The Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Oludaisi Elemide, on Tuesday, stepped down a motion asking for the suspension of former Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo for 14 legislative days.

The motion was moved by the member representing Abeokuta North State Constituency, Dr Babatunde Tella, and co-sponsored by five other lawmakers.

The PUNCH reports that the former Speaker was last month removed by 18 out of 26 lawmakers over allegations bordering on financial misappropriation, high-handedness, gross misconduct, arrogance, poor leadership style, lack of focus and transparency, and pitting members against one another.

Oluomo, however, described his removal as illegal, saying that he had instituted a suit at the state high court to challenge his impeachment.

Ruling on the motion after it was debated by all the other co-sponsors, Elemide pleaded with his colleagues to consider the efforts of Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration in conjunction with the legislature in turning around the state for the better.

The Speaker explained that although Oluomo violated the regulations of the House, the present leadership would be magnanimous in always upholding the sanity of the institution, being the symbol of democracy.

Earlier, Tella, who is also the Assembly’s Deputy Chief Whip, opened the debate on the motion and condemned Oluomo.

“Note that by taking this House to the court of law, he had shown a clear manifestation of an unfriendly disposition and disregard for the laws and statutes guiding the operations of this House,” he said.

The Assembly later observed a minute silence in honour of the late artist and cultural icon, Pa Jimi Solanke, who passed away on Monday at age 81 years.

Kogi State Government has raised the alarm over what it described as a desperate attempt by ‘criminals masquerading as politicians’ to tarnish the image of the immediate past governor of the state, Yahaya Bello, through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The government in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, wondered why the EFCC had, in an amended charge, accused the former governor of diverting Kogi State government’s funds in September 2015, four months before he assumed the position of a governor.

Fanwo said this was not only laughable but also portrayed the EFCC as an agency infested with persons whose intents disagreed with the noble intention of Mr. President to defeat corruption in Nigeria.

A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information in Kogi State, Kingsley Fanwo, said: “The fact that the EFCC, in charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/550/2022: FRN V. 1. Ali Bello 2. Dauda Suleiman, currently pending before Justice J.K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division further amended the ‘Amended Charge’ to include in the count, the name of Yahaya Bello, describing him as being “at large”, is ridiculous, laughable and portrays the EFCC as an agency infested with persons whose intents disagree with the noble intention of Mr. President to defeat corruption in Nigeria.

“Being ‘at large’ of course means that a person is evading arrest or is on the run and cannot be found after an attempt to arrest. For the sake of clarity, the original charge is against Ali Bello and Dauda Suleiman, Ali’s associate.

”The offence which Yahaya Bello is alleged to have committed upon which he has been named in the count is conspiracy to convert the total sum of N80,246,470,089.88 which offence is said to have occurred on or about September 2015 in Abuja.

”His co-conspirators according to the count are Abdulsalami Hudu (Kogi State Government House cashier) described as being ‘at large’ too, Ali Bello and Dauda Suleiman.

“In the EFCC’s desperation to nail Yahaya Bello, they forgot their thinking hammer at home. The Count of the offence is most laughable as the election that produced Yahaya Bello, as Governor of Kogi was only conducted in November 2015.”

As the plane made its way into the Abuja skies, weeks back, I made a quick count of the luxury birds sunbathing to the right of the runway. This was a Saturday, the private jets were there in the tens, waiting to ferry Nigeria's luxury class to the next stop in their ever-busy schedules. I wondered about the cost of acquiring one of those toys, maintenance costs and all that. Then settled on what the Aviation authorities could be charging for licensing and parking fees. I couldn't get reliable information on that from my contacts in the Sector.

A few hours after, I was at Ikoyi. I pulled apart the curtains to take in the sight from the neighbouring lagoon. Seated majestically before me are the twins. They have been my neighbours for almost three months. I cannot recollect them moving, at any point, from the spot in which they are moored in the last 3 months. These are Yachts or possibly Superyachts said to belong to two of Nigeria's richest men - Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola.

Streettalk estimates each of the boats at @$40 million. I wondered if and what they pay to have the yachts moored (parked) on our waterway all these months. I wondered how much was paid as tax on the yachts at the time of acquisition. I wondered about how much Nigeria might be indulging or subsidising luxury.

Nigeria, though faced with an acute revenue problem, has been struggling for almost 10 years now with implementing or executing luxury tax. The Jonathan administration had in 2014 unveiled plans for the introduction of tax on a number of Luxury goods. Targeted were private jets, yachts, luxury cars, first class tickets on airlines, champagnes, wines and spirits.

For some reason, the implementation process has never been able to find wings. The three Finance Ministers who have served since 2014 have offered us reasons this has yet to take off, even with the national treasury in dire straits. Over the years, there is no record of implementation or collection.

