NIGERIAN SUFFERING BECAUSE OF SOUTH EAST – ORJI UZOR KALU
Dons Eze
- January 19, 2025
MTN PAYS N200BN MONTHLY IN VAT – TAX COMMITTEE
MTN PAYS N200BN MONTHLY IN VAT — TAX COMMITTEE The Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, has disclosed that MTN Nigeria contributes over N200 billion in Value Added Tax monthly, making it the largest contributor to the nation’s VAT pool. Oyedele made the disclosure recently while speaking as a panellist during Channels Television’s Town Hall on Tax Reforms. He used the platform to highlight disparities in the current VAT distribution system and explained the reforms aimed at addressing them. According to the tax expert, the current system allocates all VAT paid by the country’s biggest telco to Lagos State, where the company’s headquarters is located, even though the services that generate this revenue are consumed nationwide. “MTN is the largest contributor to VAT in Nigeria. So they, in fact, pay VAT of over N200bn every month; the gap between them and number two is huge.” He added, “Today, all the VAT paid by MTN is credited and attributed to Lagos State, even as calls are made in Kano, the FCT, Ekiti, Edo, or Kebbi.” Part of the reform bill proposes adjustments to ensure a more equitable distribution of VAT revenues across states based on actual consumption rather than the location of corporate headquarters. To demonstrate the implications of the proposed reforms, Oyedele provided a hypothetical redistribution model of MTN’s VAT contributions. He illustrated how the reforms would allocate the VAT revenue based on consumption rather than the location of the company’s headquarters. Under this new framework, Lagos State, which currently retains the full N200bn, would see its share reduced to approximately 20 per cent, while other states across the federation would benefit from a fairer distribution. “This adjustment ensures that states where the VAT is generated get their fair share,” Oyedele said. “When you analyse the data, you see Lagos State’s share reduces slightly, but every other state gains.” The tax reform bill, which aims to address longstanding issues in Nigeria’s fiscal policies, includes provisions for revenue redistribution, addressing inefficiencies, and promoting fairness in the tax system. The reform proposal has sparked debates recently, with some critics accusing the committee of pushing policies that could adversely affect some parties. Oyedele dismissed these claims, emphasising that the current system is flawed and unfair. “If you’re doing the wrong thing, how can Lagos State disagree with us when we propose to fix it?” he argued.
- Biafra News
- December 18, 2024
- 87 views
WHY NNAMDI KANU’S RELEASE MAY NOT END INSECURITY IN SOUTH EAST – SOLUDO
WHY NNAMDI KANU’S RELEASE MAY NOT END INSECURITY IN SOUTH EAST – SOLUDO The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, on Tuesday, said he doubted if the release of the detained leader of the separatist Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, would end the pervasive insecurity in the South-East, News360 Nigeria reports. Soludo argued that criminals had hijacked the Biafran struggle and were now exploiting the Biafran struggle and Kanu’s name to perpetrate organised crime and fuel insecurity in the South-East region. Soludo noted that under the guise of agitation, these individuals had turned to “lucrative criminality,” engaging in armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, and idolatry. He insisted that their activities have nothing to do with the genuine liberation struggle, stating that such crimes are purely driven by greed and lawlessness. Speaking during a press briefing at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia on Tuesday, Soludo revealed that over 99 per cent of criminals arrested in Anambra in the past two years were Igbo, with more than 70 per cent being non-indigenes of the state. “The so-called agitators have transformed into organised criminal gangs,” Soludo said. “They hide in forests, kidnapping innocent citizens for ransom, and they justify their atrocities under the pretext of Biafra. Let us be clear—this has nothing to do with any liberation movement. Criminality has taken on a life of its own. These people have tasted blood, and now, money is their motivation.” The governor expressed doubt that the release of the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, would end the crisis, as the criminals appear to have severed ties with the original agitation. “Kanu and IPOB have repeatedly dissociated themselves from these criminals,” Soludo explained. “Even if Nnamdi Kanu is released today, I’m not sure they would listen to him because what they now pursue is wealth, not liberation. They have become enemies of the people they claim to protect. Who are they fighting for when they kidnap and kill their own people?” Soludo further decried the complicity of some communities in shielding these criminals, adding that insecurity in the region was sustained because