The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kemi Adeosun

  • FG approves N1.7bn for Gurara dam pipeline project

    FG approves N1.7bn for Gurara dam pipeline project

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved the payment of  N1.712 billion for the contractor handling the 75-kilometre Gurara Dam water pipeline project in Niger State.

    The FEC meeting, which lasted for about four hours, was presided over by Vice-president Yemi Osinbajo.

    While briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting, the Minister of Water Resources Mr Suleiman Adamu, said, the memo was complimentary to the earlier one he presented at the last FEC meeting on Nov.22.

    Adamu said, the pipeline contract from Gurara Dam to lower Usuma dam was  for the laying of a three diameter pipeline.

    “Last week, we got approval to engage a contractor for one year and to have a training contract with the contractor so that we can prepare to handover the project to the FCT Administration.

    “So, this memo that was considered today has to do with the backlog of payment for the contractor because the contractor, as you are aware, has been maintaining the pipeline since the project was completed in 2008.”

    The Council also approved the sum of N1.5 billion on voluntary Assets Declaration to cover advertising campaign for nine  months.

    The Minister of Finance Mrs Kemi Adeosun, who presented the memo, also briefed the FEC on the progress under the tax amnesty.

    She informed the council that there were individuals who are ready to declare and pay.

    “We have sent out over 500 letters under the first batch, there are thousands of Nigerians being targeted but the first 500 letters have gone out.

    “We have started getting responses back and many people are asking for time to pay. Most of the governors have agreed to give more time for people to make arrangements for payments.

    “This is indeed, a very good news for Nigeria as it will help reduce over reliance on oil.

    “So, whether oil prices are high or low, we will be able to provide basic services for our people. Very high net worth people are now being brought into the tax revenue profile and we hope to exceed the target that has been set.

    The Minister said, it was too early to give exact figure of the number of responses since the ministry had just started dispatching the letters on Monday.

    “But, we have a telephone line dedicated to the project and a lot of people have called in to express their readiness to cooperate.

    “We meet the governors just two days ago and they all agreed because personal income taxes are also going to the state government coffers.

    She said they also agreed to accommodate those who agreed they are owing but have not got the cash to pay.

    “Some people might have the house but  didn’t have the cash, we need to give them chances to bring this money and  we asked that they should give them time to bring in this money and they have agreed to do so.”

    She said that government was targeting 0ne billion dollars and had already realised 110 million dollars from two companies.

    She said government used information from land registries  of states governments and the FCT as well as Bank Verification Numbers and Corporate Affairs Commission to get those who are defaulting.

    “We also looked at people whose names appeared in the Panama and Paradise papers, we also looked at people who have companies but are not paying the right taxes,” Adeosun said.

    On the payment to Whistles blowers, the minister said, the Federal Government had earmark N421.3 million to pay the first batch of  beneficiaries.

    She said, the only condition necessary for payment was that the money would be paid to the Whistle-blower who signed the agreement with government not to any third party.

    “If we get the court judgement, we have to wait first three months to ensure that there are encumbrances as regards to any further legal challenge.

    “We get in touch with the state government where the person is domiciled, we pay the tax directly to the state and issue the tax receipt. So we built in these procedures to protect the whistle-blower.”

    NAN

  • Nigeria raises $3b at international capital market – Adeosun

    Nigeria raises $3b at international capital market – Adeosun

    The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, said on Wednesday Nigeria has raised $3 billion at the international capital market.

    She disclosed this in a statement issued by her Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Mr. Oluyinka Akintunde, in Abuja.

    She said the Notes comprised a $1.5 billion 10-year series and a $1.5 billion 30-year series.

    The minister said: “The 10-year series will bear interest at a rate of 6.5 per cent, while the 30-year series will bear interest at a rate of 7.625 per cent.

    “By raising $1.5 billion of 30-year notes, Nigeria has emulated a number of our international contemporaries, including Brazil, South Africa, Argentina and Egypt to issue long dated debt as the basis for long term infrastructure financing.

    “It will also establish a benchmark for the private sector to extend the tenure of its own financing.

    “This is critical to delivering an environment within which both the government and the domestic private sector can rapidly enhance its ability to fund investments in infrastructure projects and broader project financing.

    “The full $1.5 billion proceeds of the 30 year notes are allocated to 2017 capital projects.’’