Whereas the 2019 Budget had a projection of N2.5 billion, there is no record that even One Kobo was collected. I do not know if the Budgets for subsequent years carried this budget hole. But from what I have seen, there is still no record of implementation.

It is the way it is. We are overwhelmed in our sea of contradictions. We are not willing to let go of our indulgences and luxuries, but ever generous with tears over the fruits from our plantation of contradictions. We are chasing Dollars with our Naira, to stockpile and speculate, with politicians buying up to fund elections, then wondering why Naira is on a freefall. We are in a rat race to buy dollars to fund our foreign travels, education for the children, health check and holiday abroad, yet wondering how come Naira is not holding firm.

We buy up PTA to offload. We are bingeing on all forms of foreign goods and services, without improving on local productivity, yet we want an exchange of One Naira to Dollar. In fact, we want One Naira to a Dollar so that we can travel the world and import all sorts of dregs, growing other economies while destroying ours.

As with politics and leadership, so is it with the economy, it is difficult to figure out what the Elite Consensus is. We are too impatient to grow from the bottom? As we must eat foreign rice, we flood neighbouring ports, and find ways to smuggle them in, putting local production in jeopardy. We cannot even agree on what exactly to do with whatever.

Experts argue for Naira devaluation, then complain that there is a freefall. Oh, they want the CBN to let its hands off the official window to do away with the arbitrage window. But is that all that there is to it? Would that not lead to a further free fall of the Naira even beyond the level people are already complaining of? How will manufacturers who need foreign equipment and inputs cope? Contradictions. People want a total removal of 'subsidy' on Petrol, yet complaining about the cost of Diesel! Contradictions.

The dots around our desires, wants, indulgences, luxuries, contradictions and lack of consensus on where to go, what to do, and how to do it are not that difficult to connect. We have an acute revenue problem, but cutting on our luxuries and excesses and growing the revenue basket, with the luxury tax being a low-hanging pick, is not a pill we are ready to swallow. We must reconcile with the contradictions in our choices to get ourselves out of the mess we have put ourselves.

The Ogun State Government has commenced ratification of properties on portions of land formerly acquired by Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in Ifo Local Government Area of the state.

The Director General, Bureau of Lands and Survey, Arch. Segun Fowora, stated this while fielding questions from journalists in Abeokuta, saying there was opportunity to get title documents for such land through the state’s Property Registration Programme (PRP) under the Ogun State Land Administration and Revenue Management System (OLARMS) website www.olarms.ogunstate.gov.ng, to create a roadmap that would allow government to properly plan for development.

“Presently, PRP is offering ratification in communities in Ifo Local Government Area of the state which include, Igbusi, Fagbayi, Ogan, Abule Oke, Abata, Pakoto, Ojusango, among others’’

“PRP is still offering services in areas such as, Ikereku-olokuta, Ijeun Lukosi, Laderin, Abule-oko, Agunreti, in Abeokuta South and Obafemi Owode Local Government Areas (LGAs); Asese, Mowe, Orimerunmu, Makogi, Sefiu Sote, Olowotedo, Magboro Akeran, Ibafo, in Obafemi/Owode and Ifo LGAs; Aiyetoro, Lukosi, Seidu, Ogijo, ilara, Aguntoye Villages, Shimawa, Emagbon, Konigbagbe, in Sagamu L.G.A and Ilaro township in Yewa South LGA”.

“This programme will enable owners of dwelling houses and commercial properties to register their assets and obtain necessary building permits at 50 precent discount within a fixed time frame”, he said.

Arch. Fowora, according to the Press Officers, BLS, Ms. Temitope Adewunmi & Mrs. Bisi Fabajo, disclosed that the assessment of properties would commence on Monday, February 5, 2024, urging beneficiaries to purchase forms at designated centres within their communities and follow necessary procedures, while officials would be at the sites at 10.00am daily to register them.

President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, reiterated his administration’s commitment to ending the insecurity plaguing the country.

The President stated this when he inducted two T129 Attack Combat Helicopters and one King Air Beechcraft 360ER mobility aircraft for use by the Nigerian Air Force.

Represented by his Vice President Kashim Shettima, the President said the acquisition of the helicopters and the induction symbolised the commitment of his administration to the nation’s security.

The induction ceremony held at the 131 Engineering Group Hanger, Nigeria Air Force Base, Makurdi.

The President said that the acquisition and induction of the new platforms would improve NAF’s airpower in the ongoing war against terrorism.

He acknowledged that since its establishment in 1964, “NAF has been playing a critical role in the nation’s security, international operations and humanitarian needs.”

“Let me commend the Chief of Air Staff, officers and men for their commitment to enhancing national security. I assure you that the Tinubu administration will continue to support NAF and indeed, the Armed Forces of Nigeria towards combating terrorism, oil theft and other criminal activities.”

The President said substantial progress had been achieved in the ongoing counterterrorism efforts but noted that there should be no cause for celebration yet until the security challenges were fully addressed.

