News

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu gas shown his appreciation to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum following their unanimous endorsement of the four Tax Reform Bills currently under consideration by the National Assembly.

President Tinubu lauds the governors for their bold leadership and commitment to fostering unity among leaders nationwide, transcending regional, ethnic, and political barriers to advance Nigeria’s development.

Thursday’s productive consultation between the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy is a commendable example of cooperation between the Federal and State governments.

He extends special commendations to the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, for successfully galvanising support among his peers for these transformative tax bills to rejuvenate the national economy and enhance Nigeria’s investment climate.

He also commends the Progressive Governors Forum, the Northern Governors Forum, and all other groups that made the bipartisan resolution of the controversy stirred by the tax bills possible.

President Tinubu shows that the primary aim of the Tax Reform Bills, which is pro-poor, is to promote national interests, improve the competitiveness of Nigeria’s economy, and attract both local and foreign investments.

He said updating the country’s outdated tax laws is essential to this endeavour.

The President notes that the dialogue between the NGF and the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy Reform shows the power of constructive conversation in resolving differences.

President Tinubu regards the governors as vital contributors to nation-building and affirms his commitment to partnering with them to promote economic growth, national harmony, peace, and stability.

He also encourages other stakeholders with ideas and suggestions for refining the Tax Bills to engage with the ongoing legislative process at the National Assembly.

President Tinubu also urges the National Assembly to expedite the legislative process for these crucial bills so that the country can swiftly reap the benefits of the reforms.

By Maryam Ahmad

The Ekiti State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, in collaboration with the Ekiti State Waste Management Authority (EKSWMA) enforcement team, has arrested a man seen in a viral video discharging liquid waste with an offensive odour into a stream in the Bashiri area of Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

A statement from the State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Chief Mrs Tosin Aluko- was made available to reporters in Ado-Ekiti. She said, “Following swift action by the Ministry’s enforcement team, the perpetrator was apprehended, and his vehicle  impounded.”

She said the suspect claimed during interrogation that he was discharging dirty water, not sewage, into the stream.

The Commissioner announced that to prevent any potential health hazards from the dumped waste, the samples from the affected site have been taken to analyze the chemical and microbiological material contained in material discharged in the stream. At the same time, the entire area will be thoroughly fumigated to safeguard the health and well-being of residents.

She said thorough investigations involving officials of her Ministry and the Ekiti State Waste Management Authority were ongoing to prevent future occurrences and maintain a cleaner, safer environment in Ekiti State.

The Commissioner emphasized that the state government has zero tolerance for illegal waste handling and disposal and stressed that the offender would soon be prosecuted. 

“The law will take its full course. Acts like this endanger public health and the environment. We must protect our communities,” she said.

Erelu Aluko-Ajisafe urged residents to remain vigilant and report any acts of environmental violation to the appropriate authorities. 

She encouraged the public to continue “blowing the whistle” on activities that threaten environmental safety.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Manchester City has announced that star striker Erling Haaland has signed a new 10-year contract, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2034.

The 24-year-old Norwegian international joined City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022 and has been instrumental in the club’s recent successes.

“I am really happy to have signed my new contract and to be able to look forward to spending even more time at this great club,” Haaland said. “Manchester City is a special club, full of fantastic people with amazing supporters, and it’s the type of environment that helps bring the best out of everybody.”

Haaland expressed his gratitude to his teammates, manager Pep Guardiola, and the City staff.

He said, “They have made this such a special place to be, and now I am City no matter what. I want to keep developing, keep working to get better, and help us achieve more success going forward.”

City’s Director of Football, Txiki Begiristain, highlighted the significance of Haaland’s long-term commitment.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum has given its seal of approval to the Tax Reform Bills, recommending no increase in the Value Added Tax (VAT) rate.

This decision was reached after a thorough examination of the bills, with the forum proposing a revised VAT sharing formula to ensure resources are distributed fairly.

According to the communique issued by the forum today, the revised VAT sharing formula will allocate 50% of resources based on equality, 30% based on derivation, and 20% based on population.

The governors also agreed that there should be no reduction in Corporate Income Tax (CIT) at this time, to maintain economic stability.

The forum advocated for maintaining the current VAT rate to safeguard citizens’ welfare and promote economic growth.

Also, essential goods and agricultural produce will remain exempt from VAT to support agricultural productivity and citizens’ welfare.

The meeting also recommended removing the terminal clause for TETFUND, NASENI, and NITDA in the sharing of development levies in the bills.The forum expressed its support for the continuation of the legislative process at the National Assembly, which will ultimately lead to the passage of the Tax Reform Bills.

AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, noted the importance of these recommendations, stating that they will ensure economic stability and promote the welfare of citizens.

By Uzair Adam

The federal government has expressed disappointment over recent remarks by Emir Sanusi II, describing his statements as counterproductive to the nation’s efforts to address economic challenges.

In a strongly-worded statement, the presidency criticized the Emir for what it described as a failure to prioritize national interests over personal grievances.

The statement reiterated that Nigeria is at a critical juncture requiring bold and decisive reforms to overcome deeply rooted economic problems.

The administration stated that the reforms being implemented are difficult but essential for ensuring the country’s long-term stability and growth, aligning with positions the Emir had previously supported.

“It is noteworthy that these reforms, including the unification of exchange rates and the removal of the fuel subsidy, have started yielding measurable progress.

“Investor confidence has improved, foreign reserves are increasing, and resources freed from the subsidy removal are being redirected to critical sectors such as infrastructure, education, and healthcare,” the statement read.

The government further quoted Emir Sanusi, who recently acknowledged that the hardships Nigerians are currently facing are a “necessary consequence of decades of irresponsible economic management.”

However, the statement expressed dismay at what it perceived as a shift in the Emir’s stance due to personal and partisan considerations.

“His Highness, given his expertise in economics, has a unique responsibility to contribute constructively rather than undermine these reforms.

“Rebuilding Nigeria requires unity, focus, and sacrifice from all stakeholders,” the statement added.

The government noted that these reforms have also contributed to reducing the country’s debt service-to-revenue ratio, creating a more sustainable fiscal framework for future generations.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has accepted Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s invitation to visit Nigeria this year.

The Nigerian leader invited him Wednesday night during their bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2025 President Tinubu arrived in Abu Dhabi on Sunday as a guest of the UAE President to participate in the Sustainability Week, a forum for exchanging ideas to support sustainable development worldwide and encourage collective action to address global challenges, such as climate change, water and energy crises.

He delivered Nigeria’s position on climate and other challenges earlier on Wednesday and congratulated the UAE leader for the successful event.

During the discussions, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan thanked the Nigerian leader for accepting his invitation and expressed the UAE’s determination to strengthen economic cooperation between Nigeria and his country.

The two leaders also explored attracting investment into Nigeria.

President Tinubu said his government’s economic reforms are yielding fruits and called on the UAE to partner with Nigeria to develop the economy.

He said the reforms had stabilised and grown the economy, encouraging foreign investors, including international oil companies, to announce billion-dollar investments, signalling renewed confidence in doing business with Africa’s most populous nation.

President Tinubu thanked Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the warm reception he and his aides received since their arrival over the weekend.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Finance Wale Edun, and the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu accompanied President Tinubu to the meeting at the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental in Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; and H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan accompanied the UAE President.

Other UAE officials at the meeting were Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Salem Saeed Al Shamsi, UAE Ambassador to Nigeria.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Prominent human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has stated that Kano State must have only one king, following the Court of Appeal’s affirmation of this stance.

He noted that despite opposition from some quarters, the 16th Emir of Kano remains firmly in his position.

Falana made the statement during the 21st memorial of Chief Gani Fawehinmi, held in Lagos.

He was quoted as saying, “However, as lawyers, when we gather, we must speak the truth. Your Majesty, we congratulate you on your victory in the Court of Appeal.

“Opponents of your rule have claimed they will take the matter to the Supreme Court, but as a lawyer, I am confident that the law has already clarified that traditional matters are not within the realm of human rights. Therefore, one cannot claim human rights as the reason for challenging a traditional title.

