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The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria has opposed the proposed increase in the Value Added Tax rate, as outlined in the Federal Government’s Tax Reform Bills, warning that the move could worsen the economic hardship faced by Nigerians.
The Federal Government had proposed a phased VAT hike from the current 7.5% to 10%, 12.5%, and ultimately 15%, a move the TUC described as ill-timed and detrimental to the welfare of citizens already grappling with inflation, unemployment, and a soaring cost of living.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, following the union’s National Executive Council meeting held on November 26, 2024, TUC President Festus Osifo said maintaining the VAT rate at 7.5 per cent was crucial to safeguarding Nigerians from additional financial pressure.
“Allowing the Value Added Tax rate to remain at 7.5 per cent is in the best interest of the nation. Increasing it now would impose an additional burden on households and businesses already struggling with economic challenges,” Osifo said.
He added, “With inflation, unemployment, and the cost of living on the rise, higher taxes could stifle economic growth and erode consumer purchasing power.”
The TUC called for a review of the tax exemption threshold, urging the government to raise it from N800,000 to N2.5 million per annum to ease the financial strain on low-income earners.
“This measure would increase disposable income, stimulate economic activity, and provide relief to struggling Nigerians,” Osifo explained.
He said, “The threshold for tax exemptions should be increased to N2,500,000 per annum. This adjustment would offer much-needed relief to low-income earners, enabling them to cope with the current economic challenges.”
The TUC also expressed reservations about the proposed transfer of royalty collection from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), citing risks of revenue losses and inefficiencies.
“Royalty determination and reconciliation require specialised technical expertise in oil and gas operations, which the NUPRC possesses but the NRS lacks. This shift could result in inaccurate assessments, enforcement challenges, and reduced investor confidence,” Osifo warned.
The union commended the government’s decision to retain the Tertiary Education Trust Fund and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, describing their roles as pivotal to the country’s education and technological advancement.
“These institutions have significantly contributed to improving tertiary education and fostering homegrown technologies. Their continued existence is vital for sustained progress in education, technology, and national development,” Osifo said.
Osifo called on the Federal Government to adopt tax policies that prioritise the welfare of citizens and promote equitable economic growth.
“As discussions on the Tax Reform Bill continue, it is our hope that the focus will remain on fostering economic growth and improving living conditions for all Nigerians,” he said.
The TUC reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for policies that enhance the well-being of Nigerians, emphasising that proactive and citizen-centred reforms reflect true leadership.
[Punch]
Nigerian disc jockey, Nonso Temisan Ajufo, known professionally as DJ Big N, has recounted a near-death robbery attack during a visit to South Africa.
In a post via instagram page on Tuesday, DJ Big N said he was attacked alongside an acquaintance, and his personal belongings worth $114k were stolen from him.
He described the night as his worst and most teachable experience of life, attributing his survival to divine intervention and his mother’s prayers.
The post read, “On Sunday, January 12th, a night out turned into both the worst and most teachable experience of my life. I went out with some friends to a fancy lounge in Johannesburg, SA. From there I decided to head to another club with another acquaintance. On the way, at a traffic light, we were ambushed by two cars carrying six armed men with automatic rifles.
“In the chaos, I tried to escape but got shot in the leg. One of the robbers put the rifle to my head and demanded my watch, which I struggled to remove, along with my chain and other jewelry. Bleeding heavily, I managed to get back to the car, and the driver rushed me to the nearest hospital. The bullet had passed through my leg, narrowly missing a major artery and bone. Doctors described this as miraculous, calling me “lucky.” I credit my survival to divine intervention and my mother’s prayers.
“The experience changed my perspective on life. I lost over $114k worth of valuables that day, but I realized material possessions mean nothing. Life is fragile, and validation is meaningless. God gave me another chance, and I’m committed to living more authentically and appreciating life without unnecessary stress.
“This event restored my focus and reminded me of what truly matters. I am Nonso Temisan Ajufo, also known as Big N, and this is my truth. I met so many wonderful people in SA, and went to so many beautiful places…. and like any other country, there would be bad eggs that paint the nation bad.
