Connect with us

NEWS

Ooni Meets VP Osinbajo, 24hrs After Meeting with Buhari

Published

on

VP Professor Yemi Osinbajo
Share
 By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

There is an indication that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi II, may have been summoned by the presidency on Friday after he had met with President Muhammadu Buhari a day earlier, and granted an interview which was widely published in the media, condemning the havoc being perpetrated by some miscreants disguising as fulani herdsmen in the southern part of the country.

The royal father’s visit to the Presidential Villa just a day after he met with the President indicated that all was not well as some people had criticised his “drums of war” comment.

The Ooni who arrived at Osinbajo’s office at about 1:35pm, went straight into the office of the Vice President.

 

The meeting is the second in two days, which may not be unconnected with his earlier comments over growing insecurity in Nigeria

It was not immediately clear why he had to meet with the Vice President, but the traditional ruler had on Thursday, after a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari told journalists that “the drums of war were sounding across the nation.”

Although the closed door meeting with the Vice President lasted for about one hour, the traditional ruler declined comments on reason for the visit.

There were, however, insinuations that he may have been summoned over the statements credited to him in the media as he simply smiled and waved at State House Correspondents who had wanted to know his mission.

Unlike the Thursday visit which took him to the President, the revered traditional ruler only stopped at the Vice President’s wing.

The Ooni had while speaking with State House correspondents on Thursday, after meeting Buhari, said that the drums of war were sounding loud across the country. 

The royal father also warned politicians in the country not to encourage anarchy by blowing issues out of proportion.

According to the traditional ruler,  “I came to speak on behalf of other traditional rulers. The issue at hand in the south west is real. The issue of insecurity, we that live in the remote and rural areas of the south western part of the country, most of the bushes are occupied by strange people and we decided to work with the government to fish them out. 

“Everybody is beating the drums of war, we don’t want war, who can stand war, we want something better for our youths. 

“We should better use them for something good other than shouting war and anarchy. We don’t want that. 

“We told the President that he is on the same page with us. Politicians should be careful not to blow things out of proportion. 

“We should make sure things are right and the President has given good directives to security chiefs including the IG to visit  all traditional institutions in the south west.” he said.

Oba Ogunlusi II pointed out that everything must be done to put all security agencies to good use as well as work with the locals to separate the bad eggs. 

His words: “We shouldn’t keep over hyping war and we still want to keep the peace in the south west. We don’t want anarchy.” he said.

The Ooni had also asked the President to fish out the perpetrators of the various crimes, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other forms of attacks going on across the country.

NEWS

Police Neutralise 6 Hoodlums, Recover Firearms in Bauchi 

Published

on

Share

The Police Command in Bauchi State, says it has neutralised six hoodlums in a crackdown against criminal elements in Ningi Local Government Area of the state.

The police operatives also recovered arms and ammunition during the operations.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Awwal Musa, stated this at a news conference on Friday in Bauchi.

“The Command neutralise six hoodlums, recover firearms and ammunition in Ningi axis.

“Apprehension of a suspect for illegal possession of two AK-47 rifles and 343 rounds of ammunition

“Mop-up of illegal firearms from public spaces and arrest of suspects in connection with criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide,” he said.

He reiterated commiment to suppress criminal activities across border communities in Alkaleri, Ningi and Toro LGAs.

According to Musa, the command is collaborating with sister security agencies and quasi security outfits enhancing community policing and partnership with local stakeholders.

“We urge all citizens to support our efforts by reporting suspicious activities promptly,” he said. (NAN)

Continue Reading

NEWS

Why Tax Reform Bills May not be Recalled – Tinubu

Published

on

Share

Proposed tax reform bills at the National Assembly will not be withdrawn, says President Bola Tinubu.

The National Economic Council (NEC) on Thursday called for the bills’ withdrawal for further consultations. 

The President, in a statement on Friday by Mr Bayo Onanuga, his Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, however, urged that the legislative process be allowed to take its course.

 

Tinubu said the legislative process, which had already begun, provided an opportunity for inputs and necessary changes without withdrawing the bills from the National Assembly.

He welcomed further consultations and engagement with key stakeholders to address any reservations about the bills while the National Assembly considered them for passage.

The statement read: “When President Tinubu set up the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy Reform in August 2023, he had only one objective.

“This is to reposition the economy for better productivity and efficiency and make the operating environment for investment and businesses more conducive.

“This objective remains more critical even today than ever before.”

The committee worked for over a year and received inputs from various segments of society across the geopolitical zones.

Inputs were received from trade associations, professional bodies, various MDAs, governors, traders, students, business owners and the organised private sector.

“The tax reform bills that emerged were distilled from the extensive work of the Presidential Committee.

“The tax bills before the National Assembly aim to streamline Nigeria’s tax administration processes, completely overhaul the nation’s tax operations, and align them with global best practices,” the statement read in part.

The tax reform bills include the Nigeria Tax Bill, which seeks to eliminate multiple taxation and make Nigeria’s economy more competitive by simplifying tax obligations for businesses and individuals nationwide.

The Nigeria Tax Administration Bill (NTAB) proposes new rules governing the administration of all taxes in the country.

Its objective is to harmonise tax administrative processes across federal, state and local jurisdictions to ease taxpayers’ compliance and enhance the revenue for all tiers of government.

The Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) seeks to re-establish the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) to better reflect its mandate as the revenue agency for the entire federation, not just the Federal Government.

The Joint Revenue Board Establishment proposes creating a Joint Revenue Board to replace the Joint Tax Board, covering federal and all state tax authorities.

The fourth bill will also establish the Office of Tax Ombudsman under the Joint Revenue Board, protecting taxpayers’ interests and facilitating dispute resolution.

