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Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has warned preachers against using loudspeakers in public spaces, particularly markets, accusing them of causing noise pollution and disturbing residents.
Soludo stated that anyone caught violating the noise pollution order would face a N500,000 fine.
A viral video circulating on social media on Saturday showed the governor warning an unidentified roadside preacher at a market to stop disrupting traders with his preaching.
He advised the preacher to either preach in a church or rent an open field, adding that those interested in listening would seek him out there.
Addressing traders at a market, the governor said, “If you want to preach the word of God, go to your church. You are causing noise pollution here. You cannot come to a marketplace and disturb everyone.
“If you want to preach, go to a church. Those who want to listen will come to you; you cannot force people in the market to hear your message.
“This is a marketplace, not a church. You are violating the law. You cannot take over a public space and turn it into a church. Otherwise, you will be charged for using this space.
“You will pay ?500,000 because we cannot allow this. We have banned loudspeakers in markets due to noise pollution, which affects people’s eardrums. You cannot force people to listen to your preaching. We are cracking down on fake pastors and prophets in Anambra.”
[DailyTrust]
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine has said that his country is “fully committed” to having a constructive dialogue with US representatives in Saudi Arabia.
The meeting is scheduled to hold next week as countries seek ways to end the war with Russia.
Zelenskyy said on Saturday that “Ukraine has been seeking peace from the very first second of this war. Realistic proposals are on the table.”
“The key is to move quickly and effectively,” the Ukrainian president wrote on X.
Zelenskyy said he was going to Saudi Arabia next week, adding that after his meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday, his country’s diplomatic and military representatives would stay for a meeting on Tuesday with the US team.
He added, “On our side, we are fully committed to constructive dialogue, and we hope to discuss and agree on the necessary decisions and steps.”
Foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, and the defence minister, Rustem Umerov, will lead Ukrainian delegation to the high profile meeting.
DAILY POST reported that President Zelenskyy met with President Donald Trump and US Vice president, JD Vance at the Oval Office a week ago.
However, the meeting did not end on a good note as both parties confirmed. Since then, the Ukrainian leader has been seeking ways to mend things with the US.
[DailyPost]
The chairman, Plateau State Internal Revenue Service (PSIRS), Dr. Jim Pam Wayas, said the state raked in N31.14 billion in 2024, the first in the history of the state.
Pam said this is in contrast to the N25.8 billion made in 2023.
Speaking to reporters in his office on Friday, Pam said the service has also received a tall order from Governor Caleb Mutfwang to increase the revenue to N52 billion 2025.
He said the service is however starting on a good footing, as it already collected N3.3 billion in January compared to N1.6 billion in the corresponding period last year.
Pam said the service was able to achieve this through improved revenue collection by bringing more tax payers into the tax net and blocking leakages in the revenue system.
He said, “In 2023, we were able to jack the revenue to N25.8 billion from somewhere around N15.8 billion in the preceding year. But as at close of business last year, the revenue closed at N31.14 billion.
“And that’s the first time the Plateau State has hit the benchmark of above N30 billion in revenue generation. However, there’s hope that we need to start 2025 on a tall order because even the state government has given us a total revenue target of N52 billion in 2025.
“But we started 2025 on a strong footing. As at January, we collected about N3.3 billion, which is not even the highest that we ever collected in any given month, but I think compared to last year, by January, we did about N1.6 billion.
“That shows significant improvement in revenue generation.
Pam said though the state had witnessed an increase in internally generated revenue, it’s federally allocated revenue had for the past six months come with a minus, owing to foreign debts that the state had incurred in the past and fluctuations in rate of foreign exchange.
[TheNation]
The United States may still have the world’s most powerful navy but it seems to have realised that this is no longer sufficient to reassert US supremacy over the high seas.
If President Donald Trump’s pronouncements on shipbuilding, the Panama Canal and Greenland are anything to go by, he wants to increase US sea power on several fronts – just as China is already doing.
Beijing’s expanding influence on the world’s oceans is a challenge to Washington’s efforts to protect its interests.
While the United States still dominates the seas militarily, it is weaker in other maritime sectors, such as merchant shipping and shipbuilding itself, analysts told AFP.
Trump told the US Congress last week that his administration would “resurrect” the country’s nautical construction industry “including commercial shipbuilding and military shipbuilding”.
On China, he has complained that Beijing “controls” the Panama Canal and has refused to rule out military force to wrest control of a vital strategic asset.
The president has been equally blunt about wanting to take over Greenland, a Danish territory whose untapped mineral and oil reserves he covets.
And he wants to tax any Chinese vessel that docks in US ports.
Researcher Sophie Quintin, of Portsmouth University in the UK, said Trump’s approach smacked of a return to “navalism” — a theory stressing the importance of sea power espoused by 19th-century US naval officer Alfred Mahan.
On the other hand, Trump might just be appealing to his populist voter base, the Make America Great Again (MAGA) faithful.
“It’s difficult to know if it’s the fruit of a real strategic reflection,” said Alessio Patalano, a specialist in maritime strategy at King’s College, London.
