Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 26th December, 2024

The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, says Nigeria is beginning to experience positive results based on the economic policies and reforms introduced by the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

He added that though the reforms have brought some pains and challenges, such discomfort would be temporary.

Ganduje, who appealed for more patience from Nigerians for the government of President Tinubu, assured that by 2025 Christmas, the economy would have stabilized.

Naija News reports the APC Chairman stated this in a Christmas message issued on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu.

The former Kano State Governor said remarkable progress has been recorded by the Tinubu administration in the areas of security, noting that there has been significant reductions in banditry and kidnapping across the country.

Ganduje also reiterated that the APC leadership remains committed to implementing policies that promote sustainable growth, security, and improved welfare for all Nigerians.

He further urged Nigerians to embrace the values of love, peace, and unity exemplified by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ by displaying virtues of selflessness, generosity, and care for the less privileged during the Christmas season.

The presidency has denied reports that some fighter jets mistakenly bombed some communities in Sokoto State while targeting terrorists.

The Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, made the denial in a post via his X account late on Wednesday night.

Naija News recalls earlier reports claimed numerous villagers were feared to have lost their lives, while several others sustained injuries following an airstrike by a fighter jet that targeted the Lakurawa terrorist group, resulting in the bombing of two communities within the Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

However, the presidential media aide described the reports of a mistaken bombing of communities in Sokoto State as fake and urged members of the public to disregard them.’

He wrote: “Kindly disregard any news about fighter jets mistakenly bombing communities in Sokoto.

“It’s all fake!”

Former Minister of Women Affairs, Uju-Kennedy Ohanenye, disclosed on Wednesday that she was sacked less than two weeks after some Nigerians donated money for some projects she wanted to implement in the Ministry.

She explained that as a minister, there were some projects she wanted to implement that were not in the current budget.

According to her, she made an appeal to raise funds for some categories of vulnerable Nigerians and was surprised that people gathered at the Aso Rock Villa and donated over ₦200 million naira.

Speaking during an interview with Channels Television, Kennedy-Ohanenye disclosed that she was, however sacked less than two weeks after the donations and before the donated funds could be utilized.

The former Minister said she was, therefore forced to ask the secretary in charge to write to the bank to do a reversal of the funds to the donors.

Also speaking during the interview, Kennedy-Ohanenye said she has no regrets over some actions she took as minister.

An Islamic organization affiliated with the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, specifically the Oyo State chapter, has stated that it was not planning to establish a Sharia Court in the state as speculated in some quarters.

The religious group stated this while explaining the rationale behind establishing an Independent Sharia Arbitration Panel in Oyo town and its surrounding regions.

Naija News reports that there have been controversies over a purported plan to establish Sharia law in the Southwestern part of the country.

However, the organization indicated that the panel was meant only to settle family disputes among Muslims without enforcement.

It also confirmed the postponement of the panel’s establishment due to an unintentional mischaracterization of the program.

In a press release signed by the Committee Chairman, Dr. Bello Adisa, and shared with newsmen on Wednesday, it was clarified that the arbitration panel is already operational in several South-West states and aims to address family disputes among consenting Muslims.

The Yoruba self-determination movement has been thrown into mourning following the death of Mrs. Julia Olubusola Akintoye, the wife of its leader, Professor Banji Akintoye.

Naija News reports that the Akintoye family announced her passing in a statement on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, revealing that Mrs. Akintoye “peacefully departed this life in the early hours” at the age of 88.

The statement expressed gratitude for her remarkable life, describing her as a cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and sister.

“It is with profound sorrow but even greater gratitude to God for a life extremely well spent that we announce the passing of our dearly beloved Mrs. Julia Olubusola Akintoye,” the family said.

A member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Edwin Woko, has expressed his disapproval of the factional chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Tony Okocha, for accusing Governor Siminalayi Fubara of inciting discord within the APC.

Naija News reports that Okocha claimed that Governor Fubara was behind the turmoil within the APC following a recent court ruling invalidating the party’s state, local government, and ward congresses, citing the party’s noncompliance with a prior court order.

Responding to the claims, Woko characterized the accusations as unfounded, asserting that they represent an effort to deflect responsibility for the internal problems plaguing the APC.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Woko underscored that Governor Fubara had no role in the difficulties confronting the APC, pointing out that the opposition party has been in turmoil since it lost the governance of Rivers State in 2015.

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has called on Christians in Nigeria to live up to their calling as the “light of the world” and to take responsibility for fostering a better society.

In his Christmas message delivered on Wednesday, the revered cleric urged Christians to lead by example in addressing the corruption and moral decay prevalent in the country, rather than placing blame on institutions or public servants.

He noted that corruption is another word for not keeping the words and promises made by Christians at baptism.

On the day Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, Bishop Kukah reminded them that the message of Jesus to the world is, peace, joy, love, justice and reconciliation.

He lamented that the forces of secularism are determined to empty Christmas of its core essence which is the good news of joy and light to the world.

Senators from the southern region of the country have urged Nigerians to believe in the administration of President Bola Tinubu and expect a brighter future.

The lawmakers, under the Southern Senators Forum, acknowledged the hardship in the country, necessitated by the ongoing reforms embarked upon by the Tinubu administration, but added that the future gains expected from the policies, far outweigh the current pains.

The Senators made this known in a Christmas message made available to newsmen on Tuesday by its chairman, Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru.

They described the policy focus of President Tinubu as bold and targeted at laying the foundation for stable economic growth and transformation of Nigeria.

The Labour Party National Chairman, Julius Abure, has enjoined Nigerians to spread love and unity as they mark Christmas Day.

Julius Abure regretted that many families would be unable to celebrate the joys of the Christmas season as a result of economic hardship ravaging the country.

In his Christmas message on Wednesday, the Labour Party factional Chairman enjoined Nigerians to reach out to families that could not celebrate.

He said that Jesus Christ who was born in a lowly manger lived his entire life working to put smiles on the faces of the less privileged, the poor, the oppressed, the depressed and the sick.

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, on the occasion of his 75th birthday.

President Tinubu, in a statement on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described Ganduje as a staunch political ally and close associate.

He commended the former Kano State Governor for his leadership roles and commitment to the development of his state, the APC and Nigeria.

Tinubu acknowledged that under Ganduje’s leadership, the APC has recorded several electoral victories and expressed hope that the party’s national chairman would continue to promote constitutional democracy.

That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.