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Again, Miscreants Attacked FCT Tasks Team Injuring Eight Personnel

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

…Three Criminals Were Apprehended With Guns Dangerous Weapons

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Ministerial Taskforce on City Sanitation was attacked again on Tuesday in Gwarinpa, leaving eight people with varied degrees of injuries.

This is going to happen Two years after the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was severely afflicted in Gwarimpa by the renowned Lungu shanty.

Three of the criminals were apprehended with various deadly weapons during the demolition of the location, according to our source, and the injured workers were brought to the hospital right away.

When some of the area’s indigenous youth attacked members of the taskforce team with dangerous weapons such Dane guns, stones, and petrol bombs, among other things, the joint security forces were able to defeat them.

The hoodlums attacked the taskforce team with stones, petrol bombs, and sticks, injuring eight of them if not for the squad’s bravery in confronting and beating the hoodlums.

Fielding questions from reporters, Comrade Ikharo Attah, Chairman of the FCT Ministerial Committee on City Sanitation, denounced the attack on the team and urged residents to stop supporting those who perpetrate infractions in Abuja.

The hoodlums threw stones, petrol bombs, and sticks at the taskforce team, injuring eight of them if not for the team’s bravery in confronting the hoodlums and defeating them.

The Chairman of the FCT Ministerial Committee on City Sanitation, Comrade Ikharo Attah, denounced the attack on the team and encouraged locals to quit backing those who commit infractions in Abuja.

According to him, “Today is one of the days we are seeing extreme criminality we have in our society. We came here after two years that FCTA suffered extreme attacks on this same spot, a place called Lungu in Gwarimpa Abuja, where machine belonging to FCT worth over N300 million was damaged, some staffs were badly injured one of them a Civil Defence officer called Tosin was badly injured and had two brain surgeries.

“Some of the person’s here believe that FCTA cannot come to this location, because it is close to this indigenous village here, four people with Dane guns attacked us, while others attacked us with stone, catapult etc, but we were very much in number and well prepared and they injured a Policeman who has been rushed to the hospital and also injured a staff of Development Control, he has an extreme cut on his head and I myself was so lucky some stones were thrown but it didn’t have much impact but my phone was damaged.

“One thing I want to appeal to our indigenous people, yes some infractions have been committed but the people should help us not to defend people who commit illegality close to their village, it is very painful that we came under heavy attacks, one of the Dane guns was recovered and the beauty about the whole thing is that Lungu the notorious part of Gwarinpa has fallen, the shanties have been cleaned.

“The village as you can see has been spared but we feel very bad that both sides suffered casualties here”.

On suspects that were arrested he said, “We arrested three people and we are talking to them that they should change their attitude of defending illegalities. The indigenes should stop defending those that are not part of the village and that are committing illegalities” , he lamented .

He, however, stressed that there is no going back in removing shanties and slums in Abuja, “We must remove shanties in Abuja, even if it is the villagers that gave them permission to stay, we must remove them.

Meanwhile, Secretary FCT Command and Control Centre, Peter Olumuj, while confirming the attack said 8 personnel’s were injured but 3 were rushed to the hospital.

He said, ” Today we are here in a village called Lungu in Gwarimpa Abuja, we came under heavy attacks by few people they called themselves vigilante and they attacked law enforcement officers that were doing their jobs.

“We have threesuspects that have been handed over to the Gwarimpa Police division, further investigation will be carried out and the law will take its course, we
always tell people not to allow shanties , slums in a planned and unplanned environment. That is why the team have been going round to clear all shanties and arrest all the criminal elements hiding in this shanties and alums in Abuja”.

Senate To Investigates Alleged Fake COVID-19 Test Result Used To Defraud Nigerians

By
Ola Akinola
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0

The upper chamber of the National Assembly has directed its Committees on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), Primary Health and Communicable Diseases and Foreign Affairs to conduct detailed investigations on the two allegations of fake COVID-19 test result being used to defraud Nigerians in Ghana and obtainment or use of fake COVID-19 vaccination cards.