“In the end, it doesn’t matter. Serving the interests of MAGA voters by restarting naval shipyards or taxing Chinese boats leads to a navalist policy.”
– Chinese sea power –
In any case, China understands the importance of sea power, said Nick Childs of Britain’s International Institute for Strategic Studies.
At a Paris conference last month, Childs pointed to China’s rapid expansion in maritime sectors other than its own navy.
“There are the investments we’ve been hearing about in global ports, global maritime infrastructure and the weaponising of the fishing fleet,” he said.
Washington is concerned by the expansion of Chinese shipping companies, which they see as serving the interests of the Beijing government.
“Beijing’s economic control of port operations at strategic chokepoints across the world — many of which are part of the Maritime Silk Road initiative — pose a threat to the United States and its allies,” opined US think tank the Jamestown Foundation in February.
It cited in particular two state-owned firms, COSCO and China Merchant Ports.
Beijing could also exert “significant influence” on a third, the privately owned Hutchison Port Holdings, which controls two ports on the Panama Canal, it said.
But Paul Tourret, of France’s Higher Institute of Maritime Economics (ISEMAR), cautioned against too “simplistic” a reading of China’s maritime policy.
“COSCO, for example, follows a financial logic. It merely delivers to the United States the goods that Americans consume,” he said.
Nevertheless, pressure from Washington seems to have had some effect.
Hutchison announced last week it had agreed to sell its lucrative Panama Canal ports to a US-led consortium, although it insisted this was a “purely commercial” decision.
– Gaps in US presence –
While the United States may have the world’s most powerful navy, its merchant fleet is not in such good shape, said Quintin.
“US shipping companies have significantly declined and what remains of its commercial fleet is ageing,” she said.
“That has repercussions for its strategic fleet,” she added, referring to civilian ships used for military transport.
“Furthermore, the shipbuilding sector is in crisis.”
Tourret agreed: “There’s no way the US can build ships quickly.”
“The problem with US shipbuilding is that they don’t have the know-how of the Japanese and Koreans, and they don’t have the scale of the Chinese, who churn ships out like biscuits,” added Patalano.
“When Europe is one year behind on a military programme, the US is three or four years late,” said a European industry source on condition of anonymity.
Trump’s avowed desire to seize control of Greenland and Canada can also be viewed as a bid to regain US dominance over the seas.
Global heating is melting Arctic ice at an alarming rate, endangering natural ecosystems and contributing to further climate change.
But that melting could also open up the region to vessels – both commercial and military – and to oil and mineral exploration.
Those prospects have not been lost on China, Russia or the United States.
“The Arctic space will become increasingly important for power projection, especially for missile-launching submarines,” said Patalano, who sees these as “an essential component of deterrence”.
Here again, “the United States is lagging behind”, said Quintin.
“While China is capable of deploying three icebreakers, the US Coast Guard struggles to keep its two ageing vessels in service,” she said.
AFP
The Federal Government’s ambitious effort to overhaul the nation’s tax laws has moved a step closer to reality following the submission of over 200 memoranda by diverse stakeholders to the Senate and House of Representatives.
The National Assembly’s public hearings, which saw the participation of various interest groups, marked a pivotal moment in the country’s quest to reform its tax system.
Held to discuss the proposed tax reforms, the public hearing attracted contributions from a broad spectrum of individuals and organizations.
These included government agencies, private sector players, civil society groups, and tax professionals, all offering their perspectives on how to reshape the country’s tax framework.
A primary focus of the discussions was on striking a balance between fostering economic growth, improving revenue generation, and addressing the concerns of citizens and businesses alike.
Diverse Stakeholder Voices
The hearings revealed a range of opinions on the tax reform bills, with many stakeholders providing constructive feedback aimed at improving the proposals. In total, the House of Representatives alone received 54 memoranda, underscoring the wide-reaching interest and varying perspectives on the issue.
The bills, which aim to modernize the country’s tax laws, have sparked both support and opposition.
While government representatives and economists emphasized that the reforms would help reduce the budget deficit, improve tax compliance, and streamline collection processes, critics raised concerns about the potential negative effects on small businesses and middle-class citizens.
The proposed adjustments to the Value Added Tax (VAT) and income tax brackets were particularly contentious, with some arguing that these changes might place undue strain on vulnerable sectors of the economy.
Balancing Act between Growth and Fairness
The hearings spotlighted some key issues, including how to expand the tax base without increasing rates or overburdening individuals and businesses.
Stakeholders such as the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) advocated for a simplified tax system to ease compliance, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
They also called for lower corporate taxes to boost investment and job creation.
Similarly, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) highlighted the need to incentivize local production, urging the government to avoid increasing taxes on raw materials and other inputs, which could lead to higher production costs and stifle local industries.
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), representing workers, voiced concerns about the potential impact of the reforms on low-income earners.
It called for a progressive tax system that ensures higher-income individuals and corporations shoulder a larger share of the tax burden, protecting ordinary workers from additional financial strain.
Civil Society and Sector-Specific Interests
Several civil society organizations (CSOs), including Tax Justice Network Africa, underscored the importance of greater transparency and accountability within the tax system.
