Naija News: Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Tuesday, 6th February, 2024

Naija News: Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Monday, 5th February, 2024

1. Renowned veteran actor and folk singer, Jimi Solanke, is dead. Solanke passed away at the age of 81.

   The iconic poet and playwright breathed his last on Monday while en route from his country residence in Ipara Remo, Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State, to Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilisan.

2. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has firmly denied any intentions to convert domiciliary account holdings into Naira, refuting recent media reports. The statement, signed by Assistant Director of Corporate Communications Sidi-Ali Hakama, dismisses claims by a national daily that the Federal Government is contemplating converting $30 billion domiciliary deposits to Naira.

   The CBN categorically labeled the allegation as false and aimed at creating panic in the foreign exchange market, which the bank is diligently working to stabilize through recent policies and directions. The statement acknowledges the existence of similar false narratives circulating in recent months, suggesting a deliberate attempt by vested interests to undermine the efforts of the CBN.

3. The bail applications filed by the loyalists of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, who were linked with the state assembly explosion, have been dismissed by a Federal High Court in Abuja.

   It was gathered that the defendants, namely Chime Eguma Ezebalike, Prince Lukman Oladele, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Osiga Donald, and Ochueja Thankgod, were facing terrorism-related charges for their alleged involvement in the bombing of the Rivers State House of Assembly in October 2023.

4. Details of why the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, declined his appointment as the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) committee for ward congresses in Edo State has emerged.

   According to a letter addressed to the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) through the National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, Makinde said the notification of appointment came late, and he had already lined up some other state engagements.

5. The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has assured Nigerians that the hard times being faced is temporary and will soon be over.

   She gave the assurance during a meeting with the wives of 36 State Governors at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday.

6. The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, has refuted claims that the federal government is still owing foreign exchange amounting to $2.4 billion.

   In an interview with Arise Television, Cardoso said the bank had settled verified forex requests, which amounted to $2.3 billion out of the reported $7 billion outstanding foreign exchange liabilities of the government.

7. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, has said he approved the relocation of some bank units to Lagos State because the headquarters in Abuja is overpopulated.

   The CBN governor noted that the development remains part of the reason the bank is relocating some of its staff members from Abuja to Lagos.

8. Outspoken clergyman and Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Revd Father Ejike Mbaka, has called on President Bola Tinubu to go all out and deal with cabals in the nation’s petroleum sector.

   According to Mbaka, Nigerians are suffering untold levels of hardship, and the President needs to exhibit the political will and readiness towards solving the country’s problems.

9. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has began the enforcement of the ban on the importation, manufacture, distribution, sale, and use of alcoholic beverages in sachets, PET, and glass bottles of 200ml and below.

   The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, announced the development in a press conference in Abuja.

10. The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has emphasized the need for the ruling class to tackle corruption and criminality as a means of moving the country forward.

    The LP flag bearer insisted that corruption and criminality kill professionalism and hard work. He urged the government to do everything in its power to fight the situation and ultimately drive the country forward.