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NDUME THE PETREL AND TINUBUS TAX REFORMS OF TROUBLE.By: Inuwa Bwala
NDUME THE PETREL AND TINUBUS TAX REFORMS OF TROUBLE.By: Inuwa Bwala
Intrigues, intimidation, blacknail,bribes, and lobbying were said to be part of the strategies used in the moves to get the 4 Tax Reform Bills presented to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu passed.
Unconfirmed reports had it that, Senators were offered N50m each, while N30m was dangled before each member of the House of Representatives.
Recalcitrant Senators and members were either threatened or blackmailed, even as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s foot soldiers employed lobbying tactics to get the bills passed.
But like the infamous Third Term Bill of the Olusegun Obasanjo era, the bills seem to be heading for the dustbin. Nigerians, especially Northerners, have never been so united in opposing a particular government policy, as they did over the obvious ill-fated tax reform bill of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In what could be described as a courageous stance against their own government, members of the rulling All Progressives Congress, APC, were in the vanguard of campaigning against the bill and may eventually shoot it down.
Both Senators and members of the House of Representatives, seem to tow the lines of the Northern Governors Forum, the Arewa Consultative Forum and the National Economic Council: all of whom advocated for the withdrawal of the bills, to allow for wider consultations and Public sensitization.
To them, the tax reform bills are delicate and require a deeper reflection on the mood and socio-economic realities of the country, before presentation, and passage.
In the face of attempts by their leadership to have the bills sail through, the lawmakers were vehement in opposing the passage of the bills, arguing that the mood of the country and the socio- economic realities in Nigeria cannot accommodate the assumed bebefits.
The petrel in the red chambers, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume: who represents Borno South Senatorial District, seem to have spoken the minds of other Nigerians, in the crusade against the tax bills.
To him, the benefits of the bill were only apparent to the President and his tax reform experts, but the generality of Nigerians are bound to suffer in the long run, if the bills are allowed.
Ndume, during plenary and in an interview with Channels Televission insists that the seeming desperation on the part of the leadership of National Assembly smacks of a plot to further deprive Nigerians of the dividends of democracy.
Ndume’s position was re-echoed in the House of Representative, where members shouted down attempts by the Speaker, Honorable Abbas, to get a soft landing for the bills.
While the Senate President, Godswill Akpadio seem to have had his way with the bills, using the gavel: referring all four bills to the Finance Committee, the story with the House of Representatives is a different ball game.
Debates on the bill have been differed for Tuesday in the House of Representatives apparently buying time to further lobby. But most vocal memberst of the house: names with held told me in confidence that, since the law requires the passage of the bills by both chambers of the National Assembly, any action taken by the Senate will be an exercise in futility, as the House of Representative is determined to shoot the bills down.
Whatever becomes the fate of the President’s four tax reform bills, it is clear that, the Executive and the leadership of the National Assembly may have their ways but as Senator Ndume said, the lawmakers will have their says.
NDUME THE PETREL AND TINUBUS TAX REFORMS OF TROUBLE.By: Inuwa Bwala
Rayyan Microfinance Bank unveiled by Zulum
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has unveiled Rayyan Microfinance Bank, headquartered in Maiduguri, the state capital on Sunday.
Rayyan Bank chaired by Dr Usman Shettima is an Ethically Compliant Digital Bank that offers non-interest financing which is an insignia of Islamic banking to rural communities.
With a commitment to ethical compliance practices, the bank also provides a comprehensive range of banking solutions designed to meet the diverse needs of individuals and businesses.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony held in Forshams Event Centre, Maiduguri, Zulum emphasised that the bank is a critical tool for building resilience and fostering self-reliance among the people of Borno.
He highlighted its projected role in providing the financial backbone communities need to rebuild livelihoods affected by years of insurgency.
“Microfinance banks are crucial for driving financial inclusion, reducing poverty and promoting economic growth through providing accessible financial services such as small loans, savings accounts and insurance amongst others to low income individuals who don’t have access to traditional banking systems in Nigeria.
