Good News As FG Ends VAT On Diesel, Cooking Gas

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October 3, 2024

The federal government has announced the removal of Value Added Tax, VAT, on cooking gas and diesel.

The decision to remove VAT on these product has been welcome by not a few Nigerians who said it will impact their prices positively.

For instance, marketers of cooking gas had blamed the rising price of THE product on production costs including VAT which they say is too high.

Petroleum marketers also blamed the high cost of diesel on VAT and other complimentary costs of production.

The Minister of Finance and coordinating Minister of the Economy who announced the removal on Wednesday, disclosed that VAT has been removed from other essential commodities and products.

According to a statement issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the ministry said federal government’s aim fro removal VAT on these commodity, is to ensure the development of the nation’s oil and gas sector.

The announcement comes weeks after the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration denied increasing the VAT from the current 7. 5 percent.

The federal government had rebuffed suggestions that it planned to hike the current VAT rate to 10 percent.

The report had elicited condemnations form not a few Nigerians who said such will further lead to the increase in prices of food and other essential households items.

Speaking yesterday, Edun said the decision to end VAT on diesel, gas, etc is in line with the Oil and Gas Companies (tax incentives, exemption, remission, etc.) Order 2024.

He said: “In addition, the Notice of Tax Incentives for Deep Offshore Oil & Gas Production provides new tax reliefs for deep offshore projects.

“This initiative is aimed at positioning Nigeria’s deep offshore basin as a premier destination for global oil and gas investments.”

Meanwhile, not a few are waiting to see whether the removal will translate to reduction in the price of these commodities.

Uzodimma Inaugurates Imo Pilgrims, Scholarship Boards

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The Source

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October 2, 2024

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Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma has inaugurated two critical Boards in the State – Pilgrims Welfare Board and Scholarship Board – that will help to improve the standard of education of the citizenry as well as enhance the people’s faith in God.

Performing the ceremony at the New Exco Chambers, Government House Owerri on Wednesday, the Governor described the day as significant, being a day step was taken for the purpose of caring for the large number of school drop-outs as a result of lack of funds and parental care.

He said that the Scholarship Board is a platform government wants to use to fund, not only bright children of Imo State, but also for the vulnerable and the less privileged in the society.

He added that “government had deemed it wise to revive the Scholarship Board to add value and increase hope of better tomorrow on our children,” and urged the Board members to “work hard to encourage Imo children to take-up skilled programmes that will enhance their future.”

On the Pilgrims Welfare Board, the Governor noted that while Government is working hard to make life more meaningful by providing infrastructure, health services and education for the people, “there is the need to always seek the face of God for the purification of our soul and spiritual upliftment so that God will continue to bless Imo State with peace and tranquility.”

He therefore reminded the Board members that they were “selected because they are men and women of integrity and honour,” and urged them to bring their pedigree to bear in the job as it concerns the yearly sponsorship of pilgrims to the Holy lands for Christians and Muslims in Imo State.

He urged them to bear in mind that they are not only going to work for the people of Imo State but also for God.

Accepting the responsibility on behalf of his members, the Chairman of Pilgrims Board, Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Gilbert Alaribe who is the Chaplain of Government House Chapel Owerri thanked the Governor for finding them worthy and for the opportunity to serve and promised that as a team they will work to improve the pilgrimage experience of Imo people as well as to harmonize the inter-faith groups in the State.

On behalf of the Scholarship Board, Rev. Fr. Marius Oluigbo also thanked the Governor for the opportunity to serve, noting that the inauguration of the Scholarship Board is a show of love for education. He assured that his team will ensure that the Governor’s dream, that of government and people of Imo State, will be realised.

The members of the Pilgrims Welfare Board are: Rev. Fr. Gilbert Alaribe (Chairman), Rev. Canon Kelechi Ejimgini, Rev. Fr. Onyeagba Stanley, Lady Nwamba Salome and Elder Okey Unamu.