    According to her, the 30-year notes will benefit Nigeria because it demonstrates strong investor confidence in the Nigerian economy and growth story, while providing the long term funding required to finance infrastructure projects at affordable interest rates.

    NAN

  • FG suspends SEC DG, two others

    FG suspends SEC DG, two others

    The Federal Government on Wednesday suspended the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mounir  Gwarzo.

    A statement signed by Patricia Deworitshe, Deputy Director, Press, Ministry of Finance, said Gwarzo’s suspension is to allow for unhindered investigation of several allegations of financial impropriety against the SEC chief.

    According to the statement, the suspension is in line with the Public Service Rules (PSRs) 03405 and 03406.

    The Head of Media in SEC, Mr. Abdulsalam Naif Habu, and the Head of Legal Department, Mrs. Anastasia Omozele Braimoh, have also been suspended over alleged financial impropriety.

    The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has set up an Administrative Panel of Inquiry (API) to investigate and determine the culpability of Gwarzo in the matter and has directed the suspended DG to immediately handover to the most senior officer at the Commission pending the conclusion of investigation.

     

     

  • FEC approves N1.5bn for advertising

    FEC approves N1.5bn for advertising

    The Federal Executive Council ( FEC ) on Wednesday approved N1.5 billion for advertising campaign for nine months in radio, television, online and newspapers.

    The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, briefed State House correspondents at the end of FEC meeting in Abuja.

    She was with the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed and Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, at the briefing.

    She said: “I presented a memo on the voluntary Asset Declaration Bill for approval of N1.5b to cover advertising campaign for nine months, for radio, television, online and newspapers including center spread.”

    The minister said she also briefed FEC, chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on the progress made by the government under the tax amnesty.

    She added: “And it has been very well received. We have people who are ready to declare and pay. We sent out over 500 letters under the first batch, but there are thousands of Nigerians being targeted but the first 500 letters have gone out.

    “We have started to get responses back and many people are asking for time to pay. Most of the governors have agreed to give more time for people to make arrangements for payments. This is indeed a very good news for Nigeria as it will help reduce over reliance on oil. It will improve our tax revenue so that whether oil prices are high or low, we will be able to provide basic services for our people.

    “Very high net worth people are now being brought into the tax revenue profile. We hope to exceed the target that has been set.”

     

     

  • Osinbajo presides over FEC meeting

    Osinbajo presides over FEC meeting

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday presided over the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The FEC meeting which commenced at exactly 10:55 a.m. had in attendance Ministers of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Science and Technology, Mr Ogonnaya Onu.

    Others were Ministers of Trade and Investment, Mr Okechukwu Inelema; Agriculture, Audu Ogbe; Women Affairs, Jummai Alhassan and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Khadija Abba-Ibrahim;

    The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun; and the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, among other ministers were also in attendance.

    Also in attendance were other cabinet members, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff to the President Mallam Abba Kyari, among others.

    NAN

  • Only 40 million Nigerians pay tax – Adeosun

    Only 40 million Nigerians pay tax – Adeosun

    The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, said on Tuesday that only 40 million out of over 70 million taxable adults in the country pay taxes.

    She spoke at the first annual lecture of the Lagos State Professorial Chair of Tax and Fiscal Matters held at the Ade-Ajayi Auditorium of the University of Lagos.

    Adeosun, who chaired the lecture, said about 13 per cent of the active tax payers have their taxes deducted at source under the Pay as You Earn (PAYE) category.

    The minister said tax policies cannot be rigid and needed regular reviews so that many more of the 30 million defaulters pay their taxes.

    She said: “I have kept asking why the 30 million people have refused to pay taxes. Another major challenge is the fact that many Nigerians have other sources of income, yet they are only taxed only through the PAYE. Yet, they earn so much from part-time jobs, and extra businesses.”

    According to the minister, new tax policies in the country must capture online businesses, entrepreneurship and others such as the film industry.

    Adeosun, who reiterated the importance of taxation to national development, noted that every developed country has a well -developed tax policy and that Nigeria cannot be an exception.

     

  • Paradise Papers Leaks: Fed Govt to go after tax defaulters

    Paradise Papers Leaks: Fed Govt to go after tax defaulters

    As facts begin to emerge from the Paradise Papers leaks, the federal government has decided to mine data from such leaks to fish out tax defaulters.

    Minister of finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun made this disclosure in Abuja yesterday during an interactive session with the media, while responding to a question about the legality of the use of offshore tax shelters.

