Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Thursday, 16th January, 2025

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Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 16th January, 2025

President Bola Tinubu has emphasized the need for peace in Nigeria and the world at large.

The Nigerian leader who made the submission, said the Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to thank the military men and women who constantly put their own lives on the line to ensure peace in the country and around the world.

Speaking on Wednesday via a short statement released on his X account to mark the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, President Tinubu stressed the need for all Nigerians to avoid violence and embrace peaceful co-existence.

According to him, while the nation appreciates the sacrifices of the military, all citizens must be ambassadors of peace in order to have a peaceful and prosperous nation.

Naija News reports the President used the opportunity to thank the military for their sacrifice.

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, met with the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Sharing details of the meeting, President Tinubu described the bilateral meeting as crucial to strengthening and expanding the relationship between Nigeria and the UAE.

According to the Nigerian leader, the discussions between the two leaders focused on key areas of mutual interest and exploring opportunities to deepen economic ties, and foster innovation.

Naija News reports Tinubu, who shared the details of the discussion on his X account, expressed confidence that the relationship between Nigeria and UAE will flourish and benefit the two nations.

The House of Representatives has announced the passing of Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, the Deputy Chief Whip and representative of the Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency in Ogun State.

Naija News gathered that she passed away on January 15, 2025, after a brief illness.

In a statement by the House Spokesperson, Rep. Akin Rotimi, Onanuga, born on December 2, 1965, was lauded as a visionary leader and dedicated public servant who passionately advocated for her constituents.

Onanuga was first elected to the House in 2019 under the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform. During her tenure in the 9th Assembly, she chaired the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, where she advocated for policies that empower women and enhance social welfare.

Re-elected in 2023, Onanuga ascended to the position of Deputy Chief Whip in the 10th Assembly. In this capacity, she demonstrated exceptional leadership, maintaining legislative discipline and fostering unity among her colleagues.

Protesting students from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) launched an attack on the convoy of the Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Naija News reports that the incident happened on Wednesday while the Deputy Governor was on her way to 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta, to represent Governor Dapo Abiodun at the reception marking the year 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration.

According to a statement made available to journalists, the protesting students, who were armed with sticks and other dangerous projectiles, attacked Salako-Oyedele’s convoy.

The attack obstructed vehicular movement, while some of the Deputy Governor’s security vehicles were damaged, and her security operatives were also hurt in the process of maintaining law and order.

The Joint Task Force of the military in the North East, Operation Hadin Kai, has issued a ban on the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, in the region.

Naija News gathered that the directive, given by Air Commodore UU. Idris, Air Component Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, was prompted by growing security concerns related to unauthorized drone operations in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa (BAY) states.

In a signal obtained by Daily Trust, the Air Component Commander expressed concern over the unregulated use of drones by both government agencies and private individuals.

Idris highlighted that these unauthorized operations could pose serious security threats, especially given the potential misuse by non-state actors and criminal elements.

Idris also noted that drones had been used against military targets and critical national infrastructure (CNI) in other parts of the world, heightening the risks associated with their use in the region.

The Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has said he would not help President Bola Tinubu’s government to correct the administration’s policies affecting the citizens.

Naija News reports that Emir Sanusi said the current government has no people with credibility who could explain to Nigerians why their policies have caused hardship.

He stated this while speaking at an event on Wednesday, a video of which was posted by News Central on its X handle.

The former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor noted that although the economy was suffering as a result of poor management contributed by previous governments, President Tinubu‘s government should explain its policies.

The Federal Government has announced plans to grant presidential pardons to convicts serving prison terms across Nigeria’s correctional facilities.

Naija News learnt that to facilitate this, the government on Wednesday inaugurated the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).

The committee comprises representatives from key institutions, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Correctional Service, the National Human Rights Commission, and prominent religious bodies such as the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and the Christian Association of Nigeria.

Other members include legal experts like Justice Augustine Utsaha, Prof. Alkasum Abba, Chief Akinlolu Olujinmi (CON, SAN), and Prof. Nike Ijaiya.

During the inauguration, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, emphasized the constitutional foundation for this initiative.

He cited Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers the President to grant clemency to individuals convicted of offences under federal law.

Akume explained that the committee, with a four-year tenure, is tasked with advising the President on the exercise of this constitutional power, ensuring fairness and justice.

Nigeria’s inflation rate slightly increased in December 2024, rising to 34.8% from 34.6% in November. This increase was due to a surge in demand for goods and services during the festive period.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) made this disclosure in its Consumer Price Index (CPI) report for December 2024.

According to the NBS, the Headline inflation rate for December 2024 was 34.80%, a marginal increase of 0.20% from the 34.60% recorded in November 2024.

The report attributes this increase to the seasonal rise in demand during the December festive period.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed allegations that Jonathan Okunbor, a suspect under investigation for an alleged ₦6 billion fraud, was a witness in the ongoing Edo State election tribunal.

Naija News reports that the commission clarified that the suspect is not associated with the tribunal as claimed by the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, responded to a trending video suggesting that Okunbor had participated in the tribunal as a witness. Oyewale emphasized that Okunbor is not a witness for the PDP in the election case.

The EFCC spokesperson provided further details on the ongoing investigations into Okunbor’s activities, revealing that the suspect is linked to the misappropriation of approximately ₦6 billion.

The funds were allegedly diverted to Kezmith Global Ventures, a company owned by Okunbor, which was operated under the false identity of Godfrey Emode.

Oyewale disclosed that Emode’s arrest had led investigators to Okunbor, who was found at the Eterno Hotel during a pre-trial meeting.

The commission’s investigators were obstructed by Ighodalo and others present at the scene, who allegedly tried to prevent Okunbor’s arrest.

Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has reiterated the country’s commitment to address climate change for sustainable economic prosperity.

Naija News reports that President Tinubu said Nigeria was committed to ensuring zero emissions by 2060. He stated that the fight against climate change was an environmental necessity.

The President said this while speaking at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW2025) in the United Arab Emirates, on Wednesday.

Addressing the gathering of global leaders, experts, and stakeholders, he noted the world stood at a critical juncture in human history and must fight to save the global community.

Nigeria’s President emphasized the need for all nations to embrace sustainability in all sectors. Tinubu stressed that his administration’s policies were anchored on energy transition, climate resilience and sustainable development.