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Newspaper Headlines: Troops locate Kagara students and soldiers, helicopters deployed in Imo

Ayodeji.oluwafemi@thecable.ng'byAyodele Oluwafemi
February 19, 2021 9:05 am

The report that Nigeria exited recession with a growth of 0.11 percent in the fourth quarter of 2020 made the headlines in many Nigerian newspapers. On the country’s vaccine strategy, the approval of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for use in Nigeria also made the headlines.

Tukur Buratai, former chief of army staff, says military action alone cannot defeat Boko Haram, Daily Independent reported. Buratai also said it will take the country 20 years to end the insurgency. On economy, the newspaper said Nigeria is inching out of recession as gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.11 percent in the fourth quarter of 2020. In another report, the approval of AstraZeneca COVID vaccine by NAFDAC for use in the country also made the headline in Daily Independent.
The Nigerian Tribune devoted its cover story to the decisions reached by the National Economic Council (NEC) in its first physical meeting since the pandemic, on Thursday. The newspaper reported on the decision of NEC to include non-indigenous and minority residents in local security initiatives. It also reported the death of Abdullahi Dikko, ex-customs boss, who died at 61.
The Guardian says Nigeria exited recession “amid very weak growth”. The newspaper included the opinions of experts on the development. It reported that Organised Private Sector (OPS), including the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) said output contraction recorded in year 2020 further highlighted the country’s weak macroeconomic fundamentals and the persistent structural, policy and regulatory issues in the economy. On security, the newspaper says the country’s security concerns have reached a “feverish point”.
The comment of Buratai that insurgency may persist for 20 years was the cover story of The Nation. The former service chiefs appeared before the senate committee on foreign affairs on Thursday for screening as ambassadors. The newspaper reported that Abayomi Olonisakin, former chief of defence staff, said the country’s forest reserves are safe haven for bandits. The newspaper also reported that the Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) has set a target to grow its balance sheet to N1.2 trillion in 2022.
The Punch devoted its cover story to the abduction of students from Government Science Secondary School, Kagara, Niger state. The newspaper reported that Niger and Zamfara states are holding talks with bandits for the release of the abducted persons. It also reported that Ahmad Gumi, prominent Islamic cleric, has met with some bandits in Niger state as part of efforts to rescue the students. On farmer-herder clashes, the newspaper reported that governors pledged to compensate victims of such conflicts.
Daily Sun reported on the resolution of state governors to raise funds for the military to fight insecurity. The comment of Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers state, to other governors that COVID-19 should not be an excuse for non-performance made the headline. The newspaper reported that the Nigerian Army deployed soldiers and helicopters in Imo and Anambra states, and that the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) accused the federal government of declaring war on the Igbo nation.

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