They also called for stronger measures to combat tax evasion, particularly among multinational corporations, and for the assurance that tax revenues would be channeled into social development programs.
Representatives from the oil and gas sector expressed concerns about the impact of the reforms on their operations, emphasizing the need for stable, predictable tax policies to remain competitive in the global market. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) focused on the importance of clarity in the legal framework surrounding the proposed changes to avoid confusion and potential legal disputes.
Other stakeholders, including the Alumni Association of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative, the Centre for African Policy Research Advisory, and Project Sprint, also made significant contributions.
While the Legislative Mentorship Initiative praised the reforms as a strategic blueprint for the nation’s economic future, it urged policymakers to consider the reforms’ impact on vulnerable populations.
The Centre for African Policy Research Advisory stressed the need for Nigerians to have a say in the implementation process, while Project Sprint raised concerns about the potential impact of the VAT adjustments on economic activity and labor supply.
What Lies Ahead?
As the National Assembly reviews the memoranda and carefully weighs the feedback from various stakeholders, the proposed tax reforms remain a work in progress.
The aim is to pass legislation later this year that will overhaul the country’s tax system to promote economic growth, reduce inequality, and increase government revenue.
Although there is broad consensus on the necessity of tax reforms, the specifics of how these reforms should be implemented remain a source of debate.
Lawmakers are tasked with navigating these differing views and balancing the concerns of multiple groups to create a tax system that is equitable, sustainable, and growth-friendly.
With key decisions still to be made, all eyes are now on the National Assembly as it works to craft tax policies that will shape the country’s economic future. How policymakers choose to reconcile the diverse interests and perspectives will ultimately determine the success of the tax reforms.
In the coming months, as deliberations continue, stakeholders are hopeful that the final reform package will meet the needs of both businesses and individuals, while also positioning Nigeria for greater economic stability and growth.
[Vanguard]
Major opposition parties have warned President Bola Tinubu not to be swayed by the recent vote of confidence he received from governors and top figures of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
In separate interviews with Sunday Punch, opposition parties argued that such endorsement was mere political theatrics and would not influence Nigerians, many of whom are still grappling with the effects of Tinubu’s economic reforms.
Naija News reports that the APC NEC passed a vote of confidence on Tinubu last Wednesday, with former national chairman, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, seconding the motion for Tinubu’s second-term endorsement.
Oshiomhole based his conviction on the President’s economic policies, which he claimed were beginning to yield results.
PDP: APC’s NEC Endorsement Is A ‘Sham’
Reacting to the endorsement, the Deputy Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ibrahim Abdullahi, described the APC NEC as a “sham” arrangement, insisting that the ruling party is in deep crisis.
“There is no need to waste one’s time responding to any believer in the APC as presently constituted, not to talk of their NEC that was a sham. How many followers of APC or critical stakeholders were even in attendance?” Abdullahi questioned.
He further claimed that many key APC members had lost faith in the party, following the “atrocious” eight years of Buhari and the “demonic” two years of Tinubu.
“The cumulative 10 years of suffering under the APC has been harsh on Nigerians, and there is no way they will contemplate voting for the APC again in 2027. In the first place, they were not truly elected in 2023. We all know how they got power at all costs,” he added.
Labour Party: APC Focused On Power, Not Governance
The Labour Party (LP) also dismissed the APC’s confidence in securing victory in 2027, saying it was too early to predict the outcome of the election.
Speaking to Sunday PUNCH, the National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiora Ifoh, criticised Tinubu for focusing on re-election rather than fixing the economy.
“The APC only has one candidate—the President—so they have no choice but to begin to echo his chances. But we, as an opposition party, would rather wait for INEC to come up with their proposals before we start discussing 2027,” Ifoh stated.
He argued that the APC should focus on governance rather than electioneering, saying the endorsement was premature.
“This government has not even reached two years in office. How can they start talking about 2027 when they have yet to fulfil the 2023 mandate? It just shows the APC is about grabbing power, not improving the lives of Nigerians. People are still suffering, and things are getting worse,” he added.
Ifoh also called on INEC to caution political parties against premature election campaigns.
APC: Tinubu’s Fate Lies In Voters’ Hands
Responding to the opposition’s remarks, APC Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Duru, dismissed their criticisms, insisting that Tinubu’s re-election bid would be determined by his achievements.
“It is our scorecard that we will present to Nigerians. The opposition cannot decide whether the President should return in 2027—that is the job of the voters.”
Duru further stated that the APC’s track record would be the basis for judgment, not criticisms from “disillusioned political elements.”
“At the end of the day, we will present our achievements, and Nigerians will judge us. No one individual can dictate electoral behaviour,” he said.
Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and Prophet Umueke Miracle, leader of the Dynamic Flame of Fire and Miracle Ministries in Port Harcourt, have agreed to a live demonstration of miracles following a heated debate on the authenticity of supernatural healings.
Sowore, in a recent interview, dismissed claims of miraculous healings by Nigerian pastors, arguing that many of their so-called wonders were staged to exploit followers.
Naija News reports that he alleged that his father, who suffered a stroke, experienced a “fake miracle” when taken to a church for healing.
