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Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • FIRS nets N4.03tr in 2017

    FIRS nets N4.03tr in 2017

    …collects N720bn more than 2016 collection

    The Federal Inland Revenue Service ( FIRS ) said it collected a total of N4.03 trillion in 2017.

    This figure represents 82.38% of government set target of N4.89 trillion for the last year.

    A statement signed by Wahab Gbadamosi, Head, Communications and Servicom Department of the Service said “FIRS’ collection of N4.03 trillion is N720 billion (22%) more than the 2016 total collection figure of N3.305 trillion. The 2017 collection performance exceeded the 2016 collection performance of 78.75%.”

    Executive Chairman of FIRS, Mr. Tunde Fowler was quoted to have said “with the support of the National Assembly, and that of other stakeholders, FIRS was able to collect over N4 trillion in 2017. This is an increase of over 20 per cent relative to our collection in 2016. We are hopeful that going forward, FIRS will be able to fund this country through taxation.

    Going back memory lane, the FIRS Chairman recalled that when he was the Lagos Internal Revenue Service, LIRS Executive Chairman, the Oba of Lagos played an important role in tax collection. Apart from supporting LIRS morally, Fowler recalled that Oba Akiolu mandated the White cap chiefs to accompany LIRS officials to key markets and most parts of Lagos to sensitise the people on tax collection.

    The FIRS Chairman shed light on FIRS’ collection in 2017: “we all recall that beginning from the second half of 2014, there has been a sustained decline in the global prices of oil. Oil Revenue Generated by FIRS in 2014 – 2.45 Trillion; Oil Revenue Generated in 2015 – N1.29 Trillion; FIRS Oil Revenue Generated in 2016 – N1.16 Trillion; FIRS Oil Revenue Generated in 2017 – N1.52 Trillion.”

    This trend he said had adverse effect on the ability of oil dependent countries to meet their development objectives. “For us in Nigeria, the decline in receipts from oil revenue and the concomitant decline in accruals to States from the Federation Account has placed many States in a financial quandary to the point where basic obligations such as the payment of employee wages has become a perennial challenge. This is not the first time Nigeria will experience economic slow-down as a result of fluctuations in global oil prices.”

    Fowler noted that the FIRS under his watch “hopes to ensure that we act differently this time around by looking beyond oil as the mainstay of our economy. By putting our hands together in contributing to our set goal, I am confident that we will surpass our past results and we’ll be well on our way to the future we hope to achieve.”

    Fowler noted that though collection increased by 20 per cent relative to 2016, the Cost of Collection went down to 2.49 per cent in 2017 relative to the 2.60 per cent cost of collection in 2016 and   2.62 in 2015. This, the FIRS Chairman noted, attests to the growing efficiency in collection by the Service and to which the embrace of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) tools contributed.

    On his part, the Oba of Lagos noted that 60 or 70 per cent of FIRS collection comes from Lagos, to this end he said he will be sending a letter to Senate President Bukola Saraki to draw his attention to the 1851 treaty, which the colonial government signed with Oba Akintoye: that three per cent of all taxes collected in Lagos will go to the Oba, while 2 per cent of all exports will go to Oba Akintoye. “While I am not asking that this be paid to me now, it could be paid to the Lagos State Government”.

    The Oba who said he lives by example stated that he pays as much as N350 million in tax every year.

    Nigeria he said now needs good governance that will deliver development to the people. “FIRS has collected N4 trillion and they will collect more in the futures. The legacy that Tunde Fowler has made in Lagos is still felt but you have more work to do,

    Lagos does not discriminate against anybody just as the state will not accept any injustice from any quarters.”

    He enjoined Senators and members of the House of Reps to dialogue with and give, President Muhammadu Buhari a chance as he loves Nigeria. He also called on the federal parliamentarians to support the anti-graft war by confirming the Economic and Financial Commission Chairman, Ibrahim Magu. Nigeria, the monarch assured will not break.

    The FIRS contributed N2.78 trillion to the Federation Accounts. Representing 99.5% of the target for 2017 (7.5% higher than 2016 performance).

    An analysis of the collection performance indicates that non-oil accounted for 63% while oil tax accounted for 38% of the total collection. Stamp Duty recorded the most increase in performance with 94%.