Members of the Scholarship Board include: Rev. Fr. Marius Oluigbo (Chairman), Rev. Dr. Uchenna Ucheghara, Prof. Osward Nwebo and Dr. Mrs. Chinwe Poly Mbah.

Other statutory members will be drawn from the Ministry of Education and related agencies of government.

The Deputy Governor of Imo State, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, the Deputy Speaker Imo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chyna Amara Iwuanyanwu, the Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Chief Cosmos Iwu, the Chief of Staff, Bar Nnamdi Anyaehie, members of State Expanded Exco as well former Chairman of APC in Imo State, Chief Bar Malcom Nlemigbo witnessed the ceremony.

The Untold Story Behind Defection Of Abia PDP’s Only House Of Reps Member To APC

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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October 2, 2024

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The gale of high profile defections rocking the Abia state Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, since early 2024, on Wednesday October 2, 2024 continued with its only House of Representatives member, Hon Chris Nkwonta, exiting the party.

The defection of Nkwonta, representing the Ukwa West/ East Federal Constituency, from the PDP to the All Progressive Congress, APC, was announced on the floor of the House by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, during plenary.

The development was, however, immediately opposed by the Deputy Minority leader of the House ,Hon Aliyu Madaki, who also urged the Speaker to declare Hon Nkwonta’s seat vacant .

But Speaker Abbas cited the fractionalization of the PDP as the reason the defection will be accepted .

But much as the existence of factions has been adduced as reason for the defection, not a few observers are persuaded that it was a development foretold.

For one, Hon Nkwonta, since early this year, has been embroiled in a battle of supremacy with his younger sibling, Hon Uzoma Abonta, a four time member of the House of Representatives.

For the record, the immediate past Governor Okezie Ikpeazu had collected the ticket from Hon Abonta and handed same to his brother Nkwonta after the former’s 16 years at the National Assembly.

Hon Nkwonta, this magazine authoritatively gathered, had in the last few months pressed for the sack of his immediate predecessor in office from the PDP for alleged anti-party activities in the count down to the 2023 general elections

Working in concert with some forces within the Akwete Ward Ukwa East Local Government of the PDP, Hon Nkwonta was able to get the party to suspend Hon Abonta.

The Ward Executives had accused Abonta, a known ally of Atiku Abubakar, the party’s Presidential Candidate in 2023, of working against the interest of PDP during the election.

He was specifically alleged to have financed and worked for All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, candidates against his party the PDP .

Of note, in particular, was the allegation that he, Abonta, openly backed Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe of APGA against then Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s senatorial ambition.

Furthermore, the Akwete PDP ward leaders had similarly accused him ( Hon Abonta ) of sponsoring a nebulous group that was then pushing for the removal of the Abia PDP Chairman, Dr Alwell Asiforo Okere, his brother from the same Ndoki Ukwa East Local Government.

But Hon Nkwonta was said to be greatly disappointed with the refusal of the Abia PDP State Working Committee, SWC, to buy into the suspension project of his brother, Hon Abonta .

Despite alleging that Abonta was against the Dr Okere-led SWC, the party at the state level refused to endorse the suspension order already slammed on Abonta by the Hon Nkwonta backed Akwete Ward PDP.

The Abia State PDP SWC, this magazine authoritatively learnt, had instead, opted for caution in handling all alleged anti-party activities of members.

The SWC had ,insisted on reconciliation, instead of indiscriminate suspension of members.

However, if Hon Nkwonta believed to be sympathetic to the Nyesom Wike led PDP group was openly disappointed with the failure of the SWC to act against Abonta, he never found funny enough the refusal of Senator Adolphus Wabara ,the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, BOT, to back his aspiration to get rid of Hon Abonta from the party.

Like the SWC, the former Senate President, who is also from the same Ndoki, Ukwa East, with the duo of Hon Nkwonta and Abonta, also declined to back the plot to expel the four time Federal Law Maker from the party .

Impeccable sources revealed that the failure to get Abonta frustrated out of the party resulted in Hon. Nkwonta a close ally of Immediate past Governor Ikpeazu, to tactically withdraw all support for the party in Abia State .

