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The Edo State Controller of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Martins Moye, has sounded an alarm over the growing number of irregular migrants entering Nigeria. He made this statement during the 2024 NIS enlightenment campaign against irregular migration held in Benin, the Edo State capital.

Moye emphasized the importance of public awareness in combating irregular migration and highlighted efforts by the NIS to address the issue.

Speaking at the event, David Amanahu, a facilitator from the NIS headquarters in Abuja, pointed out Edo State’s longstanding role in irregular migration patterns. He noted, however, that recent efforts by the Edo State Command have led to significant improvements, allowing the state to drop in national rankings for irregular migration.

“The positive news is that Edo State is no longer ranked number one in irregular migration,” Amanahu said, crediting the Edo team’s dedication in tackling the issue.

Delivering a message from the Controller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, Amanahu also emphasized the NIS’s strengthened focus on border management and migration concerns.

The Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN) has raised alarm over an “existential threat” faced by six million Nigerians with diabetes due to skyrocketing healthcare costs.

In a statement marking United Nations World Diabetes Day, observed on November 14, DAN’s National President, Dr. Ejiofor Ugwu, noted that diabetes claims the lives of 30,000 to 40,000 Nigerians each year.

Dr. Ugwu highlighted that between 6 and 8 million Nigerians, approximately 5.7 percent of the population, are affected by diabetes, though this estimate may be low as two-thirds of cases remain undiagnosed due to a lack of routine screening.

“Diabetes kills an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 Nigerians annually,” Dr. Ugwu stated, adding that diabetes management in Nigeria faces numerous challenges, including widespread poverty, low awareness, a shortage of diabetes specialists, cultural and religious barriers, and insufficient care facilities.

According to Dr. Ugwu, the cost of diabetes medications and consumables has risen dramatically in the past year. He cited that the price of insulin, once around N4,000 per vial, now stands at approximately N18,000, a more than 400 percent increase, putting care out of reach for many patients. “This creates a significant barrier to optimal diabetes care in Nigeria, resulting in increased complications and premature deaths,” he said.

Dr. Ugwu urged the Federal Government to urgently subsidize diabetes medications and consumables to make them more affordable. Additionally, he called for a full tax waiver on the importation of diabetes-related medications and consumables and advocated for the reintroduction of a sugar-sweetened beverages tax—discontinued in June 2024—with revenues directed toward diabetes and non-communicable disease prevention.

Dr. Ugwu also emphasized the need for a national survey on non-communicable diseases, stating that reliable data would support informed healthcare policy-making in Nigeria.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has highlighted property tax as a critical but underutilized revenue source for Nigeria and other low-income countries in their pursuit of sustainable growth.

In a recent blog post titled “How Property Taxes Can Help Low-Income Countries to Develop”, the IMF proposed that efficient property tax reforms—particularly in urban centers like Lagos—could significantly increase local government revenues, enabling funding for essential infrastructure and services.

According to IMF estimates, global governments will require an additional $3 trillion to meet development goals by 2030. Emerging markets will need to raise an equivalent of 4 percent of their GDP, while low-income countries will need 16 percent, a significantly higher target.

In regions like Nigeria, where high revenue demands are coupled with limited income and wealth tax frameworks, property taxes present a viable alternative, the IMF said. Findings from the IMF indicate that countries in Africa and Asia currently collect only around 0.1 percent of GDP from property taxes, compared to over 1 percent in OECD countries and up to 3 percent in certain advanced economies.

The IMF blog stated, “The world’s governments must raise an additional $3 trillion to achieve sustainable and inclusive economic growth goals this decade. The cost in emerging markets equals 4 percent of gross domestic product and 16 percent for low-income countries.”

The IMF emphasized the potential of property tax reforms in large urban areas, such as Delhi and Lagos, noting that improved property tax collection could significantly contribute to local revenue. Prior IMF research has shown that countries can increase domestic tax revenue by up to 5 percentage points of GDP over two decades if needed.

