10 Top stories from Nigerian newspapers Monday morning, August 5, 2019

These 10 top stories from Nigerian newspapers will interest you this Monday morning.

1. We have evidence of how Buhari lifted 5m Nigerians out of poverty — BMO

The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO), has linked the supposed lifting of five million Nigerians out of the poverty bracket to the Social Investment Programme initiated by the Buhari administration. Notable among these is the Trader Money scheme under which select petty traders were awarded N10000 each across the country. The claim has since sparked controversy.

2. N2.2bn was already budgeted for RUGA implementation — Presidency

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enang, has disclosed that N2.2 billion has already been budgeted for the implementation of RUGA programme. He therefore called on states in the southern part of the country to support the implementation of the proposed RUGA cattle settlement programme by making land available.

3. #RevolutionIsNow: Athletes stranded as joint security force takes over National Stadium, Lagos

A joint security force comprising the army, DSS and police, has barred entry into the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, leaving athletes stranded.

Ripples Nigeria gathered that the heavy presence of security was ordered to prevent #RevolutionNow protesters from using the facility.

4. ‘Avoid Zamfara pitfall,’ INEC charges political parties on Kogi guber primaries

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has tasked political parties fielding candidates in the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Kogi State to ensure the conduct of transparent primaries. The electoral body which made the charge through its Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kogi, Prof. James Apam also urged the parties to ensure strict adherence to electoral rules ahead of the governorship polls set for November 16, 2019.

5. ICPC recovers constituency project items worth N117m from former Senate Cmte Chairman on Anti-corruption

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has said it recovered Constituency Project items worth N117,123,375.44 million from Senator Chukwuka Utazi who represents Enugu North Senatorial District. Utazi, a former chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-corruption and Financial Crimes, was alleged to have warehoused 203 grinding machines, 60 motorcycles, five transformers, 168 motorcycles and 51 tricycles.

Read also: 10 Top stories from Nigerian newspapers Sunday morning, August 4, 2019

6. Sowore’s ‘terrorist midnight arrest’ worse than the Abacha era — Soyinka

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka has joined other Nigerians in calling for the release of Omoyele Sowore, describing his arrest by the Department of State Services (DSS), as “a terrorist midnight arrest.” He added that it was “a travesty and violation of the fundamental rights” of citizens to congregate and make public their concerns.

7. Gov Wike bans #RevolutionNow protests in Rivers

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has banned the staging of ‘RevolutionNow’ protests in the state. Wike, who gave the order on Sunday in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, also called on Local Government chairmen in the state to report any suspicious activity to security officials.

8. Gunmen kill Miyetti Allah chairman in Adamawa

Some yet to be identified gunmen have killed the Adamawa Southern Senatorial Zone Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Sa`idu Kolaku. It was gathered that he was killed at his residence in Mayo-Belwa, headquarters of Mayo-Belwa Local Government Area of southern Adamawa.

9. Pastor Fatoyinbo returns to pulpit amid rape allegations

Critics and close watchers are now raising eyebrows after troubled Pastor Abiodun Fatoyinbo of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, (COZA), returned to the pulpit to preach after he initially stepped down following rape allegations. Reports say Pastor Fatoyinbo was welcomed back with a thunderous applause on Sunday, August 4th to the delight of many screaming and jubilating church members as he climbed the stage for the first time since the rape allegation leveled against him by Busola Dakolo, wife of R&B singer, Timi Dakolo.

10. Miyetti Allah reacts to murder of Enugu Catholic priest

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), has reacted to the murder of a Catholic priest of St James the Greater Parish, Ugbawka, Enugu State last Thursday. The group in a statement issued said Fulani herdsmen were not responsible for the killing of the Catholic priest, Paul Offu, noting that as part of security and peace committee in Enugu State, it was bound to control its members and ensure that criminals do not infiltrate its members conducting their business in the state.

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