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Let Ogoni Clean-Up Begin Now -Buhari …Wike Pledges Support

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President Muhammadu Buhari afterall, failed to show up for the flag-off of the Ogoniland clean-up but speaking through Vice President Osibanjo, stated that he has fulfilled his 2015 electioneering campaign promise to Ogoni people through flagging-off of the project. He stressed that, he will monitor the daily progress of the clean-up.
The president said this at the site of the flag-off of the clean-up of Ogoni environment in Tekru Waterfront, Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Buhari, who was represented by Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osobanjo, said this after kick-starting the proactive implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report recommendations, noting that, it was a reward for sacrifices made by the heroes and people of Ogoniland.
Buhari, who frowned at the resurgence of oil pipeline vandalism and crude theft which has drastically reduced gas supply to power stations, assured that the sabotage of oil pipelines would not be tolerated.
He noted that the Federal Government will enforce the rule of law in protecting critical national assets anywhere in the country.
Also speaking at the flag-off of the clean-up exercise, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for kicking-off the clean-up process, describing it, as a good gesture that will lead to the restoration of the environment of the Ogoni people.
Wike pledged the support of the Rivers State Government in the full implementation of the UNEP report in Ogoniland, noting that, Ogoni people have adopted a non-violent posture in fighting for environmental justice.
The Rivers State governor said that the clean-up presents a road map to gauge the extent of damage to Ogoniland and the ecosystem of the Niger Delta.
The Executive Director of UNEP, Mr Achim Steiner, said the organisation’s team had produced a document of what happened in Ogoniland.
He said that the team would stand with the Nigerian government to ensure the implementation of the report.
In his remarks, President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Legborsi Pyagbara, said the flag-off of the clean-up exercise by President Buhari was a reward for the non-violent posture of Ogoni people in their struggle, and further heralds a healing process in Ogoniland, which for years, has suffered environmental pollution and loss of lives.
The MOSOP leader said that President Buhari’s decision to keep to the promise he made during his campaign in 2015 marks him out as a leader in Africa who says something and keeps to his word.
“President Buhari has proven that he is a leader we should trust. He is the last export of a great leader in Africa continent,” Pyagbara noted.
He said other places in the Niger Delta should learn from the Ogoni people and adopt a non-violent struggle as the best way to go.
“Our road may have been rough with lives lost but the Minister of Environment, Aisha Mohammed, and President Buhari are rekindling our faith in Nigeria,” the MOSOP leader added.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday warned that the Federal Government would no longer tolerate the current theft and illegal refining of crude oil in the Niger Delta.
Buhari, represented by Vice-President, Yemi Osinbanjo, gave the warning at the launch of “Clean-Up of Ogoniland’’ in Bodo, Gokana Local Government of Rivers.
He urged the regulators of oil industry to carry out their responsibilities in line with best practices.
Buhari said that government was laying a foundation for change to ensure the rule of law and safety of the people.
He said the aim was to diversify the nation’s economy and provide jobs and wealth for the people.
According to him, the clean-up of Ogoniland will have sustainable development components will benefit the people.
“The methodology for the clean-up will ensure job creation for young people. The agro-allied industries required for processing of agricultural produce will also be put in place,’’ the president said.
Buhari also said that approval had been given to set up necessary institutional framework to drive the implementation of the UNEP Report.
Governor Nyesom Wike  commended Buhari for inaugurating the implementation of the UNEP Report on Ogoniland.
He said that the state government would provide the platform for the smooth implementation of the Report.
The governor said that environmental degradation had affected ecosystem and wild life of communities in the Niger Delta.
The Minister of Environment, Hajia Amina Mohammed, said that government had taken stock of the work done in the past to start the implementation.
She said the clean-up would require collective responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure its success.
Mohammed said the implementation “requires transparency, accountability, genuine partnership and proper representation of the people at the grassroots in what we are doing in investing in their future,’’ she said.
Mr Achim Steiner, Executive Director of UNEP, said the organisation’s team had produced a document of what happened in Ogoniland.
He said that the team would stand with the Nigerian government to ensure the implementation of the report.

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INEC To Unveil New Party Registration Portal As Applications Hit 129

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it has now received a total of 129 applications from associations seeking registration as political parties.

The update was provided during the commission’s regular weekly meeting held in Abuja, yesterday.

According to a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, seven new applications were submitted within the past week, adding to the previous number.

“At its regular weekly meeting held today, Thursday 10th July 2025, the commission received a further update on additional requests from associations seeking registration as political parties.

“Since last week, seven more applications have been received, bringing the total number so far to 129. All the requests are being processed,” the commission stated.

The commission revealed the introduction of a new digital platform for political party registration. The platform is part of the Party Financial Reporting and Auditing System and aims to streamline the registration process.

Olumekun disclosed that final testing of the portal would be completed within the next week.

“INEC also plans to release comprehensive guidelines to help associations file their applications using the new system.

“Unlike the manual method used in previous registration, the Commission is introducing a political party registration portal, which is a module in our Party Financial Reporting and Auditing System.

“This will make the process faster and seamless. In the next week, the commission will conclude the final testing of the portal before deployment.

“Thereafter, the next step for associations that meet the requirements to proceed to the application stage will be announced. The commission will also issue guidelines to facilitate the filing of applications using the PFRAS,” the statement added.

In the meantime, the list of new associations that have submitted applications has been made available to the public on INEC’s website and other official platforms.

 

 

 

 

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Tinubu Signs Four Tax Reform Bills Into Law …Says Nigeria Open For Business 

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President Bola Tinubu yesterday signed into law four tax reform bills aimed at transforming Nigeria’s fiscal and revenue framework.

The four bills include: the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.

