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Newspaper Headlines: $1.5bn approval for Port Harcourt refinery causes stir, and Kwara hijab controversy deepens

BY Ayodele Oluwafemi

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The federal executive council’s (FEC) approval of $1.5 billion for the rehabilitation of Port Harcourt refinery dominated the cover pages of many Nigerian newspapers. The hijab controversy in Kwara state also made the headlines.

The Guardian leads with a report that the federal government has spent $25 billion on the maintenance of Port Harcourt refinery. An additional sum of $1.5 billion was on Wednesday approved by FEC for the rehabilitation of the refinery. The newspaper says leaders of southern and middle-belt regions have stated the terms for their continued stay in Nigeria.

Daily Independent says shortage of foreign exchange may grind aviation operations in the country to a halt. In another report, the newspaper says concerns about whittling down the powers of President Muhammadu Buhari divided the senate on a bill that seeks to establish armed forces commission.

The Punch on its cover story reports the reactions that trailed FEC’s approval of $1.5 billion for the rehabilitation of Port Harcourt refinery. The newspaper’s cover picture depicts the violence that broke out in Kwara state on Wednesday over the use of hijab in missionary schools.

The Nation reports that nearly two weeks after the rollout of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, Oyo, Yobe, Cross River and Kogi states are yet to begin vaccination. On the 2023 presidential election, the newspaper says the hope of the south-south region to produce the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may be dashed, if the party accepts the report of the Bala Mohammed-led review committee which emphasises merit rather than zonal consideration.

The Nigerian Tribune reports that Nyesom Wike, governor of River state, said he will not jubilate over the approval of the rehabilitation of Port Harcourt refinery. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos state, has announced the creation of a leadership academy to immortalise Lateef Jakande, former governor of the state, the newspaper reports.

Daily Sun says there was an uproar during the senate plenary session of Wednesday over a bill which seeks to establish a commission for the armed forces.  Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested Dibu Ojerinde,  former registrar of the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB), over alleged N900 million fraud, the newspaper says.

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