NEWS
Northern Govs, Monarchs Meet in Kaduna over VAT, Open Grazing
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Governors and traditional rulers of the 19 Northern States yesterday converged in Kaduna for an emergency meeting on open grazing ban and Value Added Tax (VAT).
The closed-door meeting was expected to discuss and take position on the Value Added Tax (VAT) and ban on Open Grazing by Southern Governors and the security challenges bedevilling the region
The governors, on arrival at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, went straight into a closed-door meeting before the expanded one, which included the traditional rulers
Speaking at the opening of the meeting, Chairman Northern Governors Forum and Plateau Governor, Simon Lalong, who chaired the meeting, said the Forum took a critical look at burning national issues which included the Value Added Tax and others and take decisions that would affect the region positively.
“My dear colleagues, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted to welcome you once again to Kaduna, the headquarters of our region as we deliberate on issues relating to the peace, progress and development of our people and the nation at large. I believe that this meeting will afford us the opportunity to look into various issues closely.
“I welcome most especially His Eminence Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, Chairman of the Northern Council of Traditional Rulers, and other Royal Fathers for sparing time to attend this very important emergency meeting.
“Today’s meeting is essentially to get an update on the progress made so far on some of those items particularly on addressing insecurity which is still a major concern in the region. We shall therefore take stock of how far we have gone in tackling banditry, kidnapping and insurgency and also chart the way forward.
“In addition, we shall also take a critical look at some new national issues that have emerged over the recent months and weeks with a view to coming up with a position of the region as well as adopting the best possible approach to ensuring that the interest of the region is protected and promoted. Key among them is the issue of Value Added Tax collection and the surrounding controversy.
“As usual, I look forward to robust contributions from all members that will lead us to arrive at very meaningful conclusions that will impact positively on the fortunes of our people. Once again I welcome you to this meeting and look forward to successful deliberations,” he said.
The host, Governor Nasir El-Rufai, lamented that the region was grappling with serious challenges such as economic, insecurity and that of federalism which needed urgent attention and solutions.
The Chairman, Northern Traditional Council and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar lll, who led the region’s monarchs to the meeting, noted that Nigerians are expecting a lot from the meeting of the regional governors, urging the Forum to reflect on the last meeting and how far its resolution had been implemented.
Sultan commended some of the Governors in the region that had done well in tackling insecurity, noting that the monarchs were ever ready to partner with the governors to move the region forward in areas of tackling poverty and illiteracy.
Governors in attendance at the meeting were: Nasir El-Rufai(Kaduna); Simon Lalong (Plateau); Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto); Aminu Bello Masari (Katsina); Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi); Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe); Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa); Babagana Zulum (Borno) and Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa).
Also present were Deputy Governors of Kwara, Kano, Benue, Kogi as well as the Secretary to the governments of the 19 Northern States.
NEWS
GTP Wants Organised Labour Give Attention to Issues Aside Salary, Fuel
The Chief Consultant of Global Transport Policy (GTP), Dr Segun Musa, has urged the organised labour to pay attention to other laws and policies of governments aside those relating to salary and fuel.
Musa said this on Friday in Lagos State during a one-day training on emotional intelligence and leadership skills for leaders of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), Lagos State chapters.
He said that the purpose of the training for labour leaders was because they led the workforce of Nigeria.
” I see you as a formidable team that can change the arrative of Nigeria. The role you play is crucial. You must train those coming behind you on labour matters.
“Organised labour must not be seen as if it is only when there is increase in fuel price or issues with worker’s salary that the settled in.
“Government brings out policies regularly, you must x-ray and speak to the issues by giving out constructive advice.
“Even when the policy does not affect the workforce, once it affects any sector of the economy and persons, it should be of concern to you,” he urged.
The GTP chief further said that the organised labour should also be interested in laws enacted by the national and state assemblies.
Musa called for attitudinal change by operators in all sectors of the economy, saying that development would be facilitated with the right attitudes by all players.
He said that the training, the fifth in a series, was part of GTP’s efforts to improve relationships between workers and organisations in the general interest of Nigeria.
The Vice Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Lagos State Chapter, Mr Olabisi Idowu, said that the workshop was welcome and timely.
