Naija News: Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Saturday, 16th March, 2024

Naija News: Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Saturday, 16th March, 2024

1. The late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, known as Alli Okunmade II, was laid to rest at his ancestral home in Aliiwo around 4:30 pm on Friday.

   According to a report, the monarch, who ruled for two years, passed away at the age of 81 on Thursday at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, following a brief illness.

2. Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, ordered the remand of Dr. Akintoye Akindele, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of Duport Midstream Company Limited, at the Kuje prison in Abuja. Akindele will remain in prison on remand until March 20, when the confirmation of perfection of his bail conditions will be considered.

   Previously, on March 1, the court granted him bail in the sum of N750 million with two sureties in like sum, following allegations of fraud amounting to $5.6 million. However, Justice Omotosho noted that Akindele failed to meet the conditions of the bail before the specified deadline of March 8.

3. Nigeria’s Super Falcons experienced a slight dip in the latest FIFA women’s rankings for 2024, dropping two places from 32nd to 34th globally. Despite this decline, Randy Waldrum’s squad maintained their status as the top-ranked team in Africa, a testament to their dominance on the continent.

   The Super Falcons have had limited activity this year, participating in only two matches. They secured a goalless draw against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in Douala and emerged victorious with a 1-0 win in the reverse fixture, showcasing their resilience and competitive spirit.

4. The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Friday, rejected the request to compel the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to disclose the assets declared by former presidents, vice presidents, and principal officers of the National Assembly.
   IDOMA VOICE understands that the Public & Private Development Centre (PPDC) and the Incorporated Trustees of the African Centre for Media & Information Literacy, had sought to overturn a high court judgment that denied them access to the asset declaration forms submitted to the CCB by past political leaders.

5. The Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has indefinitely postponed the launch of the Student Loan Scheme.

   The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Akintunde Sawyer, made this known on Tuesday, March 12.

6. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mrs. Zubaida Umar as the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

   IDOMA VOICE reports that this was made known in a statement on Friday by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.

7. President Bola Tinubu has appointed Brigadier-General Lawal Ja’afar Isa (Rtd) as the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education.

   IDOMA VOICE reports Isa is a one-time Military Administrator of Kaduna State.

8. A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Garus Gololo, has threatened to sue the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio over what he called the illegal suspension’ of Senator Abdul Ningi.

   Galolo insisted that the people from the Bauchi senatorial district would not take the suspension of their senator lightly, adding that they might head to court to seek redress.

9. A kidnap attempt on passengers onboard three commercial buses along Akpata-Obajana Road in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State was thwarted by Troops of the Nigerian Army.

   IDOMA VOICE reports that the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

10. George Kelly-Alabo has resigned from the cabinet of Governor Siminalayi Fubara as the Rivers State Commissioner for Works.

    Kelly-Alabo resigned to take up a federal appointment in the administration of President Bola Tinubu.