The Joint Tax Board (JTB) has announced the approval of new rates for the issuance of national driver’s licences and vehicle number plates, set to take effect from November 1, 2024.

The revised rates aim to enhance the quality and security features of these identification documents, in line with international standards.

Under the new pricing structure, Nigerians will now pay N15,000 for a three-year motor vehicle driver’s licence, while a five-year licence will cost N21,000.

Motorcycle and tricycle drivers will face an increase as well, with a three-year licence priced at N7,000 and a five-year licence at N11,000.

For vehicle number plates, the new rates start at N30,000 for both standard private and commercial vehicle plates. Fancy number plates will cost N400,000, while motorcycle plates are priced at N12,000. Dealer vehicle number plates will be issued for N100,000.

The JTB has also adjusted prices for government-issued number plates. Government fancy vehicle plates will now cost N120,000, and standard plates will be N80,000. Motorcycle number plates for government vehicles are set at N50,000 for fancy options and N20,000 for standard.

According to the JTB, these adjustments will introduce improved security features, aiding in the identification process for both drivers and vehicles across the country.

Olusegun Adesokan, Secretary of the JTB, emphasized the importance of public awareness and education regarding the new rates. In a circular obtained by BusinessDay, Adesokan stated, “The secretariat has requested that the FRSC [Federal Road Safety Corps] notify the JTB of its public engagement and sensitisation plans. We believe that a robust engagement will ensure a seamless implementation of the revised rates.”

The FRSC is expected to spearhead the public sensitisation campaign ahead of the November implementation.

Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy Ohanenye, has appealed to Nigerians to give President Bola Tinubu time to fix the economic crisis in the nation.

Ohanenye made this appeal during a charitable event held in Awka, the capital of Anambra State, where she distributed palliatives to support the less privileged in the community.

The minister’s remarks came as she handed out 5,000 bags of 10 kg rice, 300 gas cylinders, and 500 bags of 50 kg fertilizers, aimed at easing the burden faced by vulnerable families in the area.

During her speech, Ohanenye acknowledged the difficulties many Nigerians are currently experiencing but emphasized that the government’s efforts to improve the situation would take time.

She expressed confidence in Tinubu’s leadership and commitment to transforming the country for the better.

The Minister stated, “I plead with you to be patient with the president. He is doing everything to change the negative practices that have crippled the nation’s economy. Just give the president time; in the next few months, things will begin to improve.

“He needs time to clean up the mess left by previous administrations. Honestly, things were bad before President Tinubu took office, and he is working hard to bring happiness to Nigerians.”

According to her, the Tinubu-led administration has introduced numerous social security initiatives aimed at uplifting Nigerians, especially the poor.

She encouraged individuals to submit their BVN so the government can plan and provide assistance to the less privileged.

“The BVN helps the government identify those who qualify for federal social security palliatives. The aid is meant for the poor, not the rich, who have cornered these resources over the years,” she added.

Before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, fuel was priced at N198 per litre. Outlets of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Ltd (NNPCL) also sold fuel at this rate, although prices now vary by location.

However, in his inaugural address at Eagle Square, Abuja, Tinubu exclaimed “Subsidy is gone”, resulting in an instant increase in fuel price from N198 to N540 at NNPC outlets.

According to the president, fuel subsidy had become a clog in the wheel of progress and needed to give way for the country to survive. Tinubu, who said subsidy was fueling corruption, vowed to pump the money saved from it into others aspects of the economy.

“You have paid attention to the subsidy removal. Why should we in good heart and sense, feed smugglers and be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries, even though they say not every day is Christmas?  The elephant that was going to bring Nigeria to its knees is the subsidy. A country that cannot pay salaries and we say we have potential to encourage ourselves. I think we did the right thing,” Tinubu had told some monarchs who visited him at Aso Rock a month after subsidy removal.

FRESH INCREASE IN LESS THAN 2 MONTHS

On July 18, 2023, the pump price at NNPCL outlets rose from N540 to N617 per litre. This was when Nigerians were still trying to adjust the cost of living crisis occasioned by the increment. The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, had attributed the rise in pump prices to market forces.

According to him, the hike reflected the dynamics of a market-regulated pricing model.

Addressing journalists after a closed-door meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima at the State House, Abuja, Kyari said, “They are just prices depending on the market realities. This is the meaning of making sure that the market regulates itself. Prices will go up and sometimes they will come down also.”

