National Newspaper Headlines/News, Saturday Edition - 23/5/2015

Good Morning.....please read the daily newspaper headline

PUNCH

***Over 50 World Leaders To Attend Buhari’s Inauguration

Over 50 world leaders are expected to attend the inauguration of the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Friday.

The Chairman, Media and Publicity Sub- Committee of the Presidential Inauguration Planning Committee and Minister of Culture and Tourism, Chief Edem Duke, stated this at a news conference in Abuja.

Activities for the inauguration began on Friday with a Jumaat prayer at the National Central Mosque, Abuja.

Duke said invitation cards had been dispatched to all the 54 countries in Africa and other countries of the world.

He stated, “As we speak, the 54 countries of the continent of Africa have been invited. There has been a huge interest, especially from heads of countries in Europe to attend this inauguration.

“At the last count, we have in excess of about 50 heads of state and delegation expected at this inauguration.”

Speaking on security concerns, the minister said a high security strategy is being put in place for a hitch-free inauguration.

Duke said, “The security agencies are working in close concert to ensure that there is absolutely no threat to the inauguration. Arrangements are being made to screen all the invitees long before they access the perimeters of the location.”

***VP Sambo, Ministers To Travel Abroad After May 29

President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice-President Namadi Sambo and many ministers have concluded plans to travel abroad shortly after the May 29 inauguration of a new government.

While Jonathan had said he would travel out of the country for a much deserved rest after the May 29 inauguration, Sambo is planning to travel to London on May 31, two days after the inauguration of Muhammadu Buhari as Nigeria’s new President.

It was learnt that the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had also concluded plans to return to the US after the President elect’s inauguration. However, her Petroleum Resources counterpart, Mrs.Diezani Allison-Madueke, has already travelled out of the country.

Though sources close to the minister said she would return to the country to attend the last Federal Executive Council meeting of President Jonathan’s administration, the minister would leave the country after the FEC meeting.

A senior Presidency official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, however, told one of Punch correspondents that the vice-president was planning to rest in London.

According to him, Sambo will only rest for about two weeks abroad before returning to the country.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice-President on Media and Publicity, Umar Sani, however, said the planned trip could not be attributed to any fear of persecution by the incoming government.

Sani said if Sambo was afraid of Buhari, he would have left the country before the May 29 inauguration day.

He said, “There is nothing to fear. Vice-President Namadi Sambo is not afraid of any persecution or victimisation by the incoming government. His planned trip has nothing to do with fear. If he is afraid of anything, he would have gone before May 29.”

It's also gathered that the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Musiliu Obanikoro, Minisiter of industry trade and investment, and other ministers have made plans to travel abroad after May 29.

***The Untold Revelation Of First Lady’s Thanksgiving

The first lady Mrs. Patience Jonathan, gave a shocking revelation last Sunday at the Aso Villa Chapel where she joined her husband, our outgoing President, for a special thanksgiving and farewell service organised in their honour.

She held the congregation spellbound as she recounted her health challenges while their stay in the Villa lasted. At the last count, according to her, she had undergone 13 surgeries in the last two years She attributed her continued existence to God.

****At last, Jonathan’s Untouchable Women Bow Out

President Goodluck Jonathan’s government had a number of women that wielded as much power as that of an elite class often referred to as ‘the untouchables,’.

But as President Goodluck Jonathan takes a bow on May 29, 2015 following the expiration of his tenure, so will some women who helped define his government, unless the new administration finds use for them.

Whatever is said about President Jonathan’s government thereafter will not likely leave out the roles played by these powerful women. However, an assessment of whether their roles were noble or otherwise would largely depend on the assessor.

The public have been busy though, tagging the women various names including ‘the untouchables.’ Interestingly, some people believe the women wield more power than the President himself. It is also believed that these women could get away with almost anything in President Jonathan’s government and his will to protect them was never found to be short.

Five women initially occupied this elite class, all occupying key positions in government until events led to the exit of two of them: former Minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah and former Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Ms. Arunma Oteh.

The last three standing are the wife of the President, Mrs. Patience Jonathan; the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; and the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

***Protesters Set Sharia Court Ablaze Over Preacher’s Alleged Blasphemy Of Prophet Muhammed

Thousands of Muslims, yesterday, stormed the Kano State Government House and the palace of the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II to protest the  alleged blasphemy of Prophet Mohammed by a Tijjaniyya preacher, Abdul Nyass.

The cudgel carrying youths, who are mainly members of Ahbabu Rasul S.A.W, also set ablaze Nyass’ residence at Gaide, Kombotso Local Government Area and a shariah court at Rijia Lemo.

Nyass and two others Amina Mohammed and Abubakar Abdullahi were due to appear before the court yesterday in connection with the alleged blasphemy, but when they did not show up on time, the protesters doused the building with petrol and set it on fire.