Senator Yahaya Oloriegbe sponsored a resolution titled “urgent need to conduct probe on accusation of false COVID-19 test results being used to swindle Nigerians in Ghana and the acquisition of phony COVID-19 vaccination cards” (APC, Kwara Central).

The Senate’s decision to investigate the claim against Ghanaian officials came after a slew of allegations and complaints from Nigerian passengers held in Ghanaian detention centers.

The directive followed a motion titled, “urgent need to conduct investigation on allegation of fake COVID-19 test results being used to defraud Nigerians in Ghana and the obtainment of fake COVID-19 vaccination cards,” sponsored by Senator Yahaya Oloriegbe (APC, Kwara Central).

The decision by the Senate to investigate the allegation against the Ghanaian authorities, also followed numerous allegations and complaints made by Nigerian travelers isolated at Ghanaian isolation facilities.

Leading debate on the motion, Senator Oloriegbe recalled that the COVID-19 infection was declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in February 2020.

He noted that, “while the global roll-out of COVID-19 vaccinations continues to accelerate, only around one percent of the world’s population have received their full course of injections.

“Billions are still waiting for their first dose, which inevitably leads those people to question exactly when they will get it, especially as plans are being made internationally to allow those that have been vaccinated, or can prove they have had a recent negative test, the freedom to travel to other countries, attend large-scale events, take a new job, and more;

“Notes also that there’s a strong and growing demand for vaccinations and test results because of the greater freedoms they will give to people. Also, there will always be people who don’t want to wait for their official vaccination, or for an official negative test result – and shady people willing to service that demand.

The lawmaker further hinted that there is a serious allegation that the Ghanaian authorities are diagnosing Nigerians who travel to their country of testing positive for Covid even after testing negative in Nigeria.

He , however, observed that the Ghanaian authorities, usually, commit Nigerians who visit their country to isolation for two weeks and are made to pay about seventy thousand naira per day.

Oloriegbe also observed that the allegation was exposed by a Nigerian artiste, who was told in Ghana that he had Covid-19 even after testing negative at a Nigerian facility in Nigeria, adding, “he rejected the result and instead that it was a fake result. He was deported and kicked out of a Ghana by the authorities and proceeds to New York in the the United States, where his test result on arrival came out negative.

“Worried that Nigerians traveling to Ghana or through Ghana lamented that they are made to pay almost one million naira while in isolation.

“Further worried that most of the Nigerians traveling to Ghana or through Ghana have alleged that the Ghanaian authorities have made them targets for the purpose of making money;

“Concerned that if this allegation is not properly investigated and addressed, the exploitation will continue, thereby unlawfully taking away the resources of Nigerians in this global economic recession; and

“Worried that if the allegation of people obtaining and using fake Covid-19 vaccination cards to travel is not debunked, it may have negative consequence for Nigerians with genuine Covid-19 vaccination cards from traveling outside the country.”

The lawmaker also prevailed on the upper chamber to investigate another allegation on the United Kingdom’s refusal to acknowledge the vaccination cards and tests results issued to travelers by facilities in Nigeria.

Accordingly, the upper chamber in its resolution directed its Committees on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), Primary Health and Communicable Diseases and Foreign Affairs to conduct detailed investigations on the two allegations of fake COVID-19 test result being used to defraud Nigerians in Ghana and obtainment or use of fake COVID-19 vaccination cards.

NAFDAC Sets To Arrest Users Of Azo Dye To Polish Red Oil

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has expressed concerns over the usage of Azo Dye, also known as Sudan Dye, to make palm oil appear reddish and appealing.

Azo dye is a type of chemical used to color fabrics, the agency hinted.

Prof. Moji Christianah Adeyeye, Director General of NAFDAC, described the behavior as “wicked and inhuman,” emphasizing that the medicine is fatal because it causes progressive deterioration of human health.

Sudan dyes, also known as Azo dyes, are synthetic organic compounds used as dyes for a range of polymers and to stain sudanophilic biological materials, the most common of which being lipids.

