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Abuja Sitting on Keg of Gunpowder If Gishiri, Other Slums In City Center Are Not Totally Demolished

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

***As FCTA Vows To Sustain Exercise

The Federal Capital Territory’s (FCT) escalating security issues may be resolved by completely demolishing the Gishiri community and other slums within the Capital City.

This is as victims of the most recent demolition called on the authorities to rid the community of criminal hideouts, saying, criminals who attack residents in Maitama, Central Area, Jahi among many others hibernate there.

Narrating her experience in the course of living in the community for over five years, Mrs Comfort Gabriel not real name said residents have suffered loss of lives and property from the hands of the criminals.

Saying, “Even though, I built my house in this community and unfortunately it has been demolished that does not mean I should not say the truth about the security challenges we are facing here.

“Just yesterday, the day one of the demolition, a pregnant woman whose house was demolished and was trying to salvage her television was stabbed by these hoodlums and still went away with the television.

“The slum neighborhood has served as a shelter for criminals that operate in and around the area, most of the robberies are committed by criminals who live in the Gishiri and Mpape communities”, she said.

Meanwhile, in an interview with the Senior Special Assistant to FCT Minister on Monitoring Inspection and Evaluation, Comrade Ikharo Attah hinted that the residents of the community gave ample opportunity to scavengers “Babanbola”who feasted on their property.

According to him:” To keep Abuja clean is a job that must be done constantly. Sadly for us, the Director, Development Control and some of his Deputies said we should come back that people will not move their property until they see the bulldozers.

” This gave room for the scavengers to have a field day today. Stealing zinc, stealing things we chase them. We arrested about 10 or 15 of them at my last count. Despite the arrest, we felt nothing would have happened because if they removed their property, we wouldn’t have seen the scavengers coming in to steal where there are no carcasses, the vulture disappear. And it’s really very painful. We will come back again because we couldn’t finish the work today. We are coming back again and again and I think Gishiri is a very long journey for some us.

“They could see a massive road corridor coming and they bought a land on the road corridor, that’s illegal. A plot on the road corridor is illegal. That’s the truth you built on flood plains . They know all these things. Development control have been marking here for the past 16 years. The more the mark, the more that you build. When we came for the last marking. Some residents said nothing will happen. Anybody will come. The machines are constant. They will come and they’ll keep coming”.

Reacting to one of the residents claims, Attah said, “the administration is fully aware of the criminal activities going on here and that’s one of the reasons why we are sent to come and do the job we’re doing here. We are very aware. We have so many security reports from the police and others pointing to Gishiri as a very terrible criminal den the Police Commissioner for the FCT have been very, very up and doing or given the minister daily routine brief. We have become the closest on town within the hybrid area of the FCT that’s Maitama here not quite one minute away. The criminals here can easily launch attacks on Maitama , Asokoro, and the City Center.”