Hon Abonta, in the wake of his suspension by his Akwete Ward Leaders, had dismissed the exercise as neither here nor there .

In an interview with this Magazine, the Law Maker who represented Ukwa West /East Federal Constituency at the green chamber of the National Assembly for uninterrupted 16 years, noted that it was his traducers that will conveniently be accused of gross anti- party activities.

He, particularly, referred to the unpopular decision of the party to abide by its zoning arrangements pre- 2023 elections as the major factor that caused the misfortune of the PDP in the

It was gathered that the appointment of Dr Okere as the Caretaker Committed Chairman of the party in the State after the expiry of its elected tenure in August, accentuated the decision of Hon Nkwonta to exit the PDP.

This Magazine was informed that before the appointment of the Asiforo led Caretaker Committee, Hon Nkwonta had unsuccessfully lobbied to have his people on the Committee.

He is said not to be comfortable with the Okere- led leadership which is believed to also be enjoying the support of both Wabara and Atiku Abubakar .

It was gathered that Hon Nkwonta, who was handed over the PDP ticket in 2023 by then Governor Ikpeazu, ahead of his brother Abonta, may not enjoy same privilege come 2027.

Eyebrows Raised As CP Opara is Posted To Three State Commands Within Three Weeks

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The Source

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October 2, 2024

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By Gideon Njoku

For Commissioner of Police, Peter Opara, many are raising eyebrows. The mercurial CP has, within three weeks, been posted to three Police Commands as Commissioner of Police.

His first posting, as confirmed by the Police Service Commission on 15th September was as the CP Federal Capital Territory, FCT. He was to replace CP Benneth Igweh, the first CP of Igbo origin to head the FCT Command. Igweh was promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG and posted to Zone 7, which comprises the FCT and Kaduna Commands.

But within a couple of days, a statement to the effect that Opara has been replaced by CP Tunji Disu, and posted to Delta State,

was released. Disu was the CP of Rivers State.

When Opara was posted to Delta State from FCT, many reasoned that it probably was not tidy to post Opara to head the FCT Command when Igweh, the immediate past FCT CP, is AIG Zone 7. Both are from same State, Imo.

But again, on 2nd October 2024, just when interested watchers thought Opara should be settling down in Delta, he has, again, been moved again from Delta to Cross River State.

A release signed by Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations,

Police Service Commission, said the Commission has approved the postings of four Commissioners of Police to head State Commands in the Country.

According to the release,

“CP Abaniwonda Olufemi recently moved to Rivers State Command has been returned as Commissioner of Police Delta State Command.

“CP Peter Ukachi Opara has finally been deployed to Cross Rivers State Command. He was earlier appointed the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory, FCT Command, moved to Delta State but has now been posted to head the Cross Rivers State Command.

“CP Mustapha Mohammed Bala from Katsina State has been posted to Rivers State, while Gyogon Augustine Grimah from Nasarawa State has been posted to Kaduna State Command.

“The approval for the postings has been conveyed to the Inspector General of Police for implementation in a letter signed by Commission Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd, mni, PSC, NPM”

Uzodimma Appoints Former NAWOJ Chairperson, Emenalom, Acting Head Of Service

By

The Source

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October 2, 2024

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Governor Hope Uzodimma has named, in acting capacity, the immediate past Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Mrs. Chikodi Emenalom, as the new Head of Service for the Imo State Civil Service.

The appointment is with immediate effect.

Mrs. Emenalom, former Chairperson of National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Imo State, Member of the National Institute (MNI) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), replaces Barr. Raymond Ucheoma who has retired.

The Acting Head of Service comes into her new office with experience gathered over the years from different ministeries since joining the Imo State Civil Service in 1990 as Information Officer.

A 1988 graduate of Linguistics from the old Imo State University, Okigwe, Mrs. Emenalom was promoted a Permanent Secretary in 2018 and has worked in the Ministeries of Information, Finance, Agriculture, Women Affairs, Special Duties as well as in Government House.

