Economy

Tinubu Suspends 5% Excise Tax on Telecoms, Others

By Web News 493

President Bola Tinubu has signed four Executive Orders one of which is the suspension of the five per cent Excise Tax on telecommunication services and the Excise Duties escalation on locally manufactured products.

Among them is the The Finance Act (Effective Date Variation) Order, 2023, which defers the commencement date of the changes contained in the Act from May 23, 2023, to September 1, 2023.

Special Adviser to the president on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy Dele Alake, annouced this on Thursday while briefing State House Correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Alake said this is to ensure that the act aligns with the 90-day notice period required by the National Tax Policy 2017.

President Tinubu also signed The Customs, Excise Tariff (Variation) Amendment Order, 2023, shifting the commencement date of the tax changes from March 27, 2023 to August 1, 2023 and also in line with the National Tax Policy.

Alake added that the President ordered the suspension of the newly introduced Green Tax by way of Excise Tax on Single Use Plastics, including plastic containers and bottles.

He also suspended the Import Tax Adjustment levy on certain vehicles.

The Presidential Spokesman explained that the these orders are meant to ameliorate the negative impacts of the tax adjustments on businesses and chokehold on households across affected sectors.

However, he reiterated the President’s commitment to reviewing complaints about multiple taxation, local and anti-business inhibitions.

Alake noted that President Tinubu administration will, therefore, continue to give requisite stimulus by way of friendly policies to allow businesses to flourish nationwide.

The President assured Nigerians that there will not be further tax raise without a robust and wide consultations undertaken within the context of a coherent fiscal policy framework.

President Tinubu’s interventions also include the suspension of the five per cent Excise Tax on telecommunication services and excise duty on locally produced products. While Executive Order 4 is the suspension of the newly introduced Green Tax on Single Use Plastics and the Import Tax Adjustment levy on certain vehicles.

Punch / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Politics

FG Dissolves Governing Boards of MDAs

By Web News 714

 

President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate dissolution of the Governing Boards of all Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies, Institutions, and Government-Owned Companies.

The dissolution does not, however, affect Boards, Commissions, and Councils listed in the Third Schedule, Part 1, Section 153 (i) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

In a statement by the Director, Information for the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey, directed those affected to refer matters requiring the attention of their Boards to the President, through the Permanent Secretaries of their respective supervisory Ministries and Offices pending the constitution of a new board.

The Permanent Secretaries were in turn directed to route such correspondences to the President through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

All Ministries, Departments, and Agencies are to ensure compliance with the provision of the directive which took effect from Friday 16th June 2023.

The statement, therefore, directed the Permanent Secretaries to inform the Chief Executive Officers of the affected Agencies under the supervision of their respective Ministries/Offices for immediate compliance.  

Earlier, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the immediate retirement of all Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, Advisers, and the Comptroller-General of Customs from Service as well as their replacements with immediate effect.

FRCN Abuja / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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News

Tinubu Appoints Alake, Ribadu, others as Advisers

By Web News 529

As his administration enters its third week, President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, appointed eight Special Advisers.
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They include Mr. Dele Alake as Special Adviser, Special Adviser, Special Duties, Communications and Strategy and Former EFCC Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, as Special Adviser on Security and Mr. Wale Edun as Special Adviser, Monetary Policies. ⁣
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The appointments were announced in a statement signed by the State House Director of Information, Abiodun Oladunjoye. ⁣
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Others Special Advisers appointed by the President include Yau Darazo (Political and Intergovernmental Affairs); Olu Verheijen (Energy), Zachaeus Adedeji (Revenue), John Uwajumogu (Industry, Trade and Investment) and Dr Salma Anas (Health). ⁣
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Thursday’s appointment comes eight days after Tinubu asked the Senate to approve his appointment of 20 special advisers to run his administration.⁣
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The letter was read by former Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, at a plenary session on Tuesday, June 6. ⁣
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However, the letter was silent on the names of the persons the President wanted to appoint as special advisers and their portfolios.⁣

Punch/Olaolu Fawole

Politics

Gbajabiamila Resigns House Membership, Assumes Duty as Tinubu’s CoS

By Web News 876

The immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has resigned his membership of the 10th House following his resumption of work as the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu.

Gbajabiamila tendered his resignation letter on Wednesday on the floor of the House before Abass and members of the House.