FCT Minister Tasks Stakeholders on Tax Harmonization, Revenue Collection

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

…Says Abuja Uniqueness Good for Investors

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, has tasked all involved parties and revenue-generating Secretariats, Departments, and Agencies in the Federal Capital Territory to coordinate the tax collection process in order to avoid the duplication of taxes owed by Territory citizens and corporate entities. The minister asserted that a new tax structure that harmonized tax collections would put an end to different taxes in addition to encouraging the growth of small and medium-sized businesses in the nation’s capital. Bello, who was represented by the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, gave the charge at the Stakeholders Resolution Retreat on Harmonization of Revenue Collection and Ease of Doing Business in FCT, held Thursday, at Akure, the Ondo State capital. He said that the FCT Administration has over the years embarked on reform programmes that will encourage the harmonization of tax system and promote the Ease of Doing Business to allow Small and Medium Scale Enterprises as well as other businesses to strive in a friendly environment created by the government. The Minister hinted that some of the reforms being implemented include the automated platforms for the issuance of permit, licenses and approvals known as the FCT business portal, which allows businesses and individuals to apply for and receive all necessary permits and licenses in Realtime without physical contact with any government officials. He, however, revealed that the FCT Administration is assiduously working on streamlining and simplifying the regulations and procedure for Business Registration, Property Registration and Land Use planning. According to him:”These reforms will assist to create a more transparent and efficient regulatory environment for businesses in the FCT in order to encourage growth and rapid development of the city. “We need the active participation and engagement of businesses, investors and civil society organizations to ensure that our reforms are effective, inclusive and perhaps, above all sustainable.” Declaring the event opened, the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, said the event is historic and significant because it will equip the participants with the knowledge and skills required for effective tax administration and would also enable them to know about the tax regime being implemented by the Ondo State Government. The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Wale Akinterinwa, commended the FCT Administration for the choice of Ondo State as the venue for the Retreat. In a paper presentation during the technical session “tagged agenda setting”, the Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, said that the current state of revenue collection in the FCT is a critical topic for discussion at this Retreat because it will provide the foundation for any efforts aimed at harmonizing revenue collection. Adesola bemoaned the present revenue collection in the FCT which carried out by different revenue generating agencies within the FCTA, the six Area Councils, and FCT-IRS. He said each of the Agencies has its own specific mandate for revenue collection; therefore, leading to a significant degree of overlap and duplication across the Agencies. Earlier in his address of welcome, the Acting Executive Chairman, FCT-IRS, Haruna Abdullahi, said the retreat is pathway towards achieving its vision to establish a world-class revenue collection system in the FCT that is transparent, accountable, and efficient. He noted that the stakeholders have made significant progress since the previous retreats, and are now ready to take the next steps towards achieving a harmonized revenue collection system that is efficient, transparent, and fair.The Chairman who revealed that with the administration is doing well in revenue generation, hinted that with the continue support from the office of the Honorable Minister, Permanent Secretary and other relevant stakeholders in revenue agencies within the administration, FCTA will continue to complete favourably in area of revenue generation amongst the committee of nation across the globe. Among dignitaries at the retreat the Chairmen of the FCT Area Councils, top FCTA management Staff, FCT-IRS staff, heads of revenue and finance departments of the Councils.

FCT-IRS To Partner Global Organisations On Capacity Building –Executive Chairman

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

The Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service’s (FCT-IRS) Acting Executive Chairman, Mr. Haruna Abdullahi, has hinted that the organization is committed to collaborating with relevant organizations around the world to build the capacity of his staff for improved service delivery as a strategy to boost revenue generation.

He dropped this hint hen the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)’s worldwide president, Mr. Joseph Owolabi, and his colleagues paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

Acting Chairman Mustapha Sumaila, Head of Corporate Communications, FCT-IRS, said in a statement to the media in Abuja that the Service, under his guidance, is committed to making capacity building a priority.

The FCT-IRS boss who highlighted the enormous advantages and global opportunities ACCA has provided the Service, emphasised the need for staff to key into the ACCA programme in order to develop themselves.

He hinted that, the Service is always ready to support staff in attaining the skills and expertise needed for the job. According to him, FCT-IRS is geared towards setting an example in terms of public sector in the country.

The Acting Chairman noted that the FCT-IRS being an Approved Employer of the ACCA, is by this virtue saddled with a global responsibility to ensure that the Service is equipped with well trained and knowledgeable professionals.

Abdullahi also reassured the ACCA of the Service continued support and partnership adding that the ACCA has grown tremendously over the years and the Service, being an active partner of the Institute, will strive to maintain the image of ACCA across all spheres.

Earlier in his remarks, Mr. Joseph Owolabi commended the FCT-IRS for the critical role the agency plays in the FCT and the ripple effect it has on the Federation. He also appreciated the Service for the support it gives to not just ACCA but also fellow members.

According to him, the Institute is aimed at being a force for public good and will continue to empower its members in terms of learning and attracting the right talents in order to develop the next generation of professional accountants who he repeatedly called ‘talents of the future’.

The Acting Executive Chairman is a fellow of the ACCA and was recently appointed to serve on the Nigerian Advisory Committee of the ACCA because of his vast knowledge, wealth of experience and cross-sector expertise in the profession

Amotekun Issues Public Alert Regarding Fake Lunatics, Arrests Two With Expensive Phones

By
Uche Kingsley
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0

The general public has been warned to be wary of criminals who pose as insane people and commit horrible crimes.

Ondo State’s command of the South West Security Network (SWSN), also known as the Amotekun Corps, was handed over on Wednesday in Akure, the state’s capital, by Corps Commander Akogun Adetunji Adeleye.

The security adviser to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Adeleye, revealed how Amotekun Corps officers searched some lunatics in different communities in the state and discovered expensive phones on some of them while parading 26 criminal suspects at the formation’s headquarters in Alagbaka, Akure.

He said that the bulk of insane individuals in the state are criminals who use lunacy equipment to deceive the general public in order to gather information about the locations where they wanted to operate.

