The Northern Youth Development Association of Nigeria has alleged that Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has turned insecurity into a political tool, using his platform to wage a campaign of calumny against the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.Abdukadir Yusuf, the association’s National Secretary, who spoke to the press, stated that security is not—and must never be—an arena for partisan politics.

The safety and well-being of Zamfara’s citizens must be placed above personal ambition and political rivalry. According to him, Lawal has appeared on multiple television shows, making baseless accusations, all in a bid to undermine Matawalle’s reputation and hinder his efforts to contribute to national security.”Let me be clear: this is not just a personal attack on Dr. Matawalle—it is an attack on all Nigerians who desire peace, security, and good governance.”By undermining the Minister of State for Defence, the governor is not just engaging in political vendetta; he is jeopardizing the fight against insurgency, banditry, and terrorism across the nation.”This is not leadership. This is a betrayal of the trust that the people of Zamfara placed in him when they elected him to serve.”Speaking further, Yusuf said that after months of public outcry and criticism from civil society, political parties, and concerned citizens, Governor Lawal has finally reconstituted the Zamfara State Security Trust Fund—a body he abandoned shortly after taking office.This move, however, comes far too late and smacks of desperation. It is a reactionary step aimed at salvaging a damaged reputation rather than a proactive measure to combat the escalating security crisis.”While Brigadier-General Abdulkadir Gumi has been appointed as the new chairman, and a fundraising committee established under the leadership of Alhaji Sambo Garba, one must ask: where was this sense of urgency when lives were being lost, when communities were being ravaged, and when bandits were tightening their grip on the state?”The time for half-hearted measures is over. Zamfara’s people deserve more than belated actions taken under pressure.”They deserve a governor who will put their safety first and work hand-in-hand with all stakeholders, including the Federal Government, to restore peace and security.”Dauda is said to have played a pivotal role in sponsoring the large-scale protests in August and is reportedly planning another protest for October 1st. These actions, viewed as attempts to destabilize the current administration, are a cause for concern, and security agencies are urged to remain vigilant in monitoring these activities.The National Coordinator of the association, Muhammad Umar Yakubu, said that allegations have surfaced linking Governor Lawal to illegal mining activities—an industry closely tied to the financing of banditry in the region.The arrest of notorious bandit leader Bashir Hadejia and his alleged confessions have implicated the governor in these illicit operations.Additionally, there are accusations that Governor Lawal orchestrated protests against President Bola Tinubu’s administration—protests aimed at destabilizing the government while shifting blame away from his own failures in Zamfara.”Such actions are deeply troubling and demand thorough investigation. The people of Zamfara deserve to know whether their governor is complicit in the very criminal activities he claims to be fighting.If these allegations are proven true, they reveal a leader who is not only failing in his duty but actively contributing to the insecurity that has plagued our state.We must all rally behind the cause of restoring peace to Zamfara. Dr. Bello Matawalle, despite being relentlessly targeted by Governor Lawal, has remained focused on his mandate as the Minister of State for Defence.He has pledged his loyalty to President Bola Tinubu and has worked tirelessly to strengthen the nation’s security apparatus. Under his leadership, several notorious bandits, including Halilu Sububu, Kachalla Sani Black, and Kachalla Makore, have been eliminated, bringing a fragile peace to Zamfara and its neighboring states.”These achievements are not mere coincidences—they are the result of dedicated leadership and a commitment to securing the lives of the Nigerian people.”Governor Lawal would do well to follow this example. Instead of waging personal wars and engaging in political theater, he should work with the Federal Government, security agencies, and his predecessor to deliver on the promises he made to the people of Zamfara.”The 2027 elections are still years away—there is more than enough time to focus on governance, implement policies that will improve infrastructure, agriculture, education, and most importantly, security.”Let us be clear: the fight against banditry and insecurity is not a competition between politicians; it is a battle for the soul of our state and the future of our children.”We cannot afford to lose this fight. The people of Zamfara deserve a government that will protect them, create opportunities for growth and development, and uphold the principles of justice and democracy.”

Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee says it will use the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as a model in the implementation of harmonisation of taxes in the country.