During the 2020-2021 Corona Virus pandemic era, she was appointed the Imo State Communicator for the World Bank Assisted programme dealing with COVID in the State.

While congratulating Mrs. Emenalom on the appointment, Governor Uzodimma urges her to bring her wealth of experience in the Service to bear in the discharge of her duties.

Senate Leader, Bamidele, Says No Proposal For Regional Govt Before Constitution Review Committee

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Ayodele Oni

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October 2, 2024

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By Ayodele Oni

Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele has clarified that there is no proposal for the return to the regional government before the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution.

Bamidele, senator representing Ekiti central also faulted claims that he is working against the interests of the Yoruba in the National Assembly.

He made the clarification in a statement by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs on Wednesday, challenging any person with audio-visual and documentary evidence to come out and present such

“How can I oppose the proposal that is not currently before the Constitution Review Committee? I believe this statement is politically motivated to discredit me before Nigeria as a whole.

“Already, the 10th Senate Constitution Review Committee has received 37 fresh constitution alteration bills. The Committee is also considering 16 constitution alteration bills inherited from the 9th National Assembly, making 53 alteration bills altogether.

“None of these alteration bills proposed the return to the regional federal governance structure as practised in the First Republic.

“Linking me to an anti-regional government is a deliberate attempt to tarnish my image. I am not working against the interest of the Yoruba. I will never do so for any reason.”

Bamidele, also, explained that the claims of being anti Yoruba “are baseless, false and unfounded,” noting that he had been dutifully serving the interests of Ekiti Central, Ekiti State, South-west and Nigeria by extension since his election into the National Assembly.

Reacting to a viral statement credited to him that “If we allow the regional system in Nigeria, we would have automatically given the easterners Biafra, Bamidele stated that he never made such a statement, which he said, was an attempt to pitch him against the Yoruba and other ethnic nationalities in the federation.

He added that he did not make any statement about the regional government in line with the 1960 and 1963 Constitution at the 27th-28th September 2024 Senate Retreat on the Review of the 1999 Constitution.

“The claim is far from the truth. I never spoke about the return to the regional government at any forum; neither did I make a claim that ‘If we allow the regional system in Nigeria, we would have automatically given the easterners Biafra.’

“It is a sheer case of misinformation and deliberate fake news, which do not in any way represent my worldview about federal governance structure.”

Ahead Ondo Gov: SDP Deputy Gov Candidate, Alabi Resigns

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Ayodele Oni

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October 2, 2024

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By Ayodele Oni

As alignment and realignment continues towards the November governorship election in Ondo state, the deputy governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, (SDP) in state, Mrs Susan Gbemisola Alabi has resigned from the party.

In her resignation letter dated Wednesday, October 2nd, 2004 to the National Chairman of the SDP, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, Alabi said that she has informed the Governorship candidate of the party, Bamidele Akingboye of her decision.

In another letter to the SDP candidate, Akingboye, also dated Wednesday October 2nd, 2024, she stated, “In furtherance to the discussion you had with me and the advise you gave me on the morning of Friday 20th September, 2024, I hereby formally resign as the Social Democratic Party Deputy Governorship Candidate for Ondo State in the 2024 governorship election.

“The resignation takes immediate effect.

“I want to express my gratitude for the opportunity to run alongside with you. Your leadership has been inspiring and I have learnt a lot on this journey.

“As I step away, I wish you the very best in your future endeavours. I am confident that you will continue to make a significant impact on our great state.

“After careful consideration and consultations, I have decided to send in my resignation letter. I’d rather do that than go the route you advised saying I’m too sick to continue as your Deputy.

“For the record, please note that I’m not sick and can perform optimally. However, for the sake of your ambition and you concluding to replace me with someone else from the Central of Ondo State, as you believe it will better your chances of winning, I hereby formally resign my position with you as your Deputy.”

$30bn Investment: Your Claim Is False, Mr President- Report

By

James Orji

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October 2, 2024

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President Bola Tinubu’s claim that his administration attracted over $30 billion investment to the country is false, according to the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, FIJ.

