Nigerian Newspapers: 10 things you need to know this Thursday morning

Happy morning! The summary from Nigerian Newspapers for today is as follows:

1. The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) in Ogun State has threatened to close all of its locations due to the Department of State Security’s ultimatum to marketers (DSS). In response to the DSS demand, IPMAN stated that such a policy has fallen short “in its sense of reasoning with genuine business operators who do not get product from government’s depot to sell same at government approved price.”

2. In the capital of Adamawa State, Yola, a fire has completely destroyed an illicit fuel warehouse. The fire started late on Wednesday night at the depot, which is located next to the well-known Roundabout Maidoki intersection and not far from Jimeta, the entrance gate to Yola International Airport.

3. Yesterday, the chairman and director general of the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Council in Anambra State, Senator Ben Obi and Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, respectively, disclosed that a special team is attempting to break the impasse between the party’s presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and the G5 governors.

4. On Thursday (today), Deposit Money Banks will provide the freshly redesigned naira notes to its clients for over-the-counter transactions. About three weeks prior, at the Federal Executive Council meeting held at Aso Rock Villa, President Muhammadu Buhari announced the new measures.

5. On Wednesday, France defeated Morocco 2-0 to advance to the World Cup championship game against Argentina and Lionel Messi. After Morocco failed to clear their lines, Theo Hernandez gave the reigning champions the lead in the fifth minute. Substitute Randal Kolo Muani extended their advantage in the 79th minute.

6. A new whistleblower draught bill was adopted by the federal government on Wednesday. It added bemoaned the current whistleblowing policy, which was introduced on December 21, 2016, was losing steam. Dr. Zainab Ahmed, the minister of finance, budget, and national planning, revealed this yesterday.

7. During a gunfight with members of the kidnapper’s gang, Delta State Police Command agents neutralised the alleged kidnapper. According to reports, the event took place about two in the morning on December 13 as a result of a distress call that the Divisional Police Officer at Ozoro, in the state’s Isoko North Local Government Area, had received.

8. In reaction to public outrage, the Senate called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Wednesday to increase the proposed weekly income thresholds of N100,000 for individuals and N500,000 for corporate organisations. The Committee on Banking, Insurance, and Other Financial Institutions of the Senate was also instructed to aggressively monitor CBN’s compliance with its pledge to flexible modification of the withdrawal limit.

9. According to the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), most residents of the area, particularly women, sold their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to politicians and political groups for extremely little money. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INECcomplaint )’s regarding the selling of PVCs across the nation served as the backdrop for the group’s statement.

10. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and a free, credible, and fair general election in 2023 are the government of the United States’ stated priorities. Will Stevens, the consul general for the American Embassy in Lagos, made this statement at a Wednesday interactive event commemorating the US-Africa Leaders Summit 2022 at the American Corner in Lagos.