    According to her, “the Federal Ministry of Finance’s data mining project would use data provided on Nigerians from such leaks to crosscheck tax declarations.”

    She urged Nigerians to cooperate with the Government by paying the right taxes to both the Federal and State Governments in order to provide the much needed funds that will improve the lives of Nigerians.

    The Minister maintained that sanctions awaits defaulters who refuse the Federal Government’s offer of tax amnesty, including the full payment of outstanding tax liability and criminal prosecution.

    She said further that businesses, which untruthfully comply, would be liable as whatever was paid on the declared liabilities may be considered as part-payment of the outstanding sum later discovered by the authorities while impetuous defaulters who fail to utilise the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) window, would face criminal prosecution by the Federal Government.

    Adeosun urged users of offshore tax shelters to promptly embrace the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) scheme to regularize their tax status.

    Read Also: Dangote denies proposed 10-year tax holiday rumor

    Reacting to recent revelations on possible tax avoidance by some rich and influential figures around the world from the “Paradise Papers” leakage, finance minister Mrs Kemi Adeosun, advised Nigerians to review any existing tax planning schemes.

    She stated that whilst the use of tax avoidance schemes was legal, tax evasion was not.

    According to her, “the critical question to be asked of all Nigerian tax payers using offshore tax shelters will be whether all applicable taxes have been paid prior to the transfer of funds or assets to a tax shelter.”

    She added that “if all taxes had been paid, then there will be no additional liability except tax payable on further income earned on those funds. However, if taxes had not been paid, then the use of such schemes is illegal.”

    Adeosun counselled users of offshore shelter structures “to seek professional advice, the Federal Ministry of Finance is offering free training to professional advisers on the VAIDS to enable them support their clients.”

    She urged users of offshore tax shelters to promptly embrace the VAIDS scheme to regularize their tax status, adding that Nigeria’s low tax revenues were at variance with the lifestyles of a large number of its people and with the value of assets known to be owned by Nigerians resident around the world.

    According to her, “VAIDS ushers in an opportunity to increase the nation’s general tax awareness and compliance. It is a time-limited opportunity for taxpayers to regularise their tax status relating to previous tax periods.”

    “In exchange for fully and honestly declaring previously undisclosed assets and income, taxpayers will benefit from forgiveness of overdue interest and penalties, and with further assurance that they will not face criminal prosecution for tax offences or be subject to tax investigations,” the finance minister said.

    Adeosun cautioned users of offshore tax havens noting that “with the increasing global focus on illicit financial flows and tax evasion, offshore tax shelters no longer offer robust protection against tax authorities, therefore, the continued use of such schemes poses enormous risks for the users.”

    When asked to comment on the implications of the recent leaks by Panana and Paradise Papers, the Minister remarked that “the leaks are just the beginning of what is likely to be a systematic unravelling of the offshore tax haven system.”

     

  • TSA: Reps to investigate JAMB ’s remittances

    TSA: Reps to investigate JAMB ’s remittances

    The House of Representatives on Thursday resolved to investigate remittances by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to the federation account from 2007 to date.

    This was sequel to a motion on the need to investigate JAMB remittances, by Rep. Segun Adekola (Ekiti-PDP) in Abuja.

    Moving the motion, the lawmaker noted that the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun recently announced that JAMB for the first time remitted N5 billion to the coffers of the government with a balance of N3 billion yet to be remitted compared to the maximum N3 million per annum remitted in the past.

    Adekola disclosed that media reports showed that between 2011 and 2015, JAMB earned at least N30 billion from registration of candidates for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

    The lawmaker stressed that JAMB only remitted a meagre sum to the Federal Government while within the period, it received over N2 billion yearly from the federal budget.

    “The Accountant General of the federation in his response to a Freedom of Information request by a media Investigative outfit stated that JAMB remitted N11.5 million in 2011, N25 million in 2013 and N13 million in 2014 but did not make any remittances in 2012, 2015 and 2016 respectively.’’

    Adekola said that the total amount JAMB remitted to the Federation Account between 2010 and 2016 was N50.8 million, which was about one percent of the amount the Agency remitted to the Federal Government in 2017 alone.

    He further said that “the remittance of such amount by a non-focal revenue generating agency underscores the importance of transparency in the administration and management of government business.’’

