JAOS:
Betking
TG1B2J

😁

Betking
TG1B2J

Because in Europe the law is respected and obeyed by everyone unlike here were only poor people are made to follow the law



The minors

Stephen Angbulu, Solomon Odeniyi, Deborah Musa and Tukur Muntari

Kindly share this story:



Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday advised the now-released minors earlier detained for their role in last August’s protest to turn a new leaf and build responsible futures.

Addressing the minors at the State House Auditorium, Abuja, Shettima argued that President Bola Tinubu’s decision, made on humanitarian grounds despite evidence of wrongdoing, was an opportunity for personal reform.

He encouraged them not to let themselves be drawn into violence or actions that could harm public and private property, noting that the protests had resulted in a N300bn economic loss.

Shettima said, “The President and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, instructed the release of the suspect on humanitarian grounds, despite incontrovertible digital video and photographic evidence of the perpetration and actions, some of which were uploaded by the actors themselves.

“The President, as the father of the nation, is giving these young men another chance to become responsible citizens who will make a positive impact in a drive for a better Nigeria.

“I would like to admonish you, young men, not allow yourselves to be used to perpetrate violence and destroy public and private property. Over N300bn was lost in the protests, consisting mainly of private property and loss of business. Of these, 76 were from Kano, and 73 have now been handed over to Governor Yusuf.”

On Monday, Tinubu directed the AGF to ensure the immediate release of the minors detained by the Nigeria Police without prejudice to any ongoing legal processes.

The directive came days after 76 people, including 30 minors, were charged with treason and inciting a military coup after they were seen waving Russian flags during the #EndBadGovernance protests against economic hardship.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced this to State House correspondents during an emergency briefing at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

Idris said after examining the circumstances surrounding the cases, Tinubu issued the directive and emphasised the importance of balancing legal processes with humanitarian concerns.

“I had a short briefing with Mr President this evening, and he has directed the immediate release of all the minors that have been arrested by the Nigerian police without prejudice to whatever legal processes. They are all minors. The President has directed that all of them be released immediately,” he announced.

In August, the country witnessed widespread protests under the #EndBadGovernance movement, driven by public dissatisfaction with economic hardship and governance issues.

The demonstrations escalated, leading to the arrest of 76 individuals, including 30 minors aged between 14 and 17, who were charged with serious offences such as treason and inciting a military coup.

The defendants, detained for three months, were arrested in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja), Kaduna, Gombe, Jos, Katsina, and Kano states.

The Inspector General of Police arraigned them on 10 counts bordering on treason, intent to destabilise Nigeria and inciting to mutiny by calling on the military to take over the government from President Bola Tinubu, among others.

Notably, during their arraignment at the Federal High Court in Abuja, at least four minors collapsed, prompting widespread outrage and condemnation from civil society groups and human rights activists.

On Monday, however, the President instructed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to prioritise the immediate welfare of the minors and to ensure they are with their parents or guardians, regardless of their location within the country.

To the released detainees, Shettima said, “I will advise you, you are our children, to use the opportunity of the President’s magnanimous gesture in ensuring that you overcome and become responsible citizens who will contribute to the growth of the society.”

He also called on governors and elected representatives from all political backgrounds to unite and support the rehabilitation and reintegration of the released protesters into their communities.

“I will urge our governors and our elected representatives here that cut across the political divide; what binds us together as citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria supersedes whatever divides.

“I will call our two governors and our Representatives into a single cause and ensure that these subjects are rehabilitated and reintegrated into the fabric of our communities,” said the VP.

Kano receives minors

For his part, the Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, who spoke in Hausa, promised funding for those who intend to start businesses and scholarships for those still schooling.

Sani said, “As you all know, you are all our children. We struggled for the restoration of democracy under military rule. Because of that, most of us were jailed. I was jailed four times. At that time, my father was a judge at the Federal High Court.

“Today, as I entered, your lawyer was seated beside me. All those people talking on radio and social media, none of their children are here. Those telling you, ‘I was a former presidential candidate or a former governor,’ where are their children here? If they ask you to come out and protest, tell them to bring their children first.

“From now on, what you must prioritise is business. So we will give you capital to start a business. And for those of you schooling, we will help you continue your education wherever you want.”

The Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf commended President Tinubu for responding to public calls and releasing the detained minors.

While he received the teenagers from Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Aso Rock Villa, Yusuf described the release as a generous gesture toward the youth of Kano State.

“I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, for his compassion in responding to the appeals from various stakeholders within and outside Nigeria.

“Mr President has demonstrated remarkable empathy and commitment to justice, and we truly appreciate his gesture.”

The 76 minors who had been detained in connection with the August protests will be flown back to Kano, where they will undergo a medical evaluation and receive necessary treatment before being reunited with their families.

Governor Yusuf promised to enrol the children into local schools, providing them opportunities to rebuild their lives and realise their full potential.

“In light of the gravity of the charges against them, we recognise the importance of offering these children a second chance.

“While their actions were regrettable, their status as minors should not deny them the opportunity to rehabilitate and contribute positively to society,” Governor Yusuf was quoted as saying in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sanusi DawakinTofa.

DawakinTofa said a team of medical professionals has been designated to assess the physical and mental health of the released minors.

They will be reunited with their families afterwards and offered continued support to ensure they can live normal, productive lives.

