The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Youths beg as govt vows to demolish facilities in Anambra community

    Youths beg as govt vows to demolish facilities in Anambra community

    Not less than seventeen buildings allegedly occupied by hoodlums have been marked for demolition in Uli community in Ihiala local government area of Anambra state.

    But the community leadership pleaded for amnesty to be granted to youths willing to drop their arms to embrace peace.

    Commissioner of Police Mr Echeng Echeng, during a Peace and Security Summit/Convention in the area, said the Command would not spear anyone or any building harbouring criminals in the community regardless of the owners.

    Echeng, represented by Police Area Commander of Ihiala, ACP Bassey Christopher said officers and men of the Police and Army have been deployed in four villages that make up the community for steady vigilance to restore peace and security in the area.

    He said: “Any building harbouring criminals and gunmen would be demolished and about seventeen or so of them have already been marked for demolition and we are not going to spear anyone or any building irrespective of who the owner is.

    “This Peace and Security Summit and Convention is the last chance for the criminals to leave Uli town and after this meeting it is Operation Action All The Way and we advise the landlords that own those buildings to chase those criminals out of their homes.

    “Already we have taken delivery of all the apparatus for this operation and I want to assure you all that before the end of this coming month the difference would be clear in terms of security of lives and property.”

    Read Also : ‘Anambra will reclaim excellence in education’

    Commissioner for Homeland Matters, Chief Chikaodi Anaghara explained that any demolished structure belonged to government in line with extant laws of the land.

    He said: “In line with the Anambra State Laws any building that has been demolished belongs to the government and the former owner or landlord has lost ownership of that land and he cannot lay claim to it or want to go back to rebuild the house.

    “It is bad and totally unacceptable to this government to condole the activities of criminals in our villages and if you want amnesty it is going to be structured amnesty and it must start with the respective communities.

    “A criminal is a criminal and we have zero tolerance to going to negotiate with criminals. Be informed that this meeting has given those people the opportunity to lay down their arms now because it is going to be total action now.

    “When you go and kidnap a soldier or policemen that has family and kill him, you should not expect pity.”

    President General of Uli Progressive Union, Engr Tobias Obiagazie regretted that youths in the community have been victims of long neglect as he canvassed amnesty of those willing to lay down their arms.

  • PHOTOS: Commuters groan as gridlock grounds Lagos-Ibadan expressway

    PHOTOS: Commuters groan as gridlock grounds Lagos-Ibadan expressway

    Commuters groan as gridlock grounds Lagos-Ibadan expressway

  • FG introduces new taxes on beer, imported vehicles, plastics

    FG introduces new taxes on beer, imported vehicles, plastics

    The Federal Government has introduced new set of taxes on beer, imported vehicles and single use plastics.

    It has also added to the list of items banned from being imported into the country.

    Under the newly introduced taxes, the Federal Government will charge N75 per litre of beer or stout imported into Nigeria. 

    According to the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, N75 per litre will be charged on “beer and stout including all alcoholic beverages and beer not made from malt- wether fermented or not fermented” in 2023. 

    This new excise duty on beer and stout will be increased to N100 per litre in 2024.

    Before the new rates, the government taxed imported alcoholic beverages using valorem rates- levying of tax or customs duties) proportionate to the estimated value of the goods or transaction concerned. Now there is a specific rate not an estimate.

    The same excise rate for beer will be applied to the importation of wine.

    Under the tax laws, two litre engine vehicles will attract an Import Adjustment Tax (IAT) of two percent while vehicles with four litre engines and above will attract four percent IAT with effect from 1June, 2023.

    The Federal Ministry of Finance Budget and National Planning quietly issued a circular (HMFBNP/MDAs/circular/2023FP/04) to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies on April 20, 2023 informing them of the new developments.

    Details of the recent tax regimes contained in the new Fiscal Policy Measures (FPM) documents and approved by President Muhammadu Buhari were revealed by Mr. Taiwo Oyedele of PricewaterhouseCoopers on Twitter. 

    The Federal Government has also revised the import prohibition list with the inclusion of used motor vehicles above 12 years from the Year of manufacture; Paracetamol tablets Syrups; Cotrimozazole tablets and Syrups; Metronidazole tablets and Syrups and Chloroquine tablets and Syrups. 