“We need the training as labour leaders. The main subject of the training is emotional intelligence.
“How we can improve the economic situation in the country as leaders with emotional intelligence is good.
“For us to embark on any struggle now as labour leaders, I am well-informed on what to do and what to say to members and managements of organisations,” he said.
Mr Gbenga Okundayo, Chairman of TUC in Lagos State, commended GTP for the training on conflict resolution and leadership with emphasis on emotional intelligence.
” it is very important that we improve on our emotional intelligence and leadership skills. We manage our feelings first before we can manage others’.
” It is emotional intelligence that will tell you what to do, how to do it and where and when to do it.
“We are going to escalate this training for other leaders and members in Lagos,” he said.
Report says that about 40 labour leaders attended the training. (NAN)
NEWS
Military kills over 101 Terrorists, Nabs Commander, 182 others
The Defence Headquarters says troops have eliminated 101 terrorists, apprehended a terrorist commander, Usman Maisaje, and 182 others in different operations across the country in the last one week.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known in a statement on the operations of the armed forces on Friday in Abuja.
Buba said the troops also rescued 157 kidnapped hostages, adding that Maisaje was a close associate of a wanted high profile terrorist leader, Kachalla Boka.
According to him, the arrest has been rewarding in intelligence value as he is cooperating and providing troops with much needed information for further operations.
He said that the troops recovered 71 assorted weapons, and 1,463 assorted ammunition comprising 50 AK-47 rifles, 16 fabricated rifles, five dane guns, five pump action guns and 16 AK-47 magazines.
“Others are 784 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 403 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 164 rounds 7.62 x 39mm ammo, 53 rounds of 9mm ammo, 67 live cartridges, one baofeng radio, 19 vehicles, 23 motorcycles, 35 mobile phones amongst other items.”
In the North East, Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai, neutralised 54 terrorists, apprehended 71 suspects and rescued 39 kidnapped hostages within the week.
He added that troops recovered cache of arms, while a total of 74 terrorists comprising 7 adult males, 17 adult females and 44 children surrendered within the theatre of operations.
He said the air component conducted air interdiction on terrorists hibernating in Bukar Meram around Tumbuns, neutralising several terrorists while their structures and logistics were destroyed.
In the North Central, Buba said the troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke neutralised 12 violent extremists, arrested 42 violent extremists, and rescued 56 kidnapped hostages.
In the North West, he said the troops of Operations Hadarin Daji and Whirl Punch, eliminated 28 terrorists, arrested 57 terrorists and rescued 44 kidnapped hostages as well as recovered large cache of weapons.
He added that the air component also conducted air interdictions on notorious terrorists kingpin, Malam Yaddi, enclave and terrorists hibernating in enclaves at Jan Birnin in Birni Gwari area of Kaduna State killing several.
In the Niger Delta, Buba said the troops of Operation Delta Safe discovered and destroyed 60 illegal refining sites with four dugout pits, 48 boats, 52 drums and 38 storage tanks.
He added that 55 cooking ovens, two speedboats, one tricycle, six mobile phones, and vehicles were recovered.
He said the troops also recovered 712,535 litres of stolen crude oil, 76,800 litres of illegally refined diesel as well as arrested 45 perpetrators of oil theft.
In the South East, Buba said the troops of Operation UDO KA neutralised seven terrorists, apprehended 12 violent extremists and rescued 18 kidnapped hostages within the week.
“The military will not relent on its plan to kill terrorists and destroy the infrastructure that support them.
“We will increasingly degrade the terrorist military capability and effectiveness through our operations,” he said. (NAN)
NEWS
Naira Gains 3.59%, Closes at N1,600.78 to Dollar
The Naira strengthened on Friday, closing the week at N1,600.78 to the dollar in the official market.
Data from the FMDQ Exchange, which oversees the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM), showed that the Naira appreciated by N59.71, a 3.59 per cent gain compared to Thursday’s rate of N1,660.
49 per dollar.Also, total daily turnover increased to 350.
72 million dollars on Friday, up from 330. 18 million dollars on Thursday.At the Investors and Exporters (I&E) window, the Naira traded between N1,671.50 and N1,592 against the dollar.(NAN)