The Chairman, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed this during a meeting on harmonisation of revenue administration in Abuja on Friday.

The meeting was organised by the FCT Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) for the Area Council Chairmen of the FCT.

Oyedele explained that the harmonisation and simplification of taxes would not reduce revenue as some people erroneously perceived but would enhance revenue generation.

“Harmonisation and simplification of taxes, as well achieving equity and fairness in revenue administration are critical areas of reform for our committee,” he said.

He expressed support for the steps taken by the FCT-IRS towards harmonising taxes in the territory.

He advised the FCT and other states of the federation to discourage unorthodox means of collecting taxes, levies and fees, especially on the highway, roads and streets.

He described unorthodox means of revenue collection as embarrassing and unacceptable.

The chairman advocated the use of technology in the collection of revenue, adding that it has the capacity to eradicate tax evasion, leakages and improve transparency.

He urged stakeholders to work together to ensure the success of the tax harmonisation drive.

According to him, there must be a collective will to fight the challenge of multiple taxation in the country.

Oyedele noted that the FCT had all it takes to be number one in the ease of doing business in the country, adding that all hands must be on deck to ensure its success.

In his remarks, the acting Executive Chairman, FCT-IRS, Mr Michael Ango, commended the FCT area council chairmen for their commitment to the harmonisation project.

Ango said that their determination, willingness and support was critical to achieving full tax harmonisation in FCT.

He said that the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, was committed to boosting internally generated revenue in the FCT to be able to provide infrastructure and social services to residents.

He noted that constant engagement with stakeholders in the harmonisation drive was important to ensure that all parties involved were on the same page.

The acting chairman pledged the FCT-IRS commitment to put in place a robust technology platform to ensure efficiency and transparency in revenue collection and administration.

On his part, Mr Ubokutom Nyah, Mandate Secretary, Economic Planning, Revenue Generation, and Public-Private Partnership, FCT Administration, reiterated Wike’s commitment to the harmonisation drive.

Nyah lauded FCT-IRS chairman for reviving the initiative and encouraged the area councils’ chairmen to fully support the project.

This, according to him, will ensure the success of the harmonisation of taxes in the FCT.

The Chairman, Kuje Area Council, Alhaji Abdullahi Sabo, who spoke on behalf of the councils’ chairmen, welcomed the selection of FCT as a model for tax harmonisation in the country.

Sabo pledged their support for the successful implementation of the project.

The chairman, who expressed confidence and trust in FCT-IRS capacity to collect revenues on behalf of the area councils, stressed the need for fairness and transparency in the distribution of revenue collected.

“We are happy that this is coming at a time when we have a committed and hardworking minister, who is determined to transform the FCT.

“In the last one year in office, things have changed for the better across the territory,” he said. (NAN)

The Commissioner For Insurance, Mr Olusegun Omosehin, on Friday decried the impact of inflation on the insurance industry.Omosehin, also the Chief Executive Officer(CEO), National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), raised the concern at the Insurance Meet Tech(IMT) 2024 conference held in Lagos.He said this had been a major concern for the insurance sector, adding that rising prices affect both insurers and policyholders.

The commissioner, represented by the Head, NAICOM Lagos Control Office, Mr Julius Odidi, noted that it could be difficult for insurance companies to operate profitably, especially if claims costs increase due to inflation. “To mitigate this, insurers must carefully manage their investment portfolios, adapt pricing strategies, and maintain adequate reserves.“It is critical to note that navigating the current macroeconomic realities successfully would be a natural precursor and building block for the revitalisation of theinsurance industry,” he said.Omosehin assured that NAICOM had prioritised prompt settlement of all genuine claims, fair treatment of policyholders and utmost transparency, as some of the ways to boost the insurance industry’s image and support economic growth.He noted that the commission resolved to give priority to settlement of genuine claims, as that was the fundamental reason of its existence as an industry.The commissioner stated that it was critical for insurers to embrace digitalisation.According to him, insurers must modernise their processes, enhance customer experiences through digitalchannels, and invest in technology to streamline operations.“Adapting to changing consumer behaviours and preferences is equally important, as offering online policy purchase, claims processing, and customer service can attract tech-savvy customers,” he said.(NAN)