“All of us know that all these religious people are fake. I have never seen a church that made a cripple walk before. The church has never made any blind person see. Forget about all these big churches lying to you,” he said.
Sowore further asserted that religion thrives in Nigeria due to the government’s failure to provide basic needs, making people rely on faith for survival.
“The truth is that religion is thriving in our society because the government does not exist. Otherwise, if we had great governance today in this country, your prayer points would change.”
In response, Prophet Miracle denounced Sowore’s remarks as an attack on the Christian faith, insisting that miracles are real and undeniable.
Addressing his congregation, the pastor challenged Sowore to bring a stroke patient to his church for healing, vowing to shut down his ministry if he failed.
He said: “I challenge Sowore to bring someone who has had a stroke. But before he brings the person, let them take the person to the hospital to confirm that the person has had a stroke.
“If I pray and the person stands up and walks, forever until he dies, let him (Sowore) never speak again or pursue his dream of becoming Nigeria’s president. But if I cannot heal the person, let me close this church until Jesus comes.”
The cleric further set an April 4 deadline for Sowore to present a patient for healing, insisting that the demonstration should be conducted live on television for the world to see.
Sowore has accepted the challenge, but with a condition—he wants Prophet Miracle to visit the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) stroke ward and heal patients there.
In a Facebook post, Sowore said: “I have accepted the challenge and would ask the pastor to move his ministry to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital stroke ward, particularly the comprehensive stroke care centre, and clear out the place. My reason is that those in that ward are certified sick and need urgent healing.
“There is no need for a back-and-forth. I will be watching his (Prophet Miracle’s) live stream tomorrow to publicise his healing prowess from that ward.”
When contacted for a response to Sowore’s counter-challenge, a church member, identified as David, told Sunday PUNCH that Prophet Miracle was unavailable for comments.
Former Deputy National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, in this interview by BOLA BADMUS speaks on the leadership crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly and the reinstatement of sacked Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa as its Speaker following the resignation of Mojisola Meranda from the position.
You recently described the reinstatement of Mudashiru Obasa as the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly as “an embarrassment.” But some other people will argue that it is democracy in action because he was re-elected by his colleagues.
Did they re-elect him? Did they sit to say okay, they wanted a new speaker? Did they remove Meranda as the incumbent Speaker? There are procedures to these things.
But Meranda resigned as the Speaker and therefore paved the way for Obasa to return to his former position.
And so they now returned him? If they are deceiving themselves, they cannot deceive the general public. If you are the leader of a party and the party was going to go through a procedure, and they accused the Speaker of a lot of inappropriate activities – financial and otherwise – shouldn’t you even address those issues? Since he didn’t do it, there is no need for Obasa to respond to the allegations levelled against him. The same people came back and reinstated or re-elected him. It is an indecent approach to what democracy is all about.
If you were accused of certain misdemeanor openly and people went through a process by which they said enough of you, if you want to come back, you know you will have to defend yourself first. It’s already in the public domain but there was an order that he should be reinstated since it is a private enterprise. Do you return people like that in a democratic dispensation to override whatever others had been saying? Is it that those Assembly members didn’t know what they had been talking about before they removed Obasa, or they are absolutely acting like a military organisation? When I look at it on the political side, our party (PDP) has a system; our party has procedures. Sometimes, you can have these procedures to reassure the public that we are better managers when we are challenged.
You can see who is in charge. It’s a private enterprise, he can hire and fire. Is that democracy? You can’t have your opinion to explain yourself based on the demands from your constituency. I have said several times that APC is not a proper political party but a congregation of strange bedfellows. It was a Lagos State House of Assembly matter, do they have a caucus? Does the executive of the party in Lagos have a caucus? When I say caucus, it’s the unifying group, like the equivalent of the Board of Trustees at the national level, do they have that? The caucus would meet, the Speaker himself would be a member, the deputy Speaker would be a member of the same caucus, the state chairman and the state secretary would be members, and then some elders from some other local governments would be members of that caucus representing those local governments, like they claimed they have a GAC, what is the effect of the GAC? So what are their own approaches to resolving the problem? Nothing. Nothing, they got divided.
There was this committee comprising former Governors Bisi Akande and Segun Osoba that met over the matter.
You mean the committee that went to Tinubu in Abuja? Are they from Lagos State? You now raised the matter beyond the state… If you look at this party called APC, apart from Ganduje parading himself as chairman, who is the National Secretary of APC? Who is the National Organising Secretary of the APC? Where is their Exco? The only thing we heard recently was that they held a general assembly, is that the way to run a political party? So I am looking at it from the angle that because all these shenanigans must be explained to the electorate, the electorate holds the power to elect or sack you at the election time based on your performances and based on their perception of your management style. And you can see it is an emperor that owns that party. All those boys by their various constituencies, how did they get elected? Did the decisions to elect them come from their constituencies or it was just from one desk? Godfatherism is their major definition of a political party. If the big boss doesn’t say you are free to go, you can’t go. So the decision is not with the constituency and the people. The real owners of governance are the people; that is the essence of democracy. They elect who they want and when you don’t perform, by next election they throw you out.
