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The Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has paid a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to inform the Command of the commencement of the year 2025 Hajj exercise, just as it sought support towards a hitch-free operation.
The Executive Secretary of the Board, Alhaji Ajibola Taiwo, during the visit to the Command at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, described the NIS as one of the key stakeholders that plays an important role in the yearly exercise, informing it on the need to fast-track issuance of intending pilgrims’ passport to enable the Board meets the deadline for the pilgrimage.
While appreciating the Command's past cooperation and support, Alhaji Ajibola, in a statement signed by Hajia Lateefaht Ayoola, Press Officer, OGMPWB, expressed hope that the NIS would sustain the annual assistance for the success of the Hajj exercise.
The State Comptroller, Nigeria Immigration Service NIS, Ogun State Command, Mr. Aliyu Akadiri, in his response, said the agency was conversant with the programme and assured that necessary efforts would be made to prevent delay in the issuance of passport for intending pilgrims.
He advised the Board to urge prospective pilgrims requesting International Passports to commence early and come with proof of payment to expedite the process.
Also speaking, Deputy Superintendent Immigration (DSI) Osinusi Omoowo, tasked the Board to inform intending pilgrims of the requirement in the issuance of passport, such as, validated National Identity Number (NIN) and correct information, warning that incorrect details would attract additional fees.
In the same vein, the Board called on the Nigeria Port Health (Quarantine) Services, at Federal Secretariat, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Alhaji Taiwo informed the health agency of the Board’s preparation towards the Hajj, enjoining it to ensure speedy issuance of Yellow Cards to intending pilgrims, to facilitate seamless Hajj procedure.
Remarking, State Coordinator, Port Health (Quarantine) Services, Mr. Abdul-Lateef Alaaya, pledged that the agency would give necessary assistance and prayed for a successful 2025 Hajj operations.
The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has distanced itself from what it described as President Bola Tinubu’s bias for the Yoruba in federal appointments.
The group insisted that they do not support Tinubu for appointing Yorubas as head of all arms of the criminal justice system and other sectors.
Afenifere shared its reservations in a statement by its leader and the National Publicity Secretary, Ayo Adebanjo, and Justice Faleye, respectively, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Friday.
They insisted that the development threatened the age-long inter-ethnic relationship and peaceful co-existence in Nigeria.
The statement partly read, “We can never condone the outrageous bias by Tinubu to make Yorubas head of all arms of the criminal justice system (EFCC, DSS, Attorney-General and Chief Justice); the economy (Coordinating Minister of the economy, CBN, Finance, Blue Economy, Digital Economy, Trade, Industries and Investment, Bank of Industry, Solid Minerals); as well as the forces (army, police, customs, immigration, DSS).
“Afenifere can’t use several decades to fight against Fulani hegemony only to support Yoruba or any other hegemony. Afenifere bitterly complained that President Buhari’s northern hegemony can’t remain mute on ethnic hegemony, as being perpetrated by Tinubu.
“Buhari was accused of bias for the North, with three regions, not to talk of Tinubu bias not for the South, but a single ethnicity and single region. Our progenitor, Chief Obafemi Awolowo once threatened to curse anyone that tied Afenifere to Yoruba only.”
The group explained that it adheres to clear-cut principles of being social democrats and would not support autocratic leaders.
“By the virtue of our name, Afenifere, meaning those that want good for all humans, and as omoluabi Yorubas, we won’t support any government that engages in undemocratic practices. Nor would we support a government whose first year pushed over 14 million people into poverty with anti-people policies.
“President Tinubu is no stranger to Afenifere, but having backed him into power in 1999, and witnessed his 24-year precedents in Lagos, it would have been wicked and morally irresponsible to support him into power as President.
“This was why the true Afenifere supported Peter Obi and was in charge of his presidential campaign headed by Akin Osuntokun, an Afenifere chieftain,” the statement added.
President Bola Tinubu says the tax reform bills will not be withdrawn from the national assembly as recommended by the national economic council (NEC).
In a statement on Friday, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said Tinubu received NEC’s recommendation, however, the president said the legislative process should continue.
On October 3, Tinubu asked the national assembly to consider and pass four tax reform bills.
The bills include the Nigeria tax bill, the tax administration bill, and the joint revenue board establishment bill.
Tinubu is also seeking to repeal the law establishing the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and replace it with the Nigeria Revenue Service.
Reacting to the development, the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF)opposed the proposed bills, following a joint meeting with the northern traditional rulers council at the Kaduna government house on October 28.
The governors asked the national assembly to reject any legislation that may harm the region’s interests, calling for equitable and fair implementation of national policies and programmes to prevent marginalisation of any geopolitical zone.
Following the opposition from the northern governors, the presidency on Thursday assured them that the proposed laws were not recommended by Tinubu to disadvantage any part of the country as they were designed to improve the lives of Nigerians and optimise existing tax frameworks.
On the same day, NEC asked Tinubu to withdraw the tax reform bills to give room for consultations.
However, Onanuga said Tinubu urged the NEC to allow the process to take its full course.
“President Tinubu commends the National Economic Council members, especially Vice President Kashim Shettima and the 36 State Governors, for their advice,” Onanuga said.
“He believes that the legislative process, which has already begun, provides an opportunity for inputs and necessary changes without withdrawing the bills from the National Assembly.”
Tinubu also welcomed further consultations and engagement with key stakeholders to address any reservations about the bills while the national assembly considers them for passage.