He called for a change in mindset, strategy and tactics in addressing the menace.

Earlier in his speech, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, said that NAF had taken delivery of no fewer than seven aircraft.

He listed the new aircraft to include two Diamond 62 surveillance aircraft, two T-129 ATAK helicopters, and a King Air 360 ER.

He added that the NAF would induct 46 new aircraft of various types over the next 18 months.

He said the air force has 170 pilots and 533 technicians and they were undergoing training locally and internationally.

The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, expressed gratitude to the President for his foresight and dogged support for the armed forces.

He said the induction of the newly-acquired aircraft was a testimony to Tinubu’s resolve to tackle insecurity in the country while urging the air force to make the best use of the newly acquired aircraft.

Experts at the event said that the T129 ATAK is a twin-engine, tandem-seat, multi-role, all-weather attack helicopter based on the Agusta A129 Mangusta platform, developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries in partnership with Leonardo SPA.

The helicopter, it is understood, is designed for armed reconnaissance and attack missions in hot and high environments and rough geography in both day and night conditions.

Highlights of the event were the signing of the handing over documents and aerial display by the T129 Attack Combat Helicopter.

The Nigerian Communications Commission has appealed to states and local government councils across the country to cut taxes imposed on telecom companies, asserting that excessive taxation will be counterproductive to the growth of the industry.

The Federal Government in its 2024-2026 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper said it would implement a five per cent excise duty on telecommunication services to boost its revenue base.

The NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Aminu Wada Maida, lamented that with between 50 to 55 per cent taxes already imposed on telecom operators, it would be difficult to attract foreign investments into the sector in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to the NCC.

According to Maida, the NCC management has decided to embark on nationwide advocacy to appeal to states and local governments as well as other stakeholders on the need to reduce levies they impose on the operators, especially the Right of Way charges and other multiple taxes.

Maida made the remarks on Tuesday at the Digital Economy Complex, Mbora, Abuja, during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja.

He said, “We are going to be going on an advocacy campaign to see how we can convince the states to remove some of these obstacles like Right of Way and multiple taxations because I have seen some studies which indicate taxation is almost 50% getting to 55% in some areas in this country.

“And you would agree with me that if we are trying to bring in foreign investment that is not a good picture to paint,” the NCC boss said.

He appealed to states to consider the long-term benefits that would come to them if they allowed massive investments in the sector as job opportunities would be created alongside other value chains in the sector.

He also disclosed that the dispute between the two telecom giants, MTN Nigeria and Globacom Network would be resolved amicably soon as the commission was more interested in a level-playing field for all stakeholders.

He said the commission had developed a strategic vision based on five pillars to drive the telecom industry and ensure that it continued to contribute to the Gross Domestic Product of the country as expected.

The EVC acknowledged the challenges associated with the quality of services from Mobile Network Operators and Internet Services Providers, saying the commission would adopt “a total consumer experience” to address the challenges.

He also advised consumers complaining about data depletion to look inward as most of the problems had to do with the types of handsets they are using coupled with the services available and the digital services they enjoyed without considering cost implications.

Wada said, “Our approach will thus be to walk towards the expectations of these stakeholders, and everything for me starts with the consumer and the expectation of the consumer is very simple – quality of service.

“I don’t think you can say anything more than that. Quality of service and this quality of service, we are talking about a total consumer experience not just about drop calls or I can’t make a call.”

He added, “There is a total quality of experience right from how do you find and select the right network to use, how do you onboard onto that network talking about SIM registration process, process of linking your SIM to your NIN and of course after you have gone through all of that when you are using it, how easy is it for you to select a tariff, how transparent is the tariff, how are you supported by the entire host, how do you onboard from the network, these are important.”

In a heartwarming display of generosity, the Worship for Change Foundation, a non-profitorganisation, has donated a total sum of ₦33 million to four schools dedicated to caring for children with disabilities.

The donation, presented on February 6th, 2024 at a ceremony in Lagos, aims to empower these institutions and provide much-needed support to the underprivileges.

Each of the four beneficiary schools – Joy in Africa Foundation (Asaba), Let Cerebral Palsy Kids Learn Foundation (Lagos), Seedo Initiative for Children with Special Needs (Abuja), and To Omo Re Centre for Special Empowerment (Ilorin) – received ₦8.25 million each.

The funds were raised through the Green Worship Benefit concert, a star-studded event held on October 2nd, 2023, featuring renowned Nigerian gospel artists Nathaniel Bassey, Tope Alabi, Cobhams Asuquo, and Waje.

Worship for Change has so far been able to raise over N120m for 38 charities caring for thousands of orphans and children with special needs in Nigeria.

Wale Adenuga, Chief Responsibility Officer of Worship for Change and a gospel artist, emphasised the organisation's unwavering commitment to supporting vulnerable children.