    He emphasised the urgent need to beam a searchlight on other government agencies to guide against the flagrant misappropriation of public funds with a view to promoting probity in governance.

    The House, therefore, mandated its committee on Basic Education and Services to investigate the management of the finances of JAMB from 2007 till date.

    The investigation would be in relation to JAMB’s earnings from prospective candidates and remittances made to the federation account.

    The committee was given six weeks within which to turn in its report for further legislative action.

    NAN reports that on Sept. 14, the federal government ordered the probe of past heads of the JAMB and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, over what it called poor remittances in the past.

    Adeosun stated that the disparity in the remittances of the two agencies in the past and now necessitated the decision to probe all previous heads of the two agencies.

    The minister also disclosed that other agencies with similar discrepancies in their revenue remittances will be probed.

  • CSO writes Finance Minister, Adeosun over poor defence ministry implementation

    The Concerned Citizens Coalition for Change (CCCC) has written a letter to the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun urging her to look into and also seek ways of ensuring the proper implementation of the defence budget.
    The coalition in a letter to the Minister signed by Comrade Solomon Semaka said it has monitored the anti-terrorism war in Nigeria’s north-east and came to a conclusion that Nigerians have been irredeemably shortchanged to an extent that there should be consequences in addition to urgent remedial actions.

    He said the Defence Budget has performed poorly and this is having negative impact on the war against terrorism.

    “This has manifested in the ability of Boko Haram’s straggling fighters to regroup into new threats while military forces desperately wait for crucial releases to fund the next phases of procurements for operations.

    “Poor budgetary performance may be reluctantly tolerable in non-sensitive sectors of the national life but is totally a taboo where the security of the country is concerned.

    “Poor implementation poses risk to the military as too many things can go wrong when critical procurements like service parts for aircrafts, fighting gears and other consumables are not procured or maintenance contractual obligations are defaulted upon.

    “Aside the risk that such poses to the military, there is the possibility of Boko Haram terror group bouncing back if something is not urgently done to reverse the situation.

    “The Honorable Minister might have noticed that only the Nigerian Air Force, apparently out of patriotism for the fatherland, has continued to innovatively circumvent the limitations imposed by poor budget implementation to continue aerial bombardment of terrorist bases.

    “The Air Force has locally sourced or fabricated critical spare parts to address the paucity of funds for procuring the foreign made versions. While this has given the Federal Government and Nigerians value for money, this is not an ideal situation.

    “The insinuation making the round is that the Air Force was responsible for the attack which led to the death of its sister organization’s personnel. But our finding is that the Air Force is doing it’s best but cannot go beyond what is provided by the Federal Government.

    “Honourable Minister Ma, you must therefore be bold enough to own up to Nigerians your role in the death of innocent blood that have been shed in the last few months on account of your refusal to release funds to the military.

    “For us this raises questions about the budgetary practices initiated under your watch that entails focusing on revenue generation without recourse to the imperative of ensuring that this takes place in a secured environment.

    “The economy cannot recover neither can it grow if the military is not empowered to eradicate the Boko Haram menace and the other security breaches plaguing the country.

    “As the focal person that ensures that budgets are transparently implemented using global best practice, we hold you wholly responsible for the failure to fund defence related project that will ensure that the Armed Forces are well situated to discharge their duty.

    “May we also point out that your hands are soiled with the blood of military personnel that have died because of failing occasioned by late release of funds or failure to do so. The blood of the innocent civilians that die from Boko Haram still being able to launch attack is also on your conscience.

    “We consequently demand that your office announces measures to ensure proper implementation of the budget in the course of the next 72 hours. This should be backed with measurable actions that must be outlined with specific milestones.

    “Where the Honorable Minister of Finance fails to announce such measures within 72 hours of the receipt of this letter our Coalition would embark on a protest to the presidential villa from where we would lead the mother of all protests for a one-day total occupation of the Ministry of Finance, Abuja on Thursday October 2, 2017.

    “At the end of the one day occupation of the Ministry of Finance Headquarters our focus would shift to demanding your resignation as the Minister of Finance on account that the only thing you have brought to Nigerians is hardship and death. Protesters shall then look to mobilizing a broader coalition that will incorporate other groups with purpose of making it a Nationwide and sector-wide shutdown until President Muhammadu Buhari bows to the wishes of Nigerians and show you the way out.