Azo dye is considered an illegal dye, because to its long-term harmful effects, which include cancer promotion.

Represented by the agency’s Director of Chemical Evaluation and Research, Pharm (Mrs) Ngozi Onuorah , the NAFDAC Director General said: “We have discovered the sharp practices where sellers of red palm oil now put Azo dye to make it very reddish for it to look very glittery and tantalizing so that unsuspecting consumers can easily buy them.

While calling on members of the public to be vigilant, Prof. Adeyeye said: “When you see red oil is very tantalizing and too reddish, you should begin to have some level of suspicion on it.”

She, however, called on marketers and dealers of palm oil and even farmers to be very vigilant and that anybody they discover using such chemicals on red oil should be reported to the security agencies.

According to her, “We are giving considerable attention to the markets because there are a lot of activities going on there. Some are based on ignorance while some are deliberate because they went cut corners and make gain.

“The renewed campaign of NAFDAC is going from market to market because a lot of atrocities, sharp practices are going in some of our local markets both in the cities and the rural areas.

“The emphasis has been on processed foods but there is a paradigm shift in our campaign to focus on row foods that enter our markets.”

INEC Insists on e-Transmission of Polls Results

By
Uche Kingsley
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0

…Says Nobody Can force the Commission to share a constitutionally mandated duty

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has requested that the National Assembly reconsider the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, stating that it has the capacity and technical know-how to conduct electronic transmission of election results across the country.

INEC stated that it was independent of the National Communication Commission (NCC) and that it was not accountable to any government body.

Festus Okoye, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education, argued that the best guarantee of transparency was real-time electronic transmission of results.

Okoye said INEC was resolved to employ electronic devices to improve Nigeria’s electoral process and provide free, fair, and credible elections in a television interview broadcast in Abuja on Monday.

According to Okoye, the National Assembly must demonstrate courage by altering the essential provisions of the Electoral Act in order for this to become a reality.

He said, “Although INEC is increasingly tilting towards the use of technology to deliver a free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria, we want the National Assembly to amend the law, which prescribed the method elections are being conducted at the moment.”

Okoye admitted that INEC was still using the manual method, as enshrined in the Electoral Act, by collating election results from the Polling Units (PU), using Form EC8A, and Registration Area Collation Centre (RACC), with Form EC8B up to local government areas, and using Form EC8C to collate results, which are computed manually before announcement.

Okoye maintained that INEC had perfected the use of technology to conduct elections starting from the 2023 general election.

He stated, “For us to alter the methodology, the Electoral Act must be changed to accommodate the new innovations. We want National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act to enable INEC deliver a more transparent, fair and credible elections that will meet the aspirations of Nigerians. They should also look at 51, 52, 53 and 57 of the Electoral Act.

“We are already uploading election results electronically but we will need the relevant sections of the Electoral Act to be amended to avoid litigations, because INEC doesn’t want our election winners to be determined by the law courts.”

Okoye said the commission was not answerable to NCC or any other federal government organ in carrying out its constitutional duties, saying INEC has inherent powers to conduct elections.

He said, “Nobody can bully INEC to share its powers given by the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria of Nigeria. Section 160 of Nigerian constitution mandates INEC to give NCC duties to perform, not NCC giving INEC orders.

“Also, Section 52 of Electoral Act gives INEC inherent powers to conduct elections in any manner it wants, including e-voting. Again, the 2015 Electoral Act (as amended), which was signed by the former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has given INEC unfettered powers to conduct elections in the best method available.”

He insisted that the present method of manual collation of election results from PU, RACC and LGA should be done away with, adding, “With the introduction of Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) and other devices by INEC, elections in Nigeria can only get better, hence, National Assembly should join in deepening Nigeria’s democracy.”

Arms Proliferation: Nigerian Navy Indicts Chadian Army, Alleging They Sell Arms When Broke

By
Roland Edet
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0

The Nigerian Navy has accused Chadian Army members of illegally selling guns when they are broke.