“When President Tinubu set up the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy Reform in August 2023, he had only one objective: to reposition the economy for better productivity and efficiency and make the operating environment for investment and businesses more conducive. This objective remains more critical even today than ever before,” he said.
“The committee worked for over a year and received inputs from various segments of society across the geopolitical zones, including trade associations, professional bodies, different Ministries and Government Agencies, Governors, traders, students, business owners, and the organised private sector.
“The tax reform bills that emerged were distilled from the extensive work of the Presidential Committee.”
MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TAX REFORM BILLS
The special adviser said the tax reform bills aim to streamline Nigeria’s tax administration processes, completely overhaul the nation’s tax operations, and align them with global best practices.
Highlighting the purpose of the bills, Onanuga said the Nigeria tax bill “seeks to eliminate multiple taxation and make Nigeria’s economy more competitive by simplifying tax obligations for businesses and individuals nationwide”.
“The Nigeria Tax Administration Bill (NTAB): This Bill proposes new rules governing the administration of all taxes in the country. Its objective is to harmonise tax administrative processes across federal, state and local jurisdictions to ease taxpayers’ compliance and enhance the revenue for all tiers of government,” he said.
“The Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill: The Bill seeks to re-establish the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) to better reflect its mandate as the revenue agency for the entire federation, not just the Federal Government.
“The Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill: This Bill proposes creating a Joint Revenue Board to replace the Joint Tax Board, covering federal and all state tax authorities. The fourth bill will also establish the Office of Tax Ombudsman under the Joint Revenue Board, protecting taxpayers’ interests and facilitating dispute resolution.”
He said the bills’ overarching objective is to effectively coordinate federal, state, and local tax authorities, thereby eliminating the overlapping responsibilities, confusion, and inefficiency that have plagued tax administration in Nigeria for decades.
According to Onanuga, under existing laws, taxes like company income tax (CIT), personal income tax (PIT), capital gains tax (CGT), petroleum profits tax (PPT), tertiary education tax (TET), value-added tax (VAT), and other taxing provisions in numerous laws are administered separately, with individual legislative frameworks.
The special adviser said the proposed reforms seek to consolidate the numerous taxes, integrating CIT, PIT, CGT, VAT, PPT, and excise duties into a unified structure to reduce administrative fragmentation.
“While there may be differences in approach or specific provisions of the new tax bills, what is not in contention is the need to review our tax laws and how we administer them to serve our overall national development agenda,” he added.
Onanuga assured that Tinubu will continue to respect and welcome the advice and recommendations of the NEC.
Oil marketers, on Friday, revealed that the price of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, produced by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery was between N1,015 and N1,028/litre depending on the quantity being purchased.
Based on this, the dealers vowed to import the commodity and sell it below the Dangote refinery price as well as the price being sold by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
Data released by the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria on Thursday showed that the landing cost of petrol was N978.01/litre as of October 31, 2024.
It stated that the landing cost of diesel was N1,069.97/litre, while that of aviation fuel was put at N1,119.67/litre.
The landing cost of these white products is the unit price of the imported commodities on landing on Nigeria’s shores.
Since the Dangote refinery commenced the release of refined petroleum products domestically, it had refused to announce the cost of the commodity despite several demands for the price.
However, a major marketer, who spoke to one of our correspondents on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorisation to speak on the matter, confirmed that the cost of petrol from the Dangote refinery was higher than that of imported PMS.
According to the official, the refinery currently sells to oil marketers making bulk purchase at N1,015/litre and small buyers at N1,028/litre.
The major marketer also disclosed that three cargoes carrying petroleum products recently arrived and had been discharged at seaports along the nation’s borders.
“Dangote is selling to bulk buyers at N1,015/litre, but to marketers who are not buying in bulk, the refinery is selling at N1,028/litre.
“But imported PMS is cheaper than the cost of Dangote’ own, and that is why he is doing all he can to ensure that the government stops the importation of fuel,” the dealer stated.
Commenting on the development, marketers under the aegis of the Petroleum Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria vowed that they would sell imported petrol below the price offered by the Dangote refinery.
The association said its PMS would also be cheaper than that of the NNPCL.
The PETROAN Publicity Secretary, Dr Joseph Obele, however, told Saturday PUNCH that the price of Dangote PMS might be higher because the refinery was still producing with the imported crude it bought at a premium.
He said the association had struck deals with some international fuel suppliers to import PMS at a good price, adding that the product would arrive in Nigeria at a price around N800/litre.
“PETROAN is an association, but we have incorporated our limited liability company called PETROAN Limited. We have got the licence from the Corporate Affairs Commission, and we have applied to the NMDPRA to licence us and give us authority to import. So, as we get that authority to import, I think we will import from the best market.
“And it is good also for the general public to understand that the landing costs in all the nations are not the same. PETROAN has got a partner from the international market, that the product will arrive here at close to N800/litre. So, since PETROAN has the best value for Nigerian citizens, we are calling on the regulatory agency to release our authority to import in no distant time so our first stock will come in.
“And we assure you that PETROAN will sell far less than Dangote. It will sell at prices far less than NNPC. Right now, NNPC is selling to us at N1,040/litre. PETROAN will not sell like that, because we have negotiated. And all our partners and foreign counterparts are on standby to make sure we give Nigerians the best value,” Obele said.
The associations spokesperson stated that he would not be able to disclose the exact quantity to be imported, but stressed that PMS imported by PETROAN would be cheaper.
Obele explained that Dangote was only selling to NNPC directly, while NNPC sold to marketers.