some locals viewed security agencies as adversaries and the criminals as liberators. “Our people know these criminals. They are our brothers, cousins, and neighbors,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that in some communities, people contribute food to sustain these criminals hiding in the forests. How do you fight insecurity when people see criminals as heroes and the police as the enemy?” The governor announced the plan to launch ‘Operation Udo Ga Chi’ (Operation Peace Shall Reign), a state-wide security initiative scheduled to commence after January 25. The operation, Soludo said, would deploy 163 branded vehicles for stop-and-search activities and integrate advanced surveillance technology to track criminals and secure forests. “We are intensifying our security measures with both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches. We have trained forest guards to work with vigilantes and LG authorities to reclaim our forests. I call on these criminals to embrace our amnesty window, which remains open until the end of February,” Soludo added. Calling for collective action, Soludo urged religious leaders, traditional rulers, and residents to take ownership of their communities and cooperate with security agencies. “Insecurity is a monster that must be confronted collectively,” the governor emphasized. “If you see something, say something. Anambra will no longer be a haven for criminals masquerading as freedom fighters.” He expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and security agencies for their support, reiterating his administration’s resolve to rid the state of criminal elements and ensure lasting peace and security.
BIZZARE! WOMAN WHO SLEPT WITH 100 MEN IN A DAY EYES WORLD RECORD
BIZZARE! WOMAN WHO SLEPT WITH 100 MEN IN A DAY EYES WORLD RECORD A woman who slept with 100 men in one day has got candid about her challenge. Lily Phillips has made £2million from her use of content creation site. Her career might be a stark contrast to her childhood dreams of owning a wedding dress boutique, like her aunt did, but Lily is now determined to break the “world record” next month and have sex with 1,000 in the same period of time. The model, who grew up in Denby, Derbyshire, said: “I didn’t get into OnlyFans because I was desperate for money. My parents loved to spoil us, I had a very comfortable, happy life. It was the picture-perfect childhood and I had amazing parents.” Lily, though, left state school with five GCSEs and then went to university to study Nutrition. However, there she admitted she started “sleeping around” and decided to start her OnlyFans account in 2020. She made £2,000 in the first month, giving her a taste for more.
FOOD PRICES RISE TO 60.88% UNDER TINUBU
FOOD PRICES RISE TO 60.88% UNDER TINUBUDespite securing multilateral loans amounting to $3.334bn (N5.178tn) and attracting over $4.3bn investments to boost food production, the cost of essential staple food items skyrocketed by 60.88 per cent under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu When Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, food inflation was 24.82 per cent. It jumped to about 40 per cent in November 2024. This is based on data from the National Bureau of Statistics. This is occurring as Nigerians are increasingly struggling to afford basic food items, with many households finding it difficult to make ends meet due to the sharp rise in prices. This stark increase in food prices stands in contrast to the government’s ambitious efforts to address food security and agricultural development, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current economic policies, the impact of inflation, and the challenges in translating financial support into tangible relief for Nigerians. Upon assumption of office in May last year, President Tinubu promised to prioritise food availability and security, stressing that the government would cultivate about 500,000 hectares of farmlands to combat hunger in the country. “I am well aware that for some time now, the conversations and debates have centred on the rising cost of living, high inflation, which is now above 28 per cent, and the unacceptable high under-employment rate. “To ensure constant food supply, security, and affordability, we will step up our plan to cultivate 500,000 hectares of farmlands across the country to grow maize, rice, wheat, millet, and other staple crops”, Tinubu stated in his new year address amidst other commitments. However, the spiral increase in transportation costs occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidies, massive devaluation of the naira, and ravaging insecurity have fuelled a rapid increase in the price of all food commodities over 19 months. Data obtained from the Consumer Price Index report released by the National Bureau of Statistics between May 2023, when Tinubu assumed office, and November 2024 showed that for 14 consecutive months, Nigerians spent increasingly more money each time they visited the market to buy