Akogun Adeleye revealed that two among the “mad” persons in the street who were searched and discovered to be pretenders, were arrested in Idanre and Igbara-Oke in Idanre and Ifedore Local Government Areas of the state.

According to him: “These suspects have been constituting security risk and nuisance to our state. They were arrested within last one week.

“We have two cases and it’s becoming rampant, almost every week, where on searching these mad people, we found expensive phones on them.

“We found out that majority of them only pretend to be mad in order to gather information in the particular area where they intend to operate. We have two of them, one from Idanre and one from Igbara oke.

“If you notice an usual movement about so to say mad or lunatic people, let the security agencies know on time before they carry out their activities.

“It is actually dangerous to accost a mad man, anything could happen, thereafter. The best thing is to give us a timely information and we will contact relevant security organizations to assist in ensuring that they are brought to book.”

Speaking on other activities of the formation, the Corps Commander said: “Last week, we assisted the Federal Road Safety Corps in enforcing the abuse on registration number on vehicles and motorbikes.

“So, we are open to all agencies for such assistance. So, the Ministry of Women Affairs in the state is also collaborating with us on all these, especially if we have timely information.

“We also have a pathetic case of a kidnapper, their gang kidnapped and killed a victim who came from Ogun State.

“In the interest of collaboration, we contacted our Ogun State colleagues and we were able to find out the family of the victim and the suspect is here, we are set to transfer the suspect, because the first part of that crime actually took place in Ogun State. So, we are set to handover the suspect who had been on the wanted list of Ogun State police to the Police Command of Ogun State any moment from now.

“We have another syndicate of armed robbers that operates on the highways that were caught in the act. Some of them actually opened fire on our men on patrol while they were caught in the act of armed robbery. So, all of them talking 26 had been profiled and in conjunction with the office of the public prosecution will take them through the normal prosecution process.”

Akogun Adeleye, therefore, assured people of the state that all security agencies in the state would not relent in their efforts in protecting life and property.

He said: “I want to reassure the good people of Ondo State that while relying immensely on their support for timely information, the Ondo State Security Network Agency will continue to work hard to ensure that our society is rid of criminal activities.”

Sudan Crisis: JAMB, NIDCOM Examine Methods of Including Returnee Students in Nigerian Universities

By
Ola Akinola
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In order to incorporate some of the undergraduate students who just returned from the war-torn Sudan into tertiary institutions in Nigeria, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) have begun examining options.

At a meeting organized by Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, Registrar of JAMB, said this.

Oloyede expressed sympathy for the kids and praised NIDCOM for handling their evacuation well, adding that JAMB will provide the necessary support.

He said, “What we will do is that we will provide the necessary infrastructure, the necessary enablement to make you accommodate or return these candidates (students) to our educational system.”

The JAMB boss, however, called on the students not to tread the path of those who returned to the country over a year ago as a result of Ukraine’s war but refused to comply with the stipulated procedures that would have ensured they continue their academic programmes seamlessly in Nigerian universities.

According to him : “We must thank NIDCOM for making efforts that the students are brought into the Nigerian university system and we have given the Commission the process and procedure….

“There are procedures (for transfer of students) ; the transcript, the rules and regulations, and that nobody should be any illusion believe that Nigerian university will award certificate with less than two years stay and residency in the university, and the procedure is done legitimately and properly with the cooperation of the National Universities Commission and the individual institution.

“The guideline from JAMB has already been handed over to the chairperson of the Commission.”

Explaining further on the issue of spending minimum of two academic sessions for students who transfered to any Nigerian university, Oloyede said : “If you are doing a five-year programme, you will go to year four, because you are going to spend year 4 and year 5.

” For instance, if you are studying Medicine and you are in your 600 level, and if the Medical and Dental Council assesses what you have done; practical is okay, they will just move you to year 5, 500 level. You will do 500 level and 600 level, and you will have the certificate of the institution in Nigeria.”

On her part, NIDCOM chairman, Dabiri-Erewa, said 1,730 Nigerians have been evacuated from Sudan as of Tuesday, adding that majority of them are students eager to continue their education in Nigeria while waiting for the war to be over.

The NIDCOM boss assured that the necessary procedures will be followed to integrate the affected students into Nigerian schools.

According to her : “The key thing is that there are processes to follow but they are not difficult processes and that is what we learnt from JAMB.

” The institutions are already saying they want to give support, they want to admit them but the key thing is to follow the process as stipulated by JAMB.