"Since 2004, I've been driven to use my platform to help indigent children, especially children with special needs," he shared. "As we know, the special children's needs are barely cared for and catered for in our present-day society. These children are special, and God cares deeply for them."

Adenuga while using the opportunity to appreciate the individuals and corporate donors from Nigeria and all over the world for their contribution towards the success of the initiative, while thanking the planning team for their commitment to seeing that life is better for special children across Nigeria.

Emphasising transparency and accountability, Mr Adenuga assured the stakeholders of continued monitoring to ensure the funds are utilised effectively. "We will follow up closely to verify that the money is used as intended, addressing the specific needs outlined by each school," he stated.

The donation ceremony resonated with raw emotions from the founders of the benefiting schools.

Mrs Kawan Aondofa-Anjira, the founder of the Seedo Initiative, tearfully recounted the heartbreaking experiences of raising her first two children with cerebral palsy, highlighting the societal stigma and discrimination they faced.

"They were considered 'spirits', 'undeserving of life'," she lamented, recalling the cruel suggestions she received from supposed Christians. "Fueled by this experience, my husband and I established a haven for mothers in similar situations, offering therapy and support for their children.", she says

Tobiloba Ajayi, founder of Let Cerebral Palsy Kids Learn Foundation and herself living with the condition, echoed Mrs. Aondofa-Anjira's sentiment.

"My parents were told to abandon me as they already had 'normal' children," she shared. "Growing up, I realised society deemed children like me unworthy, even denying them education despite our parents' efforts."

The heartfelt testimonies resonated deeply with the audience, underscoring these schools' critical role in nurturing and empowering children with special needs. Rev. Samuel Abiodun Ajayi, a beneficiary representing To Omo Re Centre, expressed immense gratitude for the timely support. "This donation is a godsend," he exclaimed. "We were facing numerous challenges, and this will make a significant difference."

Worship For Change 1: l-r: Trustee, Worship for Change Foundation, Gboyega Aboderin; Founder, Joy in Africa Foundation, Asaba, Joy Okonjor; Her Husband, Henry Okonjor, Founder, To Omo Re Centre for Special Empowerment, Sam Ajayi; Chief Responsibility Officer, The Let Cerebral Palsy Kids Learn Foundation, Tobiloba Ajayi; Founder and Chief Responsibility Officer, Worship for Change, Wale Adenuga; and President, The Seedoo Initiative for Children with Special Needs, Kawan Aondofa-Anjira; during the presentation of cheques totaling N33m to 4 Foundations catering for special needs by Worship for Change Foundation in Lagos on Tuesday.

Worship for Change 2: l-r: Founder, Joy in Africa Foundation, Asaba, Joy Okonjor; Founder, To Omo Re Centre for Special Empowerment, Sam Ajayi; President, The Seedoo Initiative for Children with Special Needs, Kawan Aondofa-Anjira; Founder and Chief Responsibility Officer, Worship for Change, Wale Adenuga; and Chief Responsibility Officer, The Let Cerebral Palsy Kids Learn Foundation, Tobiloba Ajayi; during the presentation of cheques totaling N33m to 4 Foundations catering for special needs by Worship for Change Foundation in Lagos on Tuesday.

Worship for Change 3: l-r: Founder, Joy in Africa Foundation, Asaba, Joy Okonjor; Founder, To Omo Re Centre for Special Empowerment, Sam Ajayi;  Chief Responsibility Officer, The Let Cerebral Palsy Kids Learn Foundation, Tobiloba Ajayi; Founder and Chief Responsibility Officer, Worship for Change, Wale Adenuga; and President, The Seedoo Initiative for Children with Special Needs, Kawan Aondofa-Anjira; during the presentation of cheques totaling N33m to 4 Foundations catering for special needs by Worship for Change Foundation in Lagos on Tuesday.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Olayemi Cardoso has attributed the recent increase in the dollar exchange rate to the rise in Nigerian students who study abroad, as well foreign medical trips embarked on by Nigerians.

Cardoso spoke at the sectoral debate put together by the House of Representatives on Tuesday in Abuja.

The apex bank’s boss said the high cost of living remains a concern, adding that the CBN was working to bring lasting solutions, and bring down the inflation to 21.4 per cent through improved agricultural productivity.

“Volume on transactions on our market was over 800 million dollars. The cost of living remains a concern. The urgency of the matter is not lost on us. We are working to bring lasting solutions. CBN worked at bringing down Inflation to 21.4 percent aided by improved agricultural productivity.

“To address exchange rate volatility we will improve liquidity. These come with economic costs, which are temporary.

“There’s increasing demand for dollars with an increase in Nigerian students studying abroad, projected to have exceeded 100,000 by 2022. Given this data, 28.6bn dollars, education and medical tourism are also leading to increasing demand for dollars,” he added.