food items. A breakdown showed that food inflation increased from 24.82 per cent in May 2023 to 25.25 per cent in June, 26.98 per cent in July, 29.34 per cent in August, 30.64 per cent in September, 31.52 per cent in October, 32.84 per cent in November and 33.93 in December 2023. By January 2024, the price of food items increased to 35.41 per cent and surged further to 37.92 per cent in February, 40.01 per cent in March, 40.53 per cent in April, 40.66 per cent in May, 40.87 in June, before witnessing a drop to 39.53 per cent in July and 37.52 per cent in August due to the harvest season. In September, the cost of food increased again to 37.77 per cent, 39.16 per cent in October, and 39.93 per cent in November, which is almost 40 per cent. Despite the challenging situation, checks by our correspondent revealed that the government secured loans totalling $3.334bn, an equivalent of N5.178tn from the World Bank and the African Development Bank under President Tinubu’s administration to enhance agricultural production, adopt innovative farming techniques, and increase food sufficiency for Nigerians. Analysis showed that $500m was approved by the World Bank for the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project to boost livestock production and food security nationwide. The Board of the World Bank Group approved a $500m loan to Nigeria last week Friday (December 13, 2024) to boost rural access and agricultural marketing in the country. According to information obtained from the Washington-based institution, the loan is for the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project—Scale Up. It is designed to bridge the gap between rural communities and the broader…
614,937 NIGERIANS KILLED, 2.2M ABDUCTED IN ONE YEAR – NBS
614,937 NIGERIANS KILLED, 2.2M ABDUCTED IN ONE YEAR – NBS No fewer than 614,937 Nigerians were killed and 2,235,954 others kidnapped across the country between May 2023 and April 2024, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed. The NBS disclosed this on Tuesday in its report titled ‘The Crime Experienced and Security Perception Survey (CESPS) 2024’, and based on the surveys conducted between May 2023 and April 2024. The report disclosed that the 2.2 million Nigerians were kidnapped across the country while N2.2 trillion was paid as ransom, an average amount of N2.7 million per incident. The report disclosed that murder rate was highest in rural areas with 335,827 incidents and 279,110 in urban areas. Experts believe that though there were high profile personalities that have been abducted, it is the poor people in villages that suffered most. A zone-by-zone analysis of the report showed that the North West had the highest murder cases (206,030), followed by the North East (188,992); while the least was recorded in the South West (15,693). The report said about seven in 10 households reported murder cases to the police nationwide with 33 per cent of households responding that the killer was an unknown person, and 23.4 per cent confirmed that the murderer was a member of the household; while 1.0 per cent reported that the murderer was either a spouse or a lover. On kidnappings, the report said 1,668,104 persons were kidnapped in rural areas and 567,850 in urban areas. The report also indicated that the North West had the highest cases of kidnapping with 1,420,307 abducted followed by the North Central (317,837) and the South-East, 110,432. The report said among the reported kidnapping cases, 82.1 per cent of kidnapped individuals were released, 12.8 per cent killed, 3.3 per cent still in captivity against their will; while 1.3 per cent did not know the outcome of the incidents. Of the estimated amount of N2.2 trillion payments to free victims, “the North West reported the highest ransom paid with N1.2 trillion; while the South East was the least with N85.4 billion. Disaggregated by zones, the North Central reported the highest proportion of payment of ransom at 83.4 per cent, followed by North East at 78.6 per cent. “Households in urban areas paid an average of N3.7 million compared to N2.3 million in rural areas,” the report stated. It added that about 91 per cent of kidnapping incidents were done for ransom in the form of money, goods or other benefits. “While 2.4 per cent of cases were attributed to political, criminal, or terrorist objectives; 2.1 per cent were linked to personal or family disputes. Custody disputes accounted for 0.5 per cent of cases,” the report said. The report also said a total of 1,587,363 motor vehicle thefts occurred within the reference period of the survey and analysis by zones revealed that the North West recorded the highest (603,756), followed by North Central (246,329) and South West had the least (140,144). “Further disaggregation by place of residence shows that rural areas had the highest with 887,002 while urban areas recorded the least with 700,361. Nationally, among households that experienced theft of motor vehicles, 57.6 per cent reported to the police”, it said. The NBS’ report also stated that Nigerians had begun to pay for their security with a national average of N80,878 spent on security measures over the past 12 months. “Disaggregation by zones shows that the South East reported the highest average amount at N135,398, followed by North Central at N103,476 and the South West, N34,408. “Analysis by place of residence revealed that urban households spent more money on security measures (N86,997) than rural households (N72,849),” he said. On the places that respondents considered unsafe, the report…
