Newspaper Review For Wednesday 9th, September

1. Queen Elizabeth Becomes UK’s Longest-reigning Monarch

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, who ascended the throne aged just 25 as her exhausted country struggled to recover from the ravages of World War II, makes history as she becomes the UK’s longest-reigning monarch. At about 5:30pm (1630 GMT) on Wednesday, Elizabeth, 89, who is also the nation’s oldest ever monarch, will surpass the 63 years, 7 months, 2 days, 16 hours and 23 minutes that her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria spent on the throne.

2. Buhari Orders for List of Ex-officials Yet to Return Their Diplomatic Passports

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday ordered for a list of former government officials and other persons still using diplomatic and official passports illegally. The President said his administration will take the necessary actions against them. Speaking after being briefed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bulus Lolo, President Buhari said this is to forestall any kind of negative acts that may put the country in bad light.

3. Ex-Minister Tells Buhari to Publish Names of Treasury Looters

A former Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Nduese Essien, on Tuesday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to publish the names of treasury looters who had returned stolen funds. Mr. Essien made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Eket, Akwa Ibom State. According to him, publishing the names of the looters will make more impact in the fight against corruption.

4. Bayelsa: Jonathan Endorses Dickson for 2nd Term

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has hinged his support for Bayelsa State governor Seriake Dickson’s re- election bid on the fact that the governor is one of the most performing governors in the country, based on his excellent track record of regular payment of workers’ salaries, reduction of the state’s huge debt profile and the unprecedented infrastructural development. Dickson, last week, submitted his nomination and expression of intent form at the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja to contest for a second term in office, ahead of the December 5 Governorship poll in Bayelsa State.

5. No Regret Supporting Jonathan in Last Election – MASSOB Leader
Chief Ralph Uwazuruike

Leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, has said that he had no regret for supporting former president Goodluck Jonathan in his re-election bid in the last presidential polls. Uwazuruike stated that although Jonathan lost in his re-election bid, the South East had got closer ties with the people of Niger Delta region.

6. Group Warns Otedola to Stop Blackmailing Niger Deltans

A group, Niger Delta Revolutionary Council (NDRC), Tuesday, called on oil magnate and businessman, Femi Otedola, to stop blackmailing Niger Delta sons and daughters. A statement signed by the spokesman of the group, Wynowei Whyte, said it has observed that some elements from other parts of Nigeria who profited immeasurably from the last administration headed by a Niger Delta son have turned themselves into Potiphar’s wife and blackmailers of Niger Delta people.

7. ICPC Declares Agric. Ministry Staff Wanted Over N36.2m Salary Scam

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) has declared a staff of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Joseph Ogah, wanted for allegedly defrauding the Federal Government of N36.2 million. The commission, in a statement on Monday by its spokesperson, Rasheedat Okoduwa, indicated that the suspect, Mr. Ogah, is a member of a syndicate that fronted a company, Soft Alliance Disco Limited to pay salary arrears totaling N36, 194, 636.00 to a fictitious staff on the payment platform of the ministry of environment.

8. Nasarawa NLC Rejects Cash Payment of Salaries, Threatens Strike

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Nasarawa state chapter, has rejected the plan by the State Government to pay its workers their August salaries through table payment. Mr Abdullahi Adeka, the state NLC Chairman, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lafia on Tuesday. “If the government refuses to adhere to the terms of agreement reached with the union to pay workers through their respective banks; we would go on strike.

9. Lalong Urges EFCC to Prosecute Jang, Others Over Alleged Looting of State Funds

Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to expedite action on former Governor of the state, Jonah Jang, and others who he alleged looted the state’s fund during his administration. Lalong said the call has become necessary in order to recover the funds looted.

10. Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo Meets Buhari at Aso Rock

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja, for a closed-door meeting that lasted for about an hour.