” All the information are in our website, process to follow, it should not be difficult to follow. The key thing is that JAMB has assured that it will provide the enabling environment and infrastructure, if for instance a university admit you, after the admission, you need to get that letter from JAMB that says you have been admitted, no matter what year; year 3, year 2, year 4, and I think that it is the most important thing, but all the information will be out there so that we don’t make mistake in getting these things done.

“I will also appeal to the students that there is a crisis, it is affecting them one way or the other. How will the limit the impact or effect on them, whichever way, we must follow the process.

” Most of them are hoping that the war will be over and they will go back , but what if it is not? What is the stop gap? That is why we are doing this with JAMB.”

Also speaking, one of the parents of the affected students, Asmau Yerima, commended NIDCOM and JAMB for ensuring that the students will not be abandoned at home doing nothing.

” Our children are ready to go back to school, we don’t want to keep them at home. We don’t want them to be traumatised. Thanks to JAMB, they have been kind of cooperating and they gave us all the answers that we needed and we are happy our children will be going back to school as soon as possible,” she said.

FAAN to Hold Second Edition of National Aviation Conference

By
Ekaette Ibuot
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0

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is set to play host to all stakeholders and investors, at the second edition of the FAAN National Aviation Conference (FNAC2).
In a statement made available to journalists, the Acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs of FAAN, Mrs Faithful Hope-Ivbaze in a statement stated that the theme of this edition, which will be holding at the International Conference Centre, Abuja from May 15-18, 2023 is “Sustainability of the Aviation Industry in Nigeria”.
According to the statement, FNAC2 will discuss the future of Nigerian airports viz-a-viz innovations, safety and security, financing and leasing, sustainability, growth drivers, logistics, and more. It will also offer stakeholders an opportunity to explore, deliberate and understand how technology-driven innovations will change air travel in decades to come.
“The conference will feature keynote presentations by industry professionals, panel discussions, networking, and investment forum. It promises to be educative, informative, and unprecedented.
“Notable topics that would be discussed by global industry leaders at this year’s edition include: Sustainability of the Aviation Industry in Nigeria: The Regulator’s Perspective; Sustainability of the Aviation Industry in Nigeria: The Economics Perspective; Sustainability of the Aviation Industry in Nigeria: The Airport Operator’s Perspective; Sustainability of the Aviation Industry in Nigeria: The Aviation Workers’ Perspective; Repositioning Cargo Operations Through Development of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Nigeria;Mitigating the Impact of Brain-Drain in the Aviation Industry in Nigeria;Aviation Facilities/Equipment Leasing and Financing; The Aviation Industry as a Stimulant for Economic Development, amongst others.
“The forum will also explore the strategic diversification of FAAN’s revenue sources, with emphasis on non-aeronautical revenue including Airport Advertising, Tourism, Land Development, amongst others.
“It has been packaged to attract local and international investors in other to apprise them with the vast investment opportunities in the Nigerian aviation industry.
The twilight of the conference will feature an investment forum that will focus on opportunities in Nigerian airports, with emphasis on repositioning our secondary airports through cargo operations.
“This edition, which would be attended by critical stakeholders from both the public and private sectors within and outside Nigeria has been calibrated to consolidate on the achievements of the maiden edition, as well as attract investments for national economic growth and development” reads the statement in parts.

Taxation: FCT-IRS gives 3-week ultimatum to expatriates, firms in Abuja

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

The Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) has issued a three-week ultimatum to companies and organisations with foreign nationals working in the Territory to turn in details of expatriates to for proper documentation.

This is in continuation of its ongoing drive to harmonize and enhance the Internally Generated Revenue of Abuja.

The administration said, such concerned organisations are strongly advised to comply promptly not later than the end of May 2023.
Head, Corporate Communications, FCT-IRS, Mustapha Sumaila, made this known in a statement which was made available to newsmen on Sunday.

The statement reads: “The request, is part of the resolution reached in a meeting between Mr. Agboola Lukman Dabiri, Secretary, of Economic Planning, Revenue Generation and PPP in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), and the Acting Executive Chairman, FCT-IRS, Mr. Haruna Abdullahi.

“This exercise is compulsory and should be taken with utmost importance by firms and organisations with expatriates working under them within the Federal Capital Territory.

“Concerned organisations are strongly advised to comply promptly not later than the end of May 2023”, the statement affirmed.

Labour Shutdown IMO Airport Over Disruption of May Day Commemoration

By
Ekaette Ibuot
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0

The Nigeria Labour Congress has announced its decision to paralyse aviation sector in Imo State over the disruption of May Day celebrations in the State.

