Lagos’s not major beneficiary of tax reform bill — Gov Sanwo-Olu

 

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has dismissed claims that the state will significantly gain from the federal government’s proposed tax reform, stating that Lagos is in an “extremely comfortable” position.

The Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, during an interview on Channels Television on December 2, said the proposed Value-added Tax sharing model in the tax reform bills would only benefit Lagos State.

Also, in an interview with BBC Hausa last Friday, Zulum warned that the bills could have devastating consequences for the Northern region and other parts of the country.

He disclosed this during an interview with, while attending the Africa Investment Forum, Market Days 2024, in Rabat, Morocco.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the Africa Investment Forum Market Days 2024 in Morocco on Wednesday, Sanwo-Olu said the reforms would require everyone to work harder to realise their full benefits.

Sanwo-Olu acknowledged that while Lagos State may experience some losses, it also stands to gain a greater opportunity to play a more substantial role.

He underscored the importance of reforms, despite facing opposition from some groups.

“What those uncomfortable with the tax reform are not willing to accept is that there is no way of making an omelette without breaking the egg.

“You cannot make changes if the reforms are not set in. I have advised that people should take time to read the provisions of the reform very well and to fully understand what they’re trying to do.

I’ve seen comments around. Comments like Lagos is going to be the major beneficiary. It is not true. Lagos is actually going to be shaped off in some places, but on a larger scale basis, we see it as a global thing for a better governance structure.

“All of us will play better, and we’ll be able to discipline ourselves more. One of the things that you will see is that you need to work harder for you to get the full benefit of the reform. So it’s not just an easy kill,” he said.

The governor added that if the changes were not made, greater opportunities were inherent in the states of the federation as well as non-governmental actors.

“I have a positive attitude to it. I see it as a very wonderful reform.

“The intention is to better a lot, but not just better a lot of one person or one set of people. It’s for all of us, and so we should look at it this way,” he said.

Court remands Farotimi till Dec. 10 for alleged defamation

By From Seye Olumide (Ibadan), Saxone Akhaine (Kaduna), Ameh Ochojila (Abuja) and Ayodele Afolabi (Ado-Ekiti)

A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ado-Ekiti has remanded the lawyer and human rights activist, Dele Farotimi, for authoring and publishing a book titled: “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System,” which alleged that the founder of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti, (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola, corrupted the Supreme Court to procure a fraudulent judgment in the service of his clients.

The defendant was charged with 16 counts but pleaded not guilty to the charges read to him.

The Chief Magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre, till Tuesday, December 10, 2024, for the court to hear the bail application of the defendant.

The police prosecution, Samson Osobu, while arguing against the oral bail application, said that the matter is still under investigation, adding that other co-conspirators are still at large, while the published books are still in circulation.

In his oral application, the defence counsel, Peter Akeredolu, who led other three lawyers to appear for the defendant, said: “The offence allegedly committed is bailable.

“The court should admit the defendant to bail on very liberal terms, especially on self-recognition. The man in the dock is a lawyer of 25 years standing. There are three health challenges the defendant is currently managing.

Ruling on the bail application, Adeosun said: “I have carefully listened to the argument of both the prosecuting and defence counsel. Enough materials have not been brought to the court to enable me to exercise my discretion. It is not enough to cite plethora of cases.”

He, therefore, ordered the defence counsel to file proper bail application so that it could be heard on December 10, 2024.

Meanwhile, rights activist and National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, has condemned the rising level of violation of fundamental rights of citizens in the country , urging the immediate release of Farotimi.

Tanko, who stated this during a media briefing, yesterday, said: “We, the Obidient Movement crusaders, express our deepest concern and shock regarding the gestapo arrest of Dele Farotimi.”

Relatedly, the Yoruba Ronu Leadership and Nigeria/African Union of Journalists, yesterday, called for the immediate release of Farotimi, just as they condemned the manner he was abducted by strange police officers in Lagos and whisked to Ekiti State in a Gestapo manner.

