Naija News: Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Wednesday, 1st November, 2023

Top Headlines from Naija News, Wednesday, 1st November 2023:

1. Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and his immediate predecessor, Nyesom Wike, paid an unexpected visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday. This visit comes in the midst of ongoing impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara by the Rivers State House of Assembly, which were initiated on Monday.

   It is essential to recall that the Rivers State Assembly complex was engulfed in flames on Sunday night, reportedly due to the growing tensions surrounding the impeachment efforts against the governor. Despite the fire incident, the impeachment process continued, with 24 out of the 32 members of the state assembly signing the document to support Fubara’s removal from office.

2. The Management of Benue State University in Makurdi has imposed a one-month suspension on all medical students from levels 200 to 600. This action was taken following a peaceful protest by medical students who raised concerns about the arbitrary withdrawal of their peers, water shortages, and overcrowded living conditions, with up to five students in rooms designed for two.

   In an internal memorandum issued by the Registrar, Dr. Mrs. Mfaga Modom, the terms of the suspension were outlined. According to the memo, all affected students are required to vacate their school hostels by 10:00 AM on Monday, October 30, 2023, and are expected to return on Wednesday, November 25, 2023.

3. The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has granted approval for a supplementary budget of N2,176,791,286,033 to address pressing national issues. This development, announced by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu, at the end of the FEC meeting in Abuja, includes an allocation of N605 billion for national defence and security.

   According to Bagudu, this supplementary budget is the second for the year 2023 and is designed to provide the necessary funding for critical matters. The substantial allocation of N605 billion for national defence and security is aimed at sustaining the progress made in enhancing security and accelerating related efforts before the year concludes.

4. The Nigerian Senate has revealed that the Board of Directors of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company Plc (NSPMC) allegedly approved a N14 billion salary increase for its staff members without obtaining the necessary approval from the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission. This disclosure was made by Senator Ahmed Wadada, Chairman of the Senate Public Accounts Committee, during a session in Abuja, where the NSPMC’s management appeared to address the 2019 report from the Auditor-General of the Federation.

   The Auditor-General’s report exposed that between 2016 and 2019, the NSPMC’s Board of Directors sanctioned the disbursement of N14 billion for salaries and allowances without the requisite approval from the salaries and wages regulatory body.

5. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has dismissed viral reports that it plans to redenominate the naira.

   In a statement on Tuesday by its Director, Corporate Communications, Isa AbdulMumin, the CBN expressed surprise over reports that it plans to redenominate the nation’s currency.

6. The Nigeria Police Council (NPC) has confirmed Kayode Egbetokun as the substantive Inspector-General of Police.

   The council confirmed Egebtolun as the Police boss on Tuesday during its inaugural meeting held at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

7. The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has affirmed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan as the rightful winner of the Kogi Central Senatorial Election.

   The Appellate Court in a ruling on Tuesday, affirmed the ruling of the Tribunal which declared Akpoti as the winner of the February 2023 election.

8. Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have reacted to the political crisis in Rivers State.

   The Chairman of the forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, while addressing newsmen after the emergency meeting of PDP Governors commended President Bola Tinubu for intervening in the political crisis Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

9. A former national chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rufai Ahmed Alkali and the candidate of the NNPP in the March 18 governorship election in Kaduna State, Senator Sulaiman Othman Hunkuyi have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

   It was gathered that the National chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, received them into the party, on Tuesday.

10. The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja, has restored Timipre Sylva as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa State.

    Reports has it that Appeal Court on Tuesday, upheld Sylva’s appeal against the earlier High Court order which sacked him from the race.