Governor Yusuf also reassured the VP that his administration would continue to monitor the well-being of the released minors and provide the necessary support to ensure their successful reintegration into society.

Three minors were reunited with their families, while 39 others from Kaduna State were handed over to Governor Uba Sani.

The protesters arrived at the State House Auditorium at about 02:00 pm (local time). They were received by Vice President Kashim Shettima on behalf of President Bola Tinubu to be handed over to their respective state governors.

Present were the Deputy Senate President, Jubrin Barau; Chairman, Committee on Appropriation, Abubakar Bichi and Governors of Kaduna, Uba Sani and Kano, Abba Yusuf; Ministers of Education, Tunji Alausa; Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Nentawe Yilwatda, Environment, Balarabe Lawal are also at the venue.

Others are ministers of state for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Tanko Sununu; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement Northwest, Abdullahi Yakasai.



Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday struck out the charges brought against the 119 #EndBadGovernance protesters.

They had been arraigned on Friday, November 1, on charges bordering on treasonable felony, intent to destabilise Nigeria, and inciting to mutiny by calling on the military to take over government from President Bola Tinubu, among others.

The defendants were arraigned in two batches at the previous proceeding.

The first batch comprised 76 protesters, including 32 minors, while the second batch comprised 43 protesters.

At the resume of proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Federal Ministry of Justice, M. D Abubakar, who appeared for the AGF, told Justice Egwuatu that the Federal Government has decided to take over and discontinue the matter.

Citing Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution, Abubakar told the court that the AGF, with the exercise of his powers, wishes to take over the case from the Inspector-General of Police.

He said, “We have an application to take over the matter and to discontinue same in accordance with section 174 of the constitution”.

The AGF’s application was not opposed to by the defence counsel, Femi Falana (SAN), who said, “We have no objection to the application because it is in accordance with the letter and spirit of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act as well as several provisions of the Child Rights Act.”

“The AGF has the power to take over the case at any stage and exercise his discretion to discontinue the suit,” Falana added.

The court granted the request upon the agreement of the parties involved that the AGF should take over the matter.

 After the court granted the request, the AGF cited authorities from the same section of the Constitution to discontinue the trial of the 119 accused persons.

The defence counsel did not oppose this request either. Following the no/objection from the defence, Justice Egwuatu struck out the charges.

Although the accused persons were not in court, the judge ordered their immediate release from prison remand.

On the evening of Friday, November 1, after the arraignment, the AGF disclosed in a statement that he was taking over the case.

He then directed the Police Chief to hand over the case file. As requested, the IGP handed over the case file to the AGF’s office on Saturday, November 2.

A new date, Tuesday, November 5, was subsequently set, bringing the next hearing on the matter forward. It was previously scheduled for January 24, 2025.

The charges brought against the 76 protesters, among others, read, Count one: “That between July 31, 2024, to August 4, 2024, at Abuja FCT and Kano Metropolis within the jurisdiction of this court while acting in concert and with intent to destabilise Nigeria conspired together to commit felony to wit: Treason. You, thereby, committed an offence contrary to section 96 and punishable under section 97 of the Penal Code.

Count two, “that within the jurisdiction of this court while acting in concert and with intent to destabilised Nigeria conspired together to commit felony to wit: inciting to mutiny and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 96 and punishable under section 97 of the Penal Code.

Count three, “that between July 31, 2024, to August 10, 2024, in Abuja FCT, Kaduna, Kano and Gombe, within the jurisdiction of this court while acting in concert with Andrew Martin Wynne (aka Andrew Povich), a British Citizen, with intent to destabilised Nigeria levies war against the state to intimidate or overawe the President by attacking and injuring police officers and burning police stations, High Court Complex, NCC Complex. Kano Printing Press, Government House Kano, Kaduna investment and promotions Agency office, NURTW office and several other buildings and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 410 of the Penal Code (Northern States) Federal Provisions Act CAP P3 LFN 2004”.

The FG also accused them of being with the intent to destabilise Nigeria by inciting mutiny and calling on the military to take over government from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by chanting ‘Tinubu most go’ “soja muskeso’ meaning Tinubu must go, it is military we want. At the same time, rioting and disturbing public peace and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 413 of the Penal Code (Northern States) Federal Provisions Act CAP P3 LFN 2004.

The second batch, who were arraigned on a four-count of similar charges as the first, immediately after the close of proceedings of the first batch, like the 76 defendants earlier arraigned, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

Falana warns FG

In a similar vein, Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has called on the Federal Government to reintegrate and send all the minors arrested during the protests to school.

While reviewing a book titled “Judiciary Terrorism” by Richard Akinnola in Abuja on Tuesday, Falana said the FG was too embarrassed to bring another set of individuals, including 29 minors, to court after Friday’s public outcry.

Falana vowed to take the FG to court if the minors were not sent to school, insisting that the withdrawal of the case was not enough.

He said, “Just this morning, before this programme commenced, I was in the courts in Abuja, here, where 119 Nigerians, including twenty-nine minors, were brought to court. But the government was so ashamed that it couldn’t take them to the courtroom, unlike last week. The government came to the court this morning to withdraw the frivolous charges. So, the young people have been freed.

“But as I did say to the court, it’s not enough to terminate this trial. These young people, who ordinarily should have been in school during the protests, must be rehabilitated by the government. And we are going to ensure that they are rehabilitated and sent to school.