“South Africa ?? …. I Visit, I Don’t Judge. P.S (I stopped using the crutches 2 days right after, I’m way better now).”
In a surprising turn of events, notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji has reportedly released all individuals held captive by his group.
This was disclosed by Zagazola Makama, a Lake Chad Basin counter-terrorism and insurgency expert, on Tuesday.
The development comes amid heightened military operations aimed at capturing the fugitive and dismantling his network in Zamfara State and surrounding regions.
Makama said Turji’s decision to “free the captives is linked to the intense pressure mounted by the Nigerian Armed Forces under Operation Hadarin Daji and Operation Forest Sanity.”
Recent airstrikes and ground offensives targeting his hideouts in Fakai, Shinkafi, and surrounding areas have significantly weakened his group, forcing them into retreat.
Makama added: “The release of the captives is being seen as a strategic move by Turji to avoid further escalation or a direct confrontation with security forces who have been closing in on him.
“The troops have vowed to get him whether dead or Alive.”
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu is currently meeting with Governor Sim Fubara of State Rivers State and the leaders of Ogoniland at the presidential Villa Abuja.
Governor Fubara arrived with Senator Lee Maeba and among the delegation were Senators Magnus Abe, Olaka Nwogu, Chief Victor Giadom, Chief Kenneth Kobani, Monsignor Pius Kii, Leedom Mitee, as well as Senators Bennett Birabi Barry. Mpigi and Joe Poroma.
Also present is the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, the Minister of Environment, Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abba, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh and the National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
Although the agenda of the meeting was not made public, it may not be unconnected to the Ogoni clean-up and the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland.
Recall that a coalition of civil society organisations had demanded an allocation of $1 trillion from the Federal Government for the cleanup of the Niger Delta and compensation for the loss of livelihoods, before the resumption of crude oil production in Ogoniland.
The demands were tabled in a statement signed by the organisations including Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), and Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), while expressing concerns over the Nigerian government’s reported plans to resume oil production in the community.
The group described the move as a disregard for environmental justice
The statement highlighted the historical environmental degradation caused by oil activities in Ogoniland, documented in the 2011 UNEP report, which revealed widespread pollution of land, water, and air.
The group expressed disappointment that the government has yet to fully implement the UNEP recommendations or prioritize the cleanup of the region.
[Vanguard]
The Association of Mobile Money & Bank Agents in Nigeria has said its members may have no option but to increase service charges.
Ogungbayi Ganiyu, the National Public Relations Officer at AMMBAN, disclosed this in an interview with DAILY POST on Monday.
His comments followed the Federal Government’s 50 percent telecommunications services tariff hike approval.
Reacting, Ganiyu said AMMBAN members’ businesses are centered around telecom services, especially data, and hence would be most impacted.
He, however, noted that POS operators may want to bear the cost of the increased telecoms tariff.
“The telecom tariff hike will impact the operations of our members. I am afraid this may also have a multiplier effect on service charges.
“We have not sat down and looked at the latest tariff hike,” he stated.
DAILY POST reports that the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers on Monday vowed to drag the federal government to court over the 50 percent telecoms tariff hike.
Recall that the last time telecoms tariffs were increased was in 2013.
The Ogun State Community, Social Orientation, and Safety Corps otherwise known as So-Safe Corps has apprehended 54-year-old Adelani Oriyomi at a burial ground in Kere, Obada-Oko, Abeokuta, Ogun State, while allegedly attempting to exhume a human skull.
This was disclosed in a press statement issued on Tuesday by the Commander of So-Safe Corps, Soji Ganzallo, through the office of the Director of Information and Public Relations of the Corps, Assistant Commander Moruf Yusuf.
Ganzallo said, “At about 2:35 a.m. on January 21, 2025, officers of the So-Safe Corps on routine patrol observed suspicious activity on a parcel of land behind a church.
“The suspect, identified as 54-year-old Adelani Oriyomi, was spotted trying to hide.