They were passed by the National Assembly after months of consultations with various interest groups and stakeholders.

The ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa, yesterday.

The ceremony was witnessed by the leadership of the National Assembly and some legislators, governors, ministers, and aides of the President.

The presidency had earlier stated that the laws would transform tax administration in the country, increase revenue generation, improve the business environment, and give a boost to domestic and foreign investments.

“When the new tax laws become operational, they are expected to significantly transform tax administration in the country, leading to increased revenue generation, improved business environment, and a boost in domestic and foreign investments,” Special Adviser to the President on Media, Bayo Onanuga said on Wednesday.

Before the signing of the four bills, President Tinubu had earlier yesterday, said the tax reform bills will reset Nigeria’s economic trajectory and simplify its complex fiscal landscape.

Announcing the development via his official X handle, yesterday, the President declared, “In a few hours, I will sign four landmark tax reform bills into law, ushering in a bold new era of economic governance in our country.”

Tinubu made a call to investors and citizens alike, saying, “Let the world know that Nigeria is open for business, and this time, everyone has a fair shot.”

He described the bills as not just technical adjustments but a direct intervention to ease burdens on struggling Nigerians.

“These reforms go beyond streamlining tax codes. They deliver the first major, pro-people tax cuts in a generation, targeted relief for low-income earners, small businesses, and families working hard to make ends meet,” Tinubu wrote.

According to the President, “They will unify our fragmented tax system, eliminate wasteful duplications, cut red tape, restore investor confidence, and entrench transparency and coordination at every level.”

He added that the long-standing burden of Nigeria’s tax structure had unfairly weighed down the vulnerable while enabling inefficiency.

The tax reforms, first introduced in October 2024, were part of Tinubu’s post-subsidy-removal recovery plan, aimed at expanding revenue without stifling productivity.

However, the bills faced turbulence at the National Assembly and amongst some state governors who rejected its passing in 2024.

At the NASS, the bills sparked heated debate, particularly around the revenue-sharing structure, which governors from the North opposed.

They warned that a shift toward derivation-based allocations, especially with VAT, could tilt fiscal balance in favour of southern states with stronger consumption bases.

After prolonged dialogue, the VAT rate remained at 7.5 per cent, and a new exemption was introduced to shield minimum wage earners from personal income tax.

By May 2025, the National Assembly passed the harmonised versions with broad support, driven in part by pressure from economic stakeholders and international observers who welcomed the clarity and efficiency the reforms promised.

In his tweet, Tinubu stressed that this is just the beginning of Nigeria’s tax evolution.

“We are laying the foundation for a tax regime that is fair, transparent, and fit for a modern, ambitious Nigeria.

“A tax regime that rewards enterprise, protects the vulnerable, and mobilises revenue without punishing productivity,” he stated.

He further acknowledged the contributions of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, the National Assembly, and Nigeria’s subnational governments.

The President added, “We are not just signing tax bills but rewriting the social contract.

“We are not there yet, but we are firmly on the road.”

 

 

 

 

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Senate Issues 10-Day Ultimatum As NNPCL Dodges ?210trn Audit Hearing 

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The Senate has issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over its failure to appear before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts probing alleged financial discrepancies amounting to over ?210 trillion in its audited reports from 2017 to 2023.

Despite being summoned, no officials or external auditors from NNPCL showed up yesterday.

However, representatives from the representatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and Department of State Services were present.

Angered by the NNPCL’s absence, the committee, yesterday, issued a 10-day ultimatum, demanding the company’s top executives to appear before the panel by July 10 or face constitutional sanctions.

A letter from NNPCL’s Chief Financial Officer, Dapo Segun, dated June 25, was read at the session.

It cited an ongoing management retreat and requested a two-month extension to prepare necessary documents and responses.

The letter partly read, “Having carefully reviewed your request, we hereby request your kind consideration to reschedule the engagement for a period of two months from now to enable us to collate the requested information and documentation.

“Furthermore, members of the Board and the senior management team of NNPC Limited are currently out of the office for a retreat, which makes it difficult to attend the rescheduled session on Thursday, 26th June, 2025.

“While appreciating the opportunity provided and the importance of this engagement, we reassure you of our commitment to the success of this exercise. Please accept the assurances of our highest regards.”

But lawmakers rejected the request.

The Committee Chairman, Senator Aliyu Wadada, said NNPCL was not expected to submit documents, but rather provide verbal responses to 11 key questions previously sent.

“For an institution like NNPCL to ask for two months to respond to questions from its own audited records is unacceptable,” Wadada stated.

“If they fail to show up by July 10, we will invoke our constitutional powers. The Nigerian people deserve answers,” he warned.

Other lawmakers echoed similar frustrations.

Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) insisted that NNPCL’s Group CEO, Bayo Ojulari, must personally lead the delegation at the next hearing.

The Tide reports that Ojulari took over from Mele Kyari on April 2, 2025.

Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) said the two-month request suggested the company had no answers, but the committee would still grant a fair hearing by reconvening on July 10.

Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) warned the NNPCL against undermining the Senate, saying, “If they fail to appear again, Nigerians will know the Senate is not a toothless bulldog.”

Last week, the Senate panel grilled Segun and other top executives over what they described as “mind-boggling” irregularities in NNPCL’s financial statements.

The Senate flagged ?103 trillion in accrued expenses, including ?600 billion in retention fees, legal, and auditing costs—without supporting documentation.

Also questioned was another ?103 trillion listed under receivables. Just before the hearing, NNPCL submitted a revised report contradicting the previously published figures, raising more concerns.

The committee has demanded detailed answers to 11 specific queries and warned that failure to comply could trigger legislative consequences.

 

 

 

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