“If the government fails, we are going to court to sue the government. Because it is the responsibility of the government, by virtue of the child’s rights law, which has been adopted and enacted into law by all the states of the Federation. Section 15 of that law provides that every child in Nigeria shall be given free and compulsory education from primary to secondary school.”

Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishop of the Sokoto Diocese, Hassan Kukah, said the worst period in the country’s history was over and urged citizens to remain united.

Kukah noted that many issues arise in the country because many citizens do not understand what it means to be without a nation.

He encouraged citizens to look at places like Gaza and Lebanon and to stop turning against one another.

Kukah explained, “We might assume, and I think we are going to assume, that the worst times in our history are over. But let us remain eternally together. Because what we have and what we hold is a treasure. This is a heck of a country, and it’s a great country. And people have laid down their lives for this country. I used to say to Nigerians that we are just joking because we don’t know what it is to be without a country.

“What did the people of Gaza do? What did the people of Lebanon do? What did the people of Valencia do? We are hearing stories of earthquakes and incredible things happening that are sweeping the lives of hundreds of thousands of people daily.

“But in Nigeria, we are collectively turning the knife on ourselves. So, I think that going forward, the most important thing for you as a Christian is to develop the spirit of forgiveness and that nothing will happen that is outside the boundary of the divine will of God.”

Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, represented by Owei Lakemfa, lamented that after 32 years of civil rule, the country’s judicial system still harbours military parasites.

He said, “When the Buhari administration in 2019 was not sure it could control the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, it got the Code of Conduct Tribunal to accuse him of alleged false asset declaration. That way, it got rid of the CJN. It was not until November 2024 that he was discharged and acquitted.”

In a veiled response to his comments, former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Lucky Irabor (retd.), urged that the military should not be painted negatively because few personnel misuse their powers.

He said in the military, no one is taught how to plot a coup or abuse power.

Irabor said, “When you talk about military terrorism, the connotation to the public is that the military, as we have it in the Nigerian military, is capable of engaging in ignoble acts. There are people, including civilians, who misuse power. So when power is misused, it does not imply, just like we also have in the judiciary, it is not the broad brush of the judiciary that should be painted in the negative.

“Rather, it should be that individuals within the judiciary must be pointed out, hoping that it will address issues that have to do with the judiciary and justice service. For me, while thanking all the good work that many of you have done great work in the past to ensure that we have democracy, and once we ensure that never again shall we have the kind of ignoble occurrences that have led to the writing of this book, involving some members of the military, that the military remains an institution, an establishment for the Nigerian people.

“It is not the military as an establishment that engages in abnormalities. There is nowhere in our training or curriculum that you will be taught how to conduct coups or misuse power. It does not exist.”

https://punchng.com/over-n300bn-lost-in-protest-shettima-tells-released-hungry-minors/

456619A
Flex 3+ of 5

By 

Kehinde Akintola

 

October 30, 2024

 

 

   

The 36 State Governors under the aegis of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) on Wednesday night are expected to hold a meeting with the Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari with a view to address the lingering fuel scarcity across the country.

The Governors during the meeting to be chaired by NGF Chairman, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State are also expected to get update on the just concluded United Nations General Assembly; ECA, PPT & Royalties Accounts as well as reconciliation/Debt Net-Off and various NGF Legal Cases; and how to leverage on the $825 million to improve Nigeria’s Agri-Food
Sector.

In the same vein, the Governors are expected to receive presentations from the former Vice President, Namadi Sambo who chairs the Delegation of African Medical Excellence Center; Director General of Department of State Security, Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi as well as Lami Chinade from the Office of the National Security Adviser (oNSA).
https://tribuneonlineng.com/just-in-govs-meet-nnpcl-boss-dss-dg-over-fuel-scarcity-insecurity/amp/

Too early for this kind of news 😁

34

Foremost youth group in the rulingPeople’sDemocraticParty (PDP) has warned strong Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara and those it described as “agents of Fubara in National Assembly”.

The group known as PDP National Progressive Youth  Initiative, in a statement Friday evening, specifically took a swipe on the Member representing Ideato North South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Rep. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, for  constant attacks on the person of Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT. 

Ugochinyere, an opposition lawmaker in the House of Representatives, has been on the forefront of campaigns against Wike while supporting Governor Fubara on virtually all his actions in Rivers. 

The PDP warning was coming on the heels of Ugochinyere’s media outing two days ago where he accused Wike of plotting to stop Governor Fubara from accessing State Funds via court orders, which he alleged were being instituted by the APC and Pro-Wike group. 

Ugochinyere was quoted as saying: “The APC and Pro-Wike group, as I am speaking, is filing a suit at the Federal High Court to help them seize the allocation of the entire Rivers State. This is the second of such cases by the Wike group to bring about constitutional disorder.

“They have a pending case seeking to seize the entire Rivers allocation/LGA funds they filed, and now they are using the Wike-APC faction to file another suit seeking an order to stop the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee,” while calling on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on his Minister. 

But the PDP Youth group, in a statement by Comrade Billy Matthew Nwachukwu, President, and David Terna Gondo, the Secretary General, lambasted Governor Fubara and Ugochinyere, saying the duo was afraid of due process, accountability and Transparency. 