After laying his letter of resignation before the House, the new Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, read it out to the members.

The former Speaker subsequently took a bow before the new Speaker and the members before walking out of the chamber amidst cheers and standing ovation from the lawmakers.

During his two-decade law-making career in the House, Gbajabiamila was Minority Leader, Majority Leader, and Speaker at various times.He was reelected to represent Surulere 1 Federal Constituency in Lagos State before his new appointment and was sworn in as a member of the House at the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly on Tuesday.

Punch/Olaolu Fawole

Crime

ASUU Calls on FG to Fish out UI Lecturer Killers

By Web News 867

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, University of Ibadan Chapter, Oyo State, on Thursday, called on President Bola Tinubu as well as the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba, to fish out the killers of Opeyemi Ajewole, a Professor of Social and Environmental Forestry Development at the institution.

It was reported that Ajewole was gruesomely murdered by yet-to-be-identified gunmen at the front of his house in the Orogun community in Akinyele Local Government Area of the state, on Monday, while returning home.

ASUU, in a statement by its Chairman, Ayo Akinwole, further called on IGP Baba to assist the state Police Command with all logistics support needed to unravel and arrest the killers of the deceased.

Akinwole also urged Tinubu to take a passionate interest in the case and ensure the security system unmasks the faces behind the murder of the institution’s lecturer.

He said, “The hearts of every ASUU-UI member are bleeding so profusely as if pierced by swords. Our bones shook so tremendously that it was as if our marrows were naked in the tundra region.

“We condemn in totality the gruesome murder of our comrade, Ajewole, and charge the security operatives to track down and apprehend the perpetrators of this dastardly act, with a view to unravelling the motive behind the incident and bringing the perpetrators to book.

“The only tribute which the death of Ajewole deserves is that his killers are brought to justice and that Nigerians’ lives should matter to the Tinubu presidency. Ajewole’s gruesome murder again reminds us of how valueless human lives have become in our clime.

“Death lurks in all imaginable and unimaginable corners of this country and comes cheaply. The Nigerian populace is constantly assailed by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, assassination, hunger, unemployment, and many more insidious exterminators of our individual and collective dreams.

“The situation of the Nigerian academics is even doubly precarious; they are prophets without any honour at home. Despite their immense contributions to national growth and development and recognition in the international circle, Nigerian academia is scorned and shabbily treated by the Nigerian state and the public for being unrepentant patriots.”

Culled / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Economy

Subsidy: Tinubu Urges Shettima, Govs to Work on Salaries, Palliatives

By Web News 1058

As Nigerians grapple with the aftershocks of the fuel subsidy removal, President Bola Tinubu has directed the National Economic Council to come up with inputs on palliatives and the minimum wage review as part of measures to cushion the pain of subsidy removal.

This was as the Trade Union Congress said it was expecting the Federal Government to provide feedback on its demand for N200,000 minimum wage by June 19.

Speaking during a meeting with members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, led by its Chairman, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State in Abuja on Wednesday, Tinubu directed NEC led by Vice President Kashim Shettima to mobilise various interventions to cushion the hardship faced by the most vulnerable Nigerians.

Besides the Vice-President, the NEC comprises 36 state governors, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and other co-opted government officials.

The President described the level of impoverishment in the country as “unacceptable,” urging state governors to collaborate with the Federal Government to tackle poverty nationwide.

“We can see the effects of poverty on the faces of our people. Poverty is not hereditary, it is from society. Our position is to eliminate poverty. Set aside partisan politics, we are here to deliberate about Nigeria and nation-building.

“We have managed ourselves very well to have a democracy. We have campaigned and arrived at our present destination. We must work for our people.

President Tinubu advised the political leaders to downplay their differences and jointly focus on alleviating the sufferings and pains of the people, a statement signed by the State House Director of Information, Abiodun Oladunjoye, noted.

Punch / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Politics

Senate Okays Tinubu’s Request to Appoint 20 Special Advisers

By Web News 1521

The Senate, on Tuesday, granted the request of the President, Bola Tinubu to appoint 20 special advisers.

The President’s request was granted after it was read by Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, on the floor of the upper legislative chamber

However, Tinubu did not list the names of the 20 special advisers.

Details later.

