Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Thursday, 31st December, 2020

Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Thursday, 31st December, 2020

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Thursday, 31st December 2020

1. Sagay To Buhari: Allow Nigerians Carry Gun To Protect Themselves

The Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to allow Nigerians to carry firearms.

Sagay, a senior advocate of Nigeria, urged Buhari and the Inspec­tor General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to allow Nigerians to protect themselves.

Daily Independent, the professor said security challenges such as Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, herdsmen at­tacks, etc. has overwhelmed the government.

2. COVID-19: CAN Declares Final Position On Cross-Over Services

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has told churches and church leaders to follow government instruction in their respective locations as it concerns the cross-over services.

The umbrella Christian organization in a message on Tuesday by its National President, Rev Dr. Samson Ayokunle urged churches to respect and obey government orders as touching this year’s cross-over worship.

3. We Will Fight Food Inflation In 2021 – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has promised that his government will monitor food inflation in the new year 2021.

He made the pledge during the 5th Presidential Economic Advisory Conference held at the Presidency on Tuesday.

The president also instructed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) not to dare to give foreign currency importers foreign exchange.

4. 2023: Afenifere Denies Endorsing Tinubu, Fayemi, Bakare

The spokesman of the pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, on Wednesday disclosed that the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, is not the main leader of the Yoruba people.

Odumakin stated this on Wednesday during an interview with Punch.

The Afenifere spokesperson further stated that the former Governor of Lagos State, Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, or any non-Yoruba aspirant has been endorsed for the 2023 presidency.

5. Two Soldiers Wounded As Nigerian Army Kills Boko Haram Fighters In Borno

Troops of the Nigerian Army have inflicted further casualties on Boko Haram terrorists after the two parties clashed at Tunkushe village in the northeastern part of Borno state.

The troops reportedly ran into an ambush set up by the terrorists in Tunkushe which is about 20 kilometers away from Maiduguri, the Borno State Capital.

Naija News gathered the terrorists appeared in military uniforms and were driving two Hilux vans mounted with Anti Air Craft guns when the military ran into them.

6. COVID-19: Gov. Makinde Suspends Curfew In Oyo To Allow Cross-Over Service

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has suspended the 12 a.m. to 4 a.m curfew in the state to make room for the cross over service by adherents of the Christian religion.

The Governor made this known in a statement on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Taiwo Adisa.

The statement, however, warned that all other COVID-19 protocols must be observed in the gatherings at worship centres, urging residents to remain safe during the yuletide and after.

7. COVID-19: Presidency Issues Fresh Directive To States On Labs, Isolation Centres

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has directed all 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to reopen all laboratories and isolation centres.

Speaking to newsmen at a briefing on Tuesday evening, Chairman of the PTF, Boss Mustapha, also asked states and the FCT to increase COVID-19 testing.

8. Nigeria Would Have Been In Trouble If Borders Were Not Closed – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, noted that the closure of land borders by the Federal Government saved Nigeria from trouble.

Recall that the Buhari-led government in August 2019 closed the nation land borders to curtail illegal importation of drugs, small arms, and agricultural products into the country from neighbouring West African nations.

The President, however, on December 16, ordered the reopening of the closed borders after being shut for over a year.

9. COVID-19: January Will Be A Tough Month – Iheakwazu Claims

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control on Tuesday disclosed that the health system of this country is struggling to cope with the increasing number of coronavirus cases.

The agency further stated that there would be an increase in COVID-19 cases by January 2021.

The Director-General, NCDC, Dr Chikwe Iheakwazu, while speaking at the briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on Tuesday, said, “We just faced the worst week since we started responding to this outbreak. We had more cases in Nigeria last week than in any other previous week since the beginning of the outbreak.”

10. President Buhari To Sign 2021 Budget On Thursday

Nigeria President, Muhammadu Buhari, is expected to sign the 2021 Appropriation Bill into law on Thursday.

Recall that the National Assembly before embarking on holiday had passed the N13.58tn budget for the next fiscal year.

The current government over the years has shared its desire to restore the country’s budget to January to December cycle.