Commodore Jemila Abubakar, a representative of the Chief of Naval Staff, made the claim while representing Awwal Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff, at a House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence public hearing on the consideration of four security bills.

Abubakar, speaking on the proliferation of small guns and light weapons, claimed that weapons provided by rich countries to neighboring countries are exacerbating the country’s security problems.

According to him; “Section 9 (1) suggests an additional function of proposing a seized weapons and arms be used by security agencies; I think we can look at the provisions of the international convention on the issue of how the arms should be used when seized.”

“Other sections have been addressed by our colleagues, so I’m sure their presentations have been submitted. I want to contribute to the coming seminar on the operation of arms to be organised by the house of representatives.

“I was in charge as a member of the fight against Boko Haram and I can tell you categorically here, I stand to be corrected, that some of these countries that we have borders with have no armoury.

“They do not have armoury. So most of their arms that are being donated by – I don’t want to be specific – the developed countries in the name of assisting us are compounding our problems in Nigeria because you find out that each average Chadian soldier has 20 to 30 arms underneath his bed. When he is broke, he brings it out and sells it for $30, $20. I am here, I am standing here, and I am saying it.

“Since we are going to collaborate with ECOWAS and other countries that are donating such arms to these countries, I think we should insist that they should either enact laws to govern the handling of these arms and ammunition or build an armoury for these countries or else we will not see peace.”

The Chadian authorities are yet to react to the allegation.

Nigeria has at different times enlisted the support of Chadian Army in the fight against insurgency.

Music Star, R. Kelly Finds Guilty Of Racketeering In Sex Trafficking By US Court

By
Mosali Edunosa
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0

In his sex trafficking trial, R. Kelly was found guilty of racketeering by a federal jury on Monday.

Prosecutors accused the R&B singer of using his celebrity for sex over a quarter-century.

Kelly, 54, pleaded not guilty to a racketeering charge and eight counts of violating a federal law prohibiting the transportation of people across state lines for prostitution. Kelly is best known for the Grammy-winning hit “I Believe I Can Fly,” which she released in 1996.

Prosecutors tried to paint Kelly as a predator who used his celebrity and attractiveness to entice women and underage girls into his orbit, then subjected them to horrific physical and sexual abuse, some of which he videotaped.

Kelly’s accusers, on the other hand, are liars seeking a payoff from book contracts or the media after their relationships with Kelly or hoped-for music careers never took off, according to defense attorneys.

The panel’s deliberations began on Friday afternoon with the seven-man, five-woman jury.

On Aug. 18, the trial started.

Northern Govs Forum Says Rotational Presidency Unconstitutional

By
Nnenna Nwankwo
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0

Governors of the 19 northern states have described as unconstitutional, the position of their Southern counterparts that the country’s next President must come from their region.

This was made known at an emergency meeting with northern traditional rulers at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna, on Monday, the Northern Governors Forum said though some Northern States Governors had earlier expressed views for a power-shift to three Geo-Political Zone in the South, with a view to promoting unity and peace in the nation, the statement by the Southern Governors Forum that the Presidency must go to the South is unacceptable.

Reading from the resolutions of the meeting, Plateau State Governor and Chairman of the Forum, Simon Bako Lalong, said: “The statement is quite contradictory with the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended that the elected President shall secure at least 25 percent of the votes cast in 2/3 states of the federation. In the case of run-up simple majority win the election.”See full statement below :

The Northern States Governors’ Forum, in its continuous efforts to address the challenges bedeviling the Northern States convened an Emergency Meeting today Monday 27th September, 2021 at the Council Chamber Sir, Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna. The meeting was also attended by Chairmen of Northern States Traditional Council led by His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto.

The Forum discussed issues of Peace, Progress, Development and well-being of the Northern States. The Forum took stock of progress made in handling challenges of Banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and insurgency.

