Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 2nd January, 2025
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to enhancing food production, reducing inflation on essential items like food and drugs to 15 per cent, and strengthening the Nigerian economy in the coming year.
In his New Year message to Nigerians, Tinubu expressed optimism about the economic outlook for 2025, citing significant progress achieved in 2024 as a foundation for further improvements.
The President highlighted key economic growth indicators, including a drop in fuel prices, increasing foreign reserves, and a stronger Naira, as evidence of a stabilizing economy.
The President said Nigeria’s stock market’s record growth had generated trillions of naira in wealth, adding that the surge in foreign investment reflected renewed confidence in the country’s economy.
Nevertheless, the cost of food and essential drugs remained a significant concern for many Nigerian households in 2024.
He acknowledged persistent inflation and rising costs of essentials, vowing to intensify efforts to reduce inflation from 34.6 per cent to 15 per cent through reforms aimed at boosting food production and encouraging local manufacturing of drugs and medical supplies.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has emphasised the critical role of state governors in driving Nigeria’s development and prosperity, saying their leadership at the subnational level is central to achieving food security, economic prosperity and rapid national growth.
During a New Year homage by Vice President Kashim Shettima and members of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) at his Ikoyi residence, the President expressed his gratitude for their support and collaboration while highlighting key areas requiring joint effort for the nation’s progress.
Naija News reports that this was made known in a statement on Wednesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
President Tinubu called for stronger collaboration between the federal and state governments to address pressing challenges, including local government autonomy, agricultural productivity, and currency stability.
Expressing his commitment to local government development and autonomy, the President stressed its importance for grassroots development and dispelled rumours of disagreement with the governors.
The presidency has hinted that the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) do not fully understand the content of the tax reform bills proposed by President Bola Tinubu.
The presidency submitted that the proposals would relieve 90% of workers under the NLC of tax burdens, but the leadership of the labour union are opposing the bills.
It criticized the call by the NLC for the withdrawal of the bill.
This position was made known on Wednesday by the Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, via a post on his X account.
The presidential media aide stated this in response to the call by the NLC for the immediate withdrawal of the Tax Reform Bills submitted by President Tinubu to the National Assembly, citing the need for broader stakeholder engagement before passage.
The congress, in its New Year message to Nigerians on Tuesday, also urged governments at all levels to prioritize citizens’ welfare in the coming year.
The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, reiterated the importance of inclusive dialogue in shaping tax reforms.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said his administration is encouraged by the National Assembly’s support over the last 19 months and is determined to take Nigeria to the Promised Land.
Naija News reports that the President spoke Wednesday while receiving Vice President Kashim Shettima, the leadership of the National Assembly, and former principal officers of the National Assembly at his Oyinkan Abayomi Drive residence in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The New Year homage, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, preceded a similar visit by members of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF).
This was made known in a statement to journalists by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Acknowledging the encouragement from the lawmakers, the President pledged to work harder, embrace intellectual inquisitiveness, and make courageous decisions for national development.
The acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has stated that only a political alliance involving the main opposition party can unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
In an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, responding to recent remarks by Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, who dismissed the possibility of an alliance with the PDP, Damagum stated that his party remains the strongest opposition party in Nigeria.
He claimed that no political alliance aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu in 2027 could succeed without the PDP’s involvement.
Damagum argued that the party’s consistency and ability to win elections without holding federal power prove its strength.
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has said governors critical of the tax reform bills should engage lawmakers from their states to express their concerns, rather than scapegoating and blackmailing his principal.
Naija News recalls that the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, had accused President Tinubu of ignoring public concerns over the tax bills.
Mohammed warned that the bills, if passed, could affect the financial stability of states and further deepen the hardship faced by Nigerians.
However, in an interview with Channels Television on Wednesday, Bwala defended Tinubu’s position, noting that the bills are under the purview of the national assembly.
Bwala disagreed with Mohammed’s claims, arguing that the president’s actions demonstrate responsiveness to Nigerians.
He pointed out that Tinubu has not bypassed democratic processes to push through the reforms.
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has condemned the exclusion of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) in the 2025 budget.
Peter Obi said the exclusion was troubling. He called for the 2025 budget to be revised and provisions made for NCDC.
In a statement on Wednesday, Obi said North Central requires special attention as a result of the insecurity affecting the region.
The former governor of Anambra State further emphasized that the agricultural potential of the region requires support. He called on the National Assembly to urgently review and rectify the exclusion.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has enjoined Nigerians to embrace love, peace and unity in the New Year 2025.
President Jonathan said the year 2024 was challenging for citizens as a result of economic hardship.
In his New Year message on Wednesday, Jonathan lauded Nigerians for remaining steadfast amid the challenges of 2024.
He assured that 2025 would be a prosperous year for all citizens and a great year for the nation.
Jonathan further called on all citizens to embrace peace, sincerity, justice and peace everywhere.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, says the military is closing in on arresting notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji.
CDS Musa disclosed that Turji is aware the military is after him and has, therefore, been operating underground.
The military chief, however, said this won’t stop his arrest as the military is continuing its operations.
According to Musa, the military has already killed the commanders of Turji, and it’s just a matter of time before the notorious bandit kingpin himself is arrested.
Naija News reports the CDS stated these while speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s 2024 Year-In-Review programme on December 31, 2024.
Gen Musa also disclosed that over 120,000 terrorists have surrendered in the North-East, and in the course of interrogation, it was discovered that some of them were forced into insurgency.
He vowed that the real masterminds of terrorist activities in the country would face the law.
Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara has announced that French troops will soon begin withdrawing from the West Africa nation.
Naija News reports that the President made this known during his New Year address.
In a nationwide broadcast, Ouattara said: “We have decided on a coordinated and organized withdrawal of French troops.”
The process, set to start in January, aligns with the president’s focus on modernizing Ivory Coast’s military.
He also revealed that the French naval infantry battalion’s base in Port Bouet will be handed over to Ivorian forces.
Currently, about 600 French soldiers are stationed in the country.
This move follows similar decisions in other West African nations, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, which had previously called for French troop withdrawals.