Senate President Administers Oath to Three New Senators
Three new senators, elected during the recent national by-election, were on Tuesday, sworn in by the Senate President Godswill Akpabio as members of the 10th Senate. The ceremony, conducted within the confines of the Senate chamber, saw Mustapha Musa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Yobe East, Professor Anthony Ani of the APC representing Ebonyi South, and Prince Pam Mwadkon of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) representing Plateau North taking their oaths of office and allegiance. With the guidance of Senate Clerk Mr. Chinedu Akubueze, the new senators solemnly pledged their commitment to their legislative duties before being escorted to their designated seats by the Sergeant-At-Arms. The inclusion of these three senators brings about a shift in the Senate’s political landscape, as the distribution of lawmakers across different parties now stands at: APC – 59, PDP – 37, LP – 7, NNPP – 2, SDP – 2, APGA – 1, and ADP – 1. This alteration promises increased diversity and representation within the Upper Chamber, shaping the legislative agenda with varied viewpoints and interests.
FIRS Speaks On Going After Skit Makers And Influencers Over Tax Payment
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has said it has no plans to tax skitmakers, influencers and other digital content creators. The Special Adviser on Media to the chairman of the FIRS, Dare Adekambi, was quoted as saying that social media content creators and influencers constituted a major block of tax evaders. He said content creators and influencers constitute a significant block of tax evaders, adding that a law in Nigeria requires everybody who earns income to pay tax. Adekambi stressed that the FIRS would meet with content creators and influencers and make them see why they should voluntarily pay tax. But an official of the agency who spoke to some journalists anonymously on Monday, said skit makers are individuals who do not fall within the purview of the FIRS. The FIRS official stated that the agency does not tax Personal Income Tax but only collects Company Income Tax. He said: “FIRS does not tax Personal Income Tax; State governments do. “FIRS collects Company Income Tax. Only those who are corporate names and earn profit of N25 million and more are required to pay tax.”
Any Government That Refuses To Implement N35,000 Wage Increment Does Not Deserve Peace – Oshiomhole
Senator Adams Oshiomhole is urging all levels of government to enforce the Federal Government’s N35,000 grant, emphasizing that no government at the state or local level should experience peace if they fail to implement the grant. President Bola Tinubu’s administration had approved the N35,000 provisional wage to alleviate the impact of subsidy removal, applicable to all treasury-paid federal government workers for six months. Expressing his concern on Channels Television, Oshiomhole questioned why no Nigerian state government has implemented the wage increase despite federal approval, asserting that it should be applied universally across federal, state, and local levels, as well as in the private sector. According to him, “The Federal Government approved N35,000 increase on top of current wage levels. But I’m yet to understand why any Nigerian state government or governor is not implementing that agreement. “I don’t agree that the money was for only federal employees. Federal employees don’t have different markets from state employees and the struggle that was mobilised, workers in Nigeria were mobilised both public and private sectors in what we called a general strike before that money was awarded. “By extension, therefore, all state governments, local governments, federal government and private sector employers should implement it. I don’t think NLC business is to lament it. “They should fight for the implementation of their rights. Any government that refuses to implement the N35,000 is not entitled to peace. That’s my view.”
Why New Minimum Wage May Be N1 Million – NLC President Ajaero
The National Labour Congress (NLC) has indicated that its minimum wage demands might increase to N1 million per month if economic challenges persist. NLC President Joe Ajaero mentioned during an interview on Arise TV that worsening inflation and currency depreciation are significant factors contributing to this potential escalation. He emphasized that the demand for a higher wage is closely tied to economic conditions, citing the impact of rising exchange rates and the cost of living, including the soaring prices of essential items like rice. He said: “This N1 million may be relevant if the value of the Naira continues to depreciate; if the inflation continues to depreciate. The demand of Labour is equally dependent on what is happening in the society. “You will remember that by the time we were contemplating N200,000, the exchange rate was about N900. As we talk today, the exchange rate is about N1,400 or even more. “Those are the issues that determine the demand and it is equally affecting the cost of living and we have always said it that our demand will be based on the cost of living index. Ajaero’s remarks come amid looming strike threats as organized labour are engaging in discussions with the federal government regarding previous agreements and wage issues.
Police Kill ‘Wanted Notorious Kidnappers,’ Destroy Camps in Abuja
The fight against insecurity in the nation’s seat of power has again yielded results this time, as the nation’s police authorities say some wanted kidnappers have been neutralized and their camps destroyed in Abuja. These recent feats, according to Force Spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi, took place on Friday. “In the early hours of February 9, 2024, around 2.40 am, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Bureau – Intelligence Response Team (FIB-IRT), acting on intelligence, successfully attacked, neutralized and eliminated many notorious kidnappers including the kidnapping kingpin identified as Musa Wada (Sabo) Magaji, in an operation conducted around Mpape, Abuja,” a Saturday evening statement from him read. “The team also destroyed the camps of the dreaded kidnappers who have been thorns in the flesh of Abuja residents in recent times.” Police operatives engaged the criminals in a 30-minute gun battle, the statement added, with several of the kidnappers “fatally injured, while one of the police operatives sustained bullet wounds”. He said the development comes just on the heels of the “neutralization of Abubakar Wada, an associate of Musa Wada, on February 8, 2024, who served as a lead to their hideout. “Musa Wada, aka Sabo, was the mastermind behind numerous kidnappings for ransom activities plaguing areas including Mpape and Bwari in the FCT; Kagarko in Kaduna; Masaka, and Nukun Village in Nasarawa State. His modus operandi involved identifying wealthy targets and mobilizing armed gangs to carry out abductions for ransom”. While noting that the recent operation was carried out by the FIB-IRT “through a surprise assault,” items recovered from the hideout include mobile phones, multiple SIM cards, charms, and hard drugs”. “Efforts are on to recover additional arms and ammunition and other equipment they use for their nefarious operations,” the police added, reiterating its commitment to bringing perpetrators of “heinous crimes to justice, against all odds”.
Access Bank CEO Herbert Wigwe Dies
Access Bank CEO, Herbert Wigwe, along with his wife Chizoba and two children, have lost their lives in a helicopter crash in California. The incident occurred as the helicopter, en route to Las Vegas, crashed near the Nevada-California border on Friday night. The crash claimed the lives of all six individuals on board, including Bimbo Ogunbanjo, son of businessman Chris Ogunbanjo. The purpose of the trip was for Wigwe to attend Super Bowl 58, scheduled for February 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. The absence of Wigwe and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was noted at the Access Bank Lagos Marathon on Saturday. The crash is currently under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.
EFCC Declares Emefiele’s Wife Wanted
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday announced the pursuit of Margaret Dumbiri Emefiele, the wife of the ex-governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele. The anti-graft agency also sought Eric Ocheme Odoh, Jonathan Omoile, and Anita Joy Omoile for their alleged involvement in converting substantial amounts of government funds alongside the former CBN governor. The EFCC accused them of committing felony, including obtaining money through false pretenses and stealing, under Sections 411, 287, and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State. The public notice urged individuals with information on their whereabouts to contact the EFCC offices or call 08093322644. Godwin Emefiele is presently facing trial on multiple charges related to corruption, conspiracy, breach of trust, forgery, and obtaining funds by false pretenses, amounting to $6,230,000.00.
FG’s Student Loan Gets New Kick Off Date
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is poised to officially launch the national student loan scheme in Abuja on February 21. The initiative aims to support Nigerian students in higher institutions with a flexible repayment plan beginning two years after completing the national youth service. The program is inclusive, extending its benefits to qualified Nigerians with informal education and those enrolled in private universities, as directed by President Tinubu. The initial phase will focus on students currently enrolled in universities. According to The Cable, the delay in the launch was attributed to the meticulous fine-tuning of administrative and logistical infrastructure. Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), confirmed the launch date and emphasized the fully technology-driven application process to eliminate potential biases. Eligibility criteria include Nigerian citizenship, enrollment in a higher institution, financial inclusion qualification, and acceptable academic performance. The application portal, set to be unveiled at the launch, will require basic personal data, such as the National Identification Number (NIN), Bank Verification Number (BVN), and JAMB number for seamless verification. Loan disbursement will occur directly to schools through NELFUND’s single treasury account at the Central Bank of Nigeria, bypassing commercial banks and finance houses. A special committee of NELFUND, comprising key stakeholders, is expected to be inaugurated soon, as stipulated by the Students Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act passed by the National Assembly in 2023 and signed into law by President Tinubu on June 13, 2023.
Tinubu To Attend NDA 60th Anniversary
President Bola Tinubu has departed the nation’s capital, Abuja, to attend the grand finale of a week-long activities to mark the 60th anniversary of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna. “President Bola Tinubu departs to attend NDA Anniversary in Kaduna,” read an update from the State House media office Saturday morning. On February 5, the Academy unveiled an emblem and a crest commemorating 60 years since its establishment, as part of activities marking its Diamond Jubilee celebrations which commenced three days earlier at the NDA Auditorium, Afaka. Present were graduates of the NDA, former Commandants, serving and retired military officers, operatives of other security and paramilitary organisations, as well as representatives of institutions including the Special Guest of Honour, Major General Rabiu Aliyu (retd.), who is a member of the pioneer Regular Course 1 of 1964. Tinubu is expected to return to Abuja the same day after which he is billed to proceed to Abidjan, the Ivorian capital, to witness the face-off between Nigeria and host Côte d’Ivoire at the AFCON final.
Gen Arogboda, Chief Of Staff To President Jonathan is Dead
Brigadier General Jones Oladeinde Arogbofa, a former Chief of Staff to former President Goodluck Jonathan, has died at the age of 72. Born on November 10, 1952, in Oka-Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria, he passed away on Saturday morning, and the circumstances surrounding his death are currently unclear. Arogbofa, commissioned into the Nigerian Army in 1973, had a distinguished military career, serving as Chief of Staff to President Goodluck Jonathan from February 10, 2014, to May 29, 2015. After retirement, he remained active and, at the time of his passing, served as the Chairman of the Center for Research, Information Management, and Media Development (CRIMMD). He is survived by his wife and children.