Naija News: Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Wednesday, 1st May, 2024

Naija News: Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Wednesday, 1st May, 2024

1. The Deputy Governor of Benue State, Barr Sam Ode, has said he is solidly behind the governor, Rev Fr Hycainth Alia, insisting that even if there is any impeachment attempt, he will not avail himself to be used to succeed the governor.

   Ode made this comment in his vote of thanks, on Tuesday, April 30th, 2024, during the Stakeholders Meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held at Government House, Makurdi.

2. The Nigerian Federal Government has approved a substantial raise in the salaries of civil servants. This increment, varying from 25% to 35%, applies to six consolidated salary frameworks.

   These adjustments cover a wide array of sectors, including the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS), Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS), Consolidated Police Salary Structure (CONPOSS), Consolidated Paramilitary Salary Structure (CONPASS), Consolidated Intelligence Community Salary Structure (CONICCS), and Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS).

3. John Ayoh, a former Director of Information Technology at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), provided insight into the purported collection of $600,000 in contract gratification for the embattled former apex bank governor, Godwin Emefiele, during proceedings at an Ikeja Special Offences Court.

   Ayoh, testifying under the guidance of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), disclosed that he spent eight years at the apex bank. He recounted receiving a letter from the agency regarding two transactions he facilitated involving Emefiele.

4. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has confirmed that out of 1,842,464 candidates who sat for the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), 1,402,490 failed to achieve a score of 200 out of 400 marks.

   The board disclosed these results on Monday, revealing that the number of candidates who fell short of half the possible marks constituted 78% of the total candidates.

5. The federal government has declared Wednesday, 1st May, 2024, a public holiday to mark the Workers’ Day celebration.

   This was contained in a statement on Tuesday by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on behalf of the federal government.

6. President Bola Tinubu has sympathized with those affected by a recent gas explosion accident in the Ita-Oshin area of Abeokuta, Ogun State.

   The President’s message was conveyed in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.

7. The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has threatened to cripple the supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol over non-payment of ₦200 billion bridging claims.

   IPMAN’s Unit Chairman of Aba Depot, Mazi Oliver Okolo, made this known in at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday.

8. The Port Harcourt-Aba railway line was officially opened for public use on Tuesday, marking the commencement of commercial train services by the Federal Government.

   This milestone, previously delayed twice, saw the Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali, supervising the launch of commercial operations along the 62.0-kilometer route from Port Harcourt to Aba at the Port Harcourt Railway Station.

9. The House of Representatives on Tuesday directed the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to stop the introduction of the new electricity tariff for Band A customers.

   IDOMA VOICE reports that the resolution was approved by the lower legislative chamber during its plenary session on Tuesday, subsequent to the enactment of a motion addressing pressing public concerns.

10. The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has threatened to cripple the supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol over non-payment of ₦200 billion bridging claims.

    IPMAN’s Unit Chairman of Aba Depot, Mazi Oliver Okolo, made this known in at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday.