Author: Olamide Obayemi

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, 3 December, 2024, signed the Lagos State Electricity Bill 2024 into law, setting the stage for a power supply system aimed at providing reliable electricity to residents. The Lagos State Electricity Law 2024 is a comprehensive plan of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s resolve to address longstanding challenges in the energy sector. The law will lay a robust foundation for economic growth, fostering industrial growth, improved quality of life, energy equity, economic prosperity, and environmental sustainability. The signing of the bill at Lagos House, Ikeja, was witnessed by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Femi Hamzat;…

The Lagos State Government on Tuesday, 3 December, 2024, paid over ₦1.5 billion as compensation to over 150 beneficiaries whose properties were acquired by the State Government for public interest. The beneficiaries, which include organisations, individuals, landlords, and tenants, were given compensation during Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s public presentation of cheques. Compensations were paid to those affected by the construction of Pen Cinema, Agege Right of Way; LAMATA Bus Terminal, Abule Egba; LAMATA Right of Way in Oja Oba, Abule Egba; LAMATA Corridor, Maryland; Road Expansion in Orile-Badagry; Katanguwa; Orile-Badagry Road Expansion and Oyingbo Ultra Modern Bus Terminal by the Lagos…

Stakeholders and community leaders around the Port Harcourt Refinery have doused the groundswell of rumours and speculations that the recently revived and restreamed refinery was not working. Last Tuesday, the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, announced the “safe and successful restart of the 60,000 barrels-per-day Old Port Harcourt Refinery,” which it stated marks a significant step forward after years of operational challenges and underperformance and also “signifies a new era of energy independence and economic growth for our nation.” However, naysayers went to town disclaiming the news, saying the corporation was lying about its revival of the refinery. Interestingly,…

By Sunday Dare As Nigeria and South Africa hold the 11th session of Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission, in Cape Town, on Tue Dec 3, 2024 it is trite to establish the contours of their relationship and to thank President Tinubu for keeping faith with Africa’s other big brother. The radar on Nigeria again shifts to South Africa witnessing three weeks of unprecedented shuttle political and economic diplomacy. President Bola Tinubu’s co-chairmanship of the 11th Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) alongside President Cyril Ramaphosa marks a significant diplomatic step towards fostering stronger bilateral ties. This meeting, which coincides with the 25th…

I bring to you fraternal greetings from the people and Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I am pleased to participate in the Nigeria–South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) for the first time.May this edition of the BNC be both productive and historic. My enthusiasm for this event is born of the storied and proud history of the Nigeria – South Africa relationship, which has been strong since the end of apartheid and the the birth of true democracy in this great country. Nigeria’s contributions to that epic struggle represent noble and outstanding moments in our foreign policy and in…

BNC’s Gain: South Africa Relaxes Visa Rules For Nigerian Tourists, Business People   President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that tourists from Nigeria can now apply for a visa without submitting a passport. Ramaphosa spoke on Tuesday, 3 December, 2024, at the opening of the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Cape Town, which President Bola Tinubu attended. He said South Africa has simplified its visa processes to facilitate travel for Nigerian business people and tourists, with measures such as five-year multiple entry visas. “Our efforts to create a favourable environment include our simplified visa process for Nigerian business…

President Bola Tinubu has called for the Nigeria—South Africa strategic partnership to become a model of leadership, economic integration, and shared prosperity for the African continent. Speaking at the opening of the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) on Tuesday, 3 December, 2024, in Cape Town, President Tinubu urged both countries to overcome what he called “irritants” that hinder their collaboration and focus on transforming Africa’s global image. The Nigerian leader, who co-chaired the presidential BNC with his South African counterpart, highlighted the importance of cooperation between the continent’s two largest economies and its potential to redefine…

Nigeria and South Africa have agreed to urgently finalise the five-year-old Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Early Warning Mechanism, which monitors threats of violence, acts of criminality, and reprisals involving nationals of both countries. The decision was revealed on Tuesday, 3 December, 2024, in a communiqué released at the end of the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Cape town. President Bola Tinubu and President Cyril Ramaphosa co-chaired the meeting. In the wake of the attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, both countries agreed to establish an Early Warning Mechanism to prevent such attacks. Before…

1. The robust nationwide debate on the new tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly is welcomed, and commendable. It is very inspiring to see Nigerians from all walks of life coming out to express their views and opinions of these matters of critical national importance. This is the very essence and meaning of democracy. 2.I call on all commentators and groups to keep up the spirit of informed engagement, and to strive to be respectful and understanding at all times despite the diversity of opinions. In the spirit of democratic engagement, there should be no room for name-calling,…