But you see the mess we call INEC? I am now trying to explain the fallout, the lackluster approaches to solve political problems in this country. There is no way we can talk about it without referring to the procedure by which we elect State Assembly lawmakers, senators, House of Representatives members, governors and the president. It is shambolic, it’s a complete disgrace, it should be completely overhauled if we want peace and development in this country. we have to completely overhaul this INEC, the personalities there, because they bought the system, they bought the equipment, the computers so that all these interlopers who write things by hand and manipulate the process can be completely flushed out. Once you vote, the results go to the BVAS and then the results would come out.
The last time they told us it was glitch that caused the problem. So it is not just what is being displayed at the Lagos State House of Assembly, no. It is deeper than that. It has now opened our eyes to the lackluster approach to managing this country. It is not working, and if we continue with that mess without getting to clean out the INEC and the procedure, we are just joking. It would get worse.
It is an eye opener and I am appealing to President Tunubu being from the South West to go back into history to remember all these. Did he not remember the crisis in Ibadan? Did he remember the Ajasin and Omoboriowo crisis? The Abiola issue also came too.
If you were Moji Meranda, what would you have done in the face of her party’s directive that she should resign her position?
What could she do? How did she get the ticket in the first instance? That’s what I am saying. You would say she had a primary election to compete with other aspirants in her constituency, but how did she emerge? Does she have the nerve or gut to talk? The godfather gave her the ticket. Who were her competitors as aspirant? So a house built on nothing would remain on nothing, there is no foundation. I am talking because I had gone through the mill, managing our party, PDP, we have a procedure. Although we are also trying to ensure that that procedure is not manipulated by people. What we are going through now is the shady way of trying to undermine the procedure established by the founding fathers of our party and some of us are saying never. No, PDP is not the private enterprise of anybody. If you want to be a member of PDP, you have to follow the rules. There are rules, we have a constitution, follow them.
The lady (Meranda), in some other countries, the constituency would have told her get out of the way, that’s not what we sent you to do. How did she get it, how many times has she gone back to her constituency meeting to ask for their needs? So if you were handpicked, like you are working for a company, the executive chairman of the company has the right to hire or fire. So you either keep your mouth shut or you are fired.
A group of Lagosians led by General Tajudeen Olanrewaju has been very vocal lately on this crisis. Do you think the group was right in reducing the tussle to an indigene versus settler matter?
It’s a mixture of all of these. They are approaching it not as politicians, I am approaching it as a politician. I am giving you my analysis of the tactical thing as a politician. But as a Lagosian, that is a different ball game. Traditionally, Lagos is the only state in Nigeria where we do not discriminate against people. We don’t discriminate. We accept people because it’s a trading port, the commercial nerve center of Nigeria and West Africa.
So whatever you want to sell, Lagos is there for you, so on that basis, people are now trying to use that and they have the boldness to say Lagos belongs to nobody. You know, you can’t go to Ogun State, first, they would ask you, are you Yewa? Are you Egba? Are you Remo? Are you Ijebu? See how close Ogun State is to Lagos. If you are not part of them, there is no way you can get anything. If you go to Oyo, they would ask you, are you Ibadan, are you Ogbomoso, are you from Oke-Ogun? If you are not, what are you looking for? The same thing happens if you go to Osun. Go to anywhere in any state, but Lagos is an example of the way we should live our lives because we accommodate people. Accommodating people doesn’t mean that there are no indigenous Lagosians.
When it comes to political matters, they are not running it and that is why it is so potently clear who these characters are. They are people who have no face for Lagos. The question would have been instantaneously asked before you even get any ticket in Ogun State. If you are not from any of the divisions, what are you looking for? So for me, there are no normal primaries being done here (Lagos) devoid of godfatherism. He selects the people he wants, whether you are indigene or non-indigene, as long as you kiss his wing, you are a good boy or you are a good woman. That’s not democracy and that is a house built on a faulty foundation and it would not last. There would be cracks because some day you would go and when you go, what happens?
As for the Renaissance, they are looking at the crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly from the cultural point of view. Where are our people? If you look at the people that were handpicked, and sent down there, I don’t know how many of them are real indigenous Lagosians. The young lady that was put there as speaker before she was asked to resign from the position is an indigene. Is it the indigenes versus non-indigenes playing out in the Obasa issue? It is a political issue. The management of their political system is what is faulty.
With what is happening now, do you think a truly indigenous Lagosian will ever be governor again with the way you the indigenes are antagonising those controlling political power in the state?
You know political power is transient, even life itself is transient. Yes, they need to wake the indigenes up. If you sit down in your house and you are not participating in the process, and you have more of the non- indigenes than you, what do you do? You have to wake your people up, go and campaign and make sure the cultural thing is married to the politics. If you don’t do that you are just going to be howling there.
General Tajudeen Olanrewaju is my friend. We were born in the same area, and we grew up together. But I am in the heart of political activities, the Renaissance is the cultural part and I said the best is to match us together so that the procedures emerging from the political positions or the other, we would put all together and get our people to come out.
