Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Thursday, 7th January, 2021

Good morning Nigeria, we bring to you Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Thursday, 7th January 2021

1. Finance Act 2020: FG Can Now Borrow From Dormant Account Balances, Unclaimed Dividends

The federal government can now access unclaimed funds from dormant bank accounts as well as unclaimed dividends lodged in Nigerian banks.

This is based on the provisions of the Finance Act 2020 recently signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to the act, such unclaimed funds can be accessed by the government as a sub-fund of the Crisis Intervention Fund however, owners of such funds can request them at any time.

2. Sanwo-Olu To Impose Second Lockdown In Lagos Over COVID-19 Second-wave If…

Indications have emerged that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State is planning to impose fresh lockdown in the state following rising cases of COVID-19 and non-adherence to safety protocols by residents.

In a series of posts on his verified Twitter handle @jidesanwoolu, the Lagos governor urged residents to comply with all safety protocols amid spike in cases of COVID-19.

Sanwo-Olu wrote: “There is an urgent need for us to be more circumspect in the way we live, interact and socialize with our friends and family. Many people are ignoring #COVID19 warnings and guidelines, thereby exposing themselves and others to the virus.

3. Desperate S/East Politicians Working With Bandits To Destabilise Nigeria – Umahi

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has accused desperate South-east politicians of working with bandits to destabilize Nigeria.

Naija News reports that Umahi, who is the chairman of the South-East Governors Forum, stated this after a virtual meeting with the five governors of the region at the government house, Abakaliki.

According to the Ebonyi governor, the governors in the region are worried about the insecurity in the region.

4. Boko Haram: Nigeria Appeals To US To Speed Up Delivery Of Super Tucano Jets

Nigeria has appealed to the United States to speed up the delivery of Super Tucano aircraft ordered by the country.

The appeal was made by the Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd) when he hosted a five-man US delegation led by the Secretary, US Air Force, Barbara Barrett at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters, Ship House Abuja.

Magashi who noted that space defence is a force multiplier in military operations said the jets will enhance the capabilities of the military in curbing the activities of Boko Haram insurgents and general insecurity in Nigeria.

5. “This Is Not Acceptable” – NLC Reacts As FG Increases Electricity Tariff

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has condemned the latest increase in electricity tariff by the federal government of Nigeria.

NLC on Wednesday through its deputy president, Comrade Joe Ajaero rejected the increase, describing it as insensitive and unacceptable.

Ajaero who spoke when he appeared as a guest on Channels TV disclosed that stakeholders, particularly the committee working on the new electricity tariff regime were not carried along before announcing the decision to the public.

6. Why NIN Holders May Be Asked To Pay N15,000 – NIMC Official

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has stated that National Identification Number holders are required to pay N15,000 to correct their dates of birth in the commission’s database.

NIMC Regional Coordinator, Mrs Funmi Opesanwo, stated this on Wednesday at the commission’s office in the Alausa area of Lagos State when speaking to Channels Television.

She said NIN holders are also to pay a processing fee of N5,000 for card renewal or card replacement as well as an address modification fee of N500.

According to Opesanwo, NIN enrolment is free but fees are attached for card renewal, correction of date of birth and change of address.

7. Edo: Court Disqualifies Ize-Iyamu’s Running Mate

The Edo State High Court sitting in Benin, the state capital, on Wednesday, disqualified the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the September 19, 2020 governorship election, Audu Ganiyu.

A member of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, Kadiri Oshoakhemhe, had in a suit No: B/358/20 filed a case against the APC deputy governorship candidate and two others.

The presiding judge, Justice H. A Courage-Ogbebor, while delivering his judgement on Wednesday noted that Ganiyu presented false information to the Independent National Electoral Commission in his Form EC9.

8. 2023 Presidency: Igbo Politicians Make Fresh Demands From PDP, APC

Politicians from the South-East region of Nigeria on Tuesday, submitted that both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) should pick their 2023 presidential candidate from the region.

According to the politicians who spoke under the auspices of South-East Political Leaders, their demand is based on the need for fairness and justice to the region.

They made their demand known in a five-point communique issued at the end of their meeting which held at the home of Senator Orji Kalu in Igbere, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.

As part of their demands, they want political parties “to cede their presidential tickets in the 2023 general election to the southeast,” noting that the move is “in the interest of justice, equity and national unity.”

9. Boko Haram: The West Has Supported Borno Than The Arab Nations – Zulum

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, on Tuesday, claimed that countries in the west are more concerned about the people of the state amid Boko Haram attacks than the rich Arab nations.

Zulum stated this in Maiduguri when he received the Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria, Saleh Fheied Saleh.

He noted that the state over the years has been supported by Europe, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan and other countries.

10. JAMB Opens Portal For Admission, Gives Update On Sale Of UTME Form

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says its portal is officially opened for institutions to upload names of shortlisted applicants for the 2020/2021 admission.
The Registrar of the examination body, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, made this known to The Nation in Abuja on Tuesday, January 5.

According to the JAMB Boss, all the admission processes will pass through the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) for approval by the board.

Oloyede noted that only qualified candidates as recommended by their institutions for admission will be approved.