“The both entities have become scared of public accountability and blaming their inability to conduct a proper Local Government election that will satisfy elementary law.

“The PDP will no longer tolerate further attacks on the Minister of FCT, His Excellency, Nyesom Wike, who is working day and night for the government and the people of Nigeria to succeed with his infrastructural drive in the FCT.  

“The question we would like to ask, is, why are Fubara and Ikenga running from pillar to pole, blackmailing the judiciary, the Minister of the FCT and everything by everyone else except Fubara?

“It is high time we called on the good people of Ideato Federal Constituency to beg their busy body and eye service lawmaker to focus on his job. Let him concentrate on why the people voted for him, and pardventure he is bereft of the logic of lawmaking, he should not pretend about it. He should admit his ineptitude and allow someone take his seat,” the group said. 

The PDP youth group threatened to occupy the National Assembly complex if Speaker Tajudeen Abbas allows Ugochinyere further attacks or unparliamentary conducts against Wike, whom they described as a great asset to Nigeria and the government of President Tinubu.
https://thenationonlineng.net/well-no-longer-tolerate-attacks-on-wike-pdp-group-warns-fubara-ugochinyere/

The Federal Government is pressing ahead with critical tax reforms not just to boost tax revenue and efficiency but also to meet the requirements for a $750m loan from the World Bank.

This loan project is a part of the broader $2.25bn approved by the World Bank for Nigeria on June 13, 2024, to bolster Nigeria’s economic stability and support its vulnerable populations.

The other second part of the loan package was for the Nigeria Reforms for Economic Stabilisation to Enable Transformation, Development Policy Financing Programme project.

For the second loan, The PUNCH earlier reported that the Federal Government had obtained $751.88m out of the approved $1.5bn so far.

However, there has yet to be a disbursement for the first loan of $750m.

PUNCH Online observed that disbursement for the first loan is tied to specific fiscal and governance conditions under the Accelerating Resource Mobilisation Reforms programme.

The ARMOR programme includes three main result areas: implementing tax and excise reforms to increase Value-Added Tax collections and excise rates on health and environmentally friendly products; strengthening tax and customs administrations to enhance VAT compliance and audit effectiveness; and safeguarding oil and gas revenues by increasing transparency and net revenue contributions.

PUNCH Online obtained a copy of the signed loan agreement between Nigeria (through the Ministry of Finance) and the World Bank on Sunday.

The agreement document read in part, “The bank agrees to lend to the borrower the amount of $750,000,000 as such amount may be converted from time to time through a currency conversion (“Loan”), to assist in financing the programme described in Part 1 of Schedule 1 to this Agreement (“Programme”) and the project described in Part 2 of Schedule 1 to this Agreement (“Project”, and together with the Programme, hereinafter jointly referred to as the “Operation”).

“The borrower may withdraw the proceeds of the loan in accordance with Section IV of Schedule 2 to this Agreement. All withdrawals from the loan account shall be deposited by the Bank into an account specified by the Borrower and acceptable to the bank.”

According to the Disbursement Linked Indicators set out in the loan agreement, the loan will only be released upon achieving measurable progress in key areas.

These include raising VAT collection through improved regulations, increasing excise taxes on health and environmental products, and boosting corporate tax compliance through enhanced digital infrastructure.

Central to the ARMOR programme is the government’s plan to increase VAT rates and expand taxpayer compliance.

Some of the loan targets include increasing VAT collections to 1.8 per cent of non-oil Gross Domestic Product, unlocking $105m of the loan.

Also, there is a target to register 660,000 VAT filers, which will release $30m from the loan.

An e-invoicing system for VAT traders, once launched, will trigger $20m, with an additional $45m upon 30 per cent trader adoption.

In an effort to boost VAT revenue, the Federal Government is considering a bill proposing an increase in the VAT from 7.5 per cent to 10 per cent by 2025.

VAT refers to a consumption tax on goods and services levied at each stage of the supply chain where value is added.

In the executive bill seen by PUNCH Online, the legislature also intends to increase the VAT to 12.5 per cent by 2026 through 2029.

“VAT shall be charged on the value of all taxable supplies at the following rates (a) 2025 year of assessment 10 per cent; (b) 2026, 2027 2028, and 2029 years of assessment 12.5 per cent (c) 2030 year of assessment and thereafter 15 per cent,” the document reads.

Also, a copy of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan for Nigeria – Accelerating Resource Mobilisation Reforms programme dated March 2024 showed that the government is required to reintroduce the excises on telecom services, EMT levy on electronic money transfers through the Nigerian Banking System among other taxes.

Further findings by PUNCH Online also showed that one of the tax bills at the National Assembly included this excise tax.

The Federal Government has proposed a five per cent excise duty on telecommunications services, gaming, and betting activities as part of a new bill to overhaul Nigeria’s tax framework.

The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Repeal Certain Acts on Taxation and Consolidate the Legal Frameworks relating to Taxation and Enact the Nigeria Tax Act to Provide for Taxation of Income, Transactions, and Instruments, and Related Matters,” was dated October 4, 2024.

An analysis of the proposed legislation showed that it seeks to introduce excise duties on services such as telecoms, gaming, gambling, lotteries, and betting provided in Nigeria.