“I am telling you that that the position of NNPC as a middleman is still active till tomorrow. NNPC has refused to announce how much Dangote is giving. Dangote has also refused to announce how much he is selling to NNPC. So, I think there is an agreement that they don’t announce it.
“All we know is how much NNPC is selling it to us. However, the transaction between the two is not in the public domain. NNPC has refused to mention it. And the general public has said, please make these things open,” he said.
Speaking on the landing cost of N978/litre, he emphasised that the landing cost differs from country to country.
“N978 to N1,000, that’s the landing cost. It was about N1,100 as of last month. But because of the drop in the selling price of crude oil in the international market, PMS has witnessed a downward review in the international market too. So, I think we should also witness a downward review,“ he said.
When reminded that the NNPC just jerked up its price, Obele responded, “No, the issue we have is that the only functional refinery we have is the Dangote refinery. And Dangote has announced to everyone who wants to hear that the crude oil stock he is still working on was the one he bought from the international market; that the naira-for-crude stock, he has not started refining that. So, we don’t expect a downward review from someone who bought old stock when crude oil was selling for $80 and $78 per barrel.
“So, now that it has dropped to $72, we are not expecting to review the price automatically. Because you can put it to us that it is still trading with the old stock. But recently, the price of crude oil has dropped. We hope that whoever is buying the new stock of this new trade should review the price downward. But if what Dangote has used to refine the stock available is the old stock got when crude oil was still selling at $80 per barrel, we don’t expect him to review downward.
“Until the refinery commences production with the stock it just received last week in naira, that’s when people can criticise it. But at the moment, I think the selling rate reflects the former cost of crude oil.”
Meanwhile, the National Assistant Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Yakubu Suleiman, also stated that the cost of Dangote petrol was higher than the imported commodity at the moment.
Suleiman, speaking in an interview with Arise TV, on Friday, stated that the price of fuel from Dangote refinery was higher than the cost of commodities imported.
According to him, the price of petrol at Dangote refinery was set at around N995 and higher than other sources.
Suleiman also accused the Chief Executive Officer of the Dangote refinery, Aliko Dangote, of sidelining key stakeholders in its fuel supply strategy, claiming that limited engagement with independent marketers had hampered their ability to lift petrol from the facility.
When contacted, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of Dangote Group, Tony Chiejina, said the figures being bandied were not correct.
He described reports on Dangote petrol price as fake news, wondering where they emanated from.
“This is fake news. People are just posting what they like,“ he said.
Chiejina, however, declined to give the actual price.
Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi has announced his intention to “step aside” following a significant defeat of his party in the recent general elections, as indicated by preliminary results.
Naija News understands that the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which has governed the diamond-rich nation since gaining independence from Britain in 1966, faced a challenging electoral outcome.
While the official results from Wednesday’s election are anticipated to be released by the electoral commission later on Friday, initial counts reveal that three opposition parties have collectively secured at least 31 out of 61 seats in the national legislature.
According to Botswana’s electoral regulations, the first party to achieve 31 seats will be declared the victor and will have the authority to appoint its candidate as president.
“I wish to congratulate the opposition on their victory and concede the election,” Masisi told journalists during a press conference Friday morning, adding it had been “a good journey”.
Masisi, who took office in 2018, said he would “begin all administrative work to facilitate the transition.”
“We are quite happy to retreat into being a loyal opposition and to hold the government accountable,” said the 63-year-old leader who had been confident of securing a second term.
The opposition coalition, Umbrella for Democratic Change, which leans towards the left, has obtained over 24 seats, as reported by party official Mike Keakopa to AFP.
The coalition is striving to achieve a total of 31 seats in order to secure a definitive victory.
Should this be validated, their candidate, Duma Boko, a human rights attorney educated at Harvard, would assume the presidency.
Additionally, the other two opposition parties, the Botswana Congress Party and the Botswana Patriotic Front, collectively garnered approximately a dozen seats.
…We can only suspend action if we get alert — SSANU
Striking members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, yesterday turned down persuasions from the Federal Government to call off the strike.
The workers insisted that until they got an alert on the withheld salaries, the industrial action would continue.
Recall that the Joint Action Committee, JAC, of the two non-teaching staff unions had embarked on an indefinite strike on Monday on the expiration of the ultimatum they gave to the government on the withheld salaries.
President Bola Tinubu had recently approved that 50 per cent of the four months’ withheld salaries be paid, but several months after the approval was made, nothing has happened.
Worried by the effect of the ongoing strike, the Federal Government convened a meeting with the aggrieved university workers yesterday, with a view to persuading them to suspend the strike.
Speaking to Vanguard on the outcome of the meeting, the President of SSANU, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, said: “The conversation was very cordial, very fruitful, very frank. So like I said, it was chaired by the outgoing Minister of State for Education at the instance of the Minister of Education, who joined the meeting virtually.
“So, they related the position of government that they have extracted commitment from the Minister of Finance that the payment will be made.”
Asked when the government promised to make the payment, he said: “They said before the end of the month. Today (yesterday) is 31st, so, we are still on 31st and we told them that until then, the mandate we have from our people is that we can only suspend when the money is paid.
“Remember, so many other promises were made before and so that’s our position. So we left on a very cordial note. There was this clear understanding that we’re waiting for payments, we can only suspend until we get the payment.”
On whether the government made any attempt to persuade them to suspend the strike, Ibrahim said: “What will they say? They will not say anything new.
“There were a lot of persuasions but like I told you, we went there with the mandate of our people, and the mandate given to us was that we must make sure we get the payment because there is already an approval.
