NEWS
Shettima, Akpabio, Abbas, Obi, Senators Storm Kano for Sen. Barau’s Son’s Wedding
From Longtong Yakubu, Kano
The ancient city of Kano was agog weekend as Vice President, Senator Kashim Shetima, President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, presidential flag bearer of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, Governors, Senators and other dignitaries graced the wedding of Sen.
Barau Jibrin’s son in Kano.The wedding Fatiah between Abdullahi Barau Jibrin(Amir) and Bilkisu Aliyu Sani Madaki, the daughter of the Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rep Aliyu Sani Madaki, took place at the Isyaka Rabiu Juma’at Mosque, Goron Dutse, in Kano after the juma’at prayers on Friday.
The Chief Imam of the mosque, Sheikh Abdullahi Mahmud Salga tied the knot between the couple after a dowry of N500,000 was paid.
In a speech shortly after the wedding ceremony, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the presence of Peter Obi at the wedding ceremony as signs of a united Nigeria.
According to him, the wedding ceremony, which had in attendance so many high profile personalities shows that Senator Barau Jibrin is a peaceful Man and man of the People.
“You can see that, even the LP Presidential Candidate Peter Obi and his People are here, this tells you that Nigeria will remain united as one entity.”
Akpabio however, admonished the newly wedded couple to leave in Peace, love and also tolerate one another.
(2)Isese: Relocate Kwara State Capital to Neutral Ground, OPC Advises FG
From Alfred Babs, Ilorin
Oodua People congress (OPC) has advised the Federal Government to relocate Kwara state capital from Ilorin to a neutral ground that is away from the present location if the Muslims refuse to accommodate people of other religions.
The state coordinator of OPC, New Era in Kwara state Comrade Bayo Fabiyi made this suggestion in a statement as a way settling the impasse between Isese people and Muslim clerics in Ilorin.
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The OPC coordinator in a statement on Sunday, explained that there were several areas in the state, which included the entire Kwara South, North and some parts of the north of the state where they practice Isese traditional religion and other religions as well as Islam without confrontation.
“There are Muslims in other places co- habiting with their Isese and other religious brothers without crises or disturbances.
“Therefore, if Ilorin is the only place where Isese becomes a challenge, the status of Ilorin as a state capital should be changed while the ancient town can be allowed to remain purely Islamic place because of all towns in Kwara, only Ilorin is where Islamic extremism thrives.
Fabiyi said that while he would advice all Isese people never to fight or kick against the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, as a Royal father over all, he also advised that Muslim clerics follow the “deenukum waliya deen” Principle of Islam and allow Isese people to practice their religion without troubling or causing intrusion into their mode of worship.
He criticized the Muslim fundamentalists who ignored several other serious issues such as cultism and other issues of insecurity but chose to selectively face Isese group that are just practicing their religion without hindering the peace of others.
Fabiyi also reiterated that insecurity in Kwara was occasioned by the admittance of Fulanis who were displaced from Igangan in Oyo state into Ilorin.
He lamented that against his earlier warnings when Abubakar Iskail was not heeded that the group when chased from Igangan in Oyo state would settle down in Ilorin, but nobody yielded his advice.
The OPC coordinator lamented that he raised this alarm long ago about the impending danger of allowing the man to take abode in Kwara state “but no one in the security architecture of Kwara state listened to him.”
He advised that the only way to end insecurity in Kwara is by nipping it in the bud and chase intruding Herdsmen who allegedly involved in kidnapping be chased out of KWARA.
NEWS
Bobrisky, Beta Edu, Shallipopi, Ogechi Lyrics Lead Google Search
Google, on Tuesday, unveiled the ‘2024 Year in Search’ for Nigeria with Bobrisky, Beta Edu, Shallipopi, and Ogechi lyrics leading the trends search.The Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Google West Africa, Mr Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, said in a statement that the 2024 Year in Search offered a unique lens into the questions, interests that shaped the lives of Nigerians.
