The Federal Government’s criteria for selecting beneficiaries of its N50,000 emergency relief support, President Bola Tinubu’s return from Saudi Arabia and the Flamingos’ historic qualification for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final are among the major stories making headlines this Thursday.
Also in focus are the Osun State Government’s decision to place the Oluwo of Iwo under watch over alleged inflammatory remarks, developments surrounding the Federal Government’s cash relief programme and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s defence of cash grants to constituents.
Here are the top five stories on our PUNCH website this morning:
1. How FG selects beneficiaries for N50,000 relief
The Federal Government has explained how beneficiaries are selected for its N50,000 cash relief under the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention, amid enquiries from Nigerians seeking to understand the eligibility requirements.
According to the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction’s NERSI website, beneficiaries are selected using verified National Identification Number records and the National Social Register, which contains information on poor and vulnerable households.
The government said identified households are assessed using poverty indicators, with those ranked within the bottom six deciles potentially qualifying for inclusion in the National Beneficiary Register. Registration with both NIMC and the National Social Register is a prerequisite for selection.
It also clarified that Nigerians cannot apply or pay to be included in the programme, while payments are made in phases through mobile wallets.
2. Tinubu returns to Abuja after pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia
President Bola Tinubu returned to Abuja on Wednesday night after a week-long lesser pilgrimage, known as Umrah, in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
His aircraft landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 8:53 pm, according to an update by the State House media office. He was received by the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and other government officials.
Tinubu had departed Jeddah earlier on Wednesday at 5:13 pm Saudi time after completing the pilgrimage, which began on Thursday the previous week.
During the visit, the President was granted access to the interior of the Holy Ka’abah by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, where he and members of his delegation offered prayers for Nigeria.
Read more: here
3. Flamingos beat Brazil 3-1 to reach first U-17 W’Cup final
Nigeria’s Flamingos have reached their first-ever FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final after defeating Brazil 3-1 in their semi-final encounter in Morocco on Wednesday.
The Nigerian side broke the deadlock in the 56th minute through Queen Joseph, who converted Oluwakemi Adegubyi’s assist.
Awawu Bashiru doubled the advantage in the 71st minute before scoring her second goal nine minutes later to put Nigeria 3-0 ahead.
Brazil scored a late consolation through Greise Kelly in the 89th minute, but the Flamingos held on to secure their place in the final.
Nigeria will face Japan, who defeated North Korea in the other semi-final, as the team seeks its first title at the competition. The Flamingos had previously finished third in 2022.
Read more: here
4. Osun puts Oluwo under watch over inflammatory remarks
The Osun State Government has placed the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, under watch over what it described as inflammatory remarks capable of triggering religious and inter-town conflicts.
In a letter issued by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the government directed the monarch to stop making statements against people of other faiths and fellow traditional rulers, warning that his activities were raising communal tension and threatening peace in the state.
The government also directed the State Council of Obas to monitor developments in Iwo land and ensure compliance with its caution. However, the monarch’s Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem, told PUNCH that the royal father had not received any letter from the state government.
Read more: here
5. FG’s N50,000 relief: OPay explains eligibility, warns against scams
Digital financial services provider OPay has explained how customers can check their eligibility for the Federal Government’s N50,000 monthly cash relief for vulnerable Nigerians, saying qualified customers will receive a notification on their app.
The company said customers who do not see the notification on their OPay app homepage are not eligible for the intervention, adding that it does not determine beneficiaries’ eligibility.
OPay also warned customers against fraudsters, stressing that it would never request their personal identification numbers or one-time passwords to process relief payments. It advised customers to use its official application or dial 95520# to check their eligibility.
Read more: here
OTHER NOTABLE STORIES
1. NJC suspends three judges over unlawful detention, abuse of power
The National Judicial Council has suspended three judicial officers for one year without pay over various acts of misconduct, including unlawful detention of litigants, abuse of judicial powers and disregard for due process.
The affected officers are Justice Hannatu Mohammed Kabir of the Nasarawa State High Court, Grand Kadi Mohammed Sani Salihu of the Jigawa State Sharia Court of Appeal and Justice Sobere Biambo of the Rivers State High Court.
The council also barred the three from nomination for elevation for three years, cautioned eight other judicial officers and approved warning letters to three judges following investigations into petitions against them.
Read more: here
2. Como thrash Lens 9-1 in record-breaking Champions League rout
Italian club Como recorded a remarkable 9-1 victory over French side Lens in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, producing one of the competition’s biggest winning margins.
Anastasios Douvikas scored a hat-trick, while Nico Paz, Lucas Da Cunha, Marc-Oliver Kempf, Mattia Liberali, Martin Baturina and 18-year-old Matteo Papaccioli also scored for Cesc Fabregas’ side.
Papaccioli marked his senior-team debut with the final goal in stoppage time, while Ruben Aguilar scored Lens’ only goal in the 65th minute.
Read more: here
3. Toluwanisings’ wife, father, others sign peace undertaking
The Oyo State Police Command has brokered peace between the family and associates of late gospel singer Olayemi Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, following disagreements over his burial arrangements.
The singer’s wife, Olayemi Elizabeth Damilola, his father, Muniru Olayemi, and other relatives and associates signed a peace undertaking at the police command headquarters in Ibadan.
Under the agreement, the parties pledged to maintain peace, discontinue public exchanges capable of worsening the disagreement and stop circulating allegations and publications about the matter through social media and other platforms.