“Additionally, the court has clarified that the federal courts do not have jurisdiction over traditional matters. Thus, if some of our colleagues are deceiving their clients and causing confusion in the country, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has the right to intervene and caution them.

“Your Majesty, wherever they may go – to the Supreme Court or elsewhere – remain steadfast in your position. We must have only one king in Kano. We cannot have two Emirs in Kano, nor two monarchs in Rivers State. This confusion must end.”

By Anwar Usman

The Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II, has made it clear that he will not use his expertise to address Nigeria’s economic challenges simply because he is unwilling to assist the Tinubu administration.

As a certified economist and former CBN governor, Sanusi made this assertion while speaking at the 21st anniversary of Fawehinmiism with the 2025 Gani Fawehinmi Annual Lecture held today at the Lagos Airport Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos state.

He stated that “explaining the economic crisis would simply provide solutions to the lingering economic problems and pave the way for the proliferation of Nigeria’s economy.” 

While speaking, the Emir emphasised that despite being a good friend to the government, he would not offer any solutions that could help the administration achieve its goals. 

He criticised the Tinubu administration, stating they lacked credible and competent people who could explain the persistence of economic constraints on Nigerians.

He reiterated, “I’m not going to discuss any of the problems, let alone provide an insight to navigate this challenging period”.

Instead of offering solutions, Sanusi shifted the responsibility to the administration, saying, “It’s up to them to explain to Nigerians why their policies keep failing. He attributed the current economic woes to decades of unnecessary economic reforms.”

By Sulaiman Abdullahi

A ceasefire agreement was reached late Tuesday between Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza after months of bloodshed that left thousands of civilians dead and injured. The truce, brokered by Qatar and the United States, aims to halt hostilities and restore a calm region.

The recent conflict, which erupted following the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas militants last year, rapidly escalated into the deadliest episodes in the Middle East. Rocket barrages from Gaza were met with retaliatory airstrikes by Israel, displacing thousands and prompting widespread international condemnation.

“We have agreed to this ceasefire to prevent further bloodshed and suffering for our people,” said a spokesperson for Hamas, the group governing Gaza. Israeli officials confirmed the ceasefire but stressed that the agreement hinged on “absolute quiet” from Gaza.

The United Nations welcomed the truce, with Secretary-General António Guterres urging both sides to engage in meaningful dialogue to address underlying issues. “This cycle of violence will only end when both parties commit to a sustainable political solution,” Guterres remarked.

Residents expressed cautious optimism. “We are tired of war; we just want to live in peace,” said Mariam Al-Khatib, a mother of three in Gaza City. However, the region remains tense, with many fearing the fragile agreement could unravel.

As the international community continues to call for restraint, the focus shifts to ensuring that the ceasefire holds, offering a glimmer of hope for a long-term resolution to the decades-old conflict.

By Uzair Adam

The Joint Task Force of Operation Hadin Kai has announced a ban on the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states, citing heightened security risks.

The directive, issued by Air Commodore U.U. Idris, the Air Component Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, highlights concerns over the proliferation of drones for both domestic and commercial purposes.

Idris warned that unauthorized drone operations could be exploited by non-state actors and criminal groups for subversive activities.

“The widespread use of drones without proper authorization has raised serious security concerns,” Idris said in a signal obtained by Daily Trust.

He added that drones have been increasingly deployed by adversaries to target military installations and critical infrastructure.

The statement also pointed out the frequent violation of regulations by private individuals and government agencies operating drones in the region without prior clearance from the Air Component.

A recent incident on January 7, 2025, involving the interception of a drone aboard an NGO flight from Maiduguri to Monguno, has intensified concerns.

The drone is currently under investigation, further emphasizing the risks posed by unauthorized UAV activities in the area.

In response to these threats, Operation Hadin Kai has reinforced its commitment to monitoring and regulating aerial operations within the region to ensure the safety of the airspace and security of the populace.

“The ban on drone operations in the North-East Theatre remains in effect as directed by the Superior Authority,” Idris stated. “Any violation of this restriction, regardless of its scale, will be dealt with severely.”

The Air Component Commander urged stakeholders to strictly comply with the directive to mitigate security threats and safeguard the region.