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Nigerian Newspapers: Headlines that will interest you today, Friday
Good day good citizens of Nigeria, here are headlines from Nigerian Newspapers that may interest you today, Friday, January 7, 2022.
1. Super Tucano deployment: NAF plans bandits’ bombardment, allays fears over civilian casualties, US warns FG [Punch Newspaper]
The United States has warned Nigeria that the use of the Super Tucano must comply with international norms as articulated in the United Nations Charter.
The US gave the warning on Thursday as the Nigerian military was set to deploy the Super Tucano aircraft in the North-West and North-Central after the Federal Government officially designated bandits in the regions as terrorists,
But the US while advising Nigeria said the Federal Government should not deploy the aircraft in operations that encroach on traditional law enforcement role which is under police authority.
A top military officer said, “We now have the green light to deploy the Super Tucano aircraft. Based on the gazette issued by the AGF, all persons kidnapping and killing in the North-Central and North-West are terrorists. Of course, there is a need to separate armed robbers from terrorists.
“So, our operations will centre on forests and known bandits camps. The US will continue to assist with training to prevent the bombing of IDP camps and other civilian habitations.”
2. FG spent $1.68bn on food imports in nine months – CBN [Punch Newspaper]
The Federal Government spent $1.68bn on food importation from January to September last year.
The Central Bank of Nigeria disclosed this in a report on sectoral utilisation of foreign exchange for the third quarter of 2021.
According to the CBN, the government spent $163.60m, $197.73m, and $171.05m in January, February and March, respectively, while $156.30m, $135.72m and $213.58m were spent in April May and June, respectively.
The report revealed that $184.69m, 188.88m and 271.59m were spent in July, August and September, respectively.
3. N10 per litre tax on soft drinks: 15,000 direct, indirect jobs on the line — NLC, LCCI, MAN, NACCIMA [Vanguard Newspaper]
Stakeholders in the Nigerian economy have faulted the Federal Government on the introduction of excise duty of N10/liter on non-alcoholic carbonated and sweetened beverages, noting that the move will lead to contraction of production output, loss of industry revenue and ultimately loss of jobs.
4. Olubadan: I didn’t back Lekan Balogun, quoted out of context — Ladoja [NewsWireNGR]
The Osi Olubadan, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, has clarified that he at no time supported the ascension of Lekan Balogun, who is traditionally the next heir to the throne of Olubadan.
Ladoja was reacting to online reports that he made a U-turn and backed the nomination of Senator Lekan Balogun, the Otun Olubadan for the seat of Olubadan because he was endorsed by the other ten Olubadan-in-Council members at the ancient Mapo Hall on Wednesday.
Speaking, Ladoja said: “In my comment, I did not say High Chief Lekan Balogun will be the next Olubadan or not”. Read more.
5. Like bandits, declare MACBAN terrorists, Ortom tells Buhari [NewsWireNGR]
The Governor of Benue state, Samuel Ortom, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to declare Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) as a terrorist organisation just like it had done with bandits groups. Read more.
