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Tax Reforms Bills: Tinubu not against North – Former House of Reps Speaker, Dogara
Tax Reforms Bills: Tinubu not against North – Former House of Reps Speaker, Dogara
Yakubu Dogara, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, has called on northern Nigerians to refrain from criticizing President Bola Tinubu over the proposed tax reform bills.
Speaking during a town hall discussion on Channels Television, Dogara emphasised that the proposed reforms mark a significant step forward and that Tinubu should not be viewed as anti-north.
“I want to talk to my brothers in the north; I don’t think this is the time for us to begin to condemn the president and to begin to say that on account of these bills, he is anti-north.
“I want to remind us that the president has done something that is significant and if he can pursue this to the end, it will be that there is no northern leader of my lifetime that has done what the president has done for the north.”
He encouraged the people of the north to view the tax reforms as an opportunity, particularly highlighting the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development.
According to Dogara, this new ministry has the potential to unlock significant economic opportunities for the region. He also pointed out that the north could thrive independently, even in the absence of the value-added tax (VAT).
“The creation of the livestock ministry is the global business around that; the global market size of dairies, of beef. In the next three years, we will rise to about $2.5 trillion,” Dogara said.
“So if in the north, we are able to organise ourselves in such a way that we can honour just 5 percent of this global market size of diaries and beef, I tell you, that gives us $250 billion.
“We don’t need VAT from any state in Nigeria to survive. The North can survive on its own. We are the most endowed part of Nigeria and don’t joke about it.
“If you are in doubt, find out from Australia how much they are raking from just mining minerals. There’s gold everywhere in the north. We have all the resources. We can survive.”
On October 3, President Bola Tinubu called on the National Assembly to review and pass four crucial tax reform bills, including the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Tax Administration Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill. In a significant shift, the president also proposed repealing the existing law that established the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and replacing it with the Nigeria Revenue Service.
The Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF), representing the 19 northern states, swiftly expressed its opposition to the proposed reforms.
During a meeting with the Northern Traditional Rulers Council at the Kaduna Government House on October 28, the governors collectively urged the National Assembly to reject any legislation perceived as detrimental to the interests of the northern region.
They emphasised the importance of ensuring that national policies and programs are implemented in a way that guarantees fairness and prevents the marginalization of any region.
In response to these concerns, the presidency sought to reassure the Northern governors on October 31, clarifying that the proposed tax reforms were not aimed at disadvantaging any part of the country.
The administration affirmed that the reforms were designed with the overarching goal of enhancing the well-being of all Nigerians and improving the efficiency of the national tax system for the benefit of every region.
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Fake Medical Doctor sent to jail for allegedly removing womb causing woman’s death
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Fake Medical Doctor sent to jail for allegedly removing womb causing Woman’s death
An Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, on Wednesday ordered the remand of a 55-year-old fake doctor, Moyosore Johnson, in a correctional centre for allegedly causing the death of a woman.
Johnson, whose address was not provided, was arraigned on a four-count charge bothering on conspiracy and accelerating cause of death.
Magistrate Kausarat Ayofe did not take the plea of the defendant for lack of jurisdiction.
She directed the police to return the case file to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for advice.
Ayofe adjourned the case until March 27, for mention.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp. Segun Adegboye, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on July 5, 2024, at about 10.00 a.m, at Apata Igbala Hospital Iseyin, Oyo State.
Adegboye alleged that the defendant unlawfully accelerated the cause of the death of one Badirat Adebayo, 26, by carrying out surgery on her.
He alleged that the defendant removed Adebayo’s womb, which led to her death.
According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene Sections 516 and 319 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.(NAN)
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Group seeks support for military to capture Bello Turji, other Terrorists
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Group seeks support for military to capture Bello Turji, other Terrorists
The North-West Youths for Peace and Development (NWYPD), a non-governmental organisation, has called for the suppprt of the people in the region for the military in its renewed onslaught against Bello Turji and other terrorists in the region.
The Coordinator of the group, Salihu Bello, made the call while addressing newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.
Bello also urged the people to show appreciation to the Armed Forces of Nigeria for its relentless efforts to tackle the activities of Bello and other bandits.
‘The military needs our to restore peace and order in the North West.
“While our region is seeking ways to advance economically, here we are dealing with forces of retrogression, people who don’t want our region to make progress.
“Unfortunately they are our people. How did we get here? Who are the people directly or indirectly supporting them?
“The North-West Youths for Peace and Development commend the Gen. Christopher Musa led Armed Forces of Nigeria for what is been done to restore peace in our region.
“We once more appeal to our people to support the military,” he said. (NAN)
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Police operatives arrest 5 suspects for alleged murder of 7-year-old boy, Vigilante Commander
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Police operatives arrest 5 suspects for alleged murder of 7-year-old boy, Vigilante Commander
The Police Command in Edo says it has arrested five suspects in connection with two different killings in the state.
This is contained in a statement on Wednesday in Benin, by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in charge of the command, CSP Moses Yamu.
Yamu said that the killings include an alleged gruesome murder of a 7-year-old boy, and the assassination of a local vigilante commander.
He said that one Mr John Okojabhole, a resident of Jehovah Witness Road, off Elebesunu Street in Irrua, reported the murder of his son, Evans Okojabhole, on Feb. 22.
According to him, the boy, who had been declared missing 24 hours earlier, was later found dead with his stomach ripped open, his ankles severed, and some fingers cut off.
”His mutilated body was dumped in a bush near their home.
”Following preliminary investigations, two suspects were arrested in connection with the crime.
“The police transferred the suspects to the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) in Benin for further investigation.”
The PPRO said that in another incident, the command was investigating the killing of one Victor Ogedengbe, 50, the Vigilante Commander of Erah Camp in Owan East Local Government Area of the state.
”Ogedengbe was reportedly attacked and killed in his farm on Feb. 25 by suspected herdsmen.
”The Chairman of Owan East LGA reported the incident at Afuze Police Division, prompting a swift investigation that led to the arrest of three suspects.
”The suspects are all residents of Erah community, and they have also been transferred to the SCID for further interrogation,” he said.
Yamu, disclosed that the police had also increased security in Uzanu and Okpekpe communities following the recent killing of two farmers by suspected herdsmen.
He said the Commissioner of Police, Betty Otimenyin, has reaffirmed the command’s commitment to ensuring the safety of residents in the state.
He quoted the commissioner as urging the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement agents by reporting suspicious activities.
“We appreciate the support from the general public and appeal for continued cooperation. If you see something, say something,” the police boss was quoted as saying. (NAN)
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