NFSC Stage Walk To Welcome Super Eagles Back To Lagos

 

By Akeem Busari

Ahead of the Super Eagles AFCON qualification games against Benin Republic and Lesotho in Cotonou and Lagos respectively, members of Nigeria Football Supporters Club, on Friday staged a walk to welcome the Super Eagles back to Lagos after 20 years absence since its last game against Zambia in Lagos.

The walk which started from NFSC’s headquarters at Western Avenue, Surulere, Lagos, took the singing and dance troupe of Nigeria’s foremost football fans club to Teslim Balogun stadium and environs.

Speaking with journalists, National Chairman of NFSC, Amb. Samuel Ikpea explained that the walk was staged ostensibly to sensitive teeming football fans and lovers of Super Eagles on the return of the team to Lagos, the acclaimed home of football.

” We want all Nigerians to be aware of the return of our darling Super Eagles to Lagos. Much more, we staged this walk to galvanize all Nigerians to support our national team in their games against their opponents, particularly, the match against Lesotho in Lagos, next week Tuesday, ” he stressed.

He went ahead to enjoin all Nigerians to support the Super Eagles on the match day. By dorning Nigeria’s national colours as sign of patriotism.

Babafemi Raji And Oluchi Tobe-Chukwu Appointmented As Eagles, Falcons Media Officers

 

The Nigeria Football Federation has announced the appointment of Babafemi Raji as the new Media Officer of the Senior Men National Team, Super Eagles. He takes over from. Toyin Ibitoye who has been in the post for five-and-half years.

Also on Tuesday, the NFF announced the appointment of Mrs Oluchi Tobe-Chukwu as the Media Officer of the Senior Women National Team, Super Falcons. She takes over from Jane Onyinye Nweze.

Congratulations!

Chadwick Boseman's Brother Marks Two Years Of Being In Remission From Cancer

 

His Celebratory Post On Instagram Comes Just Months After His Actor Brother Passed Away From Colon Cancer That He Had Been Battling Privately For Four Years.

One of Chadwick Boseman's brothers is winning his battle with cancer. Just months after losing the "Black Panther" star to colon cancer, Kevin Boseman took to social media to reveal that he had been diagnosed with a similar illness in 2018, and to celebrate him being in remission for two years.

The 48-year-old shared the good news via Instagram Stories on Wednesday, October 14. "Today marks my official two-year remission anniversary. October 14, 2020," he first spilled. "I was diagnosed with cancer in 2018 and underwent four rounds of chemotherapy. I'm in remission!!!!! You read right. I am in remission."

Admitting that he "only shared the diagnosis with a few people at that time," the older brother of the "Da 5 Bloods" actor explained why he finally went public about it. "I wanted to share because, while it's been a year of profound loss and tragedy for so many of us, this is good news. Something to smile about. Something to shout about," he elaborated.

"I hope you're smiling and shouting with me. Cancer is something most of us have no control over. We can only control our responses to it, which includes being proactive about our healthcare, both physical and emotional," Kevin continued. Urging fans to go for a check up if "something feels off," he added, "Tomorrow is not promised and early detection saves lives."

Kevin's celebratory post came just months after Chadwick passed away at the age of 43 from colon cancer which he had been battling privately for four years. On August 28, their family confirmed the devastating news through a statement posted on his social media accounts.

"It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman," the sad announcement read. "Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, and battled with it these last 4 years as it progressed to stage IV."

In the wake of Chadwick's passing, Kevin shared publicly his last moment with the late actor. During an interview with the New York Times in early October, he recalled, "I have been trying to remember Chad and not Chadwick. And there's just been a lot of Chadwick in the air. You have to start sharing that person with the world; I always endeavored to just treat him like my brother."

Kanye West Brags About Getting People Scared After Jennifer Aniston Warns Against Voting For Him

 

The 'Horrible Bosses' Actress Previously Pleaded With Her Instagram Followers To 'Be Responsible' And Not To Vote For The 'Gold Digger' Rapper Because 'It's Not Funny.'

Kanye West has responded after Jennifer Aniston warned people against voting for him. Seemingly proud that he's got people anxious with his presidential campaign, the rapper bragged about having such influence on others.