    Also included on the list are Folic acid tablets; Vitamin B Complex tablets (except modified release formulations); Multivitamin tablets, capsules and syrups (except special formulations); Aspirin tablets (except modified release formulations and soluble aspirin).

    Read Also : Oil theft probe: Test case for federal government

    Others are: Magnesium trisilicate tablets and suspensions; Piperazine tablets and syrups; Levamisole tablets and syrups; Ointments penicillin/gentamycin; Pyrantel pamoate tablets and syrups; Intravenous Fluids (Dextrose, Normal Saline etc); Waste pharmaceutiques; and Mineral or chemical fertilisers containing the three fertilising elements nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK)

    The Federal Government also introduced a Green Tax by way of excise duty on Single Use Plastics (SUPs) including plastic containers, films and bags at the rate of 10 percent. 

    An Import Adjustment Tax (IAT) levy has been introduced on motor vehicles of 2000 cc to 3999 cc at 2 percent while 4000 cc and above will be taxed at 4 percent. 

    With effect from 1st June, 2023, “vehicles below 2000cc, mass transit buses, electric vehicles, and locally manufactured vehicles are exempted”. 

    The circular hrested the matter over the imposition of five percent excise duty on telecommunication services introduced via the Finance Act 2020 and prescribed in the Official Gazette No. 88, Vol. 109 of 11 May 2022 approved by the President. 

    Going forward, the five percent tax will apply to mobile telephone services (GSM), fixed telephone and internet services- postpaid and prepaid.

    Under the Supplementary Protection Measures (SPM) as it relates to the implementation of the ECOWAS Common External Tariff 2022-2026, the circular stated that the changes are effective from 1 May 2023 subject to 90-days grace period for importers who had opened Form M before 1 May 2023. 

    Items on the list include rice, woven fabrics, ceramics tiles and sinks, steel, containers for compressed or liquified gas, aluminum cans, washing machines, electric generating sets and rotary converters, smart phones, new and used passenger motor vehicles and electricity meters. The applicable duties for most of the items are unchanged from the 2022 FPM rates.

  • Mumuni drums support for Sani Musa as Deputy Senate President

    Mumuni drums support for Sani Musa as Deputy Senate President

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Amb. Abayomi Mumuni, has drummed support for Senator Sani Musa to become the Deputy Senate President at the 10th Assembly.

    The frontline technocrat said Musa, who represents Niger East, is capable and experienced to occupy the office.

    A statement by Mumuni described Musa, who is the Chairman, Senate Services Committee in the outgoing 9th National Assembly, as a loyal party man who has proved himself overtime.

     “I am aware of the various deliberations ongoing over the leadership of the National Assembly as we approach a new dispensation. Let me once again congratulate our party, the APC and our President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on our victory at the polls.”

    “On the 10th national assembly leadership politics, I declare categorically my support for the aspiration of my brother, an experienced and time-tested politician, Senator Sani Musa, APC, Niger East, as Deputy Senate President. He’s very much qualified and capable for the position. I therefore wish to join senators-elect from the North-Central geopolitical zone to urge our party leadership and the President-elect to consider Senator Musa.”

    “Apart from the outstanding profile of Senator Sani Musa, we all know the huge contributions the North Central region where he comes from has been offering to our party. This will be good as a payback for one of their own to be at the top leadership position of the national assembly,” Mumuni who was a member of the recently dissolved APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) said.

    Read Also : North Central Govs back Sani Musa for Deputy Senate Presidency

    He maintained he has known Musa for a long time as a core loyal party man with great leadership skills and traits.

    “He is a tactician and performer, and that’s why his constituents decided to return him again as their senator. I welcome his aspiration and drum support for it. I urge all stakeholders to also rally support for him,” he added. 

  • Tinubu will fix Nigeria , Wike assures

    Tinubu will fix Nigeria , Wike assures

    Rivers Governor Nyesome Wike has expressed confidence in the ability of the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to turn around tbe fortunes of the country.

    Approving the choice of Tinubu by Nigerians at the February 25 Presidential election, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader, said Nigerians are anxiously waiting for the May 29 inauguration of the President-elect.

