Good morning! Here is today’s summary of Latest Nigerian News from Nigerian Newspapers of Thursday 25th May 2023
1. With barely four days to the end of his regime, President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday, in Abuja, presided over a valedictory meeting of the Federal Executive Council, thanking ministers for their loyalty since 2015. He also gave a short thank-you address to all members of the State House Staff, at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
2. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Wase, clashed in the chamber during plenary on Wednesday over the position of next Speaker of the House. Gbajabiamila had reportedly recommended Tajudeen Abbas and Benjamin Kalu for Speaker and Deputy Speaker while Wase is also eyeing the seat.
3. The Indigenous People of Biafra, on Wednesday, threatened that should its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, “fall in the hands of Nigeria, then Nigeria and her leaders will fall in the hands of Biafra.” In a statement by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, IPOB said it was disappointed in the United Nations, European Union, African Union and ECOWAS for keeping silent while its leader continued to be detained by the Federal Government.
4. President Muhammadu Buhari has written to the National Assembly to seek approval for payment of judgment debts owed by the Federal Government to the tune of $566.7 million, £98.5m and N226.2 billion. The debt when converted to naira using the official dollar rate of N460.78 and N574.3 for pounds amounted to N544bn.
5. The Oyo State House of Assembly on Wednesday approved a N2bn loan request presented to it by Governor Seyi Makinde.
The House gave its nod at its plenary in Ibadan, the state capital, barely four days to the end of Makinde’s first term in office.
6. Determined to unveil the National carrier, Nigeria Air, before the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari ends on May 29, 2023, the Minister of Aviation has disclosed that a Nigeria Air plane would arrive in the country on Friday. This is just as the Minister insisted that the implementation of the aviation roadmap has been achieved 100 percent.
7. The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Leo Irabor, has disclosed that the Nigerian government spent $8 billion to restore peace in Liberia. He disclosed this while delivering his keynote remark at the event to mark the 75th-year celebration of the United Nations peacekeeping operations on Wednesday.
8. Gunmen have killed three police officers and injured one at Oshiri Divisional Command, located in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The incident occurred on Wednesday barely 28 hours after gunmen attacked a checkpoint in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi.
9. Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has called on Nigerians to support the incoming administration of President-elect Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Ortom, who spoke on a television show, lamented the security breaches in his state. He was however hopeful that Tinubu’s government would do better in curtailing them.
10. The Federal Government has promised to refund state governments all monies so far deducted from their accounts to meet London Paris Club obligations. Immediate past chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Aminu Tambuwal, disclosed this in a communique after an emergency meeting on Tuesday night.