He debunked notions that the price increase was due to a shortfall in petrol supply.

13 MONTHS’ BREAK

Amid protracted fuel queues, NNPCL attributed fuel shortage to supply disruptions caused by outstanding debt obligations to international oil traders. The corporation did not disclose the exact amount owed to oil traders, but reports said the debt was to the tune of $6.8 billion. Before acknowledging being indebted, the oil firm had repeatedly told Nigerians that things were under control. However, the queue worsened and prices were inflated. In a statement on September 1, 2024, Olufemi Soneye,  NNPC spokesperson, said the corporation’s ability to sustain fuel supply was under threat.

Experts had, however,  told Daily Trust that the announcement was part of a game plan from the government, which may lead to 950/1,000 per litre price for petrol. They alleged that government officials had been pushing the narrative for weeks.

On September 3, 2024 NNPCL increased hiked pump price from N617 per litre to N897 per litre, an increase of over 45 percent.

FUEL PRICE HIKE NECESSARY – TINUBU

Addressing members of Nigerians in Diaspora Organization in China (NIDO China) and the Nigerian community at the China World Hotel, Tinubu had described the increment as one of the unprecedented steps aimed at reforming the country.

According to him: “Nigeria is going through reforms, and we are taking very bold and unprecedented decisions. For example, you might have been hearing from home in the last few days about fuel prices. But, can we help it? Can we develop good roads like you have here? You see electricity being constant in quantity and quality. You see water supply, constant and running, and you see their good schools. And we say we want to hand over a banner without stain to our children? What is the critical part to get us there if we cannot take hard decisions to pave the way for a country that is blessed and so talented?

WHERE WE ARE CURRENTLY

24 hours after Daily Trust reported a likely pump price increase as a result of  NNPCL’s exit as a middleman in the Dangote Refinery fuel purchase deal, NNPC increased pump price from N898 to N1,030 per litre, Previously, the NNPCL was the sole off-taker of fuel from Dangote Refinery. In the cause of doing this, the national oil company covered the price gap between the facility’s price and the selling price to retailers, absorbing a subsidy of N133 per litre. But in the quest to shift towards a fully deregulated oil market, it allowed marketers to deal directly with the refinery.

Marketers can now negotiate petrol prices directly under a “willing buyer, willing seller” arrangement, aligning with practices for other deregulated products such as diesel and kerosene.

WHAT NIGERIANS ARE SAYING ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Below are some of the reactions of Nigerians to the recent fuel price hike:

@Sthabbey: “This situation is becoming unacceptable. Nigerians deserve respect from @officialABAT and his administration. This is unwarranted, and our patience has been stretched to its limit.”

On X, @rolandjick267: “How do we survive? This is becoming too much.”

@qudus_kalas: “At this point they should just throw atomic bomb ? in the country make every body kuku kpai once and for all”

@Abubakar_tatari: “It’s getting out of hand , no sympathy for the masses . This regime is just heartless.”

@Chambez84: “Thank you Mr President for us. we like the suffering and I am happy about it. please suffer us more Nigerian love you.. I am suggesting for Nnpc to sell the fuel at 5000 per liter it will strengthen our economy.”

@El_khaleel: “Tinubu just take the price that you want it to be we tired with this your policies yesterday price is not todays price ??.”

@khalifakila: “Nigerians are very patient people wallahi. This can’t happen in other countries. Just wake up one morning and add price of PMS and life goes on.”

@Sirpascal: “Instead of Nigerians to benefit from dangote refinery , they’re paying more for fuel , even though crude is sold in Naira to him … Nigeria is not a place for the living ..”

On Facebook, Abdullahi Bala Muhammad said: “The president should call them to order bcos what they are doing these days is getting out of hand’s in fact they are pushing poor Nigerians to the wall and if they pushed back the things won’t be good to the government.”

Nurabros Ahmed: “Well let’s president Tinubu Knows that all this things that he is Rulling people with hardship suffernes day will come he will be Accountable to the Almighty Allah.”

Former Presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad has reacted to the worsening economic hardship faced by Nigerians under the Tinubu-led administration.

In a heartfelt post on social media platform X, Ahmad highlighted the struggles that numerous citizens are enduring silently during these challenging times.