“I want to commend the vision and tenacity of the chairman and members of this very important bank, I also want to assure you that the government, under my leadership, will partner with you to promote the ideals of the non-interest banking system which is very important to our economy.” said Zulum
Demonstrating Borno State government’s confidence in the new institution, Zulum directed the State Ministry of Finance to immediately open an account with Rayyan Microfinance Bank.
Following the unveiling, the Governor formally presented the bank to the public, urging residents, cooperatives, and business owners to utilise its services to grow their businesses, support local enterprises, and contribute to the state’s economic resurgence.
The event featured keynote addresses and lectures by the academia, regulatory agencies, religious scholars, and other stakeholders, highlighting the potential of non-interest banking to promote ethical investments and foster inclusive economic growth.
Rayyan Microfinance Bank unveiled by Zulum
Troops neutralise notorious kidnap kingpin in Jama’a LGA, Kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops have neutralised a notorious kidnapping kingpin, Amadu, during a raid in Malafiya town, Atiku Ward of Jama’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Sources said that Amadu was the leader of a criminal syndicate terrorising Malafiya and surrounding communities with crimes ranging from kidnapping and cattle rustling to armed robbery.
According to the sources, Amadu had been on the most-wanted lists of security agencies and was linked to several high-profile crimes in the area, including the killing of a businessman in September 2025 and an attempted abduction of a prominent local figure’s relative.
The sources said that following credible intelligence on the gang’s hideout, troops conducted a raid on Jan. 25, 2026, to apprehend the remaining criminal elements. During the operation, there was an exchange of fire between the troops and the suspects.
“In the course of the engagement, Amadu attempted to escape and was neutralised. A search of the scene led to the recovery of a locally made pistol,” the sources said.
The sources added that the general area has since been calm, while clearance and confidence-building patrols have been intensified to prevent a resurgence of criminal activities.
Troops neutralise notorious kidnap kingpin in Jama’a LGA, Kaduna
IBUAM: A New Chapter in University Education, Changing the Phase of the Aviation Industry
By: Balami Lazarus
The quest and search for knowledge by men is an unending process, a continuous tense as long as humans live here on the mother planet. Therefore, the quest and thirst for knowledge is like mwala in the Bura dialect, which simply means to dig continuously.
For some decades Nigerian educational space has experienced growth and progress in her university system. The emergence of universities to cater to the educational needs of the citizens is clear evidence that there are positive changes in the system. It has also brought improvements and innovations, walking like a giant with nobility robes in the gown of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom provided by the ivory tower.
Isaac Balami University of Aeronautic Management (IBUAM) is one university that was established recently in the bustling Centre of Excellence, Lagos. Registered and licensed by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The aviation sector, I have observed, is what many lack understanding of. For some, it starts and ends with airports, aircraft, and pilots. But for Isaac David Balami, it begins with aeronautic and management knowledge provided by his university.
Isaac Balami University of Aeronautic Management (IBUAM) is the first of its kind in the aviation industry/educational landscape of our nation. IBUAM is beginning to change and impart on the aviation industry through academic courses offered at the university.
IBUAM disciplines are in aeronautics and management as its academic training. Its objective, therefore, is to train students in aeronautics, engineering, and aviation management and techniques. To further equip students with “skills in aviation operations and airline management.”
Some courses at IBUAM are aerospace engineering, mechatronics engineering, and aviation operations/airline management, among others.
Isaac David Balami is an aeronautic engineer, aviation expert, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Isaac has also distinguished himself in union leadership of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE).
IBUAM: A New Chapter in University Education, Changing the Phase of the Aviation Industry
Rayyan Microfinance Bank unveiled by Zulum
Troops neutralise notorious kidnap kingpin in Jama’a LGA, Kaduna
Army troops thwarted attack by bandits in Qua’an Pan, Plateau, recover AK-47 after gun battle
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