‘’It’s not something that has not been approved. There’s an approval of the President. So, it’s the release that is the problem.
‘’If the President has approved, those in charge should be able to release the money and they promised to release it. Since they did not say they will not release the money, we said okay, until then.”
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery on Thursday night clarified that it has not received any payments from the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) to purchase refined petroleum products.
A statement by Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Dangote Group, said “although discussions are ongoing with IPMAN, it is misleading to suggest that they (IPMAN members) are experiencing difficulties loading refined products from our Petroleum Refinery, as we currently have no direct business dealings with them. Consequently, we cannot be held responsible for any payments made to other entities.”
The statement noted that “the payment in mention has been made through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and not us. In the same vein, NNPCL has neither approved, nor authorised us to release our Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to IPMAN.
“We would like to emphasise that we can meet the nation’s demand for all petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel. At present, we can load 2,900 trucks per day and we have also been evacuating petroleum products by sea. We advise IPMAN to register with us and make direct payment as we have more than enough petroleum products to satisfy the needs of their members.
“Furthermore, we believe it is instructive for all stakeholders to refrain from making unfounded statements in the media, as that could undermine the economic re-engineering efforts of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Conducting business through public speculation is counterproductive and unpatriotic.
“In the interest of our country, we encourage all stakeholders to collaborate and heed the advice of President Tinubu, while promoting a unified approach, rather than engaging in media conflicts and needless propaganda.”
It would be recalled that the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) stated that its members are unable to load petrol from the Dangote Refinery in Lagos, despite having paid N40 billion to the NNPCL.
IPMAN President, Abubakar Garima, revealed this on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Wednesday.
This was in response to Aliko Dangote’s claim that marketers were avoiding his refinery in favour of imported petrol, noting that IPMAN members are eager to purchase from Dangote if allowed to do so directly.
“We have over N40 billion in outstanding debt with the NNPCL. I was surprised when Dangote said he has over 500 million litres of PMS. We are ready to buy the product from Dangote if he is ready to sell it to us directly,” Garima stated.
He added that his members are not importing petrol, contrary to Dangote’s suggestion.
Instead, Garima argued, the Dangote Refinery should register independent marketers directly, bypassing the NNPCL, to allow for easier loading.
“If he (Dangote) can sell the product directly to us, we can buy because we pay upfront before loading. Currently, we have N40 billion with the NNPCL, yet we can’t access the product.
“Recently, some marketers were sent to load at the Dangote Refinery but were unable to load even after waiting four days with their trucks,” he explained.
On Tuesday, Aliko Dangote met with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, announcing he had over 500 million litres of petrol in storage at his refinery, but that marketers were not using his facility.
However, Garima noted that IPMAN, representing over 20,000 marketers, has already paid N40 billion to NNPCL but is still unable to load from the refinery.
The Special Adviser to the President on Public Communications and Orientation, Sunday Dare, on Thursday, commended President Bola Tinubu for his instrumental role in the emergence of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Before the All Progressives Congress (APC) defeated the then-ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015, Buhari had run unsuccessfully for the presidency in the 2003, 2007, and 2011 elections.
The turning point came when Buhari’s Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) merged with Tinubu’s Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and other parties, forming the APC—a platform that ultimately won the 2015 presidential election.
Appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Dare asserted that Buhari’s victory would not have been possible without Tinubu’s pivotal contributions.
“If you look at the role Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu played in the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari, it’s clear that without his efforts in forming the party and creating the platform, President Buhari would not have emerged,” Dare remarked.
Championing Buhari’s Candidacy
When asked if he promoted Buhari as the APC’s presidential candidate, Dare affirmed it was a collective effort.
“It wasn’t just me; it was a team. The electoral victories in 2015 and 2019 had President Tinubu’s influence. Many others played significant roles,” he said.
Reflecting on Buhari’s legacy, Dare, who served as the Minister of Sports and Youth Development in Buhari’s administration, declined to label his tenure as a failure, emphasizing instead that governance is continuous.
“Buhari did his part and moved on, just like Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, and Jonathan before him. Now, President Bola Tinubu is making bold, courageous decisions that other leaders did not,” he added.
Dare praised Tinubu for his reforms, notably the removal of the petrol subsidy, aimed at realigning the nation’s economy for sustainable growth.
…Orders Integrity Review Of Nigeria’s Waterways, Dams
…Says 321 Dead In 34 States On Account Of Flooding
…Tinubu Not Against Northerners With Tax Reform Bills — Presidency
The National Economic Council (NEC), on Thursday, prevailed on President Bola Tinubu to withdraw the Tax Reforms Bills from the National Assembly.
NEC hinged it on the need to allow for wider consultations and consensus building among stakeholders, particularly Nigerians.
Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, who briefed State House correspondents on the development, said this formed part of resolutions reached at the 144th meeting of the NECouncil at the State House, Abuja.
According to Makinde, the council members agreed that it was necessary to allow for consensus building and understanding of the bills among Nigerians.
President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently endorsed new policy initiatives to streamline Nigeria’s tax administration processes.
The Federal Government hinged it on the need to enhance efficiency and eliminate redundancies across the nation’s tax operations.
The reforms emerged after a review of existing tax laws since August 2023. The National Assembly is considering four executive bills containing these tax reform efforts.
NEC’s decision came days after the Northern governors kicked against the reform bills.