It added that, its Lagos State Council has been ordered to begin immediate mobilisation of its affiliate unions in aviation sector in order to prevent any flight from leaving Lagos State for Owerri, Imo State capital.

The General-Secretary of the NLC, Emmanuel Ugboaja, who disclosed this in an official letter to Lagos branch of the Congress, directed that the action begins tomorrow (Wednesday) by 12 midnight.

It could be recalled that Nigerian workers across the country joined it’s counterparts all over the world to celebrate workers’ day also known as May Day.

But there was a violent disruption of celebrations in Owerri, the Imo State over a yet-to-be-resolved issue that arose from election of NLC in April where the State governor, Hope Uzodinma, was accused of interfering in the Congress affairs.

Speaking on Monday development, Ugboaja said an emergency meeting of Central Working Committee of the NLC was immediately summoned shortly after the May Day celebrations was disrupted.

His letter partly read, “As a result of the violent disruption of our May Day celebrations in Imo state yesterday by the Imo state Governor, an emergency CWC meeting of the NLC and TUC was held yesterday at the National Headquarters.

“It was resolved that we embark on a comprehensive industrial action against the State Government beginning from Wednesday the 3th day of May, 2023

“Consequently, as part of our effort to enforce compliance, you are kindly requested to work with the TUC and other affiliates especially those in the aviation sector to ensure that no flight leaves the Lagos Airport to Owerri, Imo state starting from 12 Midnight today.

“Ensure that you put all effort to achieve full compliance. Do remain assured of the commitment of the leadership of the congress towards the protection of workers in all parts of this country.”

Nigeria Workers Commemorate 2023 May Day

By
Ekaette Ibuot
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0

As Nigerian workers joined the rest of the world to commemorate the 2023 workers’ day, the Federal Government has called on the incoming administration to respect workers’ rights by adhering to the international Labour law standards, for the promotion of decent work and social dialogue for a consensus building and maintaining a sound National Industrial Relations System.

Speaking at Eagle Square Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said that Nigeria as a viable member State of the ILO and a connoisseur of workers’ rights had ratified all the core conventions of the ILO guarding the promoting rights at work.

Also Speaking, the Minister of Labour and Employment Senator Chris Ngige, who numerated the achievements of the outgoing administration, in terms of workers’ issues, admitted that a lot still needs to be done for the Nigerian workers.

In a joint address, the President of Nigeria Labour Congress Comrade Joe Ajaero and President of Trade Union Congress, Comrade FESTUS Osifo, that workers’ welfare is central to the achievement of socioeconomic justice which inturn is the the key to national and global sustainability.

According to them, poor wages, increased decent work deficit, abuse of workplace rights and privileges, unpaid salaries and violation of rules of engagement are some of the issues that must be addressed by the government.

May 1st every year is set aside all over the world to commemorate workers’ day.

The day was set aside by the United Nations to commemorate the struggle of workers in achieving the eight-hour work per day.

The theme for this year’s workers’ day is “Equity, fairness and justice underpin the survival of societies and create resilience for Nations amid upheavals and turbulence.“

May Day: Sirika Congratulates Aviation Workers, Assures On CoS Implementation

By
Ekaette Ibuot
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0

As Nigerian workers join their counterparts all over the world to commemorate the 2023 workers’ day, the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has congratulated the aviation workers in their contributions to the development of the industry.

According to the Minister, the lofty achievements recorded in a the nation’s aviation sector wouldn’t have been possible without the commitment and personal sacrifices of employees in the different segments of the industry.

This was contained in a statement signed by Dr.James Odaudu, Special Assistant to the Minister of Aviation and made available to journalists.

He particularly ascribes the near total achievement of the aviation roadmap to the understanding and cooperation of the workers and hopes that the remaining parts will be achieved within the short period before the handover to the incoming administration.

He restates the commitment of the Buhari administration to the continued improvement of the welfare of aviation workers through regular trainings, enhanced pay packages, provision of working tools and conducive work environments.

He further assures workers of his commitment to ensuring the implementation of the respective Conditions of Service of the agencies under the Ministry’s supervision and payment of the minimum wages as agreed with the Labour unions.

Sirika however expresses concern over the frequency of workers strikes in the industry which, more often than not, disrupt operations at the nation’s airports and which send wrong signals to the outside world about the safety of Nigeria’s airspace.

The Minister wishes all workers in the aviation sector a wonderful celebration.

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