Naija News: Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Tuesday, 23rd January, 2024

Top Headlines from Naija News, Tuesday, 23rd January 2024

1. The late Ondo Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, is scheduled to be laid to rest on February 23 in Owo, situated in Owo Local Government Area. This information was disclosed in a statement announcing the funeral arrangements by his eldest son, Oluwarotimi O. Akeredolu, Jnr.

   According to the statement, the funeral proceedings will commence on Thursday, February 15, with a winning soul crusade at MKO Abiola Democracy Park. The Jumat Service is set to take place on Friday, February 16, at the Akure Central Mosque.

2. The police have apprehended two suspects, including a local government chairman, in connection with an alleged conspiracy to assassinate the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Aondona Hycenth Dajoh. The arrest was confirmed in a statement issued on Monday by Force spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi.

   The statement revealed that investigations uncovered the local government chairman’s purported involvement in contracting a militia to carry out the sinister plot against Speaker Dajoh.

3. The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced the initiation of the inaugural free computer-based mock exam for private candidates participating in the 2024 first-series West African Senior Secondary School Examination (WASSCE). All potential candidates are encouraged to engage in the mock test, scheduled for January 23–24, according to Moyosola Adesina, the Acting Head of Public Affairs at the WAEC national office in Lagos.

   In a released statement, Adesina conveyed, “WAEC has organized a complimentary Mock Examination for all prospective candidates undertaking the first-ever Computer-Based WASSCE for Private Candidates, 2024- First Series, commencing on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.

4. The Ogun State Police Command on Sunday, reported the apprehension of 30-year-old Olubunmi Ajayi for attempting to drown her five-month-old baby, Imole Anifowose, in the RSS River, Sagamu. A statement from SP Omolola Odutola, the spokesperson for the state police command, revealed that Olusola Sonaya, who happened to be near the river, intervened and rescued the baby after the mother tossed her into the water.

   The incident occurred on January 21, 2024, around 17:30hrs, prompting a swift response from the concerned citizen who witnessed the attempted murder. The rescued baby was promptly taken to Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, for urgent medical attention and was reported to be in stable condition at the time of the statement.

5. Aloy Ejimakor, the Special Counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has submitted a complaint to the British House of Lords concerning the Nigerian Government’s detention and prosecution of Kanu.

   In his petition to the British House of Lords, Ejimakor appeals for intervention in the alleged torture, rendition, and imprisonment of Kanu by the Nigerian Government. He calls on the British Parliament to take action against the Nigerian Government, including imposing sanctions, if it does not release Kanu without conditions and repatriate him to the United Kingdom.

6. On Monday, the Federal High Court in Abuja invalidated the N800 billion budget for the year 2024, which had been signed into law by Rivers State Governor, Simi Fubara.

   In December, Governor Fubara had presented the N800 billion 2024 Appropriation Bill to a faction of the state House of Assembly consisting of four lawmakers. Subsequently, after the lawmakers passed the budget, Fubara proceeded to sign it into law.

7. Nigerian musician Damini Ogulu, widely known as Burna Boy, is poised to create history by becoming the first African artist to perform live at the Grammy Awards recording ceremony. The Recording Academy made the announcement via X on Monday, January 22, 2024, confirming Burna Boy’s inclusion in the performer lineup for the upcoming 2024 Grammys alongside Luke Combs and Travis Scott.

   In a brief statement, the Grammy organizers wrote on their X handle, “Attention: African Giant @BurnaBoy will grace the #GRAMMYs stage on Sunday, February 4 at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT on @CBS.” Other previously revealed performers for the event include Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, and Dua Lipa.

8. Senator Ireti Kingibe, the representative of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the National Assembly, expressed no surprise at the heightened insecurity in Abuja, stating that her earlier warnings about the issue were disregarded. Kingibe revealed that she had tried to bring the matter to the attention of security agencies, emphasizing the urgency of addressing security concerns in the FCT. In an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, she disclosed that her alerts were dismissed, with assurances that the situation was exaggerated.

   Recalling her efforts to highlight the growing insecurity, Kingibe stated, “I remember a few months ago, I drew the attention of the minister (Nyesom Wike) – when he came for appropriation – to the fact that security is a priority. And I have been saying that for a long time.” She pointed out instances, such as disturbances in Mpape and tragic incidents involving constituents, that she had brought to the minister’s notice, but claimed that no action was taken until the situation escalated.

9. The Lagos State Government has closed down Oke-Afa Market, Isolo Market, and Katangua Market in Abule Egba due to violations of waste disposal regulations and various unhygienic practices. These actions are considered serious environmental infractions, prompting the government to take stringent measures.

   Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, emphasized the continuation of the government’s zero-tolerance for waste initiative, which was initiated last year. Wahab warned that any market or facility found engaging in reckless waste disposal practices would face sanctions.

10. The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), a prominent pan-northern socio-political organization, has strongly criticized the decision by the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to relocate key departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to Lagos.

    The ACF contended that the move is a deliberate attempt to further underdevelop the northern region of the country.