At a meeting on October 28, 2024, governors of the 19 Northern states, on the platform of the Northern Governors’ Forum, rejected the new derivation-based model for Value-Added Tax distribution in the new tax reform bills before the National Assembly.
A communiqué read by the Chairman of the forum, Governor Muhammed Yahaya of Gombe State, said the proposition negates the interest of the North and other sub-nationals.
Makinde said, “NEC today took a presentation from the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms. Their main focus is fair taxation, responsible borrowing and sustainable spending.
“The council acknowledged that the country is underperforming on all indices as regards huge losses from major revenue sources, also tax to GDP ratio and so on.
“So after extensive deliberation, NEC noted the need for sufficient alignment between and among the stakeholders for the proposed reforms.
“Council, therefore, recommend the need to withdraw the bill currently before the National Assembly on tax reforms so that we can have wider consultations and also build consensus around these reforms for the benefit of the entire country, and also to give people, for them to know the vision and where we are moving the country in terms of a tax reform, because there’s really a lot of miscommunication, misinformation.
“The bills will be drawn from the National Assembly, then there will be consultations afterwards”.
NEC OrdersIntegrity ReviewOf Nigeria’s Waterways, Dams
Meanwhile, the National Economic Council (NEC) on Thursday also directed the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to commence a comprehensive integrity review of Nigeria’s waterways and dams.
The move is intended to mitigate the ravaging impact of flooding in the country.
Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, after the NEC meeting presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
He said that the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, had briefed members of NEC on the Federal Government’s intervention activities across the country regarding the impact of this year’s flooding which has become a major national disaster.
The Water Resources Ministry had earlier identified 148 local government areas in the country spanning 31 states as high flood risk areas for 2024 beginning from April to November.
According to Prof. Soludo, after receiving the presentation from the minister, NEC resolved that “the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation should conduct an integrity review of all the waterways and dams across the country.
“There was a serious emphasis on the need for a massive programme of dredging of the waterways. The council also urged governors who have not submitted their reports on the situation of flooding and management in their states to do so immediately.
“Council also noted that the Green Climate Fund should have an infrastructure resilient fund component and it was also noted that there are some critical parts of the country that are very massively ravaged by this flooding particularly the South East and the South South that are completely omitted in the ongoing programmes of the construction of dams at least to act as speed bumps along the highways particularly in the River Niger.”
Prof. Soludo also said that the council considered the national emergency and the responses on the damages and the coordination taking place between the states and the Federal Government and outlined further steps that should be taken.
It was gathered that Prof. Utsev during his presentation informed the NEC that a technical sub-committee appointed by President Tinubu October 8, 2024, is ongoing with its assignment and will be putting together an interim report to be presented to the Inter-Ministerial Committee for onward transmission to the president.
NEC also confirmed that 321 persons lost their lives in the flood disaster which has so far ravaged 34 states of the federation.
It also confirmed that 217 local government areas, 1,374,557 persons were adversely affected by the flood across Nigeria as at today.
Soludo, who also reeled out the statistics after the NEC meeting, said the various State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMA) have been directed to up their game to bring succour to the affected states.
“You know the country is facing the national emergency with regards to flooding and the reports so far identify a major national disaster. We’ve been called upon to note that to date, that about 34 states have been affected, 217 local government areas, 1,374,557 persons already affected. And 740,743 were displaced nationwide. 321 persons dead and 2,854 persons injured and 281,000 houses, 258,000 cultivated farmlands also destroyed, or affected by the ravaging flood.
“Council deliberated on the actions, particularly at the sub national level, and got up on the the SEMA, the various state emergency management agencies, to up their game and increase the collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
“There was serious emphasis and the need for massive programme of dredging, or desilting of the waterways and have a firm programme of continuous desilting
almost on annual basis of the waterways.”
Tinubu Not Against Northerners With Tax Reform Bills — Presidency
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has defended the proposed bills from the presidency seeking reforms in tax collection processes.
Recall that the Federal Executive Council (FEC), which President Tinubu presided over recently, had endorsed new policy initiatives aimed at streamlining Nigeria’s tax administration processes, enhancing efficiency and eliminating redundancies across the nation’s tax operations.
But the governors of the 19 Northern states, on the platform of the Northern Governors’ Forum, at their meeting recently, picked holes in the new derivation-based model for Value-Added Tax (VAT) distribution in the new tax reform bills before the National Assembly.
Chairman of the forum, Governor Muhammed Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, presided over the meeting where the northern elite opposed the policy.
Onanuga, while reacting on behalf of the president, explained that these reforms emerged after an extensive review of existing tax laws.
He noted that the National Assembly is considering four executive bills designed to transform and modernise Nigeria’s tax landscape.
“First is the Nigeria Tax Bill, which aims to eliminate unintended multiple taxation and make Nigeria’s economy more competitive by simplifying tax obligations for businesses and individuals nationwide.
“The Nigeria Tax Administration Bill (NTAB) proposes new rules governing the administration of all taxes in the country. Its objective is to harmonise tax administrative processes across federal, state and local jurisdictions for ease of compliance for taxpayers in all parts of the country.
“The Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill seeks to rename the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) to better reflect the mandate of the service as the revenue agency for the entire federation, not just the Federal Government,” Onanuga stated.
He explained that the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill proposes the creation of a Joint Revenue Board to replace the Joint Tax Board, covering federal and all states’ tax authorities.
According to him, the bill also suggests establishing the Office of Tax Ombudsman under the Joint Revenue Board, which would serve as a complaint resolution body for taxpayers.
