Naija Newspaper Headlines For Today, Friday, 11th June, 2021

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to CityNews Nigeria roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Friday, 11th June 2021.

1. President Buhari Orders Increase In Salary Of Police Officers

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission to implement an increase in the salaries and wages of police officers in Nigeria.

The President made the revelation on Thursday in Lagos while conducting the handing over of security equipment by the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to the Lagos State Police Command during his one-day official visit to the State.

Buhari in his speech during the handing over event said no federal government since 1999 has placed greater priority on the welfare of security operatives like his government.

Apart from recruiting more personnel for the force, the president listed the signing of the Act establishing the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, assenting to the Bill amending the Nigeria Police Act as well as an increase in payment and emolument of police operatives as some of the proves that his administration places priority on the welfare of the men and officers of the Nigeria Police.

2. Herdsmen: Buhari Backs Open Grazing, Issues Fresh Directive To AGF Malami

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the return of the open grazing practiced, where herdsmen will use designated grazing routes to move their cattle.

The president stated this during an interview with Arise Television which was aired on Thursday.

Recall that 17 southern governors had after a meeting in Delta State imposed a ban on open grazing in the region.

Nigeria’s Attorney General, Abubakar Malami had kicked against the declaration by the governors, adding that it was like northern governors banning spare part trading, a job that is synonymous with southerners.

Asked if he agreed with the AGF’s position, Buhari responded, “You want me to contradict my attorney-general?”

He disclosed that he has asked Malami to begin the process of recovering land from persons who have converted cattle grazing routes for their personal use.

3. June 12: FG Declares Monday Public Holiday

The Federal Government has declared Monday, June, 14 as public holiday to mark this year’s Democracy Day celebration.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, on Thursday.

The former Governor of Osun State congratulated Nigerians on this occasion and charged them to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in its plan at ensuring a United and prosperous Nation.

Aregbesola said any form of agitation that threatens the unity of the country should be shunned.

4. Restricting Social Media Has No Place In A Democracy – US Secretary Of State Tells Buhari

The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, on Thursday to President Muhammadu Buhari-led government that restricting the use of social media has no place in a democracy.

Blinken stated this in a statement released through his spokesman, Ned Price, on Thursday.

In the statement titled, ‘Nigeria’s Twitter Suspension’, Blinken condemned the suspension of the micro-blogging site, Twitter, by the Buhari government.

5. Don’t Expect Me To Do Everything For You – Buhari Tells State Govs On Herdsmen Crisis

President Muhammadu Buhari has told State Governors complaining about herdsmen attacks on farmers in their domains to seek local solutions to the problems.

This is as the President lashed out at them not to expect him to be the one to fix all their problems, but he stated he expects them to take action.

Buhari said this during an interview with Arise TV aired on Thursday where he spoke about various national issues.

Specifically, the President mentioned that recently, two South-West governors visited him to complain about herdsmen encroaching on farmers’ lands in their regions but he told them to involve traditional institutions and community leaders in resolving the issues.

6. COAS: Why I Chose Yahaya Over Senior Military Officers – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has explained why he appointed Major-General Farouk Yahaya as the new Chief of Army Staff.

CityNews had earlier reported that Yahaya replaced Lt General Ibrahim Attahiru, who died in a plane crash with ten other military personnel while on an official trip to Kaduna State.

Until his appointment, the new army chief was the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, the counter-insurgency operation in the North East.

Buhari, during an interview on Arise TV on Thursday, explained Yahaya was appointed as the Chief of army staff ahead of other superiors because of his experience fighting Boko Haram in the North East.

Buhari further explained the choice of Yahaya was because he had the support and understanding of the troops.

7. I Can’t Cut Off My Family Members – Buhari Defends Niger Republic Railway Project

President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed more reasons behind the decision by his administration to construct a multi-billion naira railway project into Niger Republic.

The project valued at about $1.96bn is targeted at building a railway from Kano State in Nigeria into Maradi in Niger Republic and has attracted several criticisms from Nigerians who feel it’s a waste of scarce resources.

But defending the idea behind the project, the federal government said the railway project, expected to run from Kano to Dutse- Katsina through Jibia and end at Maradi in Niger Republic, would have great economic values and help Nigeria to compete and expand the economy.

Speaking further on Thursday during an interview on Arise TV, Buhari stated that many of his family members are in Niger Republic and they can’t be cut off.

8. Unemployment, Poverty Triggered Boko Haram – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed that youth unemployment and poverty triggered the Boko Haram insurgency in the North.

In an interview with Arise TV on Thursday, the Nigerian leader believed that if the issues of unemployment and poverty are solved, the Boko Haram insurgency will be defeated.

He noted the majority of the Boko Haram members are Nigerians after being told so by the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum.

Buhari stated that his government has done a lot to fight the terrorists but the problem in the “North-East is very difficulty.”

The President also directed the military and the police to deal with bandits terrorizing the northwest region of the country.

9. Shoot Anyone Found With Illegal AK-47 – Buhari Orders Police, Security Operatives

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Lagos reiterated that his directive to security agencies, to shoot any person or persons found illegally wielding AK-47s and other assault weapons, remains in place.

The President also vowed that his administration will act firmly and decisively ‘‘against any and all persons fomenting or carrying out attacks on our Police Force and other security personnel.’’

The President spoke at the handing over of security equipment by the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to the Lagos State Police Command during his one-day official visit to the State.

President Buhari warned that ‘‘a nation that turns its Police personnel and infrastructure into targets of violence and destruction is a nation on the path of self-destruction.’’

10. Buhari Lied – PDP Lists Project It Did But FG Is Claiming

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of claiming projects done by previous administrations.

Recall that President Buhari in an interview on ARISE Television listed the achievements of his government so far.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, accused Buhari of laying claims to projects done by PDP administrations, instead of addressing salient issues confronting the nation.

That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on CityNews Nigeria. See you again tomorrow.