"Wow," the Yeezy designer wrote in a since-deleted tweet. "That Rogan interview got em shook. Let's gooooooooo." He included a screenshot of Vanity Fair's article about Jennifer's plea and her endorsement for Joe Biden

Kanye was referring to his appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast, but Jennifer didn't seem to make her statement in regards to the said interview, which is probably why the husband of Kim Kardashian eventually deleted the post.

Kanye previously came under fire after he urged people to write his name on mail-in ballot. Earlier this month, he shared a photo of a ballot with his name written in, despite his name being printed on the page already. "Friends writing me in," he wrote along with the image.

Jennifer, meanwhile, took to her Instagram page on October 23 to remind people to "be responsible" with their voice. Sharing a photo of herself dropping off her mail-in ballot at the official box, she noted in her lengthy message, "It's not funny to vote for Kanye. I don't know how else to say it. Please be responsible."

The "Murder Mystery" star also declared her support for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris. "#IVOTED for @joebiden and @kamalaharris," she wrote. "I voted for them because right now this country is more divided than ever."

In another tweet, Kanye confirmed that he's building a "city of the future" in Haiti. "Just to be CLEAR: WE ARE IN ENGAGED WITH HAITI's GOVERNMENT to make a transformational INVESTMENT to bring JOBS, DEVELOPMENT, HELP SUPPORT LOCAL FARMERS and FISHERMEN and Build a new « CITY OF THE FUTURE » in a very beautiful country," so he claimed

#EndSARS: Lalong threatens relocating government properties to other communities

 

Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau has threatened to relocate government properties from host communities to other areas, following the invasion of the facilities by hoodlums in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests.

Lalong made the threat after an assessment tour of the state to ascertain the level of damage of some public and private properties perpetuated by the miscreants.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Governor was accompanied on the visit by members of the Plateau Caucus in the National Assembly who were in the state to commiserate with him over the incident.

He said host communities should be responsible for the protection of public properties in their domain, and cautioned them against their destruction.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Governor was accompanied on the visit by members of the Plateau Caucus in the National Assembly who were in the state to commiserate with him over the incident.

He said host communities should be responsible for the protection of public properties in their domain, and cautioned them against their destruction.

Sam Ikpea Congratulates Raji, Tobechukwu On Appointments As Eagles, Falcons Media Officers

 

By: Akeem Busari

The National Chairman of Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Rev. Samuel Ikpea, has congratulated the duo of Babafemi Raji and Oluchi Tobe-Chukwu as media officers of the Super Eagles and Super Falcons respectively.

The appointments which was announced Tuesday by NFF Media and Communications has Babafemi Raji, who until his new appointment was the Group Manager, Programmes and Contents at Brila Media Group. He takes over from Toyin Ibitoye who held the position for 5 years.

Oluchi Tobe-Chukwu, who takes the position of the Super Falcons media officer replaces Jane Onyinye Nweze, was a former female footballer and a strong advocate and promoter of female football. Known as Tobex Sports, she is a popular face on television as analyst.

Ikpea describes the appointments as commendable. Adding that he believes so much in the abilities of the duo deliver proficiently in their new positions.

” I know Babafemi Raji to be astute and hardworking. He is the right person to replace Toyin Ibitoye who also served Nigerian football diligently.

“And as for the appointment of TobexSports, it is also a very good choice because this is a woman that’s been dedicated to the growth of female football. And her knowledge of the game as a former player and journalist would put her in a better stead to do her job successfully,” Ikpea remarked confidently.

You can’t brush Lekki killings under carpet, Fani-Kayode blasts Tinubu

 

By: Idowu Bankole 

A former Aviation Minister and foremost Chieftain of the main opposition party in Nigeria, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has on Sunday blasted the former governor of Lagos state and the current National leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu over comments on the Lekki shootings. Reacting to a statement credited to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, where he said, “Casualties of Lekki shootings have questions to answer.” Fani-Kayode noted that the response of the National Leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu to Lekki killings is attempting to blame the protesters for their own deaths and for being blown apart by callous men in Military fatigue.