- Spirituality
- December 18, 2024
- 85 views
HOW I KILLED 76 WOMEN FOR FORTIFICATION – MYSTERIOUS IBADAN MAN
HOW I KILLED 76 WOMEN FOR FORTIFICATION — MYSTERIOUS IBADAN MAN A mysterious Ibadan man whose name is yet unknown had confessed to killing over 70 women for ritual purposes in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State. The man popularly called ‘Mistina Orobo’ born in the Foko area of Ibadan who claimed to have now become a pastor said the number is not part of the people he had been hired to kill and had eaten in his life. He revealed this on a popular socialist, Yinka Ayefele’s radio station, Fresh FM’s programme titled, “Opeyemi” in Ibadan on Saturday. According to him, the blood of the women was needed to renew his mystical power, and their bodies were eaten after the needed blood had been taken. “My idol takes about 73 to 76 women for over seven years. These women are always gotten from the club or other popular places. When I eat people, it is purposely to renew the voodoo in my body. Sometimes, when I’m shot, it won’t penetrate, even when I’m hacked, the machete breaks. The sweetest human parts are tongue, palm, and foot.” “I also work for bank managers, politicians, and some other rich men. I’m very popular among them. When I first worked with a bank manager, it was one wealthy man that we killed and the info was supplied in the bank. “The only person who was left to sign refused to sign, we visited him, made him sign, and killed him aftermath. I charge up to N50 to N80 million to get people killed and we always work as a team. I taught some people to work, some as highway or armed robbers and I usually get my fair share,” he added. The man also narrated the roles he and his boys played during elections in Oyo State while soliciting that his identity be kept away from the public until it was time for him to reveal it. Responding to questions on his early beginning, the mysterious man confessed to eating sacrifices since the age of nine as the son of an herbalist and how he became a hired assassin. “As a child of an herbalist, I always eat sacrifices in seven different junctions, this was what fortified me before I grew up to become a dreaded hired assassin and sometimes, highway robber.” However, sharing the story of how he turned a new leaf, the man said he met Jesus in his dream after he attempted to avenge people who earlier fought with him. He noted, “I had been killed before but I woke up because of the idol I had at home. The day I went to retaliate those people who fought and killed me. When we got to the first person, I had a change of mind. When we got to the house of the other one, he was drunk, and my boy was about to unleash on him when I begged that he should be spared, since then, I have been sympathetic and have left the wayward life. Now, God has taken over my life. “I am now in a seminary. I spent four years learning to be a prophet. I am not ready to establish a church, I just want people to know my terrible story. I had sold all three houses and cars I bought while engaging in these acts. I met Jesus in my dream.” He also stressed that a former lawmaker in the House of Representatives, Temitope Olatoye (a.k.a. Sugar) died because he was in Ghana at that time if not it would have been averted, adding that he had always informed Sugar of the dangers looming.
- Biafra News
- December 18, 2024
- 65 views
NO SUFFICIENT REASON FOR CONTINUED DETENTION OF NNAMDI KANU – OHANAEZE
NO SUFFICIENT REASON FOR CONTINUED DETENTION OF NNAMDI KANU – OHANAEZE The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Nze Ozichukwu Fidelis Chukwu, has stated that the Nigerian government has no sufficient reason to continue detaining Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB. In a statement issued by Ohanaeze’s spokesman, Alex Ogbonnia, the organisation’s President General emphasised that “the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a moral burden on the federal government,” adding that “there is no sufficient reason for the prolonged detention of Kanu by the security agency of the state.” Chukwu assured the National Executive Committee, NEC, that a blueprint will be developed to ensure Ohanaeze not only complements the goodwill of the state but is also positioned to discharge its diverse functions and overcome challenges as they arise. He further stated that although his days in office are numbered, he is determined to leave behind an impressive legacy.