“Truly, many people are struggling silently in these times of critical economic hardship,” Ahmad, who previously campaigned in support of Tinubu, lamented on Wednesday.

In his appeal, Ahmad called on Nigerians to extend support to those who have fallen into poverty as a result of the prevailing economic conditions.

He emphasized the importance of community solidarity, urging individuals to offer help even when it is not explicitly requested.

“Let’s extend a helping hand to as many people as we can, even when they don’t ask for it. Small acts of kindness can make a big difference. Encourage those in your circle to also do the same,” he advised.

Ahmad’s call for compassion comes on the heels of a recent announcement from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPCL), which saw fuel prices surge above ₦1,030 per litre.

The fuel price hike has exacerbated existing frustrations among Nigerians, with many taking to social media to criticize President Tinubu’s administration.

A married woman in Harare identified as Melocia Gwata, approached a court to seek legal protection from her husband, George Kusotera, over his excessive demands for intimacy and abusive behaviour.

Gwata revealed her ordeal to the Harare Civil Court, describing how her husband coerced her into having intercourse up to eight times per night, resorting to violence whenever she refused.

The matter came to light after Melocia appeared before Magistrate Judith Taruvinga at the Harare Civil Court. She disclosed that her husband, Kusotera, had been making excessive demands for intimacy daily, even waking her up in the middle of the night after multiple encounters on the same day.

“He wants to have s3x every day and wakes me up in the middle of the night, even after we’ve been intimate countless times on the same day,” she recounted, expressing how this has taken a toll on her physical and mental health.

Gwata further explained that when she could no longer endure his demands due to fatigue and physical pain, her husband would assault her. She recounted how Kusotera threatened to divorce her if she continued to reject his advances, with the abuse even occurring in front of their children.

“He has been assaulting me in front of our children, shouting obscenities and telling them I don’t deserve to be called their mother,” she added.

In response to the accusations, Kusotera acknowledged his wife’s concerns, apologizing for his actions and attributing his behaviour to his love for her. “I didn’t realize I was making her uncomfortable. I apologize and promise not to physically abuse her anymore,” he stated.

After hearing both sides, Magistrate Taruvinga granted Gwata a protection order against her husband, ensuring her safety from further abuse.

The former first lady of Kebbi state, Shinkafi-Bagudu, has been elected as the new president of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).

Shinkafi-Bagudu, a paediatrician consultant, made history by becoming the first African to hold this position following a virtual election conducted during the UICC General Assembly on Tuesday, October 8.

Her election was confirmed in a statement released by the UICC.

The statement also revealed the election of a new board of directors consisting of 14 members.

In response to her election, Shinkafi-Bagudu expressed appreciation for the electoral process and committed to being a collaborative leader, drawing on the experiences, insights, and energies of her colleagues to guide the union in the coming years.

She is set to serve as UICC president from 2024 to 2026.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Shinkafi-Bagudu on her latest achievement.

In a statement on Wednesday through his Special Adviser, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu highlighted the historic importance of her election as the first African and fifth woman to lead the global cancer control organization.

He hailed her competence and character, affirming “the enormous talents that abound in Nigeria”.

The president described Shinkafi-Bagudu’s rise as “a landmark achievement and a testament to Nigeria’s growing influence in global health leadership”.

“President Tinubu recalls Dr Shinkafi-Bagudu’s invaluable services to Kebbi state and the country, for which Nigeria is deeply grateful.

“He lauds her stewardship as Chairperson of the First Ladies Cancer Initiative and her contributions to establishing the Kebbi State Strategic Plan for Cancer Control during her tenure as the First Lady of Kebbi State.

“President Tinubu expresses confidence in Dr. Shinkafi-Bagudu’s ability to use her new office and leadership to improve cancer control and global health.

“The Geneva-based UICC was founded in 1933 and has more than 1100 member organisations in over 170 countries and territories,” the statement added.

Controversial Nigerian crossdresser, Idris Okuneye aka Bobrisky has raised concerns over the recent increase in the prices of fuel in the country which is now selling at N1,065 per litre.

On his Instastories, Bobrisky pointed out the irony of being blamed for problems in the nation while larger issues like the fuel hike persist.

The socialite wrote: "Fuel is now 1065 per litre and some people still think I’m the problem in dis country gosh."

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