He reiterated that it was instructive to note that these proposed laws will not increase the number of taxes currently in operation. Instead, they are designed to optimise and simplify existing tax frameworks.
He also insisted that the tax rates or percentages will remain the same under these reforms, as they focus on ensuring a more equitable distribution of tax obligations without adding to the burden on Nigerians.
The presidential media aide stated, “The reforms will not lead to job losses. On the contrary, they are structured to stimulate new avenues for job creation by supporting a dynamic, growth-oriented economy.
“Importantly, these laws will not absorb or eliminate the duties of any existing department, agency, or ministry. Instead, they aim to harmonise revenue collection and administration across the federation to ensure efficiency and cooperation.
“At the moment, tax administration lacks coordination among federal, state, and local tax authorities, often resulting in overlapping responsibilities, confusion, and inefficiency. Without reform, this inefficiency will persist.
“The proposed laws aim to coordinate efforts between different tiers of government, resulting in better tax resource management and greater clarity for taxpayers.
“Under existing laws, taxes like Company Income Tax (CIT), Personal Income Tax (PIT), Capital Gains Tax (CGT), Petroleum Profits Tax (PPT), Tertiary Education Tax (TET), Value-Added Tax (VAT), and other taxing provisions in numerous laws are administered separately, with individual legislative frameworks.
“The proposed reforms seek to consolidate these multiple taxes, integrating CIT, PIT, CGT, VAT, PPT, and excise duties into a unified structure to reduce administrative fragmentation.
“On the proposed derivation-based VAT distribution model, which the Northern governors oppose, it must be stressed that the new proposal, as enunciated in the bill, is designed to create a fairer system.
“The current model for distributing VAT is based on where the tax is remitted rather than where goods and services are supplied or consumed. The ongoing tax reform seeks to correct the inherent inequity in the current derivation model as a basis for distributing VAT revenue.
“The new proposal before the National Assembly outlines a different form of derivation which considers the place of supply or consumption for relevant goods and services. This means that states in the Northern region that produce the food we eat should not lose out just because their products are VAT-exempt or consumed in other states.
“These reforms are critical to improving the lives of Nigerians and were not put forward by President Tinubu to undermine any part of the country. There is no better time than now for the National Assembly to give due consideration to these bills that will overhaul our tax systems and create the revenue all the tiers of government require to fund the development our country and people urgently need”.
The Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration has stated that the proposed tax reform bills is not against the north, adding that the bill will benefit all states.
Naija News reports that this was made known in a statement on Thursday by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Recall that Governors of 19 Northern States of Nigeria, under the platform of the Northern Governors’ Forum, at their meeting on Monday, October 28, 2024, expressed their opposition to the new derivation-based model for Value-Added Tax (VAT) distribution in the new tax reform bills before the National Assembly.
Chairman of the forum, Governor Muhammed Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, read the communiqué.
The Northern Governors’ Forum meeting also had traditional rulers from the region, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, in attendance.
Reacting, Tinubu’s spokesperson said: “While we commend the Governors and traditional rulers for supporting President Bola Tinubu over the success recorded in addressing the country’s security challenges, we consider it necessary to address the misunderstandings and misgivings around the tax reform already embarked upon by the administration.
“President Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council recently endorsed new policy initiatives aimed at streamlining Nigeria’s tax administration processes, enhancing efficiency and eliminating redundancies across the nation’s tax operations.
“These reforms emerged after an extensive review of existing tax laws. The National Assembly is considering four executive bills designed to transform and modernise Nigeria’s tax landscape.
“First is the Nigeria Tax Bill, which aims to eliminate unintended multiple taxation and make Nigeria’s economy more competitive by simplifying tax obligations for businesses and individuals nationwide.
“Second, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill (NTAB) proposes new rules governing the administration of all taxes in the country. Its objective is to harmonise tax administrative processes across federal, state and local jurisdictions for ease of compliance for taxpayers in all parts of the country.
“Third, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill seeks to rename the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) to better reflect the mandate of the Service as the revenue agency for the entire federation, not just the Federal Government.
“Fourth, the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill proposes the creation of a Joint Revenue Board to replace the Joint Tax Board, covering federal and all states’ tax authorities.
“The fourth bill also suggests establishing the Office of Tax Ombudsman under the Joint Revenue Board, which would serve as a complaint resolution body for taxpayers.
“It is instructive to note that these proposed laws will not increase the number of taxes currently in operation. Instead, they are designed to optimise and simplify existing tax frameworks.
“The tax rates or percentages will remain the same under these reforms, as they focus on ensuring a more equitable distribution of tax obligations without adding to the burden on Nigerians.
“The reforms will not lead to job losses. On the contrary, they are structured to stimulate new avenues for job creation by supporting a dynamic, growth-oriented economy.
“Importantly, these laws will not absorb or eliminate the duties of any existing department, agency, or ministry. Instead, they aim to harmonise revenue collection and administration across the federation to ensure efficiency and cooperation.
“At the moment, tax administration lacks coordination among federal, state, and local tax authorities, often resulting in overlapping responsibilities, confusion, and inefficiency. Without reform, this inefficiency will persist.
“The proposed laws aim to coordinate efforts between different tiers of government, resulting in better tax resource management and greater clarity for taxpayers.
“Under existing laws, taxes like Company Income Tax (CIT), Personal Income Tax (PIT), Capital Gains Tax (CGT), Petroleum Profits Tax (PPT), Tertiary Education Tax (TET), Value-Added Tax (VAT), and other taxing provisions in numerous laws are administered separately, with individual legislative frameworks.