Related News SERAP asks Tinubu to probe $1.5bn World Bank loan to states, FCT SERAP decries N121tn debt, seeks probe of W’Bank loans

Also, the program outlines specific allocations for technical assistance, with $5m each going to the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Nigeria Customs Service to support their capacity to implement these new measures effectively.

This includes the development of systems for better data sharing, risk-based audits, and compliance processes, as well as substantial investments in program management and capacity building.

There will also be $10m for project management, tax policy capacity-building and other expenses.

In total, the amount makes the $20m investment financing before the release of $730m in line with fiscal targets met.

The FIRS will receive $5m to develop and implement critical initiatives aimed at enhancing its operations and revenue collection capabilities.

This funding will support the development and implementation of a robust third-party data sharing platform, along with administrative control programs to streamline operations and enhance efficiency.

Also, the FIRS will develop a VAT lottery system and an e-invoicing system, both of which rely heavily on advanced software and extensive communication planning. These systems are designed to boost VAT collections and improve compliance among taxpayers.

The funding will facilitate the creation of a risk-based audit assessment program for VAT and Corporate Income Tax, aimed at enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of audit processes within the agency.

Similarly, the NCS will receive $5m to enhance its administrative processes and improve compliance.

This funding will be used to design and implement new administrative processes, including the establishment of sanctions for non-compliance with excise rules.

The NCS will also develop centralised control room systems equipped with backup and disaster recovery capabilities, ensuring operational continuity and resilience in case of emergencies.

Moreover, the funding will support capacity-building initiatives, enabling the NCS to effectively manage and implement these new systems and processes, ultimately leading to improved compliance and operational efficiency.

The loan also focuses on customs reforms to improve trade compliance and increase revenue.

Directing 15 per cent of cargo through the Green Channel will unlock $35m, while a compliant trader programme under the Authorized Economic Operator framework is linked to $15m.

Other loan-linked targets include reducing tax expenditures by eliminating corporate bond interest exemptions and rationalising the Pioneer Status Industry Tax Incentive scheme by the end of 2024, each unlocking $10m.

Also, excise taxes on health-related products and environmentally harmful goods will increase. A presidential order to introduce these excises will trigger $10m, with an additional $30m if revenue from green taxes reaches 0.2 per cent of non-oil GDP.

The Federal Government recently inaugurated a Joint Committee of staff of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission and FIRS to review the current guidelines for the administration of the PSI, validate the cost of the incentive to Nigeria, and recommend changes to the qualification and administration.

The Taiwo Oyedele-led Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms plans to replace the abused pioneer status with priority sector incentives, rewarding companies based on their investments in the economy.

Also, in one of the executive bills, the Federal Government plans to introduce an Economic Development Incentive Certificate as a tax incentive for companies investing in capital projects.

As outlined in the bill, firms seeking the certificate must submit their applications through the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, accompanied by a non-refundable fee of 0.1 per cent of the capital expenditure, capped at N5m.

The NIPC will review and recommend the applications to the Minister for approval, after which the Minister may forward the recommendation to the President.

A part of the bill read, “The application shall be accompanied by a non-refundable fee of 0.1% of the qualifying capital expenditure incurred or to be incurred, subject to a maximum of N5,000,000.00 and no further fee shall be payable in respect of such application.

“The NIPC shall recommend the application to the Minister, for approval or otherwise, including the projected tax expenditure impact report in its recommendation.”

The tax bill noted that approval from the President is mandatory before the certificate is issued.

Once granted, the NIPC is required to submit an annual report detailing the sectors and companies that benefited from the scheme to the Minister, who must present the report to the President and the National Economic Council within 30 days.
https://punchng.com/fg-plans-tax-overhaul-to-access-750m-wbank-loan/

‘Unscrupulous actors’  are the major contributors to food inflation in the country, says the Federal Competition and Consumers Protection Commission (FCCPC).

Other causes, according to the commission, are price fixing by bad eggs and entrance levies imposed by market associations. 

FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Tunji Bello said with time, ’all the bad eggs’ engaged in hoarding, artificial market creation, price fixing, and gouging, would be checkmated by the government.

Bello  added that  “unethical practices” remained offences punishable under sections 18(3)(c), 62,63,66(1),108 of the FCCP Act 2018.

He spoke during a town hall meeting with industry captains, Micro, small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), market leaders, farmers, transporters, and service providers in Kano. 

Noting that the  Act prescribes stiff penalties ranging from heavy fine to jail terms for offenders,  he told the  stakeholders that the commission chose to, first, explore the option of dialogue in the “spirit of democracy.”

Bello explained that FCCP investigators found out that the  unscrupulous produce merchants were in the habit of  mopping up and hoarding  newly harvested grains from farms and markets, thereby ‘’endangering our national food security.’’

His words: “Without caring for the consequences of their action on fellow countrymen and women, some of these unscrupulous actors go as far as taking some of the food items they had mopped up from farmers or the markets and smuggle them across the borders to sell at a premium.


“Don’t get us wrong; we are by no means saying everyone is guilty here. We only have a few bad eggs involved in such unethical practices. It is therefore our collective responsibility to work together to achieve reasonable pricing of goods and services, especially at a time the country is undergoing bold economic reforms which may bring temporary discomfort today but will usher a better economy for us tomorrow.”

Bello consequently solicited the support of the Kano State stakeholders to curb the unwholesome practice in the national interest.