After extensive deliberations, the following resolutions were arrived at: The Forum reviewed security updates from the Region and observed the need for a sustained synergy and coordinated efforts between the Federal and Northern States Governments while noting success of recent measures. The meeting also noted with concern the constraint of the security services and urged the Armed Forces to embark on simultaneous operations and resolved to share the plans of the Frontline States come up with common with other Region; and assured of its readiness to work in synergy with the Federal Government of Nigeria in finding lasting solution to the current security challenges; The Forum appreciated the ongoing onslaught against banditry, kidnapping and Boko Haram especially in the North East and parts of North West and North Central States and encouraged the Armed forces and other security agencies to sustain the tempo to enable the security challenges be permanently addressed in the shortest time; The Forum received updates on the Renewable / Solar Energy Project and NOTED that request for land for the project had been submitted and are being processed by the Northern States. The Committee had commenced negotiations in a public private arrangement and sovereign guarantees to ensure bankability of the project by multilateral financial organizations. The Forum called on States yet to process the request for allocation of land for the project to expedite action.

In addition, The meeting received updates on activities of some Committees constituted by the Northern States Governors’ Forum and NOTED that recommendations contained therein are being considered with a view to coming up with implementation strategies; The Forum observed that some Northern States Governors had earlier expressed views for a power-shift to three Geo-Political Zone in the South with a view to promoting unity and peace in the Nation. Notwithstanding their comments, the Forum unanimously condemn the statement by the Southern Governors Forum that the Presidency must go to the South. The statement is quite contradictory with the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended that the elected President shall:

score the majority votes;

score at least 25% of the votes cast in 2/3 States of the Federation.

In the case of run-up simple majority win the election.

The Northern State Governors Forum considered the on-going National debate on the collection of Value Added Tax (VAT). As responsible leaders while we are constraint by the fact that the matter is sub judice we however for the purposes of educating the public make the following observations:
(a) the judgement of the Federal high Court calls to question the constitutionality of VAT, withholding tax, education tax, Niger Delta Development Commission, National Information Technology Development Agency, 13% derivation, National Economic Development Council and many other currently levied and collected by the Federal Government of Nigeria, Federal Inlands Revenue Service.

(b) Rivers and Lagos State Government had enacted their own VAT laws and the Southern Governors Forum have expressed support for this course of action;

(c) VAT is being confused by these State Government as a sales tax. If every State enacted its own VAT Law, multiple taxation will result in increases of prices of goods and services and collapsed in interstate trade. VAT is not a production tax like excise, but terminal tax which is paid by the ultimate consumer;

(d) Another confusion is ignoring observation above and its “overall effect”. The reason Lagos account for our 50% Vat collection is because most of the telecommunication companies, Banks, manufacturing and other trading activities have their headquarters in Lagos with the resultant and wrongful attribution of VAT

(e) Until and unless the Supreme Court pronounces judgement on the substantive matter between Rivers State and Federal Government, the matter is sub judice and Northern States Governors Forum would respect this.

The Traditional Rulers Councils appreciated the efforts made so far by the NSGF in addressing the key areas of challenges facing the Northern States, they expressed their willingness, solidarity and collaboration with the Governors’ in addressing these challenges particularly the issue of security. It was equally resolved that perpetrators of crimes should be dealt with irrespective of their status in the society.

The Forum decried the high level of conspiracies being perpetrated by some Judicial Officers in releasing / granting bail to arrested criminals. This attitude sabotages the fight against criminality, therefore, there the need to develop good and robust intelligence mechanism amongst States was identified as a panacea.

The Forum calls on Agencies to leave up to their responsibility, Traditional rulers are to equally mobilize their various communities in checkmating the ugly trend of criminality in their domains.

The Forum NOTED the ugly trend in the spread of drugs and consumption amongst the teeming youth and therefore, calls on all levels of Governments and communities to raise to the occasion by stemming the tide.

The Forum also call the Federal Government to expedite action on the well establish National Livestock Transformation Programme as a spring board in transiting from the open grazing system as widely practice in the North

His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Barr. Simon Bako Lalong KSGG,
Chairman, Northern States Governors’ Forum.

Northern Govs Forum Carpet Southern Govs, Say They’re Confusing VAT With Sales Tax

By
Nnenna Nwankwo
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0

Northern Governors said the position of their Southern counterpart on Value Added Tax (VAT) shows they are confusing it with sales tax.