Report says that Google’s Year in Search is an annual analysis that reveals the top trending lists and also spotlights what the world searches to see, learn, and do. Kola-Ogunlade said that that the trends showcased the most popular searches, notable individuals, actors, musicians, topics, questions, and other subjects that captured Nigerians’ attention during the year.“The trending personality search in 2024 national was led by Bobrisky followed by Beta Edu, global search was Donald Trump, while search on death included Junior Pope, Herbert Wigwe among other searches.He said from cultural milestones to pressing concerns, these insights reflect how search continues to be a valuable tool for users to navigate and better understand their world.‘’This year, Nigerians continued to demonstrate a strong interest in entertainment with movies like “A Tribe Called Judah”, “Treasure In The Sky”, and “Damsel”, topping the movie charts.‘’The top television series that captured the interest of Nigerian netizens included “Supacell”, “My Demon”, and “Queen of Tears”.“In the culinary world, Nigerians explored diverse recipes, with “Pornstar Martini recipe” leading the searches.‘’In Nigeria, this year’s results show a continued interest in the political and economic landscape, with searches related to the U.S. elections, the new national anthem, and the national grid topping the news category in this order,’’ he said.According to him, Nigerians were also curious about personalities like Bobrisky, who led the trending people’s list this year.Kola-Ogunlade said that the music scene in 2024 was marked by a surge in popularity for artistes like Shallipopi and Khaid, who also featured prominently in the overall personalities list.He said that the top trending song was “”I Don’t Care” by Boy Spyce”, followed closely by “Ozeba” and “Commas” by Ayra.The communications manager said that Nigerians also showed a keen interest in understanding the lyrics of various songs, with “Ogechi” , “Ozeba”, and “Omemma” by Chandler Moore, eading the searches in the lyrics category.According to him, concerns about personal well-being and global events were also reflected in search trends which include “How much is dollar to Naira today” and “Who won the U.S. presidential election?”.He highlighted other trending news search to include United States election, new National Anthem, national grid, and minimum wages. (NAN)NEWS
NOA to Translate Tax Reform Bills in 36 Local Languages – Official
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), says it will translate the proposed tax reform bills and other critical national issues into 36 Nigerian languages, to enhance public understanding and engagement.The Director-General of the agency, Lanre Issa-Onilu said this at a town hall meeting on Tuesday in Maiduguri.
He was represented by Inuwa Yusuf-Kobi, Director, Personnel, Research and Statistics, NOA headquarters, Abuja. Issa-Onilu said the initiative would counter misinformation and promote better understanding of the tax reform,designed to simplify tax system, eliminate multiple taxation, and ease the burden on low-income Nigerians. According to him, misinformation on social media has led to the politicisation of the tax reform bills, and stressed the need for public enlightenment through local languages and community engagement.“We have started translating the bills into 36 Nigerian languages, and engaging people through radio programmes in local dialects, including Kanuri, Hausa, and English. We are also distributing pamphlets to ensure everyone understands the bills,” he said.He highlighted the ongoing media engagements, including phone-in programmes on stations like Al-Barka Radio and Eagle Radio, as part of efforts to provide clarity and allow citizens to ask questions directly.The NOA helmsman said the proposed reforms would address multiple taxation, especially in public places such as motor parks, where transport owners reportedly pay up to six different taxes to unions and agencies.“The bill seeks to establish a single tax-collecting authority, relieving citizens of the burden of paying taxes to multiple agencies. This will also ensure transparency and accountability in tax collection,” he said.He said the tax reform would exempt individuals earning less than N100,000 from paying taxes, while small traders and low-income workers would benefit from reduced tax rates.“Currently, many Nigerians are overburdened by high taxes. For example, as a director, I pay over N200,000 in income tax. If this law is passed, such burdens will be significantly reduced, allowing workers to enjoy more of their earnings. “This law will centralise tax collection, reduce leakages and ensure that funds are used for national development,” he said.Issa-Onilu said the agency was engaging civil society organisations, traditional rulers and religious leaders in town hall meetings to sensitise them to the benefits of the tax reform.“The feedback from these meetings has been positive. Many citizens now understand that the reforms are designed to improve their living conditions and promote fairness in the tax system,” he said.He urged stakeholders and citizens to support the reforms, adding that public sensitisation would continue through various platforms to ensure widespread awareness. (NAN)NEWS
NSCDC Stages Sensitisation Walk Against Vandalism of National Assets in Edo
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Edo on Tuesday staged on a walk to educate the public on the importance of protecting national assets and infrastructure from being vandalised.Mr Gbenga Agun, State Commandant of the NSCDC, who led the sensitisation walk, said it was meant to intimate the public of its role in ensuring the protection of the assets at all levels.
“It is to sensitise the people on the importance of guiding our properties, that is, critical national assets and infrastructure from being vandalised,” he said. Agun pointed out that protecting national assets was a collective responsibility because it encompassed everyone.According to him, vandalism can be natural or man-made, and that the economic situation in the country can push some people to engage in destructive activities.The NSCDC boss, however, encouraged the public to report cases of vandalism at any of the divisional offices in all local governments or the outpost stations.Also speaking, Mr Sule Muhammed, Head of Department, Critical National Assets and Infrastructure of the command, called for intelligence sharing on vandalism of any national assets for prompt action.Report says that the walk, which featured the distribution of leaflets to motorists, shop owners, and passersby, began from the command headquarters at the Blessed Avenue in Benin and covered several major roads in the city. (NAN)