Punch / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Labour

Subsidy: NLC Boycotts FG Meeting, Electricity Workers Back Strike

By Web News 1150

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, on Sunday shunned a meeting called by the Federal Government to discuss the subsidy removal and the attendant hike in fuel pump prices across the country.

The union insisted that it would not hold any dialogue with the government representatives unless a legitimate team was set up.

However, the Trade Union Congress officials attended the meeting which was a follow-up to the talks held with the NLC at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, last week, which ended in a deadlock.

This is as the electricity workers vowed to join the strike and plunge the nation into a blackout in protest against the removal of fuel subsidy by the Bola Tinubu administration.

The National Treasurer of the NLC, Hakeem Ambali, confirmed the decision of the union to boycott the meeting which was a follow-up to the Wednesday meeting on the removal of subsidy.

During the meeting attended by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, Managing Director, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited, Mele Kyari, Dele Alake, and others, the NLC had insisted on the reversal of the fuel pump price pegged at between N488 and N540.

Following the breakdown of talks, the congress resolved at its NEC meeting held on Friday to embark on a nationwide strike.

Speaking to newsmen on Sunday, Ambali explained that like the TUC, the NLC was invited for a follow-up meeting at the State House following the earlier meeting which ended in a deadlock.

He hinted that the union did not attend the talks because the government representatives had no official mandate or authority to negotiate for the President.

“It was an adjourned meeting, a follow-up to the last one. However, the NLC insisted that we would be ready to negotiate with a team that has legitimacy and official mandate to negotiate for President Tinubu,” he stated.

Shedding light on the NLC’s boycott of the session, the National President of the congress, Joe Ajaero, contended that the meeting was of no consequence to the congress.

Punch / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Politics

May 29: Sultan Seeks Support for Incoming Government

By Web News 1282

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has said that nothing can stop the inauguration of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu on May 29, noting that all Nigerians should support the incoming government to succeed.

Abubakar stated this while seeking prayers for the success of Tinubu’s administration during a roundtable meeting with traditional and religious rulers. The meeting was organized by the World Bank on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said, “There must be change because, in the next few days or weeks, there will be a new government; what can we contribute to that government to stabilize?

“Whether anybody likes it, it must take place, a new government is coming on May 29, so what can we do besides prayers, because we believe in the Almighty, we believe in God that gives and takes.

“After that so what? What do we do to help the government stabilize and move the country forward?”

He charged Nigerians to be united and work towards ensuring equity and justice.

Culled / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Politics

Reactions Trail Tinubu’s Victory

By Web News 611

By Oluwakayode Banjo, Adenitan Akinola

All Progressives Congress, APC in Oyo state has described the victory of the party’s Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in last Saturday’s election, as a victory for Nigeria.

Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Alhaji Wasiu Sadare stated this in an interview with Radio Nigeria in Ibadan shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission announced the results of the Presidential poll.

Alhaji Sadare admitted that though the journey was not easy, but God through the votes of Nigerians gave Asiwaju Tinubu the deserved victory at the polls.

Similarly, Coordinator of the All Progressives Congress APC Presidential Campaign Council and Gubernatorial Candidate of the party in Oyo State, Senator Teslim Folarin in a statement issued in Ibadan, said the election of Bola Tinubu as the next president of Nigeria marks a new dawn for real growth, development and prosperity for Oyo State and Nigeria in general.

Senator Folarin urged people of the state to consolidate their support for the All Progressives Congress by voting massively once again for the party in the gubernatorial and state assembly elections coming up on March 11, 2023.

On his part, Oyo state chairman of the Social Democratic party, SDP, Mr Michael Okunlade, while congratulating the winner of the presidential election, described last Saturday’s polls as fair but not free.

Mr Okunlade called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to learn from the problems encountered during the Presidential and National Assembly elections, to be able to deliver a free and credible elections, come 11th of March.

Also, a cross section of political actors in Osun State has continued to react to the declaration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the president-elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Those who spoke with Radio Nigeria correspondent maintained that the success of the election itself was a testimony that Nigerians were desirous of democratic rule and ready to sacrifice their resources for it.

A former INEC National Commissioner, Professor Lai Olurode described the success of the election as a further consolidation of the Nigeria democratisation agenda.

Professor Olurode congratulated President Mohamadu Buhari for providing a level playing field for all candidates, as well as all the candidates of political parties that participated in the election for making it competitive and democratic enough.

He also saluted Nigerians for their resilience and commitment to Democracy, while he commended the Nigeria media for the professional reportage of the exercise which doused tension.

Also commenting, the Chief Whip of Osun State House of Assembly, Mr Tunde Olatunji who submitted that the very keen nature of the contest as reflected in the results indicated that Nigerians could no longer be taken for granted.

Similarly, Chairman of Allied Peoples Movement, APM in Osun State, Mr Simon Adebayo described the election as free and fair, while he congratulated Nigerians for the steady growth of the country’s democracy.

All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu polled 8,794,726 votes to win the 2023 Presidential election as announced by the INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu on Wednesday.


Politics

Tinubu’s Certificate: Court fixes Sep 7 to Hear Suit

By Web News 443

A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed September 7 to hear a suit seeking the disqualification of Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, from contesting in the 2023 elections. The plaintiffs, four APC chieftains, are asking the court to rule that Tinubu is ineligible to run for president in the 2023 presidential election as the party’s candidate because he allegedly submitted false information to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

In a 33-paragraph affidavit in support of the suit deposed to by one Ibiang Miko Ibiang, the plaintiffs averred that Tinubu falsely swore to an affidavit in 1999 in which he claimed to have attended St Paul Aroloya Children Home School, Ibadan -1958-64, and Government College, Ibadan -1965-68 and presented the same to INEC.

According to the plaintiffs, the deposition is untrue. They claimed in his INEC form for the 2023 elections, Tinubu refused to include any information about his primary and secondary schools to hide the false information he had provided to INEC.

Ruling on an ex parte application, Justice Ahmed Mohammed granted an order for substituted service on Tinubu after the plaintiffs’ counsel, Goddy Uche, told the court that substituted service has become necessary because all attempts to serve the presidential candidate proved abortive.

The court ordered that court processes should be served on the national secretariat of the APC and that such service shall be deemed as having been properly served on Tinubu.

Vanguard/Titilayo Kupoliyi

Politics

Tinubu Woos Ondo APC Delegates

By Web News 491

A Presidential Aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, APC and former Lagos State Governor, Senator Bola Tinubu has promised to rebuild Nigeria with improved economy and unity if elected President.

Senator Tinubu gave the promise while addressing APC delegates in Akure the Ondo state capital.

The former governor said he was committed to making Nigeria more prosperous with unity and religious tolerance as his driving force towards repositioning the nation.

Senator Tinubu also announced that he would tap into the abundant natural resources of the country , improve the educational system and open up economic pathways such as the proposed Ondo sea port .

Earlier, Ondo state Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu charged the delegates to choose a dependable leader for the progress of the country.

Isaac Afolabi

Politics

BREAKING: Tinubu Campaign Group DG, Jibrin, dumps APC

By Web News 573

The Director-General of the Bola Tinubu Support Group, Abdulmumin Jibrin, has dumped the All Progressives Congress.

He announced this via his Twitter handle on Saturday.

The former federal lawmaker said he would announce his new party soon.

“I have done my best for APC. Its time to move on.

I will announce my new political party within the next 24 hours Insha Allah.

I will make a formal statement in due course,” he tweeted.

Details later…

Punch/Olaolu Fawole

Politics

2023: Why I Met with APC Govs – Tinubu

By Web News 540

The National Leader of All Progressives Congress and presidential aspirant, Bola Tinubu, has explained why he met with members of the Progressives Governors Forum on Monday.

Earlier Tinubu had met with the APC governors at the Kebbi State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, hours after Vice President Yemi Osinbajo declared his intention to succeed the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) in 2023.

The governors in attendance include Governors Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State, Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, Bababjide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano, Gboyega Oyetola of Osun, Mai Mala Binu of Yobe, Simon Lalong of Plateau, Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa, amongst others.

The meeting came less than 24 hours after Osinbajo hosted the governors at his Aguda House residence on Sunday evening; where he disclosed his intention to run for the APC presidential ticket.

But briefing newsmen after the meeting, the former Lagos State Governor noted that he met with the governors to seek their support for his ambition to become Nigeria’s president.

“My mission here is to seek collaboration, support, and encouragement of my party, the APC, for my ambition to become the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a replacement for President Muhammadu Buhari after his tenure,” he said.