Fani-Kayode stated that sadly instead of exhibiting any remorse or displaying any regret for the abominable atrocity, with a smile and jocular tone, the APC national leader reportedly said nothing other than I am “still the Asiwaju of Lagos and the Jagaban”

In a short essay made available to VANGUARD, Fani Kayode said he would not be cowed and mesmerised to speak the truth even if everyone has decided no keep quiet. Fani-Kayode said, “Even if the whole country is cowed and mesmerised by Tinubu and applauds his callousness, vanity, subterfuge, deceit, ruthlessness, obsessive ambitions, lack of fear of God and doublespeak I FFK, the Voice of the Voiceless, the Servant of Truth, the Lover of God, the Beloved of the Lord, the Otunba of Jogaland, the Sadaukin Shinkafi, the Odum Agu and the Odugwu Eze will not. “His spell cannot silence, bind or blind me as it has done to others. I see him for what he is and his vain and boastful words here (Tinubu’s reaction to Lekki killings) have confirmed it. 

To think I once loved and admired you gives me sleepless nights and goose pimples. How could I have been so blind?” Fani-Kayode citing previous incidents, recalled reactions that trailed Pa Fasoranti’s daughter’s death when she was shot dead by alleged herdsmen. “When Baba Fasoranti’s daughter was murdered by Fulani herdsmen he reportedly made a mockery of it, went to his house and asked: “where are the cows?” “This was insensitive, callous and painful and all the more so because when the murderers of this much-loved and referred lady were eventually apprehended and arrested they were indeed Fulani herdsmen even though their cows were not arrested with them.” 

The latest episode in your catalogue of insensitivities is that children that were protesting peacefully and asking for #EndSARS and an end to police brutality have been slaughtered at Lekki TollGate in Lagos under your watch as National Leader of the APC.” “Sadly instead of exhibiting any remorse or displaying any regret for this abominable atrocity, with a sheepish smile and a sneering and jocular tone, you had the sheer nerve and effrontery to say nothing other than that you are “still the Asiwaju of Lagos and the Jagaban?”  Fani-Kayode said. “Yet what was even worse than this and what shocked and astounded all right-thinking people all the more was that Tinubu had the temerity to go on even further to say that the “casualties at the Lekki shooting have some questions to answer!” 

He then asked,  “how are they there?”, “how long were they there?” and “what kind of characters were they?” How cruel can he be? Not a word of condolence or expression of commiseration were reportedly said to the families of the dead but instead, you offered questions and baseless accusations against their wards and children who were butchered in the most brutal circumstances and heartless manner.” “He has no self-respect, Children were murdered in our streets and this is all you have to say? “You are attempting to blame them for being shot to death and blown to pieces by a bunch of genocidal maniacs in uniform who subjected them to crimes against humanity, genocide and mass murder” “You seek to cover up these horrendous crimes and you are attempting to dishonour and denigrate the dead and desecrate and mock the great sacrifice of these courageous young martyrs for democracy who were murdered in cold blood on the front lines in the field of battle?” 

“Let me tell him this: Tinubu’s diversionary plan will not work! This matter will not go away! “He will not brush it under the carpet, you will not play it down, he and Sanwoolu will not escape responsibility for failing to protect our people from the beastly savages that slaughtered them and their scurrilous attempt to muddy the waters, cover up the truth and pervert the course of justice will be exposed” “He only harbours love, which borders on obsession, for your vain and lofty ambition to rule Nigeria and trust me when I tell you that this will never happen.” To add to that the Holy Bible says “the Lord resists the proud and exalts the humble”. I counsel and urge him to ponder and meditate deeply on these words. I advise him to humble yourself before God, get to know Him, learn to fear Him and seek justice and truth before it is too late!

MUSIC: Bob Krix - Where is the love

 

With the #ENDSARS protest in Nigeria, Edo State born Christian Idemudia Known as BOB KRIX, a song writer and singer drops one of his hit single "WHERE IS THE LOVE' a song that talks about situations in Nigeria currently.

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