Recalled that the Southern governors started pushing for state collection of VAT after a high court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, held that the state government could collect VAT.

Arising from an emergency meeting with traditional rulers on Monday, northern governors gave their stand on the VAT controversy.

According to them; “If every State enacted its own VAT Law, multiple taxation will result in increases of prices of goods and services and collapse in interstate trade. VAT is not a production tax like excise, but terminal tax which is paid by the ultimate consumer.”

“Another confusion is ignoring observation above and its ‘overall effect.’ The reason Lagos accounts for our 50% VAT collection is because most of the telecommunication companies, banks, manufacturing and other trading activities have their headquarters in Lagos, with the resultant and wrongful attribution of VAT.”

He, however, said as responsible leaders, while the Forum is constrained by the fact that the matter is sub judice, it must, for the sake of educating the public, state that the judgement of the Port Harcourt Court calls to question the constitutionality of “VAT, withholding tax, education tax, Niger Delta Development Commission, National Information Technology Development Agency, 13% derivation, National Economic Development Council and many other currently levied and collected by the Federal Government of Nigeria, Federal Inlands Revenue Service.”

He said though Rivers and Lagos State Government had enacted their own VAT laws, unless the Supreme Court pronounces judgement on the substantive matter between Rivers State and Federal Government, the matter is sub judice and Northern States Governors Forum would respect this.See full statement below :The Northern States Governors’ Forum, in its continuous efforts to address the challenges bedeviling the Northern States convened an Emergency Meeting today Monday 27th September, 2021 at the Council Chamber Sir, Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna. The meeting was also attended by Chairmen of Northern States Traditional Council led by His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto; and the Forum discussed issues of Peace, Progress, Development and well-being of the Northern States. The Forum took stock of progress made in handling challenges of Banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and insurgency.

After extensive deliberations, the following resolutions were arrived at:The Forum reviewed security updates from the Region and observed the need for a sustained synergy and coordinated efforts between the Federal and Northern States Governments while noting success of recent measures. The meeting also noted with concern the constraint of the security services and urged the Armed Forces to embark on simultaneous operations and resolved to share the plans of the Frontline States come up with common with other Region; and assured of its readiness to work in synergy with the Federal Government of Nigeria in finding lasting solution to the current security challenges; The Forum appreciated the ongoing onslaught against banditry, kidnapping and Boko Haram especially in the North East and parts of North West and North Central States and encouraged the Armed forces and other security agencies to sustain the tempo to enable the security challenges be permanently addressed in the shortest time; The Forum received updates on the Renewable / Solar Energy Project and NOTED that request for land for the project had been submitted and are being processed by the Northern States. The Committee had commenced negotiations in a public private arrangement and sovereign guarantees to ensure bankability of the project by multilateral financial organizations. The Forum called on States yet to process the request for allocation of land for the project to expedite action.

In addition, the meeting received updates on activities of some Committees constituted by the Northern States Governors’ Forum and NOTED that recommendations contained therein are being considered with a view to coming up with implementation strategies; The Forum observed that some Northern States Governors had earlier expressed views for a power-shift to three Geo-Political Zone in the South with a view to promoting unity and peace in the Nation. Notwithstanding their comments, the Forum unanimously condemn the statement by the Southern Governors Forum that the Presidency must go to the South. The statement is quite contradictory with the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended that the elected President shall: Score the majority votes;
score at least 25% of the votes cast in 2/3 States of the Federation.

In the case of run-up simple majority win the election; The Northern State Governors Forum considered the on-going National debate on the collection of Value Added Tax (VAT). As responsible leaders while we are constraint by the fact that the matter is sub judice we however for the purposes of educating the public make the following observations:
(a) the judgement of the Federal high Court calls to question the constitutionality of VAT, withholding tax, education tax, Niger Delta Development Commission, National Information Technology Development Agency, 13% derivation, National Economic Development Council and many other currently levied and collected by the Federal Government of Nigeria, Federal Inlands Revenue Service.