What is going on now is a lesson for our indigenous people to wake up, wake up and join a political party. If you don’t join a political party, how do you emerge as governor? Would they come and beg you in your house? If you don’t emerge and be part of it, nobody would come and beg you. They are there, let them come out. Don’t say that politics is dirty, yes, it is dirty, also join and clean it out. You know, it takes a lot of guts to be able to achieve that. Like I said, they don’t do any serious competitive primaries, the godfather handpicks those to go for one position or the other.
What advice do you have for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Speaker Obasa and President Bola Tinubu on the way Lagos is being run?
You know I am on the competitive side, my advice is just to say: Take it easy. If I wanted to be selfish, I would have said, what is my business? I would say it is in the interest of my own political party for them to collapse. But I am a Lagosian. One Yoruba adage says if heaven is going to fall, it doesn’t discriminate at all, but would fall on everyone.
Some people thought they were not concerned about the crisis in the Lagos Assembly. All the crises we have witnessed in this country, some people said they were not concerned, but when the whole thing collapsed, people died, people from across the country. It affected everyone. Let us, for the sake of the younger generation and the future generations of this country, do what is right, let us do what is just, let us do what is equitable because goodness and godliness go together and that is the only investment that does not fail. ‘Wuwuru’ or ‘warawara,’ ‘wayo,’ ‘jibiti’ also have its reward.
Let them take a cue from the performance of Papa Obafemi Awolowo: First in the field of education. Many of those you see today would not have been able to have that exposure if not for Chief Awolowo. He knew that education makes people easy to govern but difficult to deceive. Once you educate people properly, they know their duties as citizens, duties as a child to parents, duties to the state.
What has happened in the Lagos State House of Assembly is just an example of the madness, an offshoot of what God is making us to see and I pray that the electorate would also open their eyes and see the futility and the lackluster management style, and that ‘Baba says’ is not in democracy.
[Nigerian Tribune]
Tinubu Tax: Debate Intensifies As NLC, Afenifere, ACF, Ohanaeze, Others Submit Over 200 Memoranda
AFOLABI
The Federal Government’s ambitious plan to revamp Nigeria’s tax laws has gained momentum as the Senate and House of Representatives received over 200 memoranda from stakeholders during public hearings.
Naija News reports that the hearings, which attracted participation from government agencies, private sector representatives, civil society groups, and tax professionals, marked a crucial step in the country’s tax reform process.
A key focus of the discussions was how to balance economic growth, revenue generation, and business sustainability, while addressing concerns from individuals and corporate entities.
Stakeholders Offer Diverse Perspectives
The hearings showcased varied opinions on the proposed tax reform bills. While some stakeholders welcomed the move as a step toward modernizing the tax system, others warned of potential challenges.
The House of Representatives alone received 54 memoranda, indicating widespread interest in the tax reform debate.
Government officials and economists argued that the reforms would reduce the budget deficit, enhance tax compliance, and streamline collection processes. However, critics expressed concerns that proposed changes to Value Added Tax (VAT) and income tax brackets could negatively impact small businesses and middle-class citizens.
Finding A Balance Between Growth And Fairness
Key issues raised during the hearings included expanding the tax base without increasing rates, preventing overburdening of businesses and individuals and ensuring fairness in tax distribution.
The National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) called for a simplified tax system to enhance compliance, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The group also advocated for lower corporate tax rates to encourage investment and job creation.
Similarly, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) urged the government to avoid increasing taxes on raw materials, warning that it could lead to higher production costs and hurt local industries.
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) voiced concerns about the impact on low-income earners, emphasizing the need for a progressive tax system where high-income earners and corporations contribute more.
Calls For Transparency And Sector-Specific Adjustments
Several civil society organizations (CSOs), including Tax Justice Network Africa, pushed for greater transparency and accountability in tax collection and spending.
They also urged the government to combat tax evasion among multinational corporations and ensure that revenue is directed toward social development programs.
Representatives from the oil and gas sector cautioned that frequent tax policy changes could affect Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global market. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) stressed the importance of clear legal frameworks to prevent confusion and legal disputes.
Other contributions came from organizations such as the Alumni Association of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative, the Centre for African Policy Research Advisory, and Project Sprint.
The Legislative Mentorship Initiative described the reforms as a strategic blueprint for Nigeria’s economic future but urged lawmakers to consider the impact on vulnerable populations.
The Centre for African Policy Research Advisory advocated for public engagement in the reform process, while Project Sprint raised concerns over the effects of VAT adjustments on economic activity and labor supply.
What’s Next For Tax Reforms?
With deliberations ongoing, lawmakers are set to review the memoranda and fine-tune the proposed tax reforms.
The goal is to pass legislation that will boost economic growth, reduce inequality, and enhance government revenue collection.
However, the specifics of the reforms remain contentious, with lawmakers facing the challenge of balancing competing interests while crafting a fair, sustainable, and business-friendly tax system.
As the National Assembly navigates the complexities of tax policy, all eyes remain on policymakers to see how they will reconcile diverse perspectives and deliver a tax system that drives Nigeria’s economic future.
