Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines for Today, Tuesday, 16th February, 2021
Good morning, welcome to Gistlover News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Tuesday, 16th February 2021
1. Presidency Blows Hot, Gives Fresh Directive to Police on Fulani Herdsmen
The presidency on Monday reiterated that Fulani herdsmen identified to be criminals will not be treated with kid’s gloves but would face the full wrath of the law.
The assurance was given by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu who added during his appearance on Channels Television’s ‘Sunrise Daily’ programme as monitored by Gistlover that President Muhammadu Buhari is not in support of the activities of these criminal herdsmen.
The presidential media aide noted that Buhari understands his role in protecting every citizen of the land as enshrined in the constitution and won’t hesitate to take needed action.
Shehu also called on the Police to publish the names of criminal herdsmen that have been arrested nationwide and currently undergoing trial.
2. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Becomes First Female DG of WTO
Former minister of finance in Nigeria, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has been declared on Monday as the first female and first African leader of the World Trade Organisation.
Since the establishment of the World Trade Organisation, a woman has never emerged as the leader of the international body that deals with global trade rules, resolves trade disputes between countries, and supports developing countries.
However, history has been made by Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who has been appointed as the Director-General of the WTO.
3. Shasha Crisis: IGP Deploys Anti-Riot Policemen, Helicopter To Oyo State
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu has deployed additional assets to Oyo State to combat the communal clashes witnessed recently in Oyo State.
The deployment consists of four (4) Units of the Police Mobile Force (PMF), seasoned operatives from the Force Intelligence Bureau and one (1) operational/surveillance Police helicopter from the Police Air-wing.
It will be recalled the recent clash between Hausa speaking people and the Yorubas at Shasha Market area of Ibadan, Oyo State, forced the state government to impose a curfew in the area.
The governor also ordered the immediate closure of the market until further notice.
However, the spokesperson of the Nigeria Police, CP Frank Mba in a statement on Monday, titled, ‘Oyo crisis: IGP deploys intervention and stabilization forces,’ said additional operatives have been dispatched to the state to restore peace and calm in affected areas.
4. Herdsmen Crisis: Buhari Needs To Act Now – Abaribe
The Minority leader in the 9th Senate, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, on Monday, condemned President Muhammadu Buhari for his approach towards the herdsmen crisis across the country.
The lawmaker while speaking on Channels TV, noted that the reaction of Buhari seems to have increased the activities of criminal herdsmen.
He said, “The President needs to come out and say I do not support these types of actions, these criminal elements, he has to come out and everybody sees that he is owning this problem.”
5. Whenever I or Femi Adesina Speak On Behalf Of Buhari, the President Has Addressed Nigerians – Garba Shehu
The Presidency on Monday submitted that it is not compulsory for President Muhammadu Buhari to personally speak on every matter.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu who made this position known on Monday, said Buhari believes in action more than words.
He added that whenever he or the special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Femi Adesina speaks on behalf of the President, then Buhari has spoken to Nigerians on the issue and citizens should learn to accept that fact.
Shehu spoke during the Channels Television’s ‘Sunrise Daily’ programme monitored by Gistlover.
6. Omisore Officially Defects to APC
The defection of Iyiola Omisore, former deputy Governor of Osun State to the All Progressive Congress, APC has been confirmed.
Gistlover understands that the politician joined the Nigeria ruling party on Monday, February 15.
Omisore who served as a member of the Nigerian Senate for Osun East from 2003 to 2009 contested in the 2018 governorship poll on the platform of the Social Democratic Party but went into coalition with the APC before the September 28 rerun.
7. Troops Eliminate 81 Boko Haram Fighters, Lose Soldier to Landmine
The troops of Sector 1 comprising troops of 21 and 26 Brigades supported by Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) have eliminated 81 Boko Haram fighters in Sambisa forest.
The Nigerian Troops, however, lost a soldier to landmine attack.
The troops during the mission cleared many villages of terrorists in the axis including Garin Bello, Kwoche, Lawanti, Alfa Bula Hassan and Alfa Cross among others.
According to PRNigeria, a military source noted that the troops encountered stiff resistance from the terrorists who laid improvised explosive devices along their path.
8. Kwara APC Membership Revalidation Sabotaged – Lai Mohammed
Nigeria Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has faulted the ongoing All Progressive Congress, APC party registration and revalidation exercise in Kwara State.
The minister alleged that the registration exercise is not in order in the state and hence the need to cancel it.
Gistlover understands that Mohammed stated this while addressing the press on Monday, February 15 in Oro in Irepodun Local Government Area of the state.
The APC chieftain after completing his revalidation exercise at Unit PU006 in Oro Ward 2, said that the registration materials dispatched to the state were not delivered to the registration units while the seven-member committee headed by Senator John Danboi did not meet with the stakeholders of the party.
9. Makinde Can’t Claim To Be My Leader, I’m His Father – Fayose Boasts
Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose has declared that it is wrong for Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde to be parading himself as his leader.
According to Fayose, he would always accord Makinde the honour bestowed upon him as a sitting governor but despite this, he remains a father figure to Makinde.
Fayose who spoke on Sunday during his appearance on Channels TV, Sunday Politics however noted that he is not in a leadership tussle with Makinde for the position of the leader in the Southwest Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
10. No Going Back On Regulation of Social Media – Lai Mohammed
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has said that the federal government will continue with its plan to regulate social media.
Speaking in an interview with TheCable recently, Mohammed said the idea of regulating social media is not to stifle freedom of expression but to curb fake news and disinformation.
The minister noted that fake news and disinformation poses threat to the security of the nation, adding that the government will do everything humanly possible to avert chaos and violence in the country.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Gistlover.com. See you again tomorrow.