    Wike spoke on Friday after paying a courtesy visit along with his Oyo State counterpart, Governor Seyi Makinde to the President-elect in Abuja.

    The duo, who are members of the G5 Governors of the opposition PDP on Friday paid a visit to the President-elect.

    The two PDP leaders had a closed-door meeting with Tinubu with the Kebbi Governor Atiku Bagudu; his Jigawa counterpart Abubakar Badaru and former Ekiti Governor Kayode Fayemi.

    Speaking with newsmen after their visit, Wike said: “Elections are gone and a winner has emerged and therefore all Nigerians must rally round and give him (Tinubu) necessary support.

    Read Also : Tinubu will fix Nigeria , Wike assures

    “Everybody is waiting for May 29 to see that the President is inaugurated and he keeps the ground running to make sure that Nigerians get what they expected.

    “I have confidence that he (Tinubu) has what it takes to turn Nigeria around. I have confidence in him.”

    Makinde said their visit was just to pay homage to the President-elect and to pledge their support for his administration.

    Makinde, who was so elated, told newsmen:”I have come to pay homage to the President-elect and to tell him that elections are over and it is time for governance. 

    “We will do our best to give him the support for good governance.”

  • UTME: Malpractice, impersonation have reduced, says Oloyede

    UTME: Malpractice, impersonation have reduced, says Oloyede

    Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede has stated the level of malpractice and impersonation in Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) has  reduced drastically following measures put in place by the board. 

    Oloyede said he was impressed that malpractice and impersonation had reduced nationwide and now below the international standard in terms of percentage.

    “The level of malpractice and impersonation have reduced drastically. I am impressed that throughout the country it has become very minimal. In fact, it is now below the international standard in terms of the percentage. We have better devices to determine what is happening in centres and the system won’t allow it,”  he said.

    Addressing journalists in Lagos at the weekend when monitoring the examination across centres, he commended the conduct of the UTME nationwide. He also hailed Lagos centres for performing well.

    The JAMB Registrar monitored the examination in West African Examination Council Testing  and Training Centre in Ogba, Lagos; JKK Ilupeju and the University of Lagos,among others.

    He said challenges in States like Kwara, Borno and Niger  on the first day  were addressed with the creation of a fourth session for candidates to write the examination.

    Read Also : 947,000 write 2023 UTME

    Oloyede noted that JAMB was committed to the cause of visually-impaired candidates  and those with other forms of disability.

    “I am happy that the committee handling the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) under the leadership of Prof. Peter Okebukola is doing a good job. We are giving a sense of belonging to those incapacitated by one disability or the other. They are happy the nation cares about them,” he said.

    He also said though accredited  CBT centres have improved as level of complaints about them has  reduced, there was room for improvement because of human factor.

    The JAMB Registrar hailed the National Identity Management Commission,the telcos and other stakeholders for their support.

    END.

  • Tinubu will fix Nigeria , Wike assures

    Tinubu will fix Nigeria , Wike assures

    Rivers Governor Nyesome Wike has expressed confidence in the ability of the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to turn around tbe fortunes of the country.

    Approving the choice of Tinubu by Nigerians at the February 25 Presidential election, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader, said Nigerians are anxiously waiting for the May 29 inauguration of the President-elect.

    Wike spoke on Friday after paying a courtesy visit along with his Oyo State counterpart, Governor Seyi Makinde to the President-elect in Abuja.

    The duo, who are members of the G5 Governors of the opposition PDP on Friday paid a visit to the President-elect.

    The two PDP leaders had a closed-door meeting with Tinubu with the Kebbi Governor Atiku Bagudu; his Jigawa counterpart Abubakar Badaru and former Ekiti Governor Kayode Fayemi.

    Speaking with newsmen after their visit, Wike said: “Elections are gone and a winner has emerged and therefore all Nigerians must rally round and give him (Tinubu) necessary support.

    “Everybody is waiting for May 29 to see that the President is inaugurated and he keeps the ground running to make sure that Nigerians get what they expected.

    Read Also : Niger Delta groups beg Tinubu not to scrap Amnesty Programme

    “I have confidence that he (Tinubu) has what it takes to turn Nigeria around. I have confidence in him.”

    Makinde said their visit was just to pay homage to the President-elect and to pledge their support for his administration.

    Makinde, who was so elated, told newsmen:”I have come to pay homage to the President-elect and to tell him that elections are over and it is time for governance. 

    “We will do our best to give him the support for good governance.”

  • Atmos boss Ahmadu begs Tinubu to increase education allocation, bags Honorary doctorate degree

    Atmos boss Ahmadu begs Tinubu to increase education allocation, bags Honorary doctorate degree

    European American University has conferred Honorary Doctorate Degree on CEO of Atmos Integrated Services Limited, Engr. Ajibola Ahmadu.

    The conferment held on Saturday in Lagos.

     Ahmadu urged the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to increase budget to education for the overall development of the country.

    The CEO thanked the Governing Council and the management for counting him worthy of honour, stating he was delighted that the university had gained recognition and acceptability in Nigeria and Africa. 

    He praised the university’s vision for pushing the boundary by positively bringing to life the dream of imparting the educational sector in the country.

    Read Also : Saraki’s wife urges incoming govt to allocate 22.5% of budget to education

    “I would like to recognise the accomplishments of this great institution and the level of excellence that has been attained within such a short time, to the extent that men and women of academic excellence and economic independence are now being churned out from the university on a yearly basis,” Engr. Said.

    “I sincerely thank the board of trustees, the governing council and (the) staff of European American University for this honorary degree. 

    “I will always try my best in whichever way I can to give my support to the development of the university,” he stated

  • Fire razes Ooni’s palace

    Fire razes Ooni’s palace

    Fire razed a section of the palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Friday night after one of the electrical appliances exploded. 

    The Nation gathered that the incident occurred on around 11:30pm and was noticed by one of the palace guards. 

    A statement by the Director, Media and Public Affairs,

    Ooni’s Palace, Comrade Moses Olafare confirmed the incident, blaming it on power surge.

    According to him: “A building apartment within the courtyard of the Palace Of The Ooni Of Ife was at about 11:30pm yesterday engulfed in flames of fire incident triggered by power surge which exploded through electrical appliances in the affected apartment.

    “The inferno did not spread beyond the affected building located at a section of the palace premises as it was swiftly put off through the combined efforts of the Government Fire Service, OAU Fire Service & Palace Emergency Control Unit.”

    Olafare noted that no casualty or injury was recorded assuring no cultural items was lost to the fire.

  • Tinubu will consolidate on Ogoni cleanup, Buhari assures

    Tinubu will consolidate on Ogoni cleanup, Buhari assures

    President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to the Niger Delta region to give its maximum support and cooperation to his incoming successor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

    The President said he was confident that Tinubu on assumption of office would consolidate on the Federal Government’s achievements in the ongoing clean-up of Ogoniland located in Rivers State.

    Buhari solicited cooperation of the Niger Delta for his incoming successor during the groundbreaking of the triad projects of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and the Ogoni Power Project, in Wiiyaakara community in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers on Friday.

    Buhari, who joined the ceremony virtually, also gave approval for the rehabilitation of the Ogoni axis of the East-West Road in Rivers State.

    The President commended Governor Nyesom Wike for  supporting the  Federal Government’s developmental initiatives in Ogoni.

    He said Wike had particularly maintained relative peace in Ogoniland and Rivers State in general.

     He said:  “It is my desire that you will continue to support this administration and the incoming administration led by His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu who I am confident will consolidate the gains achieved from this project”.

    The President said his administration had not only established the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) to clean up the environment of the Ogoni people, but had also deployed huge investment in the construction of the Bonny/ Bodo road to link to the East-West road with the aim of catalyzing the socio-economic development of Ogoniland.

    Read Also : Niger Delta groups beg Tinubu not to scrap Amnesty Programme

    Buhari expressed joy over the implementation progress in many awarded projects that would impact on the livelihoods of the Ogoni people.

    He  said the Ogoni Power Project upon completion would bring sustainability to the Potable Water Schemes, Livelihood Programme, and the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, and the Specialist Hospital projects.

    He said all projects were designed dto promote the socio-economic development of Ogoniland, create job opportunities for artisans and enhance entrepreneurial growth.