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
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)NEWS
Intervention Fund: BOI Disburses N22.89bn to 29 Manufacturers
The Bank of Industry (BOI) says it has disbursed N22.89 billion out of the N75 billion manufacturing sector intervention fund to 29 manufacturers.Its Managing Director, Dr Olasupo Olusi, made this known on Monday at the first BOI interactive session with the Organised Private Sector in Abuja, which was monitored virtually.
Olusi said that out of the N75 billion manufacturing sector fund, other 20 projects valued at N6. 3billion were at different stages of disbursement. He said that the interactive session was a collaborative milestone, a reflection of shared vision to create a thriving industrial sector.According to him, it is also a critical step in driving Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) development through strategic partnerships.“Recently, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with your esteemed associations.“This agreement underscores a simple truth that we cannot transform Nigeria’s industrial landscape alone.“The journey to sustainable economic growth must be fueled by collaboration, innovation, and a shared resolve to address systemic challenges,” he said.The BOI MD said that under the signed agreement, the bank had already begun making strides through joint efforts on the Federal Government’s loans programme.He said that the event, with the theme, “Driving SME Development through Strategic Partnerships” challenged everyone to reimagine how we work together.Olusi said in practice, this meant shared responsibility as the bank’s role was not only to provide financing but also to support an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.“This includes addressing infrastructure gaps, regulatory bottlenecks, and access to markets.“However, your expertise and insights are essential to inform these efforts.“On collaborative innovation, we must work together to introduce technology, sustainability, and skills development as core pillars of SME growth.“We are concerned about your most pressing challenges, your operations, how we can further align our programmes with your needs and the innovative solutions we can pursue together to accelerate growth,” he said.Olusi urged the organised private sector to keep in mind the six thematic areas of impact that BOI was focused on in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed Hope Agenda.He listed them to include MSME development, digital transformation, youth and skills development, climate and sustainability, gender inclusion and sectoral growth.“These are not just BOI’s priorities; they are national imperatives and they require your active participation to succeed.“The Bank of Industry stands as your partner in progress, ready to support at every step of the way as together we have the potential to transform Nigeria’s economic landscape,” he said.(NAN)