News

By Uzair Adam

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to implementing tax reforms, emphasizing their importance for Nigeria’s economic transformation.

The Daily Reality reports that the president made this assertion during his first presidential media chat on Monday night in Lagos State.

The proposed reforms, encapsulated in several bills before the National Assembly, include the Nigeria Tax Bill, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill.

Despite facing backlash, particularly from Northern leaders, and prompting calls for further consultation, Tinubu defended the reforms as being pro-poor and aimed at restructuring outdated colonial tax structures.

“Tax reform is here to stay,” Tinubu stated, adding, “In today’s economy, we cannot continue to rely on outdated systems.

“The essence of these reforms is to eliminate colonial-based assumptions in our tax environment. The vulnerable will not be subjected to taxation.”

Addressing concerns about the controversial Value-Added Tax sharing model, the President expressed his willingness to engage in negotiations but insisted that the reforms would proceed.

“Tax matters are subjects of debate, reviews, and negotiations until consensus is reached,” he said.

Tinubu also remarked that good leadership requires decisive actions at critical moments.

“The hallmark of a good leader is the ability to do what you have to do when it needs to be done. That is my philosophy,” he added.

The proposed tax reforms aim to create a fairer tax system, though Tinubu acknowledged that they might not be universally accepted.

By Uzair Adam

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed the necessity of his administration’s decision to remove the fuel subsidy, describing it as an unavoidable step to secure Nigeria’s economic stability.

During his first presidential media chat on Monday night, Tinubu maintained, “I have no regrets whatever removing subsidies. It was necessary.”

The President explained that the subsidy system was unsustainable and akin to jeopardizing the nation’s future for immediate gratification.

“We were not investing; we were just deceiving ourselves. The reform was necessary. We cannot have expenditures we don’t have revenue for,” he stated, urging Nigerians to embrace fiscal discipline and prudent financial management.

“Cut your coat according to your size,” Tinubu advised, adding that the removal was imperative to ensure a sustainable future for upcoming generations.

He acknowledged the challenges posed by the reform, including resistance from smugglers, and emphasized the need for stringent enforcement and structural adjustments.

“I can see smugglers fighting back,” Tinubu remarked, vowing to address these challenges through necessary reforms and strong measures.

The President also extended his condolences to the families of victims of recent stampede incidents at a charity event, calling for improved organization and contingency planning to avoid similar tragedies.

“It is sad that people are not respected or are abused in situations like this. If you don’t have enough to give, don’t publicise it,” he said, urging event organisers to prioritise safety and crowd control.

Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to making difficult but essential decisions, asserting, “No matter how you phase it, you still have to meet the bill.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Kaduna State Peace Commission has declared 2024 as a peaceful year free from all kinds of violence.KSPC’s executive vice-chairman, Sale Momale, disclosed this during a meeting jointly organised by the commission and the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), facilitated by AID Foundation in Kaduna.

He said there was no single record of conflict between herders and farmers, and there was no politically-induced violence even during the local government and by-elections of Kaduna.Mr Momale added that there was no violent confrontation bordering chieftaincy disputes or violence over boundary matters.

“We salute and appreciate the people of Kaduna state for making this possible, including our various stakeholders that have worked very hard to make this a practical reality.

“The major challenge in terms of peace and security are the activities of criminal groups and gangs, which are a national and regional dilemma in which the worst affected states in the country are in the North-West geopolitical zone,” he said.

Mr Momale explained that Katsina and Kaduna, as well as Zamfara and Niger, were having the highest issues related to criminal activities by bandits and other associated militant groups.

Mr Momale said despite these issues, the commission has been engaging the state and federal governments and was hopeful that the issues would be addressed soon.

He urged faith-based organisations, NGOs, and the Network of Peace Journalists to collaborate with the commission to campaign to end banditry in Kaduna.

Mr Momale commended the government’s effort to bring peace to Birnin Gwari LGA, saying such efforts should be replicated in other council areas plagued by banditry.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has established a Tax Reform Committee to tackle the challenges of taxation in Nigeria, especially the four proposed tax bills currently undergoing legislation. 

The committee, chaired by Senator Ahmed Muhammad Makarfi, former Governor of Kaduna State, comprises members with diverse expertise in finance, law, taxation and economics.

Other members of the committee include:

Dr. Mansur Mukhtar former Minister of Finance, Dr. Yerima Ngama, former Minister of State Finance, Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN, Prof. Kabir Isa Dandago, Gambo Hamza, Kabiru M Ahmed, Mouftah Baba-Ahmed, Tajuddeen A Dantata, Chris Umar SAN and Abdullahi Ali Gombe, mni

The establishment of the Tax Reform Committee is a significant step towards addressing the tax challenges facing the region and Nigeria as a whole. 

The committee’s recommendations are expected to contribute to developing a more effective tax system in the country.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has been recognized for its vital contribution to Nigeria’s economic recovery, with expectations that the agency will play a central role in achieving the Federal Government’s ambitious ₦48 trillion budget target for 2025.

Speaking at the 61st quarterly board meeting of the NCS on December 18, 2024, at the Customs House in Maitama, Abuja, the Minister of Finance, Mr. Olawale Edun, praised the agency’s performance.

The meeting followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent presentation of the 2025 budget to the National Assembly, labeled “A Budget of Restoration.”

The budget projects ₦35 trillion in revenue, with the NCS having already generated over ₦5 trillion by November 2024. Commending the agency’s efforts, Mr. Edun stated, “The NCS and other revenue bodies have performed remarkably well,” attributing their success to reforms initiated by President Tinubu.

