10 top stories from Nigerian newspapers Wednesday morning, September 18, 2019

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

1. Buhari Media defends 7.2% increase in VAT, tackles PDP

The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has tackled the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the opposition party’s rejection of the planned increase in Value Added Tax (VAT), describing it as crying wolf where none exists. The pro-Buhari group also slammed the party for talking about matters that it does not have understanding.

2. After putting my life on the line for the party, APC humiliating me – Senator Abe

Former Senator representing Rivers Southeast Senatorial District, Magnus Abe, has lamented over what he described as “miseries, humiliations and attacks” he has allegedly suffered in his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). Abe stated that despite having to put his life on the line to birth the party in Rivers State, he was being humiliated by the same party.

3. Nigerian Army General, Otiki, goes on trial over alleged N.4billion scandal

The Nigerian Army has begun the trial of former General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, Sokoto, Major General Hakeem Otiki, over an alleged N400 million stolen by some soldiers under his command. Five soldiers of Operation Harbin Kunama III were confirmed to have absconded with the money while escorting it from Sokoko on July 11, 2019, en route Abuja.

4. KOGI: INEC reveals its greatest worry over forthcoming Nov 16 polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed its greatest worry yet, over the forthcoming governorship elections in Kogi State, scheduled to be staged on November 16. According to Professor James Apam, Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kogi State, the greatest worry being harboured by the electoral body over the forthcoming November 16 governorship election in the state, would be violence.

5. Fayemi blames Fayose for N57bn unpaid salaries in Ekiti

Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti on Tuesday blamed the immediate past governor of the state, Ayodele Fayose, for the N57 Billion unpaid salaries and emoluments by the state government. He spoke at a meeting with civil servants in the state as well as a cross-section of labour leaders at the Government House, Ado Ekiti.

Read also: Bank customers to now pay charges on cash deposits and withdrawals

6. MINIMUM WAGE: Economy faces shutdown over alleged govt delay in implementing ‘consequential adjustment’

The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) has said it would give no further notice to the Federal Government before public servants commence strike over the non-implementation of the new minimum wage. It, therefore, enjoined Nigerians to appeal to the government to implement the new minimum wage with adequate consequential adjustments to avoid the looming industrial crisis.

7. 3 persons arrested for impersonating EFCC, ICPC officials

Three men have been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly impersonating the staff of the commission and officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The Uyo Zonal Office of the EFCC confirmed this development on Tuesday in a statement issued by its spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren.

8. Niger State coughs out 200m to settle NECO for results of 30000 students

Niger State government on Tuesday revealed that it paid N200 million to the National Examination Council (NECO) to ensure the release of results of 30,000 students being withheld by the examination body. A statement by Mary Berje, Chief Press Secretary to Gov Abubakar Bello, said that the money was part of the examination fees the Northcentral State was owing the examination body. According to the statement, the Niger government had paid over N1 billion to various examination bodies in the past three years.

9. Akwa Ibom House reinstates council chairman whose aide beat up artisan

The suspended Chairman of Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom, Imoh Williams, has been reinstated by the State House of Assembly, effective September 17. Speaker of the Assembly, Aniekan Bassey, announced the reinstatement at plenary on Tuesday after the committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs headed by Mark Eset, discovered that no case of abuse of office was established against him. Recall that the house had on July 25, suspended the Abak Council Chairman and mandated the Vice-Chairman, Benita Ukpe to take over the affairs of the council, pending the investigation and report of the committee.

10. Super Eagles to play Brazil in friendly October 13

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face their Brazilian counterparts in an international friendly in Singapore on October 13. This was revealed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday, with the football house adding that it is also seeking an African opposition.

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