The statement read: “The bills’ overarching objective is to effectively coordinate federal, state, and local tax authorities, thereby eliminating the overlapping responsibilities, confusion, and inefficiency that have plagued tax administration in Nigeria for decades.

“Under existing laws, taxes like Company Income Tax, Personal Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Petroleum Profits Tax, Tertiary Education Tax, Value-Added and other taxing provisions in numerous laws are administered separately, with individual legislative frameworks.” 

The proposed reforms seek to consolidate these numerous taxes, integrating them and excise duties into a unified structure to reduce administrative fragmentation.

“While there may be differences in approach or specific provisions of the new tax bills, what is not in contention is the need to review our tax laws and how we administer them to serve our overall national development agenda.

“President Tinubu will continue to respect and welcome the advice and recommendations of the National Economic Council, an essential constitutional organ of government on economic matters,” the statement read. (NAN)

Continue Reading

NEWS

Minister, NMA Hail NSA, Security Forces over Rescue of Kaduna Doctor

Published

on

Share

Dr Tunji Alausa, former Minister of State for Health and Social Development, has commended the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), for rescuing Dr Ganiyat Popoola and her nephew.

Alausa also commended the military and other security agencies for the safe rescue of the kidnapped victims after 10 months in captivity.

Alausa, now Minister of Education, gave the commendation when the rescued victims got reunited with their family by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

on Friday in Abuja.

He thanked President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to the safety and security of all citizens, as well as the NSA for facilitating the release of Dr Popoola without ransom.

According to him, President Bola Tinubu has invested so much resources in making the country safe.

“As we can see, security is significantly better all across the country but we are not there yet but it is going to continue to get better.

“I will also like to thank the entire armed forces for working so hard to secure the release of Dr. Popoola.

“More importantly, the NSA, who continuously reassures us that Dr. Popoola is alive in spite of being in captivity for about 10 months,” he said.

Alausa said that Popoola and her nephew have been released without any bad occurrences.

“This shows the skills of our armed forces, they did this without paying ransom and they secured the release of  Popoola and her nephew.

“The country Nigeria is forever grateful to them,” he said.

The minister also thanked the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) for their perseverance, trust in the government and persistence in ensuring the safe release of their colleague.

He urged all Nigerians to join hands with the security forces to fight insecurity in the country, adding that the challenges should be seen as Nigeria’s.

On his part, the President of NMA, Dr Bala Audu, described the rescue of Popoola along with her nephew as a miraculous outcome that all Nigerian doctors and indeed all Nigerians were happy with.

Audu acknowledged the specific efforts and persistence of all Nigerian doctors through NARD and the persistence of the Minister of Health in reaching out to the ONSA.

Also, the President of NARD, Dr Tope Osundare, expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for the support and concern for all the doctors all over the country.

Osundare said the collaborative efforts of the government agencies and institutions in synergy with NMA, ensured the release of Dr Popoola.

“We were emotionally traumatised as a body, we had our meetings, we had our protests and we had the reassurance.

“That is why our thanks go to the President and the NSA for all that they have done to ensure the release of Dr Poppola out of captivity.

“Today we are celebrating and we are happy that she is out of this captivity because I can imagine what she has gone through within that period of over 10 months.

“Today we want to appreciate God and appreciate everyone that has been involved,” he said.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had earlier in the day confirmed the rescue of Popoola and other victims through non-kinetic operations in a series of operations with other security agencies.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, in a statement, said that the details of their release had remained classified due to ongoing operations. (NAN)

Continue Reading

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

POLITICS4 hours ago

Rivers APC Chair Proffers Solution to State Political Crisis

Share Caretaker Committee Chairman of APC in Rivers, Chief Tony Okocha, says unless Gov. Siminalayi Fubara abides by the law,...

NEWS4 hours ago

Police Neutralise 6 Hoodlums, Recover Firearms in Bauchi 

Share The Police Command in Bauchi State, says it has neutralised six hoodlums in a crackdown against criminal elements in...

NEWS4 hours ago

Why Tax Reform Bills May not be Recalled – Tinubu

ShareProposed tax reform bills at the National Assembly will not be withdrawn, says President Bola Tinubu. The National Economic Council...

NEWS4 hours ago

Minister, NMA Hail NSA, Security Forces over Rescue of Kaduna Doctor

Share Dr Tunji Alausa, former Minister of State for Health and Social Development, has commended the Office of the National...

NEWS4 hours ago

TCN Restores Bulk Power Supply to  Gombe-Damaturu-Maiduguri Line

Share The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says it has restored full power supply through the Gombe-Damaturu- Maiduguri 330 Kilo...

Uncategorized4 hours ago

IDPs: Zamfara Gets $2.5m Humanitarian Aid from Saudi Arabia

Share Zamfara Government said it has received $2.5million from Saudi Arabian Donor Agency to support internally displaced persons with humanitarian...

NEWS4 hours ago

HCI: Nigeria to Join 80 Top Countries – VP

Share Vice-President Kashim Shettima has pledged the Federal Government’s resolve to position Nigeria among the top 80 countries on the...

NEWS4 hours ago

Nigeria Sets January 2025 for $5bn Africa Energy Bank Take Off

ShareThe Federal Government has set Jan. 28, 2025 as the deadline for the operationalisation of the five billion dollars Africa...

NEWS4 hours ago

Abia Govt. Promises to Fix Failed Portions of Osisioma Flyover

Share Gov. Alex Otti of Abia says that plans are underway to rehabilitate the failed portions of the Osisioma flyover, near...

NEWS5 hours ago

Funding Critical for Successful Amnesty Programme – Diri

Share Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa has called for better funding of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) for it to...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc