The Nation Newspaper

Tag: BUHARI

  • Nigeria safe, secure for tourism, says Buhari 

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Abuja declared that Nigeria is safe and secure for tourism, citing improved security and country’s burgeoning economy.

    He made the remark while receiving Mr Zurab Pololikashvili, the Secretary-General of United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to him, it would have been inconceivable to host an international tourism conference in Abuja four years ago, because of security concerns.

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, the President said ‘‘I am pleased that the country is now sufficiently safe and secure, and the message should go out to the world for all tourists and business travellers. The first thing tourists look out for is security and I am happy we have it now.

    ‘‘Minister Lai Mohammed has been trying to convince the world that Nigeria is safe and has great potentials for tourism and investment.

    “I am glad that you and your team have come here to see things for yourself,’’ the President told the UN tourism chief, who is in Abuja for the 61st UNWTO Commission for Africa (CAF) conference.” he stated

    Highlighting the nexus between tourism and sustainable development, the President said Nigeria would not be left behind in ensuring that communities and businesses benefit from tourism development.

    In his remarks, Pololikashvili commended Nigeria for the successful hosting of the conference which brings together African Ministers of Tourism, principal executives of the global tourism body and other stakeholders in the tourism sector.

    The UN tourism chief told the President Nigeria had huge potential to develop the tourism sector considering its large economy.

    ‘‘We can do it in Nigeria, we can create, convert Nigeria to the main tourist destination in Africa. There is a huge potential here. Culture, nature, food you have everything here.

    ‘‘You are investing in agriculture, improving seamless travel through visa-on-arrival programme, reforming the economy and doing so much on security. Nigeria is safe,’’ Pololikashvili said.

    Also speaking, the Information and Culture Minister said 166 delegates, including 26 tourism ministers from Africa are attending the UN tourism conference, holding from June 4 to June 6 in Abuja.

    Pololikashvili described the ongoing 61st meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Africa (CAF) in Abuja as one of the most successful events of the global body.

    He spoke in Abuja at a joint news conference with the Minister of Information and Culture.

    He said the UNWTO will leverage the success of the meeting to promote Nigeria to become a top tourist destination in the world and commended the minister for putting Nigeria on the global tourism map.

    ”Thanks to the minister that is pushing Nigeria as a new tourist destination. We are here to support Nigeria to be the most important and most attractive place to come to visit to enjoy the culture,” Mr. Pololikashvili said.

    Mr. Pololikashvili said the meeting had provided a veritable platform to discuss and articulate concrete steps towards the development of tourism on the continent.

    ”We had very interesting discussions with ministers and we made very concrete decisions on how to continue and how to work with African Continent, which has full support from our organization, and we are very glad that we are going in the right way.

    ”We have an ambitious plan. We want to promote Africa as one of the main and most important tourism destinations in the world,” he said.

    Mohammed said:  ”I know it is for our guests to assess the event, but I must say that I am quite satisfied with the way the meeting has gone so far – the impressive attendance, the quality of contributions, the spectacular nature of the social events and, in particular, the passion and commitment of the Secretary-General, who has attended all the key events..

    ”Without being immodest, let me say that we are very proud of the hosting of the 61st Meeting of the UNWTO CAF. We are very proud of the role played by the UNWTO and CAF. We are happy with the attendance of delegates and we are happy with the events overall.”

  • Senators, Reps give Buhari conditions to avoid impeachment

    The conditions

    • Killings should stop
    • End to harassment and humiliation of lawmakers
    • Adherence to rule of law
    • President’s appointees must be held accountable for actions
    • Anti-corruption battle should not be selective
    • Prosecution of those who stole senate mace
    • Lawmakers to take case to international community
    • Lawmakers to collaborate with Labour CSOs
    • President must contain unemployment, poverty
    • Lawmakers won’t hesitate to invoke Constitutional powers
    • Vote of confidence in Saraki, Dogara
    • Vote of no confidence on IG Idris

    The fragile relationship  between the Presidency and the National Assembly may have collapsed, following yesterday’s emergency joint session of the National Assembly.

    The lawmakers  issued President Muhammadu Buhari a 10-point condition, otherwise they would “invoke constitutional powers”.

    A flurry of activities culminated in yesterday’s session.

    On Sunday, the police invited Senate President Bukola Saraki to defend his relationship with the April 5 Offa robbery suspects, who killed 33 people, including nine policemen.

    Some of the suspects claimed that they were thugs being used and armed by the Senate president and Kwara State Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed.

    On Monday, after a meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and some security chiefs, including Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris, Saraki was told to send his explanation within 48 hours without appearing before the police.

    Yesterday’s National Assembly joint session was described as an emergency executive session on the state of the nation.

    The Senate president, accompanied by House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, read the resolutions.

    No timeline was given for compliance with the resolutions.

    The resolutions include: “The security agencies must be given marching orders to curtail the sustained killings of Nigerians across the country and protect life and properties of Nigerians as this is the primary duty of any responsible Government.

    “The systematic harassment and humiliation by the Executive of perceived political opponents, people with contrary opinions, including Legislators and Judiciary, by the police and other security agencies must stop.

    “There must be strict adherence to the Rule of Law and protection for all citizens by the President and his appointees.

    “The President must be held accountable for the actions of his appointees and must be ready to sanction those that carry out any act which will ridicule or endanger our country and democracy.

    “The Government should show sincerity in the fight against corruption by not being selective and also prosecute current appointees that have cases pending against them.

    “The sanctity of the National Assembly should be protected and preserved by the Federal Government of Nigeria by not interfering in its business and prosecuting those who invaded the Senate to seize the mace.

    “National Assembly should liaise with International Communities through the IPU,  APU,  ECOWAS,  CPA,  Parliament,  Pan African Parliament, EU,  UN,  US    Congress and UK Parliament to secure our democracy.

    “Democratic elections must be competitive and inclusive by removing the present reign  of fear and intimidation particularly as we approach the forthcoming 2019 elections.

    “The National Assembly will work closely with Civil Society Organisations, Trade Unions and NGOs to further deepen and protect our democracy.

    “The President must take immediate steps to contain the growing level of unemployment and poverty in Nigeria, especially now that we have advantage of the oil price having risen to $80 per barrel.

    “Both chambers of the National Assembly hereby pass a vote of   confidence on the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the entire leadership of the National Assembly.

    “We reaffirm our earlier resolution of vote of no confidence on the Inspector General of Police who does nothing other than preside over the killing of innocent Nigerians and consistent framing up of perceived political opponents of the President and outright disregard for constitutional authority, both executive and legislative.

    “Finally, the National Assembly will not hesitate to evoke its Constitutional powers if nothing is done to address the above resolutions passed today”.

    Signs that all was not well became apparent immediately the Senate reconvened for plenary and went into an Executive Session around 11am.

    The closed session ended around 12.30 pm.

    Saraki announced after the closed session that they discussed National Assembly and Senate issues in particular.

    He added that they resolved to hold a joint executive session with the House of Representatives.

    Saraki mandated Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan to move a motion for the Senate to go to the House of Representatives chamber for the emergency joint Executive Session.

    Lawan did.

    The motion was seconded by Minority Leader Godswill Akpabio.

    Members of the upper chamber were also said to have held a “strategic meeting” on Monday night to articulate issues for discussion.

    While the Executive Session in the House of Representatives lasted, activities in the National Assembly were grounded.

     

    162 oppose impeachment plan at stormy session

    Senate President Bokola Saraki briefed yesterday’s executive session  on issues “that are mainly personal” and House Speaker Yakubu Dogara did not speak., according to sources at the session.

    An impeachment move against President Muhamadu Buhari was made during the stormy joint session with the circulation of a register. A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member from Kogi State, it was learnt, initiated the impeachment move, which many lawmakers kicked against.

    A group of 162 lawmakers from the North, according to Hon.Mohammad Gudaji Kazaure (Jigawa), quickly came together to oppose the impeachment move. Rep Abdulmunini Jibrin (Kano), in a statement on behalf of the pro-Buhari Parliamanetary Support Group (PSP), said commendably, Dogara “tactically refused to make any comment at the session even after the Senate President took time to explain the issues which are mostly personal”.

    “That almost all the members and senators that spoke at the Executive session are of the PDP while members of the APC declined joining the discussion to avoid a rowdy confrontation as the entire session could easily pass for a PDP Executive session.

    “That it is disturbing and raised many questions of pre determined intentions that a known ally of the Senate President from Kwara State, Hon Rasak Atunwa, drafted what was adopted as the resolution and without voting on it in accordance with standard parliamentary practice.”

  • Nigeria safe, secure for tourism, says Buhari

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has declared that Nigeria is safe and secure for tourism, citing improved security and the country’s burgeoning economy.

    He spoke while receiving the Secretary-General of United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to him, it would have been inconceivable to host an international tourism conference in Abuja four years ago, because of security concerns.

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President said: ”I am pleased that the country is now sufficiently safe and secure, and the message should go out to the world for all tourists and business travellers. The first thing tourists look out for is security and I am happy we have it now.

    ”Minister Lai Mohammed has been trying to convince the world that Nigeria is safe and has great potentials for tourism and investment.

    “I am glad that you and your team have come here to see things for yourself,” the President told the UN tourism chief, who is in Abuja for the 61st UNWTO Commission for Africa (CAF) conference.

    Highlighting the nexus between tourism and sustainable growth, the President said Nigeria would not be left behind in ensuring that communities and businesses benefit from tourism growth.

    Pololikashvili lauded Nigeria for the successful hosting of the conference, which brings together African Ministers of Tourism, principal executives of the global tourism body and other stakeholders.

    The UN tourism chief told the President Nigeria had huge potential to develop the tourism sector considering its large economy.

    ”We can do it in Nigeria, we can create, convert Nigeria to the main tourist destination in Africa. There is a huge potential here. Culture, nature, food you have everything here.

    ”You are investing in agriculture, improving seamless travel through visa-on-arrival programme, reforming the economy and doing so much on security. Nigeria is safe,” Pololikashvili said.

    The Information and Culture Minister said 166 delegates, including 26 tourism ministers from Africa are attending the UN tourism conference, holding from June 4 to June 6 in Abuja.

     

     

     

  • Senators, Reps threaten to impeach Buhari

    The National Assembly on Tuesday warned President Muhammadu Buhari to stop interfering in its affairs or face impeachment.

    The  lawmakers at a volatile joint  executive session held at the House of Representatives chamber, said the President must be sincere in his fight against corruption and stop harassing his perceived enemies.

    The over three hours meeting also reaffirmed the vote of no confidence on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris.

    On the other hand, the lawmakers passed a vote of confidence on the President of the Senate,  Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.

    However, a member of the House said the impeachment procedure against the President would fail as it will not be supported by northern members of the National Assembly .

    Details later…..

  • Biafra: Buhari hails Gowon for restraining troops

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari yesterday hailed former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon for restraining the Federal forces from going all out against Biafra forces during the civil war.

    He spoke in Abuja after he was decorated as the Grand Patron of the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) by the society’s National President, Bolaji Anani at the Presidential Villa.

    Buhari said: “Earlier in my profession, during the civil war, I know how much sacrifice members of the Nigerian Red Cross and their international counterparts did both in the real front of operations and at the rear, on both sides. I think it is a lot of sacrifices because anything can happen to you in the operational areas.

    “The risks they faced were real and I admire their courage and commitment to helping people who were in distress and were virtually in millions. Those photographs of people from the Biafra enclave spoke a lot.

    “I remember with nostalgia the performance of the Commander-in-Chief, General Gowon. Every commander was given a copy of the Commander-in-Chief’s instructions that we were not fighting enemies but that we were fighting our brothers. And thus, people were constrained to show a lot of restraint.

    “The international observer teams were allowed to go as far as possible within and outside the front and I think this was generous and very considerate of Gen. Gowon. He is a highly committed Nigerian.”

    On the investiture, Buhari said: “I appreciate this honour bestowed on me.”

    The President thanked the society for its supports in the Northeast and the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps.

    He assured the society that the Federal Government would look at its challenges, including assisting the organisation to secure permanent office accommodation in Abuja.

    He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Red Cross Society for its philanthropic support to Nigeria and its people during the civil war, other emergency situations.

    “I have taken note of your logistics, especially your request for office here.

    “I assure you that the government will do its best when you decide to build such facilities in terms of securing an area here within the Federal Capital Territory and we hope you will not do the Nigerian ways of doing things.

    “To use the words of famous Nigerian Minister ‘I hope you will not build an elephantine headquarters’, which is going to be functional because we have seen your activities throughout the country.

    “I have taken note of your logistics especially your office here since we returned to Abuja from Lagos. I assure you that the government will do its best when you decide to build such facilities in terms of securing an area,” he said.

    Anani said the society, which was registered as an independent national society in 1961, had over 800,000 trained volunteers based in communities across the 774 local government areas of the federation.

    He said the society’s interventions included responses to cases of disasters, disease outbreaks, displacements and providing succor and psycho-social support to victims of dehumanisation.

  • Buhari a phenomenon – Lawan

    The Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, on Monday described President Muhammadu Buhari as a phenomenon.

    He said the plethora of movements propelling the President’s re-election is due to the man’s phenomenal attributes.

    Lawan stated these when he hosted members of North East Youth coalition for President Buhari in his office in Abuja.

    He said the President remained an attitude to life.

    He said: “Buhari is a phenomenon. It is a movement, it is not a man.  What I mean here, let me not be misquoted. When I said Buhari is not a man, Buhari is an attitude to life. What is that, attitude, integrity and commitment.

    “He came into politics not to make money.  It is our duty as citizens not to allow the President to do it alone. No matter how you are, how equipped you are, when it comes to leadership and administration, especially of a country that is as complex as Nigeria, you need every hand to be on deck.

    “That is what we are trying to do, that is what the coalition is seeking to do as a Senate. When the President came in 2015, the first actions he took were the actions necessary to rescue and secure the North East.

    “The North East has been rescued, insurgency once it starts it doesn’t stop like when rain starts and stops. You will always find from time to time some signs that they are still there.  But the signs have been reduced to suicide bombing of soft targets, not declaring a caliphate with headquarters in Bama or anywhere else. We really owe gratitude to our President.”

    Lawan said “Buharism” is delivery of services in transparent and accountable manner.

    He added: “We are not only asking President Muhammadu Buhari to run in 2019. We want Buhari to finish in 2023 and then another Buhari should come. The attitude to governance that should be transparent and demonstrate accountability.”

     

  • 9m benefitting from investment programme – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari said on Monday that at least nine million people are currently benefitting from the Social Investment Programme (SIP) in the country.

    He also said 297,973 homes are receiving the monthly stipend of N5,000 from the Federal Government.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 61st meeting of the United Nations World Tourism Organization Commission for Africa (UNWTO-CAF), the federal government has injected $9 billion dollars into the country’s infrastructural development in the last two years.

    According to him, the infrastructural projects include road, railway and power.

    President Buhari, who was represented the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said the country is investing so much on infrastructure to promote tourism in a steady effort to diversify the economy.

    He also said the government is investing in SIP to promote human capital development which has benefitted over nine million people.

    To attract investment in the tourism sector, the President said the government would impose minimal tariffs on amusement park equipment, casino and materials for hotel construction.

    He said: “The theme: ‘Tourism Statistics – A Catalyst for Development’ is apt and could not have come at a better time than now, considering the significance of Tourism Statistics and Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) in measuring the contribution of the tourism sector to the national economy.

    “The importance of tourism and its potentials to national economies cannot be overemphasized. Tourism, as we all know, contributes to the wealth of nations and the well-being of citizens, largely through foreign exchange earnings, generation of revenue, creation of employment, knowledge, cultural integration as well as increase the GDP of the country.

    “We are making steady efforts to diversify the economy through agriculture, solid minerals development and tourism. We are also investing heavily in infrastructure to promote tourism. This administration has injected about $9 billion to strengthen its investment in power, roads and railway in the past two years alone.

    “Also, this government is investing in Social Investment Programme (SIP) to promote human capital development which has benefitted over nine million people. These programmes include our Home-Grown School Feeding Programme that is providing one meal a day to 7.4 million pupils in 22 states of the Federation; N-Power programme that has employed 200,000 university graduates and is about to employ 300,000 more; the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) under which some 297,973 poor homes are receiving 5,000 Naira monthly; and the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) that has provided loans to hundreds of thousands of small business owners.”

     

  • ‘N17b election expenses’: SERAP urges Buhari to prosecute beneficiaries

    THE Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to, within 14 days, prosecute those who benefitted from the N17 billion allegedly paid to members of the National Assembly as ‘election expenses’ before they passed  2015 budget.

    The organisation, in an open letter, asked the President to order the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and/or appropriate anti-corruption agencies “to without delay, investigate the alleged payment of N17 billion to the National Assembly as ‘election expenses”

    It added that “if there is relevant and sufficient admissible evidence”, anyone suspected to be involved should be prosecuted.

    The organisation, in the letter dated June 1 and signed by its deputy director, Timothy Adewale, said it would “institute legal proceedings to compel your government to act in the public interest, if these steps are not taken within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter”.

    Former Finance Minister under President Goodluck Jonathan government Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala had alleged on page 80 of her book titled: “Fighting corruption is dangerous”, that “N17 billion was forced into the budget for election expenses of members of the National Assembly with the agreement of its leadership”.

    The funds became the price to pay to have the 2015 budget passed,” she said.

    SERAP noted that the alleged N17 billion “bribe” has increased attention to the growing lack of transparency and accountability of the National Assembly, and the corresponding loss of trust and faith by Nigerians in the budgeting process and disillusionment in their lawmakers.

    It noted that the Attorney General is a defender of public interest and has the powers under Section 174(1) of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), to institute and undertake criminal proceedings against anyone suspected to be responsible for acts of corruption.

  • Buhari, Obasanjo, Saraki, Dickson mourn ex-Appeal Court president

    pRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, former President Olusegun Obasanjo  Senate President Bukola Saraki and Bayelsa State Governor Henry Seriake Dickson have paid tribute to the late former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mustapha Akanbi.

     

    President: he was a man of enviable integrity

     

    Buhari described him as a man, whose greatest asset in life was his enviable integrity and incorruptibility.

    The President believed that Justice Akanbi would be long remembered for his enormous contributions in bringing credibility and respectability to the country’s judiciary.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, noted that the death of the pioneer Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is a colossal loss to the Nigerian judiciary and the country as a whole.

    According to the President, “being respected by the people for your honesty and patriotism is the best legacy a man can leave behind.

    “In a country where corruption is perceived as fashionable, Akanbi stood out as a remarkable man who put personal integrity and selflessness before the desire for money outside his legitimate income.”

    The President affirmed that Justice Akanbi’s greatest achievement was leaving the public service with his integrity intact and untainted.

     

    ‘A paragon of rectitude is gone’

     

    Obasanjo  said the late ICPC was a man who radiated honesty and integrity.

    In a condolence letter to Akanbi’s eldest child, Akeem Akanbi and signed by his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo described the late  Akanbi as a distinguished Nigerian, an icon, a paragon of rightness and rectitude, who devoted his life to the service of Nigeria.

    The ex-President revealed that the demise of Akanbi has left him in a “sorrowful” state since it happened.

    The letter reads: “It is with a grieving heart, but with obedience to the will of the Almighty that I write to commiserate with you and other members of your family over the painful demise of your loving father, our most revered Hon. Justice Muhammad Mustapha Adebayo Akanbi.

    “News of his death today, Sunday, June 3, 2018, came to me as a jarring shock far away in Dubai.  But we mortals can never question the designs of the Almighty Allah.

    “In a country like ours, which is abundantly endowed with stars and frontiersmen, Justice Akanbi was one genuine patriot who radiated dominantly within our national space and beyond. He was a distinguished Nigerian, an icon, a paragon of rightness and rectitude, whose life is devoted entirely to the service of his nation. He was a role model and a nationalist.”

    Saraki says Akanbi was a honest, principled jurist

     

    Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, described the late Akanbi as an indefatigable, honest and principled jurist, who upheld the fine ethics of the judicial process till he breathed his last.

    “I am sad that Baba (Akanbi) has left us. He was fearless, courageous and spoke truth to power during his lifetime,” Saraki said.

    One of the finest justices is gone, says Dickson

     

    Dickson commiserated with the governments and people of Kwara State over the demise of Akanbi.

    The governor, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Francis Ottah Agbo, described Akanbi as one of the finest justices in Nigeria.

    Dickson said while on the bench, Akanbi dispensed justice without fear or favour.

    He said: “Justice Akanbi was a courageous judge who used the bench to dispense justice without fear or favour and rose to be President of Court of Appeal.  As Chairman of ICPC,  he fought corruption to a standstill for which we are grateful to him. His death is clearly an irredeemable loss to the country. ”

     

     

  • Buhari okays new excise duty rates for alcohol, tobacco, others

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved an amendment to the excise duty rates for alcoholic beverages and tobacco with effect from today.

    The President granted a grace period of 90 days to manufacturers before the take off of the new excise duty regime.

    There is, however, no increase in excise duty of other local excisable products.

    Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, who broke the news in Abuja, said the new duty rates were spread over a three-year period from this year to 2020 to moderate the impact on prices of the products.

    She said the new duty regimes followed all-inclusive stakeholder engagements by the Tariff Technical Committee of the Federal Ministry of Finance with key industry stakeholders.

    According to her, the upward review of the excise duty for alcoholic beverages and tobacco was to achieve a dual benefit of raising the government’s fiscal revenues and reducing the health hazards associated with tobacco-related diseases and alcohol abuse.

    “The Tariff Technical Committee (TCC) recommended the slight adjustment in the excise duty charges after cautious considerations of the Government’s Fiscal Policy Measures for 2018 and the reports of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund Technical Assistance Mission on Nigeria’s Fiscal Policy.

    “The effect of the excise duty rates adjustment on trade and investment was also assessed by the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment and it adopted the recommendations of the TTC. Furthermore, peer country comparisons were also carried out showing Nigeria as being behind the curve in the review of excise duty rates on alcoholic beverages and tobacco,” Mrs. Adeosun said.

    Following the President’s approval, Mrs Adeosun said the new excise duty rate on tobacco was now a combination of the ad-valorem base rate and specific rate while the ad-valorem rate was replaced with a specific rate for alcoholic beverages.

    “For alcoholic beverages, the current ad-valorem rate will be replaced with specific rates and spread over three years to moderate the impact on prices. This will curb the discretion in the Unit Cost Analysis (UCA) for determining the ad-valorem rate and prevent revenue leakages,” she said.

    On tobacco, the finance minister said: “The government will maintain the current ad-valorem rate of 20 per cent and introduce additional specific rates with the implementation to be spread over a three-year period to also reasonably reduce the impact on prices.”

    Under the new excise duty, rates for tobacco in addition to the 20 per cent ad-valorem rate, each stick of cigarette will attract a N1 specific rate per stick (N20 per pack of 20 sticks) in 2018, N2 specific rate per stick (N40 per pack of 20 sticks) in 2019 and N2.90k specific rate per stick (N58 per pack of 20 sticks) in 2020.

     

    Mrs Adeosun explained that Nigeria’s cumulative specific excise duty rate for tobacco was 23.2 per cent of the price of the most sold brand, as against 38.14 per cent in Algeria, 36.52 per cent in South Africa and 30 per cent in Gambia.

    The new specific excise duty rate for alcoholic beverages cuts across beer and stout, wines and spirits for the three years 2018 to 2020.

    Under the new regime, beer and stout would attract N0.30k per centiliter (Cl) in 2018 and N0.35k per Cl each in 2019 and 2020. Wines would attract N1.25k per Cl in 2018 and N1.50k per Cl each in 2019 and 2020, while N1.50k per Cl was approved for Spirits in 2018, N1.75k per Cl in 2019 and N2.00k per Cl in 2020.

    She added that the new excise duty regimes are in line with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) directive on the harmonisation of member-states’ legislations on excise duties.

    It would be recalled that the ECOWAS Council of Ministers had at its 62nd and 79th Ordinary Sessions in Abuja in May 2009 and December 2017, respectively, issued directives on the harmonisation of the ECOWAS Member States’ Legislations on Excise Duties.

    The directives seek to harmonise member-states’ legislations on excise duties of non-oil products and also stipulate the scope of application, rate of taxation, taxable event and amount.