    The achievements recorded by the FIRS from the administrative and operational initiatives introduced by the Executive Chairman, Tunde Fowler in 2015 and 2016 were designed to reposition the agency.

    The 2018 Ease of Doing Business report, released by the World Bank Group late last year, shows that Nigeria moved up 11 places in terms of the ease of paying taxes. This contributed to Nigeria’s movement by 24 points/places in the (from 169th to 124th position in the Ease of Doing business globally.

    The initiatives which directly impacted on business owners, implemented by the Service with the support of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council ( PEBEC ) contributed to Nigeria’s upward movement in global ease of doing business ranking.

  • Why Wike still hates Buhari, Amaechi – Rivers APC

    Why Wike still hates Buhari, Amaechi – Rivers APC

    *President was never under pressure to declare state of emergency in Rivers, insists APC

    The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) has revealed that Governor Nyesom Wike still hates President Muhammadu Buhari and Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, for masterminding the ouster from office in 2015 of the then President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ).

    It also insisted that President Buhari was never under pressure to declare a state of emergency in Rivers, as alleged by Wike.

    Rivers APC, through Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, the Senior Special Assistant on Media/Public Affairs Consultant to Rivers State Chairman, Chief Davies Ikanya, stated these yesterday in Port Harcourt.

    Rivers governor, while receiving Anglican Bishops of Niger Delta Province at the Government House, Port Harcourt over the weekend, alleged that President Buhari was under intense pressure from leaders of the APC to declare a state of emergency in Rivers.

    The main opposition party in Rivers ( APC ) said: “Wike’s hatred for President Buhari and Amaechi is legendary, since the two APC leaders masterminded the ouster from office of his ATM, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, under whose watch our common patrimony was looted with impunity.

    Because of this, he is ever ready to use any forum to castigate, insult and malign these two great leaders, not minding the dire consequences.

    “President Buhari never complained to Wike of any pressure to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State. We are shocked that Wike could bring the exalted office of the governor to odium, in such a reckless manner, to ascribe to President Buhari something he never said.

    “To the best of our knowledge, the three issues that Wike discussed with President Buhari were Ogoni clean-up, the Nkpogu Junction (Port Harcourt) incident with Amaechi, where attempt was made on the life of the Transportation Minister and the detention of Wike’s Chief Security Officer (CSO) for one week.

    “Nobody is interested in declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State, not minding the abysmal failure of Wike to ensure protection of the lives and property of the people of Rivers State.

    “We urge Wike not only to call himself to order, but to formally apologise to President Buhari for ascribing words he never uttered to him, to score cheap publicity, always associated with him.”

    Rivers APC also stated that the Neighborhood Watch about being established by Wike’s government would be used to cause more mayhem in Rivers state, to boast his chances during the 2019 governorship election, declaring that the Rivers governor stood no chance in any election, without violence.

    The main opposition party reassured the peace-loving people of Rivers state and other Nigerians that not minding the abysmal failure of Wike in governance, the Federal Government would always protect lives and property in the Niger Delta state.

  • PHOTO:Buhari meeting with South East APC leaders

    PHOTO:Buhari meeting with South East APC leaders

    President Muhammadu Buhari meeting with delegation of APC leaders from South-East at the state house in Abuja.

    PRESIDENT BUHARI RECEIVES DELEGATION OF APC SOUTH EAST LEADERSS. . President Muhammadu Buhari, flanked by Minister of technology, Dr Ogbonna Onu, Leader of the Delegation and Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, Former President of the Senate, Senator Ken Nnamani, SGF Mr. Boss Mustapha, Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen Chris Ngige, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, Former Governor of Old Anambra State, Sen Jim Nwabodo and others during a courtesy call by delegation of APC Leaders from the South East at the State house in Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. JAN 22 2018
    PRESIDENT BUHARI RECEIVES DELEGATION OF APC SOUTH EAST LEADERS. Minister of Secience and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu flanked by the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince EZE Madumere and others APC Chieftains after meeting with the President during a courtesy call by delegation of APC Leaders from the South East at the State house in Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. JAN 22 2018
    PRESIDENT BUHARI RECEIVES DELEGATION OF APC SOUTH EAST LEADERS 11. President Muhammadu Buhari chats with APC House of Representative from the SouthEast, Hon Chike Okafor and others after meeting with the President by delegation of APC Leaders from the South East at the State house in Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. JAN 22 2018
  • UNILAG TV to begin operation in February

    UNILAG TV to begin operation in February

    The University of Lagos ( UNILAG ) television station will begin operations in February to facilitate research-oriented education and ease communication within and outside the university community.

