News
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
News
Locals Cry Out for Help as Lakurawa Terrorists Menace Kebbi Villages Against Mechanized Farming
Locals Cry Out for Help as Lakurawa Terrorists Menace Kebbi Villages Against Mechanized Farming
By Zagazola Makama
Residents of some villages plagued by the Lakurawa terrorists in Kebbi State have cried out to the Nigerian military and government to intervene and protect them from the terrorists who have been wreaking havoc in their communities.
The terrorists have issued a chilling warning to farmers in some villages in Augie Local Government Area, threatening to execute anyone who replaces their cattle-farming method with mechanized farming machines. This warning has sent shockwaves through the communities, which have already been devastated by massive cattle rustling carried out by the Lakurawa terrorists.
The terrorists’ actions have forced the villagers to dispose of their remaining cattle used for farming, and some were considering using small mechanized farming machines. However, the terrorists’ warning has made it clear that this option is no longer viable.
A source who reported the warning to the authorities said, “Now, the terrorists are dictating how we should farm, forbidding us from adopting modern farming methods that replace traditional farming with tools tied to cattle.” The source added, “When we farm with cattle, they come and seize them, and we’re large-scale farmers, farming for our needs and commercial purposes.”
The warning from the terrorists has created a sense of hopelessness among the villagers, who feel they are being strangled by the terrorists’ demands. They are desperate for the government and military to intervene and provide protection.
An intelligence source confirmed that the terrorists’ warning was indeed issued to the villages, and that anyone found not abiding by the warning will face severe consequences, including execution. However, the matter is receiving due security attention, offering some hope that the situation may be addressed soon.
End
KSrelief to Drill 78 Solar-Powered Well Across 10 States in Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) has concluded plan to drill 78 medium-depth, solar-powered well across 10 states of Nigeria.
The Centre has signed a cooperation agreement via video conference on Tuesday with a civil society organisation to implement the project.
According to a statement from the Centre, the initiative is expected to benefit approximately 733,350 individuals.
KSrelief’s Assistant Supervisor General for Operations and Programmes, Eng. Ahmed bin Ali Al-Baiz signed the agreement at KSrelief’s headquarters in Riyadh.
The agreement is aimed to provide safe drinking water for both people and livestock, support domestic water needs, and enhance water access in low-income areas.
It also seeks to reduce the spread of waterborne infections and parasitic disease vectors, ultimately helping to save lives, particularly among infants.
Additionally, the project contributes to improved nutrition by providing a reliable source of clean water.
The statement said the initiative is part of a broader range of humanitarian and relief projects in the water and sanitation sector, implemented by the Kingdom through KSrelief, aimed at improving the quality of life and reducing the spread of diseases and epidemics in vulnerable countries worldwid
KSrelief to Drill 78 Solar-Powered Well Across 10 States in Nigeria
Nigeria Finalizes Evacuation of Citizens from Israel, Iran as Crisis Escalates
By: Michael Mike
The Nigerian government has finalized arrangements for the emergency evacuation of stranded Nigerians in Israel and Iran as crisis between the two nations escalate with incessant bombings.
The arrangements of the Nigerian government was communicated on Wednesday signed by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa.
The statement read: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that following the escalation of the crisis between the State of Israel and Islamic Republic of Iran, the Federal Government is finalizing arrangements for the emergency evacuation of stranded Nigerians in both countries.
“All affected Nigerian citizens are therefore strongly advised to abide by necessary security protocols and contact the nearest Nigerian Embassy or Mission for registration and further instructions.
“The Ministry commends the efforts put in place by our Missions in Tel Aviv, Israel and Tehran, Iran for their dedication and commitment to reaching out to the Nigerian Community in these difficult times.
“We wish to assure the general public that the Federal Government of Nigeria remains committed to the safety and welfare of all its citizens, both at home and abroad, and is working in close coordination with relevant international partners and local authorities to ensure the timely and secure evacuation of Nigerians in affected areas.”
The statement added: “In the same vein, the Government of Nigeria reiterates its call for the immediate cessation of hostilities and urges all parties involved to embrace dialogue, respect international humanitarian law and prioritize the protection of civilians.
“Nigeria stands firm in its support for the peaceful resolution of conflicts and reaffirms its longstanding commitment to regional and global peace and stability.”
The government promised to provide further updates from time to time through official channels as operations progress.
Nigeria Finalizes Evacuation of Citizens from Israel, Iran as Crisis Escalates
Locals Cry Out for Help as Lakurawa Terrorists Menace Kebbi Villages Against Mechanized Farming
KSrelief to Drill 78 Solar-Powered Well Across 10 States in Nigeria
Nigeria Finalizes Evacuation of Citizens from Israel, Iran as Crisis Escalates
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News1 year agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions3 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
Opinions4 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News1 year agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Columns1 year agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
ACADEMICS1 year agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Opinions1 year agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
-
Politics10 months agoKashim Shettima: Of Sentiments, Their Opinions, and the 21 billion Naira VP’s Official Resident