The president made the claim during his nationwide broadcast on Tuesday to mark the country’s 64^th independence anniversary.

Reeling out his administration’s achievements the president said yesterday that $30 billion foreign Direct Investment, FDI, has been attracted to the country in the last one year.

“The economy is undergoing the necessary reforms and retooling to serve us better and more sustainably,” Tinubu said.

“If we do not correct the fiscal misalignments that led to the current economic downturn, our country will face an uncertain future and the peril of unimaginable consequences.

“Thanks to the reforms, our country attracted foreign direct investments worth more than $30 billion in the last year.”

This claim means that several foreign investors set up shop in Nigeria and invested more than $30 billion of their money in the Nigerian market.

FIJ reviewed Tinubu’s statement to verify the authenticity of his $30 billion FDI claim.

Tuesday was not the first time the executive arm of the federal government made the $30 billion FDI claim.

On March 5, Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation said the government had attracted over $30 billion in FDI commitments.

During the 2023 Leadership Annual Conference and Award in Abuja, Idris said, “Since we assumed office in May 2023, we have attracted $30 billion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) commitments into the real sectors of the economy, including manufacturing, telecoms, healthcare, oil and gas, and others.

“Those investments have already started coming into the country. Just a few days ago, I was in Qatar on an official visit, where the Emir assured that a senior government delegation would visit Nigeria after Ramadan.

“I have asked the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy to directly interface with the Qatari authorities to ensure that speedy progress is made.”

A month before Idris’ public address, Doris Uzoka-Anite, the minister of industry, trade and investment, addressed the media on February 17. During that address, she mentioned the commitments. According to her, it will take five to eight years to redeem these commitments.

Neither Uzoka-Anite nor Idris claimed the government secured the investments in full or during the past year, but Tinubu said his administration already secured the $30 billion in FDI.

Ortom Vows PDP Return To Power

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James Orji

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October 2, 2024

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The immediate past governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has assured Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, supporters that the party will return to party in 2027.

The former governor made the remark in Makurdi, the state when members of the G14 paid him a courtesy visit in his home.

He stated that the PDP will take over from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

The PDP lost power under his watch last year to the APC, making Ortom one of the state governors who failed to install their successors.

The former helmsman however told the G14, representing PDP elders from the 14 local government areas, LGA in the state what the party required to roll back to power in the next election, is to unite its members.

He urged them to put the past behind and work harder for the party to return to power, stressing that he will continue to support the group as the Co-Chairman.

Ortom said, “I encourage you to work and be conscience of the party. Let us put behind us the past grievances. This is the time you have to work harder than before and bring back some of those who want to join us.

“I know that many people are yearning to return to the party, let us begin a new journey, and with God’s on our side, we will get the power back to our party in 2027.”

The former governor is among the PDP governors who refused to support the party’s 2023 Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. They were known as G5, and their decision to back Bola Tinubu has been blamed for APC consolidation of power at the centre after the eight years tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari.

House Of Reps Rejects CFR National Honour For Speaker, Says Members At Par With Senators

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Ayodele Oni

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October 2, 2024

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By Ayodele Oni

The House of Representatives has clarified that members are not inferior to the senate and to prove that, rejected the National Honour conferred on Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas.

The lawmakers accused President Bola Tinubu of discriminating against the lower chamber of the National Assembly after conferring a higher honour on Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

President Tinubu, while addressing the nation to mark Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary celebration, stated that the Senate President, Akpabio and Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun had been conferred with honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).

Others mentioned for awards include the Deputy Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Abbas and Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau were conferred with the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), respectively, a lower rank to that of the senate president.

However, following a motion of urgent public importance moved by Philip Agbese on Wednesday, the House resolved the members are not inferior to Senators, and therefore, both leaders should be treated equally.

The motion, signed by 360 members of the House, called for the abolition of the “upper chamber and lower chamber nomenclature”, stating that both chambers are equal.