    The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, gave the assurance in an interview on Monday in Lagos.

    The Federal Government recently approved licence for the television thereby making it the first campus television station in Nigeria.

    According to Ogundipe, the university is set to change the face of television broadcasting through its Mass Communication Department.

    “We are ready to go on air, as we have all it takes to float a world-class television station.

    “Right now, we have the cameras and other gadgets with a world-class studio.

    “The approval to operate a television station will improve our branding; we are bringing professionals to help in kick-starting the station,’’ Ogundipe said.

    He commended the efforts of the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rahamon Bello and Prof. Ralf Akinfeleye of the Mass Communication Department, who pursued the dream.

    Ogundipe said that the university paid N10 million to acquire the television licence.

    Prof. Ralf Akinfeleye, also the Chairman, Centre of Excellence in Multi-Media/Radio Unilag and Television, told our reporter that the television station would be the first of its kind in West Africa.

    He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for granting the licence to the university.

    He also praised former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who also granted the institution its radio licence in 2002.

    Akinfeleye, a former Head of Department of the Mass Communication, said that the station would go beyond the Direct Satellite Television (DSTV).

    He added that it would enhance the training of modern-day broadcasters.

    “We are indeed happy to see the realisation of this dream.

    “We bided for a World Bank’s five million dollars grant for equipment along with 19 other universities, and we won it.

    “I am glad to state that we have taken delivery of various equipment such as cameras, teleprompters and other broadcast materials worth that amount.

    “This makes our studio more sophisticated than most television stations in the country,’’ Akinfeleye said.

    The don said that the station would also add value to the training of the students.

    Dr Olubunmi Ajibade, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, said that the station, which would be hosted on the DSTV platform, would also be used to generate income for the institution.

    Ajibade said that Nigeria and Africa as a whole, would witness professionalism at its best in terms of broadcasting, with the operation of the station.

    “We train people for the industry; so we are in the best position to attract the best hands.

    “Fortunately, the World Bank project has already supplied us with world-class equipment for both the radio and television operations,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • We’ll deliver on three-pronged campaign promises – Buhari 

    We’ll deliver on three-pronged campaign promises – Buhari 

    President Muhammadu Buhari Monday in Abuja said his administration remains resolute and focused on delivering on the three-pronged promises of securing the lives and properties of Nigerians, halting the pillage of the economy by corrupt public officials, and creating employment opportunities for the youths.

    Receiving the Board of Directors of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group ( NESG ) at the State House, President Buhari said the initial economic challenge posed by recession was already dwindling, with the economy smarting out and posting better results on falling inflation rates, higher foreign reserve and better ranking on ease of doing business.

    According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said “If you look critically into the 2018 budget, we have already taken into account key issues of more stable electricity, construction of roads and rails, and the airport concession’’ 

    The President said the government will work more to accelerate and increase momentum in agriculture, power, gas, manufacturing and processing, while commending the Chinese government for its support in improving infrastructure in Nigeria.

    “We send our gratitude to the Chinese for all their support to Nigeria. Since Independence, no country has helped our country on infrastructural development like the Chinese. In some projects, the Chinese help us with 85 per cent payment, and soft loans that span 20 years. No country has done that for us,’’ he said.

    The President assured Nigerians that the rising attacks on communities by herdsmen will soon be brought under control by security forces deployed to the vulnerable areas across the country.

    He said the unfortunate incident of attacks, which had resulted in loss of lives and properties, had already brought sorrow and hardship on many Nigerians, with the government deeply affected.

    President Buhari said the government will continue to strengthen its relationship with the NESG, especially in integrating its recommendations into policies that will improve the livelihood of all Nigerians.

    In his remark, the chairman of the NESG Board of Directors, Kyari Abba Bukar, commended the government for the “pragmatic approach’’ in engaging with citizens of Niger Delta region which had translated into steady rise in oil production.

