News
Nigerian Newspapers: 10 things you need to know this Wednesday morning
Good morning! Here is today’s summary from Nigerian Newspapers
1. Senate President, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, has revealed that the 2021 National budget would be presented to the joint session of the National Assembly next week.
Giving a hint on what was discussed upon resumption of plenary after a two-months’ annual holiday, the Senate President explained that the 2020 implementation of Nigeria’s annual budget has been disrupted due to COVID-19 pandemic.
2. The House of Representatives has rescinded the passage of the controversial National Water resources bill over flaws in the procedure that led to its passage bill.
Upon resumption on Tuesday, a member of the House, Ben Nzondo from Benue State moved a point of privilege and argued that the proper procedure was not followed on the bill. In his ruling, speaker, Gbajabiamila concluded that Nzondo had raised fundamental objections that must be looked into.
3. The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) about godfatherism, which the party campaigned against before the September 19 Edo State governorship election.
The monarch, who stated this on Tuesday, when five PDP governors, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Aminu Tanbuwal of Sokoto, Seyi Makinde of Oyo and Godwin Obaseki of Edo paid him a courtesy call, told them not to control Obaseki, despite playing a big role in helping him win re-election.
4. The Senate on Tuesday, received a request from President Muhammadu Buhari to approve the sum of N148,141,969,161.24, as promissory notes to five states for Federal Road projects executed by the states: Bayelsa, Cross River, Ondo, Osun and Rivers.
Buhari’s request was contained in a letter dated August, 13, 2020 and read by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, during plenary on Tuesday.
5. President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the Senate to approve the appointments of eight new Supreme Court Justices.
The letter read by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, during plenary on Tuesday names of the nominees as Lawal Garba, (North West), Helen Ogunwumiju (South West), Abdu Aboki (North West), and M M Saulawa (North West), Adamu Jauro (North East), Samuel Oseji (South South), Tijani Abubakar (North East), and Emmanuel Agim (South-South).
6. The federal government has announced increased security measures for Nigeria’s 60th Independence Anniversary celebration.
Ahead of the October 1 event, security has been enhanced in and around the venue – Eagle Square in Abuja, while the Shehu Shagari Way, Ahmadu Bello Way, outward and inward-bound Airport and adjoining roads will also be shut to traffic just as the Federal Secretariat will be evacuated by 2.00 pm on Wednesday.
7. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has declared that the 9th House is committed to overhauling policing in Nigeria.
Gbajabiamila, who stated this in his opening remarks at the resumption of the House following a two-month holiday, stated that Nigerians are more scared of police than criminals.
8. Political violence rocked Ipele community in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State on Tuesday as supporters of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Eyitayo Jegede and that of the All Progressives Congress, APC, clashed.
The clash was said to have occurred when the campaign train of the PDP arrived in the community, leaving many people injured and several vehicles vandalized.
9. The Ogun State Internal Revenue Service (OGIRS) has asked the winner of the 2020 Big Brother Naija reality TV show, Olamilekan Agbelesebioba, popularly known as Laycon, to pay his tax in the state in 2021.
OGIRS in a tweet on Tuesday, said it was delighted to congratulate Laycon, who it described as “one of our own in the state.”
10. Winston Ola Badmus, aka Olamus, the former manager of late rapper, Dagrin, is dead.
Olamus slumped and died at his residence in Lagos.
News
Paystack Fires Co-Founder Ezra Olubi Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Paystack has terminated the appointment of its co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Ezra Olubi, following public allegations that he engaged in sexual activity with a junior employee.
Olubi disclosed his dismissal on Saturday, stating that the company took the decision before concluding its internal investigation into sexual harassment claims made against him.
The controversy erupted in mid-November after a social media post accused Olubi of abusive behaviour. The online conversation quickly escalated as users resurfaced several explicit tweets from his early career, prompting widespread criticism.
In response, Paystack suspended Olubi and announced a formal investigation, noting that it had set up a review process and planned to appoint an independent investigator to handle the matter.
However, Olubi said he was not allowed to defend himself before his contract was terminated.
He also alleged that the termination violated the terms of his suspension as well as the company’s internal procedures.