As the protesters chanting Allahu Akbar (God is the Greatest) advanced on the Government House, security personnel quickly formed a barricade to stop them from gaining entry into the sprawling compound.

Tension rose further and Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso had to send the Commissioner for State Affairs, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo and the Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr, Yunusa Dangoni to invite the leader of the sect, Sherriff Sani Jan-bluo into the Government House for a parley.

Comrade Abdulsalam called the blasphemy an unholy act and appealed to Jan-bluo to plead with his followers to calm down.

He said that as soon as government got wind of the blasphemous statement it summoned a security council meeting to avert trouble from erupting.

The sect leader thanked government for its understanding and then addressed the protesters to go back home. (The Nation).

*States pay ex-govs, deputies jumbo pension, neglect workers

*Fuel crisis: Senate summons Okonjo-Iweala, Allison-Madueke, NNPC, others

*Drama as Diezani runs after Buhari at airport

*Kano youths set Sharia court ablaze

*Oyinlola: Kalejaiye appeals against LPDC verdict

*Police storm suspected cultists’ hideout, kill 21

*Ekiti crisis: 50 shops, two houses burnt

*Senate Presidency: Tension as APC plans primary for aspirants

*Buhari may not sign convicted soldiers’ death warrants– Falana

*Don’t merge FRSC with Police, Soyinka tells FG

*I’ll become peace ambassador after leaving office –Jonathan

*Senate Presidency: Akume disagrees with

Tinubu, Akande on zoning

*Buhari shouldn’t fight corruption alone –Cleric

*After Mu’azu, PDP struggles to be strong opposition

*Bayelsa: Dickson, Patience Jonathan’s cold war deepens

VANGUARD

*NAFDAC seals Chocolate Royale over expired food products

*LASTMA is a coherent argument against state police

*Buhari should step on toes including those who funded his campaign – Okorie

*4 priests beaten to pulp as Enugu Govt battles Anglican Church

*You will be judged by your performance, not by fighting corruption, Bola Ajibola tells Buhari

*Power situation could get worse, FG warns

*Jonathan says he will be a peace advocate after leaving office

*There can be no threat to PDP under my leadership in Bayelsa–Dickson

*Chukwumerije goes home in grand style

*Kaduna: El Rufai sends signals as clash looms over N2.7billion SURE-P fund

*Mixed reactions as Otuoke plans grand reception for President Jonathan

*Alleged N5bn bribe: INEC boss says his life is in danger

*Nigerians cry under biting petrol scarcity

THIS DAY

*With 6 Days to Go, 50 Heads of State for Buhari's Inauguration

*In a Surprise U-turn, S’Court Re-lists Constitution Amendment Case forMonday

*After 22 Years, French Court Orders NNPC to Pay N95bn to Lenoil

*Senate Summons Okonjo-Iweala, Allison-Madueke over Fuel Crisis

*Power Situation May Worsen Over Labour Issues as Generation Drops to 1,327 Megawatts

*Jonathan Inaugurates First Military Radio in West Africa

*Drivers, Hausa Traders’ Clashes Escalate, Biggest Market in Ekiti Razed

*Youths Shut Down Oil Production in Nembe Creek

*Gunmen Sack Market, Kill 6 as Police Arrest Assassins, Cultists in Benue

*Two Kidnappers Arrested in Osun

*Ambode Gets Transition Committee Report

*FG Moves to Stop Discrimination against Nigerian Pilots by Airlines

*Anglican Primate Tasks Buhari on Sustainable Development

*Umana Raises the Alarm over Attempt by INEC to Frustrate His Petition

*Elechi Swears in CPS, 15 Others as Permanent Secretaries

*Sharia Court Burnt as Protest Hits Kano over Alleged Blasphemy

*PDP BoT Meets Monday for Anenih's Replacement

THE NATION

*March 28: As reality dawns on Mr President

*Uduaghan to incoming govt: we need national consensus on economy’s direction

*I’m the most worthy to preside over Senate, says Akume

*Don’t betray Nigerians’ trust, cleric tells President-elect

*Nafdac seals off Chocolate Royale

*Delta APC members urged to work as a team

*PDP crisis: Governors lay ambush for Jonathan

*Supreme Court reverses self in Jonathan’s constitution amendment case

*20 die as suicide bomber hits Saudi mosque

*Infrastructure Bank partners METSL to construct Lagos metro rail transit

*Audu remains Kogi APC leader — Group

*50 presidents to attend Buhari’s inauguration

*Court reserves ruling in suit against Yobe governor

*Senate presidency: Yoruba students drum support for Lawan

*I’ll dedicate life after office to preaching peace, says Jonathan

*Hoodlums set Ekiti’s biggest market ablaze

*Chukwumerije’s burial: Officiating minister warns of national revolution.