    “Your Excellency, we salute your courage in providing support to the states that have had fiscal challenges. We recognise that without the intervention of the Presidency, many state governments would have been unable to pay salaries last year,’’ he said.

    Bukar said the outlook on the economy remained upwardly positive, projecting a 3.5 per cent GDP growth, urging the President to pay more attention on the herdsmen attacks, which could reverse the gains recorded in the agricultural sector.

  • Auchi polytechnic students seek Buhari’s intervention over rectorship crisis

    Auchi polytechnic students seek Buhari’s intervention over rectorship crisis

    The Students of Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately intervene in solving the rectorship crisis in the institution.

    Their appeal was conveyed at a briefing in Abuja at the weekend by a former President of the Student Union Government of the institution, Samson Okoduwa.

    The students had last year staged a peaceful protest at the Federal Ministry of Education over allegations of high-handedness, mismanagement and corruption against the acting Rector, Mr. Sanusi Jimah.

    The students also urged Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu to make public the outcome of the interview conducted for the position of rector in 2016.

    They alleged that the acting Rector was running the institution as a personal office by giving appointments to his friends and cronies.

    A development a source at the institution confirmed, noting that 95 per cent of appointments made by Mr. Jimah favored people from his Auchi region.

    Okoduwa also alleged that students of the institution were not issued identity card in the 2016/2017 session despite management collecting N1,500 naira from them.

    He also alleged that the acting rector failed to conduct an election into the SUG because he wanted to impose a stooge on the students.

    According to him, Mr. Jimah deliberately fixed the SUG election immediately after the second semester examination when all students would have finished their examinations and technically seize to be students.

    Okoduwa noted that a substantive rector would save the already sinking polytechnic.

    He said: “We are again restating/re emphasizing our demand to the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Hi Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency, intervene in Auchi Polytechnic rectorship issue.

    “The President should direct the Honourable Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu to as a matter of urgency release the report of the already conducted interview in 2016 at Abuja and appoint a substantive rector for the institution.

    “The delay in the release of the result/report and subsequent appointment of a substantive rector for Auchi Polytechnic is the millennium corruption.

    “The aberration in the appointment of Dr. Sanusi Momodu Jimah as acting Rector by the National Board for Technical Education ( NBTE ) should be withdrawn as the National Universities Commission ( NUC ) has never appointed a Vice Chancellor for any university.

    “This already sinking institution should be salvaged  as it requires an emergency.”

    However, the Chief Public Relations Officer of the institution, Mr. Mustapha Oshiobugie, said elections into the SUG was deferred because of security reasons.

    He also said the students were issued identity cards to enable them write their second semester examinations.

    Mr. Oshiobugie said: “Election into the executive offices of the students union was deferred because of security reasons.  Departmental and school elections which preceed the union election had been successfully held in five schools.

    “There was violence in the sixth school (School of Engineering).  The reverberations could not be contained before the scheduled sessional examinations which was two weeks away.

    “To the best of my knowledge, students gain admission into examination halls on presentation of their identity cards showing that they are bona fide students of the polytechnic.  The Second Semester examination was conducted using this procedure.  And there was no incidence throughout the examination.”

  • Buhari to visit Nasarawa on Feb. 6

    Buhari to visit Nasarawa on Feb. 6

    Gov. Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State said on Friday that arrangements have been concluded for the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the state on Feb. 6.

    Al-Makura disclosed this in Lafia while receiving reports of fact finding and investigative committee set up to look into the activities of tertiary institutions in the state from 2014 to 2017.

    ‘‘I am happy to announce that Mr President has graciously accepted to visit Nasarawa State on February 6,” he said.

    He said that during the visit, President Buhari would inaugurate various projects initiated and completed by the current administration for the benefit of the people.

    The governor urged the people of the various communities where the president would visit to cooperate with the committee constituted by the state government to ensure a successful outing.

    One of the projects slated to be inaugurated by the President is the Comprehensive Special School, Lafia.

    The school was built to cater for the educational needs of the physically challenged children.

    NAN

  • Motor dealers to see Buhari over duty

    Motor dealers to see Buhari over duty

    Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria (AMDON)) is considering the option of writing a letter to seek the chance of meeting President Muhammadu Buhari, it was learnt on Friday.