(b) Rivers and Lagos State Government had enacted their own VAT laws and the Southern Governors Forum have expressed support for this course of action;

(c) VAT is being confused by these State Government as a sales tax. If every State enacted its own VAT Law, multiple taxation will result in increases of prices of goods and services and collapsed in interstate trade. VAT is not a production tax like excise, but terminal tax which is paid by the ultimate consumer;
(d) Another confusion is ignoring observation above and its “overall effect”. The reason Lagos account for our 50% Vat collection is because most of the telecommunication companies, Banks, manufacturing and other trading activities have their headquarters in Lagos with the resultant and wrongful attribution of VAT

(e) Until and unless the Supreme Court pronounces judgement on the substantive matter between Rivers State and Federal Government, the matter is sub judice and Northern States Governors Forum would respect this.

The Traditional Rulers Councils appreciated the efforts made so far by the NSGF in addressing the key areas of challenges facing the Northern States, they expressed their willingness, solidarity and collaboration with the Governors’ in addressing these challenges particularly the issue of security. It was equally resolved that perpetrators of crimes should be dealt with irrespective of their status in the society.

  1. The Forum decried the high level of conspiracies being perpetrated by some Judicial Officers in releasing / granting bail to arrested criminals. This attitude sabotages the fight against criminality, therefore, there the need to develop good and robust intelligence mechanism amongst States was identified as a panacea.

– 5 –

  1. The Forum calls on Agencies to leave up to their responsibility, Traditional rulers are to equally mobilize their various communities in checkmating the ugly trend of criminality in their domains.
  2. The Forum NOTED the ugly trend in the spread of drugs and consumption amongst the teeming youth and therefore, calls on all levels of Governments and communities to raise to the occasion by stemming the tide.
  3. The Forum also call the Federal Government to expedite action on the well establish National Livestock Transformation Programme as a spring board in transiting from the open grazing system as widely practice in the North

His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Barr. Simon Bako Lalong KSGG,
Chairman, Northern States Governors’ Forum.

FCTA Taskforce Bust Bureau De Change Operators, Squatters In Wuse

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

… Removes Worship Centers, Vehicles

In a renewed effort to clear the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of environmental nuisances, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Ministerial Taskteam on City Sanitation raided and removed unauthorised attachments and Bureau De Change (BDC) Operators in Abuja’s Wuse Zone 4 on Monday.

The Taskteam concentrated on cleaning shanties made largely of roofing sheets, sacks, and wood that were positioned within a reserved green area near the Sheraton Hotel, where BDC operators and small dealers were observed conducting business in the crowded area.

Two mosques within the green vegetation were removed, as was an illegal cluster of furniture-making companies beneath the foot of a bridge near Ya’Adua Centre.

While adding that , numerous vehicles were towed from the area, which appears to be heavily packed with unapproved structures utilized as criminal hideouts.

Comrade Ikharo Attah, Chairman of the FCT Ministerial Committee on City Sanitation, rationalized the practice by noting that it was carried out in accordance with a stringent Ministerial instruction.

Attah stated that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, paid a visit there around a month ago and noticed the high degree of violation in the city’s central business district, where currency traders act recklessly.

According to him; “Today, we can out on an operation to clear those persons who are roadside traders, owners of batchers, shanties and furniture market under the Wuse Zone 4 bridge.

“We saw much bleeding points in the city, and the FCT Minister insisted that we must clear all, and he even insisted that BDC operators who are operating on the roadside should not be, as they should go back to their shops, and do their businesses.

“We saw batchers in the valley, which removed; we saw and removed illegal attachments in the area, and while we are removing street traders and hawkers, we can’t allow those who deal in currencies to remain on the road. So, the Minister had given directive to the AEPB and other teams to pin down and ensure that.

“One thing that is so key is that we discovered a stolen manhole cover, which the AEPB team will handover to relevant agency of the FCTA”, he stated.