SENATE MOVES TO BAN USE OF DOLLAR, OTHER FOREIGN CURRENCIES IN NIGERIA
SENATE MOVES TO BAN USE OF DOLLAR, OTHER FOREIGN CURRENCIES IN NIGERIA A bill seeking to prohibit the use of foreign currency in Nigeria has scaled first reading in the PSenate. The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, No. 7, to Prohibit the Use of Foreign Currencies for Remuneration and Other Related Matters,” was sponsored by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Reparations and Repatriation, Senator Ned Nwoko. The proposed legislation is aimed at ensuring all payments, including salaries and other transactions are done using the local currency, naira. According to Senator Nwoko, the widespread use of foreign currencies in the country’s financial system undermines the value of the Naira, which he said, perpetuates economic challenges. The lawmaker described the use of the Dollar, Pound Sterling, and other foreign currencies for transactions in Nigeria as a colonial relic that continues to hinder Nigeria’s economic independence.
IGP BANS POLICE FORM PHONE CHECKS, ARBITRARY ARRESTS
IGP BANS POLICE FORM PHONE CHECKS, ARBITRARY ARRESTS The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has issued a stern directive halting the arbitrary arrest, detention, and phone checking of youths by police officers across the country, warning that erring personnel and their supervisors will face severe punishment. The directive in a wireless message dated December 13, 2024, was sent to all state police commands. It emphasized the need to curb human rights violations and unlawful actions that have tarnished the reputation of the Nigeria Police Force. The police hierarchy expressed concerns that such impunity and misconduct could reignite public outrage, citing the events of the 2020 #EndSARS protests, which escalated into widespread destruction of properties and loss of lives. The letter, signed by the Department of Operations at the Force Headquarters, was obtained by PidomNigeria. Egbetokun warned that police commissioners and supervisors of commands where such activities occur would also be held accountable alongside the offending officers. The message with DTO: 111996/ and Ref: CB:0900/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.TIO/157 was titled: Order and Directives: Arbitrary Arrest and Detention.
DESPITE LOCAL REFINERIES, NIGERIA SPENDS N9.1 TRILLION ON PETROLEUM IMPORTATION
DESPITE LOCAL REFINERIES, NIGERIA SPENDS N9.1 TRILLION ON PETROLEUM IMPORTATION Despite Local Refineries, Nigeria Spends N9.1trillion On Petroleum Importation In Nine Months Which Is Double Of 2023 A review of data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has shown that Nigeria imported refined petroleum to the tune of N9.1trillion between January and September 2024. In the first quarter of 2024, the refined petroleum importation gulped N2.6trillion, in the second quarter of 2024, it gulped N3.2trillion while taking N3.3trillion in the third quarter of 2024. This development comes amid controversies on local production and patronage of refined petroleum in the country. The importation of petroleum worth N9.1trillion between first and third quarter of 2024, means that the country spent twice what it spent in importation of refined petroleum in same period of 2023. Between Q1 and Q3, 2023, N4.5 trillion was spent on refined petroleum importation by Nigeria. According to the official statistics body, NBS, data, in the third quarter of 2023, the country imported N1.9 trillion worth of motor ordinary spirit (petroleum), it imported petroleum worth N1.2 trillion in the second quarter of 2023, and N1.4 trillion in the first quarter of 2023. Nigeria has had to rely on importation of refined petroleum owning to poor and non-functional refineries. Importation of refined petroleum has been blamed in part for inflationary tendencies on the naira weakening the country’s currency. It also accounts for a substantial part of what the country imports. Although it was recently announced that the Port-Harcourt refinery owned by the country had started operations, controversies continue to surround its true functionality and ability to ease any substantially importation of petroleum in the country. There have been controversies also on the patronage of the Dangote Refinery in Lagos with accusations and counter accusations on pricing of petroleum supplied by the refinery.