“Once the coast seemed clear, he resumed digging the tomb to allegedly retrieve a human skull. However, the officers returned to the scene, apprehending him before he could escape.”
The statement revealed that the suspect, a resident of Kere, Obada-Oko in Ewekoro Local Government Area, confessed to the crime during interrogation.
He was said to have admitted that on January 18, 2025, he had exhumed a skull from a tomb on a plot of land behind his residence.
Oriyomi reportedly confessed that he was attempting to retrieve another skull to complete the number required for a money ritual preparation known as ‘Osole’ when he was caught.
The suspect was also said to have confessed to being a serial offender, having sold nearly ten skulls in the past.
Oriyomi, during the interrogation, also explained that he had previously been arrested for similar offences committed at Ado-Odo and served two years of imprisonment and a further six years and nine months at the Oba Correctional Centre following another conviction in Obada-Oko.
Ganzallo confirmed that the suspect and the recovered exhibit—a fully dried human skull—have been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, Obada Divisional Headquarters, for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The So-Safe Corps Commander urged community leaders to thoroughly screen tenants and visitors to prevent harbouring undesirable individuals.
He emphasised that such vigilance could ensure 70% of home security, with the remaining 30% relying on alertness to external threats.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has implored the United States to reconsider its withdrawal from the global health body.
After his inauguration as the 47th president of the United States, Donald Trump signed an executive order kick-starting the process of pulling the country out of the WHO.
The order said the US was withdrawing “due to the organization’s mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states”.
The executive order also said WHO required “unfairly onerous payments” from the US that are disproportionate to the sums provided “by other larger countries such as China”.
In a statement on Tuesday, the WHO expressed regret over the move, saying the US has participated in shaping and governing the organisation’s work since joining in 1948.
The organisation said for over seven decades, it has, alongside the US, saved countless lives and protected Americans and other nationals from health threats.
“Together, we ended smallpox, and together we have brought polio to the brink of eradication. American institutions have contributed to and benefited from membership in WHO,” the statement reads.
“With the participation of the United States and other Member States, WHO has over the past 7 years implemented the largest set of reforms in its history, to transform our accountability, cost-effectiveness, and impact in countries. This work continues.
“We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe.”
[TheCable]
The Federal Government has approved a Federal Polytechnic in Gwarinpa, one of the largest estates in the nation’s capital.
The development was disclosed in a letter dated January 16, 2025 and addressed to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
According to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, the federal government approved the establishment of the institution and also named it after President Bola Tinubu.
Alausa explained that the establishment of Bola Ahmed Tinubu Polytechnic, Gwarinpa, is to promote technological, vocational and entrepreneurial training in line with the national policy on education.
The minister said the technical team from the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) would be visiting the sites and inspecting the recommended locations, adding that base on the reports to be presented by the team, the approval will be given.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, has commended Tinubu for approving the establishment of the Polytechnic.
In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Kingsley Madaki, Maikalangu also appreciated the FCT Minister for the role he played in making the dreams of FCT residents a reality.
Maikalangu said the establishment of the Federal Polytechnic in Gwarinpa was a dream come true and would add to the progress of the FCT residents.
Nollywood legend, Dele Odule, recently ignited a wave of raw emotion across social media after sharing an agonizing experience that continues to torment him—a pain he described as the most unbearable any parent could ever endure.
The veteran thespian, renowned for his exceptional contributions to Nigerian cinema, was a guest junior colleague Kunle Afod’s talk show.
During the candid discussion, the iconic actor opened up about his personal life, decades of experience in the film industry, and the highs and lows of his illustrious career.
However, the mood shifted drastically when Afod posed a deeply personal question, asking Odule to recount the most painful moment of his decades on earth. What followed was a heart-wrenching revelation that laid bare the profound grief the actor has carried for years.
With a tremble in his voice and visible anguish in his eyes, Dele Odule relived the devastating moment he lost his first child—a tragedy that shook the very foundation of his existence.
He went on to describe the haunting emptiness that engulfed him in the wake of his child’s death.
