10 top stories from Nigerian newspapers Wednesday morning, October 9, 2019

These 10 top stories from Nigerian newspapers will make your Wednesday morning.

1. President Buhari presents 2020 budget of N10.33 trn

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, presented the 2020 appropriation bill to a joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja. The N10.33 trillion budget proposal includes statutory transfers of N556.7 billion, non-debt recurrent expenditure of N4.88 trillion and capital expenditure of N2.14 trillion (excluding the capital component of statutory transfers).

2. 2020 BUDGET: Revenue from increased VAT to be invested in health, education – Presidency

The Presidency on Tuesday said revenue accruable from increased Value Added Tax (VAT) would be invested into developing the health and education sectors. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), Mr. Umar el-Yakub, said this while speaking to journalists after the budget presentation by President Muhammadu Buhari at the National Assembly complex on Tuesday.

3. 2020 Budget: Buhari has done what his predecessors could not – BMO

The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has praised President Muhammadu Buhari for the early presentation of the 2020 Budget proposal to the National Assembly, saying he has succeeded in doing what his three predecessors in office could not do. According to the group, the presentation of the budget would go a long way in ensuring that the country finally began implementing its national budget from the first day of the fiscal year.

4. 2020 budget to be passed on November 28

The 2020 Appropriation Bill proposal presented on Tuesday to the joint sitting of the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari will be ready for passage on the 28th of November, 2019. This was disclosed by the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Benjamin Kalu while addressing journalists after the presentation of the budget proposal by President Buhari on Tuesday in Abuja.

5. APC excited at collaboration between 9th Assembly and Executive to ensure early budget passage

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended the commitment of both the executive and legislative arms in ensuring the budget passage returned to the January-December cycle. Speaking on President Muhammadu Buhari’s presentation of the 2020 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly on Tuesday, APC applauded the President stating that the early presentation would give the lawmakers near three months to consider and pass the budget.

Read also: 10 top stories from Nigerian newspapers Tuesday morning, October 8, 2019

6. Army to commence new Python Dance, Crocodile Smile operations Nov 1

The Nigerian Army announced that it would commence fresh operations Python Dance and Crocodile Smile in the South East and South South on November 1. According to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, the army would also conduct Exercise Ayem Akpatuma on the same day in the North-Central.

7. Police arrest lawyer over $1.5m bribery allegation against Emmanuel

A lawyer, Leo Ekpenyong was Tuesday arrested by men of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja for alleging that the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel bribed the election petition tribunal chairman in the state with $1.5 million to secure favourable judgement. The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Uwemedimo Nwoko revealed this on Tuesday in Uyo, the state capital, adding that Ekpenyong was picked up in Abuja and flown to Uyo where he would be arraigned in an Uyo Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

8. Governor Okowa hints at ceding power to Delta Central after serving out his tenure

Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has hinted that he would lobby for a candidate from a Delta Central to occupy the governorship stool if, and when, he serves out his tenure. While pushing for this position, he also told critics that he had no apologies for appointing one of his daughters as an aide. Governor Okowa argued that his daughter was highly qualified for the position and therefore deserved the appointment.

9. Student swept away, properties destroyed as heavy downpour ravage Ondo communities

A student of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, Ondo State was on Tuesday swept away in a heavy rainstorm that ravaged some communities in the state. Properties worth millions of Naira and belonging to the residents of the communities were lost in the rain that lasted more than 13 hours.

10. TARABA KILLINGS: Panel recommend punishment for soldiers, policemen

A captain, 5 soldiers and two policemen have been recommended for punishment by the joint investigative panel set up by the Defence Headquarters to investigate the killing of three policemen and a civilian on August 6 in Ibi, Taraba State. The panel headed by Rear Admiral Ibikunle Olaiya, in its report said Captain Tijani Balarabe, Sergeant Ibrahim Mohammed and Corporal Bartholomew Obanye, as well as the Divisional Crime Officer of Ibi Police Division, Assistant Superintendent of Police Aondoona Iorbee, and Inspector Aliyu Dadje must pass through disciplinary measures over the incident.

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