When asked about Osinbajo’s declaration and 2023 ambition, Tinubu said, “I don’t have any son grown up enough to make such declaration.”

He added, “The fact that we have people in our party that express desire to lead the party into the highest office in the electoral contest shows how much this our party has resonated with Nigerians and our party members.”

“He briefed us on his reasons, thinking, and message. The governors graciously listened to him to digest everything he said. He acknowledged the role of the governors in the last convention of the party by helping in the evolution of the leadership that is acceptable and widely acknowledged by all party members.”

Bagudu noted that he responded on behalf of the governors and assured the presidential aspirant that they (governors) would discuss the matter during their meeting and make an informed decision on his message.

Speaking on the purpose of the meeting, Bagudu said Tinubu met the governors to formally briefed them on his intention to lead Nigeria after Buhari’s regime in 2023.

“He met members of the PGF and stated what he has said publicly, his intention to seek the office of the President come 2023 which he had already announced before now.

Punch/Fawole

News

Tinubu Donates N50m To Victims Of Abuja-Kaduna Train Attack

By Web News 763

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has donated fifty million naira to victims of the terrorist attack on the Kaduna bound train from Abuja.

Asiwaju Tinubu announced the donation when he paid a condolence visit to Governor Nasir el-Rufai, and to commiserate with the Kaduna State Government.

The APC National Leader was received by Governor el-Rufai and Senators representing Kaduna Central, Uba Sani, and Kaduna North, Suleiman Abdu-Kwari, at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, in Kaduna, the state capital.

Alongside the former Lagos State governor was a former Governor of Borno State, Senator Kashim Shettima, the former speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and Senator Abu Ibrahim.

The 2023 presidential Aspirant said the train attack was a national disaster that demanded everyone’s attention.

He also expressed his concern about the string of attacks in Kaduna State, which he said had claimed many lives, and led to the destruction of property worth millions of naira

PUNCH/Olaolu Fawole

Lifestyle

Tinubu Cancels 70th Birthday Colloquium to Honour Train Victims

By Web News 539

All Progressives Congress National Leader, Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, cancelled his 13th Birthday Colloquium to honour victims of the Kaduna train attack.

He made the announcement at Eko Hotels in Lagos, the venue of the 13th Bola Ahmed Tinubu Colloquium with the theme, ‘Pivoting Nigeria Into The New Order’.

According to him, the attack was a “national tragedy” and over 60 persons lost their lives to the terror.

Details later…

Punch/ Kupoliyi

Lifestyle

Buhari Congratulates Bola Tinubu at 70

By Web News 469

President Muhammadu Buhari has joined members, leaders and chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in rejoicing with the National Leader of the party and former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, on his 70th birthday.

Mr Tinubu was born on March 29, 1952.

In a congratulatory message by his spokesperson, Femi Adesina, on Monday in Abuja, Mr Buhari affirmed the contributions of the party stalwart to the political, economic and social development of the country.

He lauded the Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom for setting a standard in leadership, governance and philanthropy.

The president noted Mr Tinubu’s courage, resilience, selflessness and nobility in always placing the welfare and unity of the nation above self, backed with the vision of a greater Nigeria through investments in people, institutions and governments, without minding tribe or creed.

Mr Buhari joined family members, friends, business and political associates in celebrating the septuagenarian, who had ”diligently and progressively risen on the nation’s political ladder since 1992″.

He also noted Mr Tinubu’s role in fighting for a democratic rule against many odds, angling for people-focused development and supporting visionary and purposeful leadership.

The president prayed to the Almighty God to increase Mr Tinubu, as he turns 70, in strength, good health and wisdom to keep serving the nation, and humanity.

NAN/ Kupoliyi

Politics

Insecurity: Buhari Meets Zulum, Tinubu, Akande in Aso Rock

By Web News 715

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday night met with the Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum on the Security Situation in his State.

The President also met with the National leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and the pioneer interim National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande in State House.

President Buhari’s meeting with the Borno State Governor was held at the official residence in Presidential Villa.

The agenda of the meeting was not made public but it may not be unconnected with the recent worsening security situation in Borno State.

Besides, the agenda of the meeting with chieftains of APC, Asiwaju Tinubu and Pa Bisi Akande was also not made public.

Vanguard