In the coming months, stakeholders hope that the final reform package will effectively address their concerns while positioning Nigeria for long-term fiscal stability and growth.
Opposition Senators Visit Suspended Senator Natasha, Explore Options for Quick Resolution of Dispute
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A delegation of senators from the opposition political parties on Friday visited the suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, at her home.
The delegation was led by a former Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Seriake Dickson.
Dickson, a member of the Senate’s Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, Privileges and Public Petitions that recommended Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, shared a photo of the visit on his social media pages.
He said his engagement with the tax reform bills had kept him away from the Senate’s proceedings on the day of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.
“The public may recall that, for the past three days, I was attending the three-day workshop on the Tax Reform Bills, which started on Wednesday 5th of March and ended this evening, Friday, 7th of March,” he said.
“This is why I was not available yesterday to sit as a member of the Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, Privileges and Public Petitions in respect of the issues concerning our colleague, Distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan’s suspension, having been assured by the Committee Chairman that the hearing would hold on Wednesday, March 11 for which notices had already been issued. I was not notified of the emergency sitting yesterday.
“This evening, after concluding the retreat, I led a delegation of some senators of opposition parties on a visit to our colleague Senator Natasha and met with her and her husband at their home,” Dickson said.
Dickson added that as humans, senators have their low and high moments “and it is a tradition for Senators to support each other during these moments”.
“We offered words of encouragement, prayers, and advice on a quick resolution of the issues surrounding her suspension,” he added.
“Having heard more from her and her husband for the first time, I will discuss with other colleagues how to intervene and engage with the leadership of the senate to resolve the issues as soon as possible.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended last Thursday for six months after she rejected her new seat in the upper legislative chamber.
The dispute escalated into allegations of sexual harassment by the Kogi senator against the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Her suspension has sparked widespread debate and criticisms, particularly from women groups and civil society organisations.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition elements have condemned her suspension, saying the move reeks of a grand cover-up attempt.
[ThisDay]
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A former National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olabode George, has called for a complete overhaul of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Speaking in an interview with Saturday Tribune, George described Nigeria’s electoral process as shambolic and a disgrace.
While reacting to the crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly, the PDP chieftain lamented the issue of godfatherism plaguing Lagos State political space.
He stated that there is no way we can talk about solving political problems without referring to the procedure by which we elect State Assembly lawmakers, senators, House of Representatives members, governors and the president.
According to him, our electoral process should be completely overhauled if we want peace and development in this country.
George said: “If you look at this party called APC, apart from Ganduje parading himself as chairman, who is the National Secretary of APC? Who is the National Organising Secretary of the APC? Where is their Exco? The only thing we heard recently was that they held a general assembly, is that the way to run a political party? So I am looking at it from the angle that because all these shenanigans must be explained to the electorate, the electorate holds the power to elect or sack you at the election time based on your performances and based on their perception of your management style. And you can see it is an emperor that owns that party. All those boys by their various constituencies, how did they get elected? Did the decisions to elect them come from their constituencies or it was just from one desk? Godfatherism is their major definition of a political party. If the big boss doesn’t say you are free to go, you can’t go. So the decision is not with the constituency and the people. The real owners of governance are the people; that is the essence of democracy. They elect who they want and when you don’t perform, by next election they throw you out.
“But you see the mess we call INEC? I am now trying to explain the fallout, the lackluster approaches to solve political problems in this country. There is no way we can talk about it without referring to the procedure by which we elect State Assembly lawmakers, senators, House of Representatives members, governors and the president. It is shambolic, it’s a complete disgrace, it should be completely overhauled if we want peace and development in this country. we have to completely overhaul this INEC, the personalities there, because they bought the system, they bought the equipment, the computers so that all these interlopers who write things by hand and manipulate the process can be completely flushed out. Once you vote, the results go to the BVAS and then the results would come out.
“The last time they told us it was glitch that caused the problem. So it is not just what is being displayed at the Lagos State House of Assembly, no. It is deeper than that. It has now opened our eyes to the lackluster approach to managing this country. It is not working, and if we continue with that mess without getting to clean out the INEC and the procedure, we are just joking. It would get worse.”
From 24.9m Nigerians currently suffering hunger, 30.6m at risk of starvation by August - Report warns
AFOLABI
A recent report by the Cadre Harmonisé (CH) on Acute Food and Nutrition Insecurity has projected that 30.6 million people across 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will face a food crisis between June and August 2025. The report, conducted by federal and state governments with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other development partners, highlights that this figure includes 150,978 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
Currently, an estimated 24.9 million people, including 116,765 IDPs, are already experiencing a food crisis, a situation that could worsen by May 2025. The CH analysis warns that during the lean season from June to August, households are likely to face increased food shortages, potentially pushing more people in high-risk areas into critical food insecurity.
The report identifies conflicts, climatic shocks, and macroeconomic reforms as key factors driving the crisis. These challenges have limited households' purchasing power and ability to secure adequate food. Additionally, the analysis highlights critical levels of acute malnutrition in the Northeast, particularly in Central Borno, Northern Yobe, and parts of Eastern Sokoto. Local Government Areas such as Mobbae and Ngarcail in Northern Borno, as well as Mashi in Northern Katsina, are among the most affected.