Listing the gains of an earlier engagement by the commission in Lagos, Bello noted that President Bola Tinubu had already responded to some of the yearnings of the stakeholders in the form of new policies.

He said:  “We have a very listening President.   He feels for the people, shares their pains, and is ever willing to go the extra mile to cushion the effects of the hardship the ongoing economic reforms have brought.

 “The Federal Government has also commenced the implementation of zero Value Added Tax (VAT) and excise duties on pharmaceutical products and medical devices. Just as a number of taxes have also been removed to assist micro, small, medium enterprises as well as taxes being removed from public transportation.”

The Executive Vice-Chairman urged the stakeholders to be patriotic by sharing the gains of the concessions granted them by the government with the consumers.

“For instance, when the government assists the operators of public transportation with easy credits to convert their vehicles from petrol to relatively far cheaper CNG(Compressed Natural Gas), we don’t expect them to charge the same fares as those who buy petrol,” Bello said.
https://thenationonlineng.net/fccpc-boss-blames-food-inflation-on-hoarders/

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has started supplying Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, to some oil marketers directly without recourse to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

It was gathered that while more oil marketers were intensifying efforts to buy the product directly from the plant, others were importing the commodity, as hundreds of millions of litres of imported PMS should hit Nigeria’s shores in two weeks’ time.

Recall that The PUNCH exclusively reported on Monday that no fewer than four vessels carrying imported PMS arrived at seaports situated along the nation’s borders between Friday, October 18, and Sunday, October 20.

The report cited a document obtained from the Nigerian Port Authority, which showed that about 123.4 million litres of PMS were berthed at two seaports to improve fuel supply nationwide.

The development confirmed an earlier exclusive report by The PUNCH, which disclosed that oil dealers intend to import the commodity to supplement the supply from the $20bn Dangote refinery.

Meanwhile, as major oil marketers import the commodity, their counterparts have started lifting PMS directly from the Lekki-based plant.

A senior official at the refinery said marketers are now allowed to approach the company for direct business transactions on a willing-buyer, willing-seller basis.

“Marketers are already coming to the refinery to lift PMS. They are lifting directly from the refinery, not through a third party,” the reliable official, who spoke in confidence due to lack of authorisation to speak on the matter, stated.

The source, who could not tell the price at which marketers were lifting the product, noted that the oil dealers would not come if the price was not favourable to them.

“We have reached agreements with some of the marketers and more are still ongoing. I don’t know the exact price, but if the price is not good, the marketers would not be coming to us,” the official stated.

He maintained that things are improving, especially as the Federal Government commenced the supply of crude to the facility.

Another official at the facility showed one of our correspondents the trucks of some marketers loading the product directly from the plant without going through NNPC.

“Some of the trucks you saw there today were from marketers purchasing the product directly from Dangote, without recourse to NNPC. So the direct sale has started,” the source stated.

The official explained that due to the high demand for petrol in Nigeria and other countries, the refinery had focused on ensuring 53 per cent of PMS production from its crude oil supplies.

“This could be reviewed in future if the demand for other finished products increases more than the demand for petrol, but right now about 53 per cent of our crude is used for petrol production, while other products account for the remaining percentage,” the official stated.


When asked if marketers had started the direct purchase of petrol from Dangote without recourse to NNPC, one of the notable major marketers in the country replied in the affirmative.

“Yes, everyone is in the process. This was advised that it would happen soon and is a normal business transaction,” the source stated.

But this is contrary to claims from some quarters that the refinery would not be able to sell petrol to marketers unless the deal between it and the NNPC is terminated.

The PUNCH recalls the company had initially announced that the NNPC would be the sole off-taker of its petrol from September 15.

A source at the refinery said this was as decided by the Federal Government. The source said he was taken aback when the Technical Subcommittee on Domestic Sale of Crude Oil in Local Currency announced on October 11 that marketers should now lift petrol directly from the refinery.

“Moving forward, petroleum product marketers are now able to purchase PMS directly from local refineries without the intermediary role of NNPC. Marketers are encouraged to initiate direct purchases from refineries on mutually negotiated commercial terms, which will promote competition and improve market efficiency,” the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, who heads the committee stated in a statement.

As the committee made the announcement, operators said the market had been fully deregulated and they would approach the refinery to apply for PMS lifting.

The PUNCH recalls that the Vice President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Hammed Fashola, recently led other officials of the association to a meeting with the Vice President of the Dangote Industries, Devakumar Edwin, in Lagos.

Though Fashola did not give much updates about the meeting with Edwin, he appreciated him for the roles he had been playing.

“Edwin received us very well and promised to make things easier for IPMAN to do business with Dangote,” he said.

Fashola added, “We had a fruitful discussion with the group. We have started discussing modalities and other logistics. IPMAN has agreed to work with Dangote. We hope very soon we will start lifting products from the facility.”

However, IPMAN said it could not commence the immediate off-take of the product unless the refinery ends its contract with the NNPC.

But officials at the refinery stated that the refinery was now selling PMS to some marketers.

When the Dangote refinery began the sale of PMS on September 15, the NNPC said it bought the product at the rate of N898/litre; a claim the refinery described as mischievous.

