Headlines

Ten bodies have been recovered from the rubble of a collapsed storey building in the Jegede area of Olunloyo, Ibadan, Oyo State. The incident occurred on Thursday, resulting in several injuries among those trapped.

Yemi Akinyinka, General Manager of the Oyo State Fire Service, reported that the agency received a distress call at approximately 2 a.m. from residents alerting them to the collapse. “As of now, 10 persons have been recovered from the debris, while seven others were rescued alive. Rescue operations are still ongoing,” Akinyinka stated.

The police have also confirmed the situation, indicating that adequate security measures have been implemented in the area to prevent any criminal activity and to protect the lives and property of nearby residents.

“Investigation is ongoing to determine the possible circumstances that led to the incident,” the police said in a statement.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has announced a new security initiative mandating that all commercial buses in Abuja undergo profiling by the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS). The measure, set to take effect in January 2025, aims to enhance passenger safety and reduce criminal activity, including kidnappings and “one-chance” robberies.

Wike revealed the initiative on Thursday at the FCT Renewed Hope Youth Empowerment Programme in Garki, Abuja, where he also distributed 80 new cars for beneficiaries to operate as taxis. The initiative, according to Wike, is part of a broader effort to improve transportation standards and reduce costs for residents of the nation’s capital.

“These new taxis are provided to beneficiaries at no charge, with the government’s aim to help families sustain themselves and make transportation more affordable,” Wike said. He encouraged the new taxi drivers to embrace their roles, pointing out that many Nigerians readily accept similar jobs abroad.

The minister outlined specific regulations that will be enforced starting January, including strict approval and profiling of all commercial drivers and mandatory use of Abuja’s official color scheme for taxis and buses. Wike also noted that profiling would apply to tricycles and motorcycles, which he said are often used by criminal informants.

“By January next year, no one will be allowed to operate as a taxi or bus driver in Abuja without prior security approval, proper profiling, and use of the designated Abuja colors,” Wike emphasized. “We’ll record vehicle numbers and driver details, ensuring passengers feel safer knowing that each vehicle is registered and monitored.”

This new initiative is part of the government’s wider goal to position Abuja as a model city, with the minister stating that the changes are aimed at creating a safer and more orderly transportation system.

The Nigerian government has unveiled a £17.9 million off-grid electricity project funded by the European Union and the German government to address the country’s power shortage.

Mahmuda Mamman, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Power, made the announcement during the 3rd Phase of the Nigerian Energy Support Programme in Abuja on Thursday.

The event was organized by the Nigerian Government in collaboration with the EU and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). Mamman emphasized that the project is intended to reduce the gap for approximately 100 million Nigerians who currently lack access to electricity, focusing on renewable energy to serve underserved rural communities.

In her remarks, Inga Stefanowicz, Head of Section Green and Digital Economy at the EU Delegation to Nigeria, said the project will impact at least five million Nigerians and add an additional 400 megawatts to Nigeria’s electricity supply.

She noted that solar installations for healthcare facilities are among the planned initiatives, with EU financing set at £15 million for the first phase, £30 million for the second, and £9 million for the third phase.

Governor Uba Sani has approved a new minimum wage of N72,000 for civil servants in Kaduna State, effective November 2024. The announcement was made in a statement by Malam Ibraheem Musa, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.

The statement noted that this decision reflects Governor Sani’s commitment to improving the welfare of workers and enhancing living conditions for the vulnerable and underserved in Kaduna State. The governor has consistently advocated for the promotion and protection of workers’ rights and welfare.

Governor Sani also announced a Free Transportation Scheme for civil servants, which will launch with 100 CNG buses to provide transportation to and from work. The scheme aims to reduce transportation costs for workers and improve productivity.

A Joint Management Committee, including representatives from organized labor (NLC and TUC) and the state government, will oversee the Free Transportation Scheme.

The statement added that the Kaduna State Government would continue to implement policies focused on social welfare, with the governor expressing a commitment to making the state a model for social interventions.

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has clarified that the proposed tax reform bills are designed to benefit all states, addressing concerns raised by Northern governors. The statement was made on Thursday by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

At a recent meeting on Monday, October 28, 2024, the Northern Governors’ Forum, led by Governor Muhammed Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, expressed opposition to a new derivation-based model for Value-Added Tax (VAT) distribution, as outlined in the proposed tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly. The meeting also included prominent traditional rulers from the North, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III.

In response, Onanuga clarified that the Tinubu administration’s tax reforms aim to streamline Nigeria’s tax administration, boost efficiency, and reduce redundancies. The reforms are part of four bills under review by the National Assembly, which were crafted following an extensive evaluation of existing tax laws.

The bills include:

1. Nigeria Tax Bill – This bill seeks to reduce instances of multiple taxation, making Nigeria’s economy more competitive and simplifying tax obligations for businesses and individuals.
2. Nigeria Tax Administration Bill (NTAB) – NTAB proposes uniform tax administration rules across federal, state, and local jurisdictions to enhance compliance.
3. Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill – This bill would rename the Federal Inland Revenue Service to the Nigeria Revenue Service, highlighting its role as the revenue agency for the entire federation.
4. Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill – The bill proposes creating a Joint Revenue Board to coordinate federal and state tax authorities and establish an Office of Tax Ombudsman to address taxpayer complaints.

Onanuga emphasized that these reforms would not increase tax rates but are intended to optimize existing frameworks and reduce the administrative burden. The reforms, he added, would not lead to job losses but could stimulate job creation by fostering economic growth.

Addressing the contentious derivation-based VAT distribution model, Onanuga explained that the proposal aims for a fairer system. Under the current model, VAT distribution is based on where the tax is remitted, rather than where goods and services are consumed. The new proposal would base VAT revenue distribution on the location of supply or consumption, ensuring states, particularly in the North, receive fair returns on VAT-exempt products consumed outside their borders.

The administration highlighted that these reforms are critical for modernizing Nigeria’s tax system, promoting equitable revenue distribution, and supporting national development.