    “We have the understanding of the various security agencies to peacefully escort the protest because the issue at hand directly affects their safety. Other civil society organizations have been contacted and mobilization is in progress to bring Nigerians unto the streets in their thousands to join the demand that the budget for defecence be properly implemented and not subjected to delays for the Minister of Finance’s personal interest.

    “We look forward to your cooperation in handling this matter in the best interest of the country”he said

    The letter reads in full

    The Honourable Minister of Finance,
    Federal Republic of Nigeria
    Federal Ministry of Finance
    Ahmadu Bello Way, Central Business District
    Abuja,
    Dear Ma

    POOR DEFENCE BUDGET IMPLEMENTATION

    The Concerned Citizens Coalition for Change (CCCC) is a broad umbrella body for civil society organizations. Our member CSOs work in areas like anti-corruption and good governance, citizens protection, humanitarian intervention, relief efforts, human rights monitoring among others.
    Our coalition has monitored the anti-terrorism war in Nigeria’s north-east and came to a conclusion that Nigerians have been irredeemably shortchanged to an extent that there should be consequences in addition to urgent remedial actions.
    The Defence Budget has performed poorly and this is having negative impact on the war against terrorism. This has manifested in the ability of Boko Haram’s straggling fighters to regroup into new threats while military forces desperately wait for crucial releases to fund the next phases of procurements for operations.
    Poor budgetary performance may be reluctantly tolerable in non-sensitive sectors of the national life but is totally a taboo where the security of the country is concerned. Poor implementation poses risk to the military as too many things can go wrong when critical procurements like service parts for aircrafts, fighting gears and other consumables are not procured or maintenance contractual obligations are defaulted upon.
    Aside the risk that such poses to the military, there is the possibility of Boko Haram terror group bouncing back if something is not urgently done to reverse the situation.
    The Honorable Minister might have noticed that only the Nigerian Air Force, apparently out of patriotism for the fatherland, has continued to innovatively circumvent the limitations imposed by poor budget implementation to continue aerial bombardment of terrorist bases.
    The Air Force has locally sourced or fabricated critical spare parts to address the paucity of funds for procuring the foreign made versions. While this has given the Federal Government and Nigerians value for money, this is not an ideal situation.
    The insinuation making the round is that the Air Force was responsible for the attack which led to the death of its sister organization’s personnel. But our finding is that the Air Force is doing it’s best but cannot go beyond what is provided by the Federal Government. Honourable Minister Ma, you must therefore be bold enough to own up to Nigerians your role in the death of innocent blood that have been shed in the last few months on account of your refusal to release funds to the military.
    For us this raises questions about the budgetary practices initiated under your watch that entails focusing on revenue generation without recourse to the imperative of ensuring that this takes place in a secured environment. The economy cannot recover neither can it grow if the military is not empowered to eradicate the Boko Haram menace and the other security breaches plaguing the country.
    As the focal person that ensures that budgets are transparently implemented using global best practice, we hold you wholly responsible for the failure to fund defence related project that will ensure that the Armed Forces are well situated to discharge their duty. May we also point out that your hands are soiled with the blood of military personnel that have died because of failing occasioned by late release of funds or failure to do so. The blood of the innocent civilians that die from Boko Haram still being able to launch attack is also on your conscience.
    We consequently demand that your office announces measures to ensure proper implementation of the budget in the course of the next 72 hours. This should be backed with measurable actions that must be outlined with specific milestones.
    Where the Honorable Minister of Finance fails to announce such measures within 72 hours of the receipt of this letter our Coalition would embark on a protest to the presidential villa from where we would lead the mother of all protests for a one-day total occupation of the Ministry of Finance, Abuja on Thursday October 2, 2017.
    At the end of the one day occupation of the Ministry of Finance Headquarters our focus would shift to demanding your resignation as the Minister of Finance on account that the only thing you have brought to Nigerians is hardship and death. Protesters shall then look to mobilizing a broader coalition that will incorporate other groups with purpose of making it a Nationwide and sector-wide shutdown until President Muhammadu Buhari bows to the wishes of Nigerians and show you the way out.
    We have the understanding of the various security agencies to peacefully escort the protest because the issue at hand directly affects their safety. Other civil society organizations have been contacted and mobilization is in progress to bring Nigerians unto the streets in their thousands to join the demand that the budget for defecence be properly implemented and not subjected to delays for the Minister of Finance’s personal interest.
    We look forward to your cooperation in handling this matter in the best interest of the country as we hate to contemplate the alternatives.
    Thank you.
    Yours sincerely,

    Comrade Solomon Semaka
    For the Civil Society

  • States should have more opportunities to develop themselve – Osinbajo.