The primary drivers of the food crisis include ongoing conflict and insecurity—such as insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping—as well as high vulnerability levels that hinder households' ability to cope with shocks. Other contributing factors are soaring food prices, dwindling household food stocks, limited income-generating opportunities, inadequate food consumption, and poor access to clean water and sanitation.
FAO Country Representative Koffy Dominique praised the Federal Government and stakeholders for completing the February-March 2025 CH analysis cycle, which began on February 20 across 26 states and the FCT. He noted that Nigeria has experienced its worst inflation in over two decades, exacerbating economic hardship for many families and making it increasingly difficult to afford food and essential goods. Dominique also pointed to the devastating impacts of extreme weather events, such as flooding, alongside armed conflict and organized crime, which have prolonged insecurity and worsened food insecurity.
The CH analysis workshops, held twice a year, aim to identify populations and areas at risk of food and nutrition insecurity and propose measures to prevent or mitigate crises. Dominique emphasized the importance of these efforts in addressing the country's growing food security challenges.
Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Aviation, highlighted the role of fuel subsidy removal and insecurity in driving up food prices. Represented by Okwudule Onyema, Director of Food and Strategic Reserve, Ogunbiyi reaffirmed the government's commitment to leveraging the CH report's findings to tackle the food and nutrition crisis. He also called on humanitarian organizations to use the report to guide their interventions nationwide.
The report underscores the urgent need for coordinated action to address the root causes of food insecurity and prevent further escalation of the crisis.
United Capital Plc has proposed a final total dividend of N9 billion, representing 50 kobo per share to its shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2024.
The company in its audited results released on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) yesterday showed an impressive full year, 2024 performance.
In a bid to strengthen and maximise stakeholder value in the recently concluded financial year, the Company rewarded shareholders with bonus issuance of two additional shares for every one share held in addition to our first ever interim dividend payment of 90 kobo per share.
United Capital reported gross earnings of N43.43 billion in the full year 2024, slightly down from N45.90 billion in the full year 2023. Total expenses declined by 46 per cent to N15.96 billion, compared to N29.28 billion in 2023.
Profit before tax grew by 74 per cent to N30.10 billion in 2024 from N17.30 billion in 2023. Profit after tax rose by 111 per cent to N24.10 billion in 2024, as against N11.42 billion in 2023, while earnings per share stood at N1.34 compared to N1.90 recorded in 2023.
Total assets amounted to N1.70 trillion as at December 31, 2024, compared to N931.95 billion as at December 31, 2023, representing 83 per cent year-on-year growth; while shareholders fund rose by 47 per cent to N133.50 billion in 2024 from N90.71 billion as at December 31, 2023.
Speaking on the performance, the board chairman of United Capital, Prof. Chika Mordi stated that “United Capital Group held true to its philosophy of creating shared prosperity by delivering record profitability and significant corporate actions which culminated in increased total dividend payout to N14.4 billion for the 2024 financial year, up 33 per cent year-on-year from N10.8 billion payout in 2023.”
He said that “we will continue to strengthen governance frameworks across the Group to protect investors’ assets and sustain superior value delivery to our stakeholders well into the foreseeable future.”
Also, the group chief executive officer of United Capital, Peter Ashade said that “despite the challenging business environment, the Group remained resilient and delivered record profitability as PBT rose 74 per cent to N30.10 billion and PAT soared 111 per cent to N24.10 billion.
“As a testament to our strong market leadership and positioning, Shareholders’ funds increased by 47 per cent year-on-year to N133.65 billion while total assets grew to N1.70 trillion, up 83 per cent year-on-year.”
Ashade added that “as we proceed into the 2025 financial year, we remain committed to rewarding our shareholders while sustaining this remarkable performance. We are poised to lead the Nigerian capital market and unlock new opportunities on the African continent.”
[Leadership]
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said that he remained a bonafide member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The former PDP presidential candidate, who reacted to a report that he was planning to abandon the PDP for another party, said it was a total fallacy that holds no merit in logic.
Atiku has been involved in talks about an opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 elections, a call he started making shortly after the 2023 general election.
But, reacting to reports of his defection from PDP, the Atiku Media Office said Atiku remained a principal bonafide member of the PDP, the main opposition party.
“Recall that Atiku Abubakar had persistently called for a coalition of opposition political parties in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general election with the aim of ousting the incompetent and pain-inflicting All Progressives Congress, in order to give Nigerians a new lease of life.
“Atiku is advocating a robust coalition that would accommodate all opposition parties – the PDP inclusive.
“Hence, it is fallacious and unfounded to allege that the Waziri is jumping PDP ship. Such an allegation is antithetical to the objective of the grand coalition, which the former Vice President is currently driving alongside other prominent political leaders in the country.
“We, therefore, wish to state unequivocally that Atiku remains a principal bonafide member of the PDP, the main opposition party,” the office stated.
The media office added that any insinuation to the contrary was contrived to confuse Nigerians about the magnitude of the grand coalition that is at work to rescue Nigeria from the grip of the ruling APC.