The Tax Reform Bills before the National Assembly are aimed at economic transformation to empower Nigerians and facilitate inclusive economic growth. The bills are: the – 1) Nigeria Tax Bill – harmonises all the major taxes such as corporate income tax, personal income tax, VAT etc 2) Nigeria Tax Administration Bill – provides a framework for tax management covering taxpayer identification, registration, assessment, collection, enforcement, etc 3) Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill – seeks to replace the FIRS with the NRS to perform a broader role of revenue administration in Nigeria and drive collaboration with subnational governments and MDAs. 4)…

Since the public debate around the transformative tax bills before the National Assembly began in the last few weeks, various political actors and commentators have tried to obfuscate the facts, deliberately misinforming and misleading the public. Unfortunately, most reactions are not grounded in facts, reality, or sufficient knowledge of the bills. While some commentators have attempted to incite the people against lawmakers, others have polarized one section of the country against another. The tax reform bills will not make Lagos or Rivers more affluent and other parts of the country, as recklessly canvassed, poorer. The bills will not destroy the…

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, on Monday, December 2, 2024 gave a ruling on a final forfeiture of an estate in Abuja measuring 150,500 square metres and containing 753 Units of duplexes and other apartments. This is the single largest asset recovery by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, since its inception in 2003. The Estate rests on on Plot 109 Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja. The forfeiture of the property to the Federal Government by a former top brass of the government was pursuant to EFCC’s mandate and policy directive of ensuring that the corrupt and fraudulent do not…

In line with the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration’s commitment to education and technology, over 2,000 students from the five Government Technical Colleges in Lagos State on Monday graduated as skilled professionals at the Year 2024 Graduation of Technical College students. Speaking during a graduation ceremony coordinated by the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), held at De-Blue Roof, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, reiterated his administration’s commitment to more collaboration with captains of industries, private sectors and artisans to create employment opportunities for students who acquired skills from LASTVEB. Governor Sanwo-Olu urged the graduates to look…

The Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has called for broader consultation on the proposed tax reform bill currently under consideration by the National Assembly, saying he is not against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Governor Zulum underscored the importance of stakeholder engagement to address concerns and misconceptions surrounding the bills. In a statement on Monday, 2 December, 2024 by his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, Governor Zulum said “Consultation is a cardinal principle in any democratic society.” “We need to take the time to understand the nuances of the bill and ensure all…

The Group Chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Tony Elumelu, has passionately called for a change of long-standing workplace stereotypes that continue to hinder women’s professional growth and potential. He said this while delivering a compelling address during a meeting with the Association of Professional Women Bankers (APWB), at the UBA Head office in, Marina, Lagos on Monday, 25 November, 2024. Elumelu, who highlighted the exceptional abilities of women in business, addressed the additional obstacles women encounter, such as imposter syndrome and unfair stereotypes that portray them as “too emotional” or “sentimental” in professional…

By Tunde Rahman It is received wisdom that supportive, high-quality friends in good places are important in human relationships and in advancing personal and group progress. It is also the case in strengthening relationships among nations. Since his assumption of office, President Bola Tinubu has activated the friendship he has built over time in his quest for Nigeria’s development. The President has embarked on reforms to reposition the economy and put the country on the right track for optimal development based on his Renewed Hope Agenda. To realise this lofty objective, he is leaving no stone unturned, including leveraging his…

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has lauded the federal government for approving the construction of the Nigeria Customs facilities in the State, adding that with the provision of infrastructure by his administration, the State would continue to be the industrial hub of the country. The Governor also disclosed that the Special Agro-Processing Zone at the Gateway International Agro-cargo Airport would be ready by the third quarter of next year. According to him, the airport which would be equipped with the latest equipment in the aviation industry, would turn out to be the best in the world. Speaking at the…

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of Mr. Martins Ugwu who impersonated and used the certificate of his ‘best friend’ to secure a job at the Federal Ministry of Health. ICPC, had in February 2016, filed a 7-count charge before Justice Abubakar Idris Kutigi, against Ugwu, for making false statement to the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, through which he secured employment into the Federal Ministry of Health, in 2006. The Commission said the offence contravened Section 25 (1) (a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Act, 2000 and…

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has re-arraigned Professor David Iornem and two others before Hon. Justice P.O. Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja on an amended charge bordering on several offences including certificate racketeering and money laundering. The eleven-year-old case which began in 2013, commenced de novo due to the elevation of Hon. Justice A.R. Mohammed (JCA) to the Court of Appeal. At the hearing of the case recently, the prosecution Counsel, David Nwaze informed the court that the Commission was ready to proceed with the re-arraignment of the Defendants and also commence trial…

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned in court, the former Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Mr. Gimba Kumo Ya’u and two others over an alleged diversion of $65 million meant for the development of 962 units of residential housing units in Kubwa District in Abuja. Ya’u was arraigned on Tuesday, 26 November, 2024 before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja alongside the former Executive Director of FMBN, Mr. Bola Ogunsola, and the Managing Director of T-Brend Fortunes Nigeria Limited, Mr. Tarry Rufus. According to…