The refinery said the naira-for-crude committee would be the one to announce the price of its PMS. The committee has yet to do so as of October 22.
https://punchng.com/dangote-refinery-begins-direct-petrol-sale-to-marketers/

Corporate2020:



Crying and weeping are your Constitutional rights, we won’t take away such rights.

Don't worry once the country's labour force can't transport themselves to their various workplace you will know the important of subsidy of energy cost in the country

EmperorCaesar:


You still dont comprehend this?


This isnt Space Physics na and the aim is to cut cost and thats why they "Scrapped" some

How are they cutting cost?
Are they sacking their staff?
because cutting cost by terminating functions of a ministry is not proper the is a reason it was created in the first place

Are you also cutting costs 😕
What they are called is of no use
Reduce the cost of governance and channel the excesses to our transport energy sector

a product majority of Nigerians are using is what tinubu administration is refusing to regulate 😀 the effect of this wickedness will be massive we hope our transporters will be kind to boycott petrol and go for CNG because I don't have the resources to survive on if petrol price increases to 2000+

• Express confusion on CPS

Retirees and workers in the country are lamenting abandonment by the National Pension Commission (PenCom) under the administration of its new Acting Director-General, Ms Omolola Oloworaran.

For various reasons, the workers and retirees who are Retirement Savings Account (RSAs) holders under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), seemed stranded as the commission refuses to address their grievances.

The RSAs whom are mostly always confused about the workings of the CPS, raised concerns ranging from non-payment of pension, accrued rights issues leading to delayed pension after retirement, non-payment of monthly annuity pension, abandonment and lack of attention by operators and PenCom, among others.

Retirees

My name is Enon. I worked in Auchi Polytechnic from April 1985 to March 2023. I retired as Chief Lecturer on March 20, 2023 under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). I am yet to have my accrued pension right released to my PFA (Stanbic IBTC), hence my pension benefit has not been paid since I retired over 18 months ago.

I am Engr Alexander. I retired since March 2023 from Auchi Polytechnic but till now we are still waiting for our pension and gratuity to be paid after carrying out the necessary process long time ago. I will be very delighted to know the reason for the delay because I and my colleagues who retired this same time are suffering. My PFA is Stanbic IBTC Bank.

My name is Justice. I have not received my pension since I retired on July 8, 2009. My former employer has refused to release documents to help me process my pension claiming I absconded. I submitted my resignation letter to my branch manager; he acknowledged and gave me my copy but never forwarded it to the board. Now my PFA can’t process my pension until I provide the documents. I have been on this for over a year now. Please I need your intervention.

I am Salmanu from Zaria, This is a “Save Our Soul” message to The  Nation newspaper. Many of us have been having sleepless nights with lots of problems as a result of non-payments of our retirement benefits. We hope that the Acting Director-General, Ms. Oloworaran, will use her new position to wipe away tears from retirees faces.

I want to remain anonymous. There has been no remittance of annuity by African Alliance Insurance Plc since May 2024. I will like to know what is happening. PenCom and NAICOM should consider that the economy is tough, hence the need for our monthly pension.

My name is Jauro from Bauchi State. I am writing to seek your assistance with an urgent matter. Despite submitting my request to transfer my pension to an annuity over a month ago, I am yet to receive a response from Premium Pensions. I have sent multiple follow-up emails and made several calls. Unfortunately, my efforts have been met with silence. I am feeling exhausted and frustrated by the lack of attention from Premium Pensions. I am appealing to the newspaper which remains unbiased to the plight of retirees in this country to help me resolve this issue.

My name is Ishola. My last pension payment was in April 2024. I retired from Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) joined annuity and I have two accounts where I used to receive N23, 624:94 and N8, 575;85. I need help.


My name is Akinola. I am on an annuity programme with African Alliance. I have not been paid my benefits since May 2024. I am retired and I need the stipend for my upkeep.

I am Mrs Matthew. My husband died on October 5, 2019 but I have not been able to receive his benefits. He worked in the aviation industry and we lived in one of the quarters but I have been sent out since April 3, 2020.  My late husband benefits are with First Guaranty Pension Ltd. I have been writing to the PENCOM but to no avail. I am really suffering with the children. I am appealing to The Nation to help me as it is my last hope.

My name is Christopher. I have been following up with my late wife’s gratuity since 2019. I have submitted all necessary documents I was asked to submit, but till date, I have not seen anything. The last time I went to Access Pension in Lagos, I was told that they were waiting for the money to be released to them from Abuja. She served with Ministry of Defense.

My name is Mapaderun, an annuitant with African Alliance Insurance Plc.

I have not received my stipend for May, June, July and August 2024.

What is the way out? It seems the company is distressed. What happens to our money with them? Can I migrate back to Stanbic IBTC? Why are the authorities allowing African Alliance Insurance Plc to be toying with us. I wonder how they want us to survive these harsh economic times. Both PENCOM and NAICOM are not coming to our aid. It has been five months now that we haven’t received anything.

My name is Iyav, I retired from the Nigeria Police Force in 2011. My PFA is Africa Alliance. I have not being paid my pension salary since May 2024 without any explanation from my PFA. We were advised to check The Nation newspaper publication of  September18, 2024 page 8 in which the company promised to pay at the end of September 2024. But they failed. Is there any explanation or solution to this problem?

Workers

My name is John and my PFA is Stanbic IBTC Bank Managers. I spoke with the PFA that I wanted to start Voluntary Contribution (VC) but they were unable to help me. What am I to do to start the Voluntary Contribution?

I want to remain as anonymous. What document is needed to provide in case of death by next of kin to have access to the pension.

PenCom

All efforts to get responses to the retiree’s complaints on different challenges proved abortive as at press time.
https://thenationonlineng.net/retirees-workers-lament-nonpayment-of-pension/

BigBrother9ja:
Mad mumu man
Of Many of his official embezzled cars runs on CNG?

We should spoil our car's engine or risk getting burned in gas explosion 💥

DAMNED CNG CAN BE SOLD AT ₦200 PER LITER, BUT COOKING GAS IS ABOUT 6 X MORE EXPENSIVE.

CNG THAT'S EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO MAKE THAN COOKING GAS.

THESE LEADERS ARE JUST FOOLISH AND EVIL.

Very evil

So tinubu administration knows how to cut cost yet it is the highest purchaser of luxurious cars and plane
Well let hope our President car is also running on CNG it will save the country a lot of money since the car is not fueled with his money😀

It has now gotten to the stage where we will be feed by tinubu soon the government will breathe for us
Baby steps indeed😀

You guys have stole enough you may shutdown I don't care😛

No fewer than five personnel of the Nigerian Air Force have died in a ghastly auto crash along the Jos-Akwanga Express Road.

The personnel were among those attending a sports event in Abuja on 22 October.

Their vehicle is said to have collided with an oncoming truck, leading to the deaths of the personnel.

Confirming the incident in a statement on Tuesday, the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, said efforts had commenced to provide support for the families of the deceased.

He said, “The Nigerian Air Force deeply regrets to announce the loss of five of our gallant personnel who were involved in a tragic road traffic accident on 22 October 2024.

“The unfortunate incident occurred around Hawan Kibo along the Jos-Akwanga Express Road. Our personnel were heading for a sporting event in Abuja when their vehicle was involved in a collision with an oncoming truck.

“Consequently, the statutory administrative protocols applicable in circumstances such as this have been activated by the NAF to provide comfort and support to the bereaved families.

“We appeal to the public to respect the privacy of the victims’ families during this difficult time and to refrain from sharing unverified details. May their souls rest in perfect peace.”

https://punchng.com/five-naf-personnel-die-in-auto-crash/

BREAKING: Nigeria’s Secret Police DSS Targets Freed #EndBadGovernance Activists with New Restrictions, Aims To Limit Movements, Silence Detention Stories


Some of the protesters, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of further retribution, told SaharaReporters on Tuesday that after their release, they were summoned by the DSS.

Activists who participated in the #EndBadGovernance protests have accused the Department of State Services (DSS) of harassment despite a Federal High Court ruling in Kaduna Judicial Division ordering their release from detention.

 

Some of the protesters, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of further retribution, told SaharaReporters on Tuesday that after their release, they were summoned by the DSS.

 

The activists disclosed that the DSS invited them to sign a bond, which would severely restrict their movement and bar them from speaking publicly about their experiences in detention.

 

"We thought we were finally free after the court discharged us, but the DSS still calls us, insisting we sign this document," one of the activists said. "It feels like they’re trying to silence us even though the court found no reason to hold us.”

 

However, when the matter came up on Thursday, October 17, 2024, the activists were discharged of all the charges against them.

 

At the resumed hearing, the DSS prosecutor had applied to withdraw the charges against them.

 

The activists were initially detained during the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests, which began in August 2024 as a movement against the government’s anti-people policies, corruption, insecurity and unemployment.

 

One of them said, "Since the judge struck out the case, everything was supposed to end naturally. However, the DSS said we have to come to their office.

“Some of the protesters who were released on bail before us were also called to sign an undertaking that limits their activities.

"They imposed restrictions, like not being allowed to travel, even to Zaria, which is only a few kilometres away from Kaduna, and prohibiting international travel. Basically, you can't go anywhere without getting their permission first."

"When they released us, the treatment we received there made us to naturally fall sick. Immediately after our release, we all landed in medical care facilities, receiving treatment,” one of them said.

One of them, who said he was left traumatized by the experience, questioned why the DSS was still after them even after the court had discharged them.

Another victim said, "Our lawyer has spoken with them regarding when we are supposed to return to the DSS. We are still unwell but our lawyer went there to speak with the DSS legal representative. They were told we could wait until we were well enough to go by ourselves. So, we don't know what will happen next. That's the current situation.

"They insist that we have to go back again. We suspect they want us to sign some undertakings and give up certain rights, like our freedom of movement, going public, and speaking about our dealings with them, our experiences, and what happened there. That’s what we’re suspecting.”

“This is what happened to other people. Some of them were detained after visiting the DSS office. After being invited, they returned and one of them was detained for seven days before being released,” the source added.

 

When SaharaReporters asked if the court had restricted their movement, they replied, “Nothing like that. As soon as they withdrew their case, the court struck it out immediately.”

 

“They don’t want us to go public and doing so would put us at greater risk. They have all our details—our addresses, our account numbers, everything. If we speak out, they can easily trace it back to us, even if our names aren’t mentioned in any reports," they added.
https://saharareporters.com/2024/10/22/breaking-nigerias-secret-police-dss-targets-freed-endbadgovernance-activists-new

I no understand this one 😟