To cover the remaining ₦13 trillion in the proposed budget, Mr. Edun revealed that the government plans to secure concessionary loans, grants, and development support.During the board meeting, the NCS’s achievements in 2024 were reviewed, and the recruitment of 3,927 officers was approved.

Special promotions were also granted to top-performing personnel to address manpower gaps and improve trade facilitation.

“The NCS has excelled in suppressing smuggling and fostering trade, crucial for growth and job creation,” the Minister noted.

Mr. Edun concluded by urging Customs officers to maintain their commitment to national objectives, emphasizing the agency’s pivotal role in reducing poverty and driving economic growth.

By Anwar Usman

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has sought the Central Bank’s clarification on the dismissal of about 1,000 staff members and the subsequent payment of a N50bn compensation package to the disengaged persons.

The speaker made the demands while declaring open an investigative hearing of the Ad-hoc Committee of the House, investigating the CBN’s termination/dismissal of members of staff on Friday in Abuja.

Recall that the CBN explained earlier that its Early Exit Package for staff is voluntary and that participation is not mandatory.

In a statement, the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs Hakama Sidi-Ali, assured staff and the public that no employee would be forced into early retirement under the scheme.

“The Central Bank of Nigeria has dismissed assertion of forced mass retirements, explaining that its Early Exit Package is entirely voluntary and without any negative repercussions for eligible staff”, the statement partly read.

However, Abbas tasked the panel chaired by the Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Bello Kumo, with probing the rationale behind the decision, particularly in light of the country’s current economic challenges.

Speaker Abbas, represented at the event by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, reiterated the need for transparency in the matter, explaining that the welfare and rights of the affected employees must be safeguarded.

Abbas also charged the committee to examine the process by which the N50bn severance package was determined.

In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Livinus Nwabughiogu on Saturday quoted Abbas as saying, “The committee has been tasked with examining several critical aspects of this issue. First, we aim to understand the rationale behind the decision to lay off over 1,000 staff members, particularly during these challenging economic times. The impact of such a significant workforce reduction on individuals, their families, and the broader economy cannot be overlooked.

“Moreover, the committee will investigate the process through which the N50bn severance package was determined. We must find out whether the principles of due diligence, fairness and due process were strictly adhered to in arriving at this figure. Transparency in such matters is key to maintaining public trust and ensuring the integrity of our institutions.”

Abas called on the apex bank and other affected government agencies to cooperate fully with the investigation so that the panel could discharge its mandate.

By Uzair Adam

Kano State Government has announced plans to prosecute tax defaulters beginning in 2025 as part of comprehensive reforms aimed at enhancing tax administration and compliance.

The disclosure was made in a statement issued by Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, spokesperson for Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, on Saturday in Kaduna.

Dr. Zaid Abubakar, Executive Chairman of the Kano State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS), shared the update during a presentation to the Governor at a High-Level Retreat for top government officials.

According to the statement, the reforms are not intended to increase tax rates but to improve the efficiency of tax collection and ensure strict adherence to regulations.

Dr. Abubakar also revealed that the state is projecting revenue generation of over twenty billion naira per quarter in 2025, which would amount to more than eighty billion naira annually.

The statement highlighted that under Governor Yusuf’s administration, a significant restructuring of KIRS has already yielded positive results in the third and fourth quarters of 2024.

The Governor’s decision to replace the previous leadership of the revenue service and implement a new management structure was credited with improving the agency’s performance. Additionally, a new model for tax collection will be introduced in 2025.

This approach is expected to significantly boost revenue and support the government’s efforts to fulfill campaign promises across critical sectors of development.

By Uzair Adam 

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has confirmed the death of ten people, including four children, following a stampede during a food distribution event at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama. 

The incident, which also left eight others injured, occurred early on Saturday, December 21, 2024.  

The distribution of food items was intended to assist vulnerable and elderly individuals but tragically resulted in a chaotic scene around 6:30 a.m. 

According to a statement signed by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, four of the injured have already been treated and discharged, while the remaining victims are still receiving medical attention.  

Expressing condolences to the families of the deceased, the Police Command called for increased caution in organizing such events to prevent future tragedies.  

“To prevent such unfortunate incidents, all organizations, religious bodies, and groups planning public gatherings in the FCT are directed to notify the Police Command in advance to ensure adequate security measures are in place,” the statement read.  

The Command warned that failure to comply with this directive would lead to holding organizers accountable for any loss of life or injuries caused by negligence.  

The Police also reiterated their commitment to protecting lives and property in the FCT and urged residents to report emergencies through the control room lines provided: 0803 200 3913 or 0806 032 1234.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has clarified that directing curses at individuals online is a criminal offense under the law.

He explained that this behavior is considered cyberbullying and cannot be justified as freedom of expression or constructive criticism.

In his statement, he noted: “Raining direct curses on someone online is cyberbullying, not expression of freedom or criticism. And cyberbullying, which is even different from defamation, is a criminal offense and punishable. Be guided.”

This statement comes amid discussions among netizens about the defamation case involving Nigerian singer Burna Boy and his colleague Speed Darlington, with some questioning whether the offense committed by Speed Darlington qualifies as a criminal act.

Reacting to Adejobi’s statement, one X user commented:@felabayomi: “When does raining curses become a crime? I look forward to the day someone will challenge these laws they are using to take away people’s human rights in the Supreme Court. Late Gani Fawehinmi would have challenged that law by now.”

Another user, @omoopee_, agreed with the FPRO:“You are absolutely right, sir. Raining curses and engaging in cyberbullying is not freedom of expression but an act of harm. We must all learn to express ourselves responsibly. That said, sir, please, you are yet to respond to my question.”