“The proposed reforms seek to consolidate these multiple taxes, integrating CIT, PIT, CGT, VAT, PPT, and excise duties into a unified structure to reduce administrative fragmentation.
“On the proposed derivation-based VAT distribution model, which the Northern Governors oppose, it must be stressed that the new proposal, as enunciated in the Bill, is designed to create a fairer system.
“The current model for distributing VAT is based on where the tax is remitted rather than where goods and services are supplied or consumed. The ongoing tax reform seeks to correct the inherent inequity in the current derivation model as a basis for distributing VAT revenue.
“The new proposal before the National Assembly outlines a different form of derivation which considers the place of supply or consumption for relevant goods and services. This means that states in the Northern region that produce the food we eat should not lose out just because their products are VAT-exempt or consumed in other states.
“These reforms are critical to improving the lives of Nigerians and were not put forward by President Tinubu to undermine any part of the country. There is no better time than now for the National Assembly to give due consideration to these bills that will overhaul our tax systems and create the revenue all the tiers of government require to fund the development our country and people urgently need.”
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The Joint Action Committee of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities said the ongoing strike is a long-term battle involving even vice-chancellors, bursars and registrars.
On Monday, the JAC of SSANU and NASU embarked on an indefinite strike over its four-month withheld salary.
Since then, activities have been grounded in universities across the country.
In an interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday, the National President of SSANU, Mr Mohammed Ibrahim, said university executives, including vice-chancellors, bursars, and registrars, did not receive salaries for four months.222A
He said as a result, the universities would remain completely shut down until the payments were made.
He added that the unions reported massive compliance with the ongoing strike across all universities nationwide.
Ibrahim also revealed that there had been no invitation or any form of interference from the government.
He said, “It is a long-term battle because this strike also involves vice-chancellors, bursars, registrars, and other senior administrators who were not paid.
“The impact is significant, and no one from the government has reached out to us. We have withdrawn our services, and our members are resolute they will not return to work until all salaries are paid.”
He added that compliance with the strike was encouraging, achieving 98 per cent adherence.
“We have achieved 98 per cent compliance with the strike; it is a total strike if you look around. The remaining two per cent are those who held their congress today, and they will join fully tomorrow,” he said.
Both Ibrahim and Vice President of SSANU, Abdussobur Salaam, noted that there had been no official response from the government on the strike.
The former Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, was relieved of his position last week, and a new minister, Dr Tunji Alausa, is expected to take over today, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive that former ministers should hand over by October 30.
Prof Mamman was among the five ministers relieved of their positions by the President after a Federal Executive Council meeting on Monday.
One of the issues facing the substantive minister, Dr Alausa, as he assumes duty today is the SSANU and NASU strike.
Salaam, however, said there had been no official communication from the government regarding the ongoing strike by the union.
“There’s no update on the ongoing strike, it continues. Some informal contacts were made between the minister of state for education and our union executives, but there’s been no real progress, just an informal appeal.
“This issue has persisted for a long time, with repeated promises that have not been fulfilled.
“All our ultimatums have expired, and we still haven’t received any alerts. The recent invitation was just an informal call on the phone. We urge the authorities to take decisive action; we have come too far and can no longer accept empty promises. If we don’t get the alerts we won’t back down, Salaam said.
A statement made available to The PUNCH on Sunday and signed by National President, SSANU, Ibrahim and General Secretary, NASU, Peters Adeyemi, said the ultimatum it gave the Federal Government over its withheld salaries expired on Sunday midnight.
The unions were demanding, among others, the payment of the four-month withheld salaries, improved remuneration, earned allowances and implementation of the 2009 agreements with the government.
Also, the National Association of Academic Technologists, on Wednesday, announced a nationwide protest over the five-month withheld salaries and unfulfilled agreements with the Federal Government.
NAAT also said it would picket the Ministry of Finance on November 14 for the failure to implement the President’s directive that the withheld salaries should be paid.
The protest is expected to commence at midnight on November 6, 2024, with all branches of the union across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education mobilised to press home their demands.
The President of NAAT, Ibeji Nwokoma, who declared the protest after the union’s National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, also gave the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum starting from October 30, 2024, as a final opportunity to resolve their grievances.
Nwokoma, at the media briefing in Abuja, reeled out a list of long-standing demands that included the payment of five and a half months of withheld salaries and the full implementation of a 2009 agreement with NAAT.
He said the agreement encompassed critical items such as allowances for academic technologists, provisions for student training programmes, and the enhancement of staff-to-student ratios.
It urged the government to, among other things, release funds for upgrading university laboratories and to address the broader issues of underfunding and proliferation of public universities.
Recall that the union had previously issued a three-week ultimatum on September 30, 2024, which expired on October 21.
According to Nwokoma, the ultimatum ended without any acknowledgement from government agencies, including the Federal Ministries of Education and Labour and Employment.
NAAT expressed frustration over what it described as government “insensitivity,” pointing to the President’s recent approval of the withheld salaries that, according to NAAT, had not yet been actioned by the finance ministry.
NAAT’s president announced that, within the two-week window, local branches would convene congresses to conduct a referendum on whether to escalate the protest into a full strike.
It warned that if the government failed to act by November 13, 2024, it would embark on an indefinite strike which would potentially impact academic calendars and critical research activities across the tertiary education system.
The prepared text read, “It is quite unfortunate and regrettable too, that despite the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s waiver and approval to pay five-and-half month salaries owed NAAT members, the refusal by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy to effect this approval raises more questions than answers on the true commitment and sincerity on the part of the Federal Government in resolving the issues.