“My legal team is now reviewing the process that led to my purported termination, including its consistency with internal policies. They will take the steps they consider appropriate, and I will not be commenting further on this matter at this time,” he said.
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Tinubu Orders Withdrawal of Police Officers From VIP Security, NSCDC to Take Over
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate withdrawal of police officers assigned to provide security for Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country, in a move aimed at strengthening police presence in underserved communities.
The directive was disclosed in a statement on Sunday, November 23, by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, following a high-level security meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to the statement, police personnel previously attached to VIPs will now be redeployed to frontline policing duties. VIPs requiring protection are henceforth to be assigned well-armed operatives from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Onanuga explained that the decision was driven by the need to address severe manpower shortages in police stations, especially in remote parts of the country, where limited personnel have hindered effective protection of residents.
“In view of the current security challenges facing the country, President Tinubu is desirous of boosting police presence in all communities,” he said.
The presidential aide added that Tinubu has already approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police personnel as part of broader reforms to enhance national security. The Federal Government is also partnering with state governments to upgrade police training facilities nationwide.
Sunday’s security meeting was attended by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and Director-General of the Department of State Services, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
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News
All 38 Kidnapped Church Members Rescued in Kwara After Joint Security Operation – Tinubu
All 38 worshippers abducted from the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, have been rescued by Nigerian security forces, days after gunmen attacked the church premises, killing at least two people.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the successful rescue on Sunday, commending the Nigerian Army, Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and intelligence agencies for what he described as a coordinated and effective operation. He also disclosed that he cancelled his planned visit to the G20 Compact with Africa Summit to personally monitor the rescue efforts.
The President added that the operation coincided with the escape of 51 abducted students in Niger State, praising security operatives for what he called “renewed synergy and determination” in tackling nationwide kidnapping cases.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq also lauded the President’s intervention, noting that Tinubu maintained direct oversight throughout the rescue mission. He said the development signalled a new resolve to respond swiftly to security threats affecting rural and urban communities.
Meanwhile, congregants returned to the Christ Apostolic Church on Sunday morning for worship, drawing strength from one another despite lingering concerns over rising abductions across the country. Members described the reunion as a quiet but powerful moment of resilience.
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Yobe Govt Orders Closure of Boarding Secondary Schools Over Security Concerns
The Yobe State Government has directed the closure of all boarding secondary schools in the state in response to escalating security challenges.
The announcement was made in a statement issued by Mamman Mohammed, Director General of Press and Media Affairs to Governor Mai Mala Buni. The statement did not provide a specific timeline for reopening, emphasizing that the decision aims to safeguard students and staff amid ongoing threats.
Details on affected schools and additional measures are expected to be released by the state government in the coming days.
Also the Niger State Government directed the immediate closure of all schools across the state following the abduction of more than 300 students by gunmen in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area.
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News
Niger State Government Orders Closure of All Schools After Mass Abduction
The Niger State Government has directed the immediate closure of all schools across the state following the abduction of more than 300 students by gunmen in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area.
Governor Mohammed Bago announced the directive on Friday while addressing journalists in Minna after a security and stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House. The decision, he said, is part of urgent measures to prevent further attacks on educational institutions.
According to the governor, the shutdown affects all categories of schools — private and public institutions, Islamic and missionary schools, federal government colleges, as well as select tertiary institutions such as schools of nursing and midwifery.
“Schools are generally supposed to close for Christmas in the next two weeks, but we cannot take any chances anymore. We are closing all schools in Niger State — private, primary and secondary schools — until after the New Year. All schools in Niger North will remain closed until further notice,” Bago declared.
Speaking on the abduction at St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, the governor lamented that the incident could have been avoided, but stressed that the priority now is the safe rescue of the abducted pupils and staff.
He noted that the government will not engage in blame games but will focus on coordinated rescue efforts.
On the number of victims, Governor Bago said the figures circulating in the media were unofficial. He added that security agencies, including the Department of State Services and the police, were currently conducting a headcount.
“We have just been seeing a lot of numbers in the media, but the figures are not official. The DSS, police and other security agencies are already doing the headcount, and by the end of today, we will have the official figure,” he stated.
The mass abduction has heightened concerns over security in Niger State, prompting the sweeping shutdown as authorities work to contain the situation and safeguard students across affected communities.
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