    The Nation gathered from its National President, Prince Ajibola Adedoyin, that members of the association are going to plead with Mr. President to offer the motor dealers another opportunity to submit the vehicles in their car parks for duty payment instead of running the risk of seizure by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) .

    Speaking with our Abuja correspondent on phone yesterday, he said that should the association secure an appointment with Buhari, the delegates would table the requests it made in a press conference at Abuja in November.

    He told The Nation that “We are still trying to follow up to see if we get a good response. It is to take a step further to write the Presidency to see if we will be able to meet him and interact with him and tell him the need to give us that window.

    “This is because at the same time we all know that the same window we are asking for, is for cars that are already in here and it not as if we are just going to bring them.

    “And instead of the chasing about, we are going to coordinate to make sure that our members bring the cars and pay for the duties. Without any stress, the government is going to realize a lot of money from it.”

    The association had in November requested the NCS to among other things realize that the six weeks ultimatum it got to pay duty on already imported vehicles in the car park last year was to short.

    It insisted that the short notice had culminated in the inability of the dealers to meet up with the payment and later resulted in the endless regular onslaught on their business and seizures of their 400 vehicles worth N1.7billion.

    The AMDON urged the Federal Government to reduce the Duty Pay value on vehicles from 35 to 20 per cent.

    The dealers had with one voice condemned the National Automative Policy that its implementation resulted in the issues that they are now grappling to overcome.

    Stressing that the window would aid the NCS in its revenue drive for 2018 budget, he said if government partners with the association, it would ensure that duties are paid for cars that are already in the country.

    He added that “we will also make sure that any other one that is coming in pays the required duty to the government. I can assure you that if this is done, it (Nigeria Customs Service) might even surpass that revenue that it is expecting. ”

    Adedoyin also noted that the partnership would boost employment generation since the dealers, according to him, employ more people than the Federal Government.”

  • Nigeria formally thanks AfDB for $1bn budget support

    Nigeria formally thanks AfDB for $1bn budget support

    Nigeria has formally thanked the African Development Bank ( AfDB ) for supporting the country with $1 billion during the 2015-2016 economic recession.

    President Muhammadu Buhari expressed his appreciation at the commissioning of the AfDB Nigeria Country Complex in Abuja on Thursday.

    Represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the event, President Buhari thanked the president and Board for their support to Nigeria at a very difficult time during the 2015 and 2016 economic recession.”

    The President said: “When we requested support from the bank, the response was swift. The bank approved a budget support loan of $1 billion in November 2016.”

    Read Also: Nigeria’s economy to grow at 2.1% – AfDB

    “The first $600 million has been fully disbursed and utilized and in my discussions with the president of the bank, we will be getting the remainder in form of sector loans. So we are looking forward to the remaining $400 million.”

    The approval by the AfDB, he said sent a much needed positive signal to the market at a critical time for Nigeria and for this “we would always remain grateful to the African Development Bank.”

    President Buhari noted that AfDB has evolved into one of the most efficient vehicle for economic development and integration for the African continent and has faithfully played its role as a trusted adviser and honest broker on the continent.

     

     

  • Buhari greets Emeka Anyaoku at 85

    Buhari greets Emeka Anyaoku at 85

    President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Eleazar Chukwuemeka Anyaoku, on his 85th birthday, January 18, 2018.

    President Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, congratulated all the professional colleagues, family members and friends of the highly resourceful diplomat and elder statesman whose resume on international diplomacy and community development continues to inspire and instruct on the power of discipline, focus and knowledge.

    As the first and so far the only African Secretary General of the Commonwealth, the President affirmed that Chief Anyaoku contributed seminally to Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, combining his thorough understanding of the peculiarities of the political structures, with his office and international network of friends to garner support for the country’s transition.

    President Buhari extoled Chief Anyaoku’s unwavering patriotism and commitment to the unity and progress of Nigeria as he continues to contribute to national affairs, through formal and informal advice to Presidents, including chairing the meeting that led to the adoption of the Abuja Accord, by which all the presidential candidates in 2015 committed themselves and their political parties to non-violent campaigns and acceptance of the results in good faith.

    President Buhari prayed that the almighty God will grant Chief Anyaoku, who is the Ichie Adazie of Obosi, longer life and more fruitful years to serve his country.