Featured
Rivers Agog As Wike Flags Off NAFEST …Stakeholders Hail Peace In Rivers
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike yesterday declared open the 31st National Council for Arts and Culture, NAFEST Rivers 2018, amid pomp and ceremony at the imposing Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt.
Governor Wike dressed in beautiful Rivers traditional attire with a walking stick to match, stated that NAFEST 2018 will serve as a unifying force for the country .
With the theme: “Nigeria: Our Festivals, Our Heritage”, NAFEST Rivers 2018, attracted 18 States of the federation, Rivers State included.
The governor said culture empowers humanity by improving inter-personal relationships, noting that NAFEST is a platform for the states to make the most of the nation’s culture.
He said: ‘Whether we agree or not, our diversity is what defines and binds us as a nation under the glorious sun. Although our tribes and tongues may differ, we are a nation bound by a common destiny and firmly glued together by the spirit of brotherhood, cultural harmony, and inter-ethnic solidarity instead of discord, tribalism, nepotism and sectionalism.
” What is imperative therefore is for us to take full advantage of the innate strength in our diversity together with our incredible human and natural resource endowments to build a just, united and prosperous country for the present and future generations.”
Governor Wike added that the essence of the festival is to promote national peace, unity and cohesion.
Governor Wike said: “Over the years, NAFEST has become the veritable platform for the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory to meet, showcase and make the most of our cultures and diversity.
”In addition to celebrating the rich cultural tapestry of our country, NAFEST also provides the opportunity for cultural activism with the use of creative images and expressions to engage or take on our leaders on the politics of nation-building, human rights, regional integration, inter-ethnic harmony, national peace and development.”
In his remarks, Director General of NAFEST, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe commended Governor Wike for for making history for the people of Rivers State.
He said: “Almighty God will repay Governor Wike for his contributions to the peace that he is promoting “.
Runsewe said that Rivers State is peaceful, that is why the state is hosting several international and national events. He said that outside Lagos and Abuja, Port Harcourt enjoys the highest air traffic and hotel patronage in the country.
Rivers State Commissioner of Culture and Tourism, Mrs Tonye Oniyide Briggs said that Rivers State is fully prepared to host the very best NAFEST since its inception.
Chairman of the events, Chief Ferdinand Alabrabra said that Rivers State is the choice of all major national events because of its strategic peaceful nature.
All the states that participated at the event displayed splendid cultures and dances as they paraded round the stadium.
The 23 Local Government Areas of the state also displayed their rich culture and tradition.
Youths spiced up the event with wonderful calisthenic displays that thrilled the thousands of spectators at NAFEST Rivers 2018
Speaking to journalists during the official opening ceremony at the Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt, yesterday, Rivers State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs Tonye Briggs-Oniyide said that NAFEST 2018 would unite the people of Nigeria.
Oniyide, who is also the chairperson, Planning Committee of NAFEST, Rivers 2018, further stressed that “as the 36 states in the country gather together today to showcase their different cultures and styles, unity, development and love will be achieved”, adding that the unity of the country would be enhanced through the display of the different cultures.
She pointed out that NAFEST stood as a symbol of peace and unity, noting that the hosting the event in the state was an indication that Rivers State was safe for investors and tourists.
Briggs-Oniyide urged investors to take full advantage of the peaceful environment in Rivers State to invest, enjoy and do their businesses without any fear of insecurity, explaining that this year’s event was the third time the state was hosting NAFEST, the highest of any state in the country.
“His Excellency, Chief Nyesom Wike, the people’s governor, who has the welfare of the people at heart has ensured peace in Rivers State since he came into office, and as you can see, Rivers State is safe. So, I want to urge all investors and those coming to Rivers State for the first time to go back with a new understanding that Rivers State is a safe haven for businesses to thrive,” she said.
Also speaking, the former Nigeria Ambassador to South Korea, Amb. Desmond Akawor noted that one major milestone of NAFEST 2018 was that “Rivers State is safe to host any national event as well as businesses”.
Akawor, therefore, urged visitors to Rivers State to invest and partner with people to advance development, noting that “Rivers culture and what our people are known for have been displayed to promote the rich heritage of the state”.
In his remarks, Permanent Secretary, Culture and Tourism, Gombe State, Reynolds Ali Kabiny noted that he was in Rivers State for the first time and was impressed by what he has witnessed, which was different from what he had heard about the state before the visit.
Kabiny stated that with what he has witnessed, Rivers State was peaceful and a great haven for investors, adding that the hosting of NAFEST 2018 by the Rivers State Government, was quite commendable.
He thanked the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for finding it worthy to host the programme, saying, “I believe that at the end of the day, those that participated in the NAFEST 2018 ceremony will see the value in this country coming together as one.”
In her reaction, Ogun State representative, Tope Ogungbe, expressed joy for the opportunity to participate in NAFEST 2018 in Port Harcourt, admitting that the people of Rivers State were very friendly and peaceful.
“I really feel good about this NAFEST here in Rivers State. We know that we will see the reach cultural heritage of the Rivers people. They have been very friendly and hospitable since we came into the state. I feel very happy and excited because this will also unite the people of Nigeria,” Ogungbe added.
Ogungbe thanked the Rivers State governor for hosting a well-organised NAFEST 2018, adding that it would help facilitate the unity of the people of Nigeria.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
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.”
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.
The National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) said over 17 million Nigerians travelled out between 2023 and 2024.
This is as the association announced that it would be organising a maiden edition of Eastern Travel Market 2025 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital from 27th to 30th August, 2025.
Vice Chairman of NANTA, Eastern Zone, Hope Ehiogie, disclosed this during a news briefing in Port Harcourt.
Ehiogie explained that the event aims to bring together over 1,000 travel professionals to discuss the future of the industry in the nation and give visibility to airlines, hospitality firms, hospitals and institutions in the South-South and South-East, tagged Eastern Zone.
He stated that the 17 million number marks a significant increase in overseas travel and tours.
According to him, “Nigerian travel industry has seen significant growth, with 17 million people traveling out of the country in 2023”.
Ehiogie further said the potential of tourism and travel would bring in over $12 million into the nation’s economy by 2026, saying it would be a major spike in the sector, as 2024 recorded about $4 million.
“The potential of tourism and travel is that it can generate about $12 million for the nation’s economy by 2026. Last year it was $4 million.
“In the area of travels, over 17 million Nigerians traveled out of the country two years ago for different purposes. This included, health, religious purposes, visit, education and others,” Ehiogie said.
While highlighting the potential of Nigeria’s tourism, he said the hospitality industry in Nigeria has come of age, saying it is now second to none.
The Vice Chairman of NANTA, Eastern Zone further said, “We are not creating an enabling environment for business to thrive. We need to support the industry and provide the necessary infrastructure for growth.”
He said the country has a lot of tourism potential, especially as the government is now showing interest in and supporting the sector.
Ehiogie emphasized that NANTA has been working to support the industry with initiatives such as training schools and platforms for airlines and hotels to sell their products.
He added, “We now have about four to five training schools in the region, and within two years, the first set of students will graduate. We are helping airlines sell tickets and hotels sell their rooms.”
Also speaking, former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NANTA, Stephen Isokariari of Dial Travels, called for more support from the industry.
Isokariari stated, “We need to work together to grow the industry and contribute to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.
“With the right support and infrastructure, the Nigerian travel industry has the potential to make a significant contribution to the nation’s economy.”