    States should have more opportunities to develop themselve – Osinbajo.

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday declared his stand on the raging issue of restructuring of Nigeria, saying that he fully agreed that “states should have more opportunities to develop themselves’’.

    Osinbajo was speaking at a crowded Lagos conference, tagged: “Towards a Better Nigeria,’’ organised by leading Nigerian pastors.

    He, however, did not elaborate on his statement on restructuring but recalled that the ruling APC party had two years ago talked about standing for devolution of powers.

    “The APC manifesto in 2015 talked about devolution of powers and Nigeria may do more work to ensure that states are generating more income and people are paying more taxes.’’

    Osinbajo identified corruption, tribalism and religion as the key problems hampering Nigeria’s development, decrying the failure of Christian leaders in Nigeria to chart an agenda that would help to rid the country of vices.
    “The key to development in Nigeria is the church. It is the church that will begin the process of unity by uniting itself first.

    “What Nigeria needs is already written in the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

    Osinbajo said that to build a new Nigeria, “we need people of integrity, hard work and people with love for the country.

    “It is this tribe that can configure the argument for change in Nigeria. The corrupt Nigerian elites are one tribe.

    “In sharing their loot, they neither bring in ethnicity nor religion but only use such to create misunderstandings that will benefit themselves.

    “The reason Nigeria is where it is today is because people do not really care. It is time people should stand up for what is right and join the fight against corruption.

    “Corruption has become the rule in Nigeria and this must stop. It did not start with this administration and it is yet to stop.

    On the Fulani herdsmen palaver, the vice-president said that “contrary to opinions that it began because the president is Fulani, in 1996, there were issues between herdsmen and some communities in Gombe.

    “This issue has been on through the years. Giving the impression that it is a phenomenon because a Fulani man is president is wrong.

    “Even in 2014, there were reported herdsmen issues in Nigeria.”

    On alleged lop-sided appointments in the country, Osinbajo said it was time that Nigerians begun to look at merit rather than tribe or religion.

    “It is easy to say that appointments are lop-sided if one set of appointments come or that it is not balanced. It is on record that Ogun State has the highest number of heads of agencies and parastatals in Nigeria, followed by Imo.

    “Borno, Sokoto and Yobe States that voted heavily for the APC in the 2015 presidential election do not have a senior minister in the administration.

    “Most people, who think that the north is favoured or better because the president is from there will have a re-think when they visit northern Nigeria.

    “The north is the poorest part of Nigeria in every way. There are over 2.3 million displaced people. The north is ravaged by diseases and Boko Haram.

    “Many people’s perception will change if they visited the north.’’
    On the Ibrahim Magu controversy, the vice-president said that Magu remained a competent man, saying: “we must insist on merit even when many do not believe in that.

    “We are never going to get this country to where we want it to be. In football, we don’t ask where we come from because we want to win.

    “It is only in Nigeria that we look for state quotas first instead of merit.”

    Commenting on an alleged plan by the present administration to start taxing churches, Osinbajo said that a bill on the issue was sponsored by some civil society groups.

    “The bill is currently being debated in the National Assembly. There is no plan by the government to get churches to pay tax.’’

    On the Islamic Development Bank, he explained that Nigeria did not become a member of the bank during the present administration.

    “Buhari does not own the bank. Nigeria became a member in 2008. The first and present directors of the bank are Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Kemi Adeosun and they are Christians.

    “Nigeria is just a shareholder and like any business we make use of the profit we get from there.”

    On IPOB and Operation Python Dance, Osinbajo explained that everything done was geared towards safeguarding the unity of Nigeria.

    “If we begin to have reprisal attacks in Nigeria, we may be facing war. We must be careful to avoid the hostilities degenerating,” he said.

    Also speaking, Bishop Mike Okonkwo of the Redeemed Evangelical Mission, advised churches in Nigeria to embark on human capital development.

    He said that it was time for the church to change its perspective on issues of governance and contribute their quota to nation building.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference was convened by Pastor Yomi Kasali of the Greater Nigeria Pastors Conference.

    Over 1,000 pastors from across the country attended the event.