Also , the Assistant Director, Monitoring and Enforcement, Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB),Kaka Bello, revealed that a lot of environmental nuisance are being constituted by traders and those hawking currencies there. We have also food vendors, people indulged in sales of illicit drugs and number of shanties.

Bello noted the place was an eyesore, which is not acceptable and it contributes badly to the quality of the city’s environment.

He emphasized that the AEPB will ensure that the exercise is continuous, as its presence will be there on a daily basis.

According to him, most of the offices in Zone 4 are owned by BDCs but unfortunately some of them resolved to be trading outside, which is illegal.

“We want to appeal to all these people, who have turned the place into their aboard illegally to please vacate, as places like that are not meant for such illegalities. They should take advantage of the markets within the city, where they can go and sell their wares.

“For the Bureau De Change Operators, they should please ensure that they carry out their businesses within their office premises , not by the road corridors. We also appeal to the general public especially those who patronise BDCs to please patronise them in their offices.

“And anybody caught outside operating will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly, and the Mobile Courts are already on standby, waiting for people, who are indulged in these activities to be arrested and brought before it.”

Meanwhile, the Secretary FCT Command and Control Centre, Mr. Peter Olumuji noted that the place hitherto to the raid constituted a serious security threats to lives and property in the Territory, due to multifaceted nefarious activities there.

Responding on behalf of the BDC Operators, the Secretary, Elders’ Forum of the BDC Operators in Wuse Zone 4, Yahaya Kida, described the exercise as a welcome development, as it will help sanitise the area.

Kida disclosed that the FCT Minister, through the Commissioner of Police, Director of Security Department and AEPB Director had on the 15 fifteenth of September, 2021, invited us , and informed them about the exercise.
We informed all our members about the clean up exercise, which they cooperated with the government, so as to clean Zone 4.

His words; “We are going to organise those BDC operators dislodged during the exercise, by profiling and giving them means of identification. We are not going to be on the road like before.

“We are tired of this drugs peddlers operating in the area, and we are warning them not to return back here”, he stressed.

Fans Give CharlyBoy Clamorous Welcome, Laud His Role In Nollywood Blockbuster “King of Boys 2”

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

Fans, especially young Nigerians, trooped out in their numbers on Saturday in Lagos to welcome maverick singer, songwriter and activist, Charles Oputa, popularly known as ‘Charlyboy’, on his return from vacation to the United Kingdom.

It was a sort of carnival as the elated fans gathered at the arrival gate of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport to celebrate the return of the 70 -year-old showbiz maestro and activist.

The fans, which include bikers , gathered on receiving the news that CharlBoy was returning from his 3-month holidays, bearing placards with different inscriptions such as “ welcome back Areada”, “ We Love you Odudubariba”, hailing his role in the acclaimed Netflix original series, ‘King of Boys: the Return of the king’, where he played the character Odudubariba.

While addressing the crowd, Charlyboy expressed delight over the show of solidarity by his fans, especially Nigerian youths and enjoined them to get themselves actively involved in the country’s leadership in order to secure the future of the country.

He added that, Nigerian youths cannot afford to give up or loose hope when the situation in the country has not changed.

“Don’t shy away from politics but rather get into it, because it is your future.The youths must not allow anyone shave their hairs when they are not there.

“If the youths are worried about their future, they must start to organise themselves by being involved in politics and stop agonising about their future,” he said.

He said that it was only when the youths pull their strengths together, would they be able to change the current set of leaders.

Charlyboy said that he accepted to feature in the Nollywood blockbuster “King of Boys, The Return of The King” because the script passed a sensitive message.

“I will not get myself involved in any script that is not passing any good message, and I acted as Odudubariba in the movie because I am the Odudubariba I of Africa, so I just played myself in the role,” he said.

According to the Areafada, who recently released a hit musical film, ‘Odudubariba’ means a spiritual warrior.

The self-acclaimed ‘President of all frustrated Nigerians’ is championing a social awakening and campaign for a better society and decided to go back to music, his age-long passion, to call citizens, especially the youths to hold leaders accountable.

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