Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Thursday, 20th July, 2023

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to CityNews roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 20th July 2023.

1. President Bola Tinubu has sought confirmation of the Senate for appointments of members and Executive Management of the governing board of the North East Development Commission, NEDC, which was rejected by his predecessor. The board had served out its first term, but former President, Muhammadu Buhari refused to renew their tenure.

2. Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Olukayoode Ariwoola has denied rumours that he had a telephone conversation with President Bola Tinubu and the Director-General of Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, over the pending post-election petitions before the Presidential Election Petitions Court.

3. The national leadership of the College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), on Wednesday, directed its members nationwide to attend their respective workplaces only two days in a week. The union, which premised its directive upon the recent price hike on fuel, lamented that this has worsened the cost of transportation, food and other essential commodities.

4. The 19-year old candidate in the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), Mmesoma Ejikeme, accused by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) of result forgery has apologised to the examination body for her action. She read an apology letter during an investigative hearing by the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee probing the matter, headed by Hon Sada Soli.

5. Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke on Wednesday reportedly swore in a lawyer, Sola Akintola as the Commissioner for health among the 25 newly appointed commissioners he assigned various portfolios. Speaking during the inauguration at his office in Osogbo, Governor Adeleke said he would not condone what he called a solo show by any of the appointees.

6. As a move to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has assured Nigerian workers of readiness of the government to review salaries of its workers. He gave the assurance when he received Governor of Ekiti State, Abiodun Oyebanji and members of the National Assembly from the state.

7. President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, met with Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and some governors, including those of Imo, Kwara, Lagos and Ogun in continuation of his consultation with key players on how to get the economy on sound footing and finalise arrangement on the distribution of palliative to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal. Vice President Kashim Shettima and Abdullahi Ganduje, former governor of Kano State were also part of the meeting.

8. A prison warder, Joseph Fatunbi, alleged to have aided the escape of some inmates, was on Wednesday arraigned before a Magistrates’ Court in Yaba, Lagos State. He was, however, granted bail by Magistrate Linda Balogun. Fatunbi was arraigned on one count of aiding the escape of two prison inmates, Mohammed Aliyu and Adewale Ismail, from lawful custody.

9. First batch of 27 million litres of petrol imported by an independent marketer has arrived in the country, putting an end to a downstream monopoly market once enjoyed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited. The vessel, ST Nnene, earlier billed to arrive since last week, but was held down off Lome waters due to adverse weather, arrived at Ijegun-Egba on Wednesday.

10. The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, granted an application by the Federal Government to protect the identity of the witnesses lined up to testify against an alleged terrorist collaborator, Tukur Mamu. Mamu, who was arraigned in March this year, is facing 10 counts bordering on terrorism financing, among others.