“Several efforts were made in the past including a series of letters, protests, visits, notices of ultimatums and several Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) freely entered between NAAT and Federal Government (i.e MOU of 2017, 2020, 2021 and 2022) as the result of efforts by Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment as conciliator of the Federal Government but all to no avail.
“Consequent upon the above, the union, having reviewed the situation critically, decided to give the Federal Government an additional two (2) weeks ultimatum, with effect from 30th of October 2024.
“Meanwhile, the National Executive Council has directed all her branches in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education to hold a nationwide protest to drive home our demands.
“Within the two-week ultimatum, branches have been directed to hold congresses and conduct a referendum to decide if the union will proceed on strike once the 14-day ultimatum expires on the 13th of November 2024.
“If at the end of the 14-day ultimatum no positive response from the government, the union will embark on a national protest which will culminate into a total and indefinite strike without recourse to government.
“It is hoped that the government will avail itself of this window to resolve the issues on the ground, with the view to averting any industrial action.
“This decision is in line with our concern for the tertiary education system so as not to disrupt the academic calendar which will eventually affect research and practical teaching; laboratory, workshop, farm and studio practices and the attendant monumental loss of resources.”
Economic Policies: We Stand By Our Advice To Tinubu – IMF Maintains Stand Despite Backlash From Nigerians
AFOLABI
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reiterated its support for the removal of petrol subsidy and the floating of the exchange rate by the President Bola Tinubu-led government.
The Bretton Woods institutions have come under heavy backlash by Nigerians for advising President Bola Tinubu on the present economic policies, especially the removal of subsidy from PMS as well as the floating of the naira which have plunged the country into inflationary pressures.
The IMF’s African Region Director, Abebe Selassie at a briefing on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings, however, stated that the organisation did not advise the President to remove fuel subsidy, adding that it was Tinubu’s decision.
However, an IMF spokesperson who spoke to Premium Times, in response to its enquiry on Wednesday, said the institute stands by its advice to the Tinubu-led government.
“We stand by our advice, though it’s important to underscore that individual pieces of that advice cannot be viewed in isolation.
“Our advice is a comprehensive policy package where all elements are linked to each other. That package seeks to ensure macroeconomic stability and raise living standards in a sustainable fashion.
“Importantly, our advice on petrol subsidies and the exchange rate, is set in a larger, comprehensive policy mix that also includes scaling up social transfers to provide relief to Nigerians who are already suffering from a cost-of-living crisis or who are impacted by policy reforms,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying.
Also, the spokesperson referenced the IMF’s 2024 report on Nigeria, published in May, in which the global institution’s executive directors “welcomed the bold reforms implemented by the new administration and commended the authorities’ focus on revenue mobilization, governance, social safety nets, and upgrading policy frameworks in the face of Nigeria’s significant economic and social challenges.”
The Senate on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as the substantive Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, alongside six other ministerial nominees in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet reshuffle.
The confirmations followed the dismissal of several ministers by Tinubu on October 21, 2024.
In addition to Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Senate approved Dr. Jumoke Oduwole as Minister of Industry, Trade, and Development, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, and Muhammadu Dingyadi as Minister of Labour and Employment.
The chamber also confirmed Idi Muktar Maiha as Minister of Livestock Development, Yusuf Ata as Minister of State for Housing, and Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad as Minister of State for Education.
Following approximately five hours of screening, the nominees were confirmed by a voice vote led by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
Each nominee outlined their plans to advance their respective ministries, discussing reforms and goals to enhance Nigeria’s development.
After the recent handover process, the confirmation marks a fresh chapter for several ministries.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Iman Sulaiman-Ibrahim, assumed office on Monday, succeeding Uju Kennedy Ohanenye.
The Ministry of Tourism also transitioned leadership, with former Minister Lola Ade-John handing over to the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy.
The Senate had earlier suspended its procedural rules following a motion by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele to admit Basheer Lado, Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, who accompanied the nominees into the plenary.
Naija News understands that the confirmed ministers will be sworn-in by President Bola Tinubu, thereby giving them the right to attend the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
The next weekly FEC meeting is expected to hold on Monday, 4th of November, with a fresh view after the reshuffling of cabinet during the last meeting.
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
Oluyede will serve in the capacity of COAS until the return of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, who is currently unwell and undergoing treatment overseas.
President Bola Tinubu’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed this development in a statement issued on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
“Oluyede will act in the position pending the return of the indisposed substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja,” the statement read.
Prior to his recent appointment, Oluyede held the position of the 56th Commander of the prestigious Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, located in Jaji, Kaduna.
At the age of 56, Oluyede was a coursemate of Lagbaja, both having been part of the 39th Regular Course.
He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992, with an effective date of 1987, and achieved the rank of Major-General in September 2020.
Throughout his career, Oluyede has undertaken numerous command roles since his commissioning as an officer.
His positions have included Platoon Commander and adjutant at the 65 Battalion, Company Commander at the 177 Guards Battalion, Staff Officer for the Guards Brigade, and Commandant of the Amphibious Training School.
General Oluyede has been involved in various operations, such as the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) Mission in Liberia, Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, and Operation HADIN KAI in the North East theatre, where he led the 27 Task Force Brigade.
He has received numerous accolades for his distinguished service across different operational fields, including the Corps Medal of Honour, the Grand Service Star, successful completion of the Staff Course, and membership in the National Institute.