The IMF acknowledged the political difficulties surrounding tax reforms, pointing to recent examples of social unrest in response to tax increases. However, the report suggested that locally collected property taxes could face fewer political challenges compared to broader national tax hikes.

The organization also observed that recurring taxes on immovable property could allow local governments to capture the wealth generated by urban development, especially in light of challenges with income and wealth taxes in developing economies.

The IMF further highlighted that advanced economies collect more than 1 percent of GDP from property taxes on average, with some raising nearly 3 percent, while emerging regions in Asia and Africa only achieve 0.1 percent. The IMF suggested that with the right policy changes and technology—such as satellite imagery and drones—property tax collection could become ten times more effective.

To ensure sustainable adoption, the IMF recommended that municipalities gradually transition from area-based taxes to a full market value-based system as technology and valuation methods improve. The use of geographic information systems (GIS) and drones in cities like Delhi and Bangalore to track property changes was noted as a model, with the IMF encouraging similar approaches in Nigeria.

“An area-based approach initially, supported by the precision of modern mapping tools, can help countries transition smoothly to market-value-based property taxes. This pathway makes property-tax reform practical and politically appealing, especially when well-communicated to the public,” the IMF observed.

The IMF reiterated that with effective implementation, property taxes could help resource-constrained countries like Nigeria enhance local services, strengthen economic stability, and promote inclusive growth, laying a foundation for a more resilient fiscal future.

President Bola Tinubu will depart Riyadh, the Saudi Arabian capital, on Tuesday following his attendance at an extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit focused on the current Middle East crisis. His flight is scheduled to depart at 3:40 p.m. local time.

During the summit, President Tinubu called for an end to Israeli aggression in Gaza, describing the long-standing conflict in Palestine as a source of “immeasurable suffering.” Addressing leaders from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the League of Arab States, he expressed deep concern for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s call for an immediate ceasefire and voiced support for a two-state solution that ensures peaceful coexistence for both Israelis and Palestinians. He emphasized that this approach remains central to lasting peace in the region.

“The conflict in Palestine has persisted for far too long, inflicting immeasurable suffering on countless lives,” he stated. “As representatives of nations that value justice, dignity, and the sanctity of human life, we have a moral obligation to collectively bring an end to this conflict.”

He urged global leaders to take meaningful action beyond issuing condemnations, stressing, “The world must work towards an end to Israeli aggression in Gaza, which has persisted for far too long. No political aim, military strategy, or security concern should come at the expense of innocent lives.”

Governor Okpebholo during his inauguration ceremony held on Tuesday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, has promised not to fail the people of Edo state who had given him the mandate.

“Today, you have officially given me the mandate to preside over our dear state as governor for the next four years,” Okpebholo stated during his swearing-in ceremony. “We will not betray this confidence you have placed in me and the Deputy Governor, Rt. Honourable Dennis Idahosa.”

The governor expressed gratitude to the people for their support in the September 21 governorship election, in which he defeated Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other candidates.

“Let me start by thanking God Almighty for His grace and incredible blessings. Democracy has triumphed again in our state,” said the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate. He further thanked the citizens for their peaceful conduct during the election.

Okpebholo pledged to prioritize citizens’ welfare and focus on supporting small businesses, underscoring his commitment to improving lives across the state.

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke is set to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the Osun State House of Assembly on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.

This was disclosed in a statement by Olamide Tiamiyu, Chief Press Secretary to House Speaker Adewale Egbedun, on Tuesday in Osogbo. The statement described the upcoming budget presentation as a significant step for Osun State’s fiscal planning.

According to the statement, the governor’s intent to present the budget was formally communicated to the Speaker in an official letter.

“This presentation aligns with constitutional requirements, ensuring that the draft budget is submitted for legislative scrutiny and approval,” the statement read.

The 2025 budget proposal is informed by a series of Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum Meetings held across the state, where residents provided valuable insights and suggestions to guide the budgetary process.