As Odule’s voice faltered, the atmosphere in the room became palpably heavy. Even Afod, a seasoned host, was visibly moved by the depth of his senior colleague’s grief.
Sensing Odule’s inability to delve further into the tragedy, Kunle Afod in a solemn tone, prayed that he would never again experience such profound heartache.
Recognizing the emotional toll the subject was taking, Afod swiftly changed the topic, steering the conversation back to lighter moments from Odule’s illustrious career.
SEE INTERVIEW BELOW
Media
VIDEO: My key observations at Trump’s inauguration – Pastor Kumuyi opens up in new interview
AFOLABI
The General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Kumuyi, recently graced the historic inauguration of Donald J. Trump as the 47th President of the United States with his spiritual presence and profound insights.
While in Washington, D.C., the renowned Nigerian cleric sat down with Fox News for an exclusive interview, offering an in-depth reflection on his extraordinary experience at this pivotal moment in history.
Pastor Kumuyi described witnessing President Trump’s swearing-in as an awe-inspiring experience, one that affirmed the enduring power of democracy. He openly celebrated the event as a testament to the resilience of the American democratic system, adding that the ceremony carried an air of divine purpose.
The Nigerian cleric expressed his belief in Trump’s ability to lead and commended the President’s inaugural address, which outlined his immediate plans to hit the ground running. According to Kumuyi, the speech carried a tone of determination, hope, and a commitment to actionable governance.
Touching on the intersection of governance and faith, Kumuyi expressed optimism about Trump’s potential to champion Christian values, peace, and stability.
He remarked that Trump’s speech suggested a commitment not only to revitalizing America but also to fostering unity and promoting peace on a global scale.
Kumuyi conveyed his belief that under Trump’s leadership, there could be a renewed effort to uphold moral and spiritual principles across nations.
At the inauguration event, Kumuyi joined other spiritual leaders in a special prayer meeting, where the focus was on seeking divine guidance for the incoming administration. During the session, Kumuyi prayed fervently for God to grant Trump the wisdom and discernment necessary to navigate the complexities of leadership.
He also interceded for unity between the President and the church in the United States, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in advancing shared values and fostering national harmony.
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Former Presidential candidate of the Young Progressive Party, Dr Kingsley Moghalu, has denounced Nigeria’s leadership recruitment process. Speaking as a respondent on the Toyin Falola Interviews themed, “A Conversation With Kingsley Moghalu”, on Sunday, the 19th of January, the former deputy governor of Nigeria's apex bank expressed his detachment from Nigerian politics due to "lack of qualification."
Responding to the question on African leadership’s philosophy and what he would have done differently had he won the 2023 election, Dr Moghalu harped on mass education and power supply. He says:
“There are many things I would have done differently: the first of which would have been the beginning of the mass education of Nigerians, politically and economically to create unity of purpose; to create a worldview that we all share; a share of destiny, a share of common destination…”
Addressing the rumours about his gubernatorial ambition, Dr Moghalu denied having gubernatorial aspiration, stating that he had no interest in Nigerian politics.
“I was interested in the presidency when I was interested there. But I made my own personal decision to move on from the space and return to the areas where I felt I was more competitive. One of the reasons I made that decision was that I found out that there was a huge gap between where my mind was and where the people are. And I was not qualified. And, in Nigeria, the biggest qualification you must have as a politician is to have a lot of cash.”
Held via zoom, The Conversation with Professor Kingsley Moghalu centers on the ideas of governance and the place of the African School of Governance (ASG) in promoting good governance in Africa. The ASG is a policy think-thank established in 2022 through the initiative of the Rwandan President, Paul Kigame and Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn of Ethiopia.
The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and socio-political organisation Afenifere has applauded the Nigeria Governors Forum for its unified support for the Tax Reform Bills now awaiting consideration by the National Assembly.
Afenifere commended the federal government for initiating the tax reform bills because of their inherent benefits and lauded those who worked to remove the stalemate that characterised the efforts to pass the four tax bills proposed by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the organisation and made available to LEADERSHIP in Akure, the state capital, on Monday by Comrade Jare Ajayi, appreciated concerns expressed by various interest groups, particularly the Northern Governors.
