio-Economic Implications for Lagos State held at the Ministry’s Conference Room, Alausa.
Wahab noted that the annual briefing is to alert Lagosians of the climate patterns and its socio-economic implications for residents.
He stressed that the average annual rainfall amount predicted for 2024 is 1936.2mm which is greater than the long-term average of 1721.48mm with the onset date expected to be the first week of April and ceasing in the first week of December.
The Rivers State Government says member representing Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Boniface Emerengwa has pledged his loyalty and support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
According to a statement by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi, Emerengwa made the pledge when he paid a visit to Governor Fubara at Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday evening.
Emerengwa hails from Ikwerre Local Government Area, the headquarters of all the four Ikwerre-speaking LGAs, which also includes Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Obio/Akpor, and Emohua.
The statement quoted the federal lawmaker as explaining that he was throwing his total support behind Fubara because it was undisputable that the governor is both the leader of the Poeples Democratic Party (PDP) and the state.
The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has promised not to rule the state like a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the state at heart.
Fubara said this during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first-class traditional ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
Stating that he is determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated, the governor assured that his administration would collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated state experiencing enduring peace.
“We are at a crossroad in our state where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
The S&P 500 $SPX fell about 0.3% Monday, while the the Dow Jones Industrial Average $DJI dipped 0.4%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite $NDAQ closed 0.3% lower after setting new record closes on Friday.
The Fed helped fuel the market’s bull run last week, as the central bank reaffirmed expectations that it will cut rates three times this year while also issuing more bullish forecasts on the economy.
Meanwhile in the oil market, Russia’s government has ordered oil companies to lower their output in the second quarter so that the country can meet its OPEC+ production target of 9 million barrels per day (bpd) by the end of June.
Russia would cut oil output and exports by an extra 471,000 barrels per day (bpd) in the second quarter, in tandem with production cuts by other OPEC+ members
Justice O.O. Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos has slated the commencement of trial of one Christopher Jackson Edeh for May 30, 2024.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 28, 2024, arraigned him before Justice Abike-Fadipe on nine-count charges bordering on fraudulent false accounting contrary to Section 337 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, and unauthorised access to computer contrary to Section 387 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.
One of the charges reads: “That you Christopher Jackson Edeh, sometimes in September 2023 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst in the employment of Fidelity Bank Plc, with intent to defraud, altered the customer account details of Dangote Cement Plc in possession of Fidelity Bank.”
Barely a month after the Federal Executive Council approved the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal superhighway, the contractor has moved to site to build what will be a monumental civil engineering project that Nigeria has ever seen.
Since the construction of the iconic Third Mainland Bridge that stretched over 11 kilometres across the lagoon, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal road will usher in a new era of ambitious road infrastructural development projects in Nigeria.
The Third Mainland Bridge, one of the longest bridges in the world, started during the administration of President Shehu Shagari in 1980. It was completed 10 years after, in 1990, by the military administration of President Ibrahim Babangida.
President Bola Tinubu has cancelled his 72nd birthday celebration scheduled to hold on March 29.
The president also charged his friends and associates against holding any form of celebration or placing any newspaper, radio or television advert in honour of his birthday.
Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga disclosed this in a Sunday statement.
The statement read, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will turn 72 on Friday, March 29, 2024. The day will be another important milestone in his life as a leader and a statesman.
“During an auspicious occasion as this, it is customary for family members, friends, and associates to celebrate him in different ways.
Residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and some areas in Kogi State are currently facing power outages due to technical glitches, affecting the service coverage of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).
On Tuesday, the AEDC informed its customers in Zamani Estate, Abacha Road Mararaba, Ruga Juli, Old Karu Road, Glory Estate, and environs in Abuja about a technical fault on the 33kV feeder k6 from the AT9 Karu Transmission Station managed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
In a statement, the Disco expressed regret for any inconvenience caused and assured customers that the TCN maintenance crew was working to restore electricity supply to the affected areas soon.
The highly anticipated nominations for the 10th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) were unveiled on Sunday, sparking excitement among film enthusiasts and industry insiders.
Leading the pack with multiple nominations are standout films like “Jagun Jagun,” “Mami Water,” “A Tribe Called Judah,” and “Breath of Life,” setting the stage for a thrilling showdown at the prestigious event.
The comprehensive list includes categories such as Best Writing Movie, Best Documentary, Best MultiChoice Talent Factory, Best Scripted, Best Digital Content, Best Unscripted M-Net Original, and more, showcasing the diverse talents and contributions of African filmmakers and content creators.
Among the nominees are esteemed actors and actresses, directors, writers, and technicians whose outstanding work has captivated audiences and garnered critical acclaim.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is set to drop the price of fuel from N640 per litre to N630 per litre.
This was disclosed via X on Monday, and it was observed that the depot price of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, will be dropping by N10.
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Lagos State, paid a courtesy visit to Hon. Adewale Temitope Adedeji, OON, (JP), member representing Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency 01 at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday.
The visit, which took place at the Constituency Office, was led by the chairman of IPAC, Mrs. Temilola Akinade.
The purpose of the visit was to commend Hon. Adewale Temitope for his significant achievements in transportation, education, infrastructure upgrades, health, welfare, among others, and to solicit a working relationship for the betterment of Lagos State.
Heaping praises on Hon. Adewale Temitope, Mrs. Akinade said, “I have been monitoring your activities for some years and the feedback has been impressive. I spoke to someone who doubted your capabilities because of your young age, but you have proven to be excellent.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Maj.-Gen. Adamu Garba Laka as the new National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre under the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale disclosed this in a Tuesday statement.
“General Laka served in various capacities in the North-East, Nigeria, where he deployed tactical means to degrade terrorist groups.
“He also served in Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo under the United Nations and was part of the Nigerian contingent in the US AFRICOM exercise in Senegal.
That’s The Herald roundup of top Nigerian newspaper headlines. Read more Nigerian news on The Herald . See you again tomorrow.