These 10 top stories from Nigerian newspapers will make your Wednesday morning, October 16, 2019.
1. 2020 budget scales second reading in Senate
The 2020 Appropriation Bill submitted to the National Assembly last week by President Muhammadu Buhari scaled second reading on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday. A statement issued by the Special Assistant to the Senate President on Press, Ezrel Tabiowo, said the upper chamber has subsequently adjourned plenary till November 29 to enable Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of government defend their respective budget proposals before the Committees of the Senate. The Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, in his concluding remark during the last day of debate on the 2020 budget estimates, identified revenue generation as a major challenge of the budget.
2. PDP asks NASS to directly send N10bn presidential fund to Kogi workers
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the National Assembly to invoke its statutory powers and directly channel the N10.069 billion presidential funds for payment of salaries and pensions of Kogi State workers to them. President Muhammadu Buhari had written the Nigerian Senate asking it to approve the money for Kogi State.
3. Court fixes date to hear Sowore’s plea to have ‘stringent’ bail conditions softened
A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed Monday, October 21, as date to hear an application by Omoyele Sowore, to have his bail conditions softened. The court had on October 4, 2019, granted Sowore, the convener of #RevolutionNow protest, and his co-defendant, Olawale Bakare bail. But his counsel, Femi Falana (SAN) had then described the bail conditions as stringent.
4. Again, Oshiomhole attacks Governor Obaseki
The National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has alleged that the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki was contemplating dumping the ruling party. Oshiomhole claimed that the governor, having planned to jump ship, was creating crisis among members of the party and blackmailing him.
5. Lawan, Mungono, others meet over security scare in Abuja
Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, on Tuesday held a crucial security meeting with top officials who are directly charged with the security of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The meeting which was also attended by the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno; Director General of Department of State Service, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, addressed the worsening security situation in the nation’s capital.
6. Ganduje promises justice for 9 children kidnapped in Kano
Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has promised to investigate the case of nine children who were kidnapped and trafficked from Kano to Anambra State. The Kano State Police Command had on Friday reunited nine kids who were allegedly kidnapped and sold in Anambra State with their parents.
7. Group to APC: Disqualify Gov Bello from contesting Kogi poll over double registration
A group in the All Progressive Congress (APC) Justice Forum/Buhari Support group in Kogi State on Tuesday urged the leaders of the party to disqualify Governor Yahaya Bello over alleged double registration. In a statement issued in Abuja by the Forum’s Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. Atekojo Samson Usman, the group said the call was to ensure that the party did not incur the wrath of the law. According to the group, the allegation against the governor had become embarrassing for the party, adding that the party should not field Bello.
8. Hope for resolution of minimum wage saga as Nigerian govt, Labour Congress shift positions
There are strong indications that issues around the implementation of the minimum wage would soon be resolved as both the organized labour and the Federal Government shift grounds on the issue of consequential adjustments. During the meeting between both parties on Tuesday, the Federal Government offered to make consequential adjustment for Grade Level 7-14 to 17 percent from its initial 11 percent and 12 percent for Grade Level 15-17 from 6.5 percent.The organized labour on its part shifted its position of 29 percent for consequential movement of GL-7-14 to 25 percent and 20 percent for GL15-17 from 25 percent. While negotiations have not been finalized, it is suspected that labour would shelve the planned industrial action slated for Wednesday.
9. Ex-commissioner indicts Ambode as LSHA continues 820 bus purchase probe
The Lagos State House of Assembly has continued the probe of the purchase of 820 mass transit buses by the administration of former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, with the former Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Olusegun Banjo, telling the lawmakers that his ministry was sidelined in the deal. The buses were said to have been purchased for N48 billion. Banjo stated this when he appeared before the adhoc committee of the Assembly set up to probe Ambode over the purchase of the buses.
10. NMA laments abduction of members, claims 48 doctors kidnapped
The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), on Tuesday decried the rate at which doctors are kidnapped in the country. The President of the association, Dr Adedayo Faduyile, who spoke at a news conference to mark the 2019 Physicians’ Week in Akure, said doctors are no more safe to carry out their duties in Nigeria, adding that 48 of their members had been kidnapped in the last two years.