President Ahmed Bola Tinubu stated, “These tax reforms are designed with a pro-poor focus to advance national interests, improve our economic competitiveness, and attract local and foreign investments.”
However, there seemed to be a stalemate due to the reservations expressed by Northern state governors and traditional rulers in the north. The meeting held in Abuja last Thursday put an end to the impasse.
Afenifere said, “The way the matter was resolved has much for us to learn from. First, our leaders must be visionary in taking people-oriented initiatives, as President Tinubu demonstrated on the tax bills.
“Second is the need by the society to express their feelings on issues of public concern. Third is the need for leaders to be sensitive to concerns raised by members of the public.
“Fourth is the need to subject issues to consultations with open minds and submit to a superior idea that would be in the majority’s best interest, as demonstrated by the parties involved in the Tax Bills controversy.
“All the above played out in the resolution of the tax bill brouhaha. In this respect, we commend President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for allowing further consultations when issues were raised about the bills.
‘’The outcome demonstrated the benefits of consultations and enhanced the President’s democratic credentials”.
A coalition of civil rights and immigration rights groups have sued the newly inaugurated Trump administration on Monday over an executive order signed to end birthright citizenship in the United States.
The administration was sued over President Trump’s bid to end automatic citizenship for children born in the US whose parents are unlawfully or temporarily in the country, kicking off a pitched legal fight over his immigration crackdown.
Brought by the American Civil Liberties Union, various state ACLU chapters and several other groups on behalf of immigration groups with members who are impacted by Trump’s order, the 17-page suit argues that Trump’s action violates both federal law and the US Constitution.
“For Plaintiffs — organisations with members impacted by the Order — and for families across the country, this Order seeks to strip from their children the ‘priceless treasure’ of citizenship, threatening them with a lifetime of exclusion from society and fear of deportation from the only country they have ever known,” attorneys for the groups wrote in the suit. “But that is illegal. The Constitution and Congress, not President Trump, dictate who is entitled to full membership in American society.”
The groups also asked a federal court in New Hampshire to declare Trump’s order unlawful and to temporarily and permanently block it.
The order signed on Monday by Trump said that the federal government will not “issue documents recognising United States citizenship” to any children born on American soil to parents who were in the country unlawfully or were in the states lawfully but temporarily.
The order said it would “apply only to persons who are born within the United States after 30 days from the date of this order.”
The lawsuit filed on Monday said some of the immigration groups’ members “are currently expecting children who may be deemed to be covered by the Order.”
The executive order, the groups’ attorneys wrote, “may also render children legally or effectively stateless.”
In a sweeping move on his first full day in office, United States President, Donald Trump, has fired four senior government officials appointed by his predecessor and warned that “over a thousand more” could soon face dismissal.
Trump announced the firings early Tuesday in his first post on Truth Social since taking the oath of office, signalling a rapid shake-up of government personnel.
“My Presidential Personnel Office is actively in the process of identifying and removing over a thousand Presidential Appointees from the previous Administration, who are not aligned with our vision to Make America Great Again,” Trump wrote on the platform.
He specifically named four officials who were immediately dismissed, Jose Andres, from the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, Mark Milley, from the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, Brian Hook, from the Wilson Center for Scholars, and Keisha Lance Bottoms, from the President’s Export Council.
“Let this serve as Official Notice of Dismissal for these 4 individuals, with many more coming soon,” Trump declared in his post, which ended with his signature phrase: “YOU’RE FIRED!”—a line he made famous on his reality TV show ‘The Apprentice’.
The decision marked the first step in what is expected to be a dramatic overhaul of government personnel as Trump moved swiftly to remove officials he perceived as obstacles to his agenda.
Many US government institutions prepared for further upheaval, with fears that Trump may follow through on his campaign promises to slash the civil service, restructure key agencies, and even shutter entire departments in the name of efficiency.
Trump’s latest actions mirrored his first term in office when he frequently clashed with career officials and dismissed individuals he believed were working against his administration’s policies