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RSG Clears Air On Arrest Of Caverton Pilots …Accuses FG Of Politicising Efforts To Prevent COVID-19 Spread …As Nsirim Affirms Wike’s Commitment To Care Of Underprivileged
The Rivers State Government has stated that the story being carried in some media that the two pilots and 10 passengers of Caverton Helicopters who were arrested by the state government because they acted to the directives of the Ministry of Aviation, is misleading.
Stating this in a press briefing, last Saturday, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, said that on the contrarily, the arrest was made because the pilots repeatedly disobeyed the Executive Order of the governor to the effect that everyone coming into the state must present themselves for health checks to determine their Coronavirus status.
According to Nsirim, “Contrary to the view being peddled by the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, the two pilots of Caverton Helicopters and their 10 passengers were not arrested because they operated a permit granted them by the Ministry of Aviation.
“They were arrested because they constantly contravened the Executive Order issued by the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, which requires that everyone coming into the state for essential duties subject themselves to mandatory health checks to ascertain their Coronavirus status”.
He stated that before their arrests, the Rivers State Government had issued several warnings to Caverton and other operators to ensure that their pilots and passengers are tested by Rivers State Health Authorities, but that Caverton Helicopters had disregarded the warnings.
“At the last count, Caverton Helicopters ferried over 220 passengers into the state without allowing health professionals of the Rivers State Government ascertain their Coronavirus status. They also refused to avail the state government their contacts, so they can be traced and tested”, he said.
While stating that the state government was more committed to the protection of the lives of over six million Rivers people, rather than issue landing permits to airlines, or contending for the control of the airspace, Nsirim said, “The issue on ground has nothing to do with the Exclusive List.
“The focus of the Rivers State Government is to ensure that nobody under the guise of transporting workers on essential services, ferry in persons who will compromise our health system. Therefore, these pilots and passengers must be subjected to health checks before they carry out their responsibilities. That is standard practice”.
It is for the same reason, Nsirim noted, that the Federal Government has isolated Chinese doctors they invited into the country to assist in the fight against the Coronavirus.
“The Federal Government, as we speak, has quarantined Chinese doctors who are in the country on invitation of the operators of the Exclusive List. These Chinese doctors will be isolated for 14 days as a precaution before they mix with Nigerians. If the Federal Government has done that in Abuja for Chinese officials that they invited, why do they insist that persons coming into Rivers State must enter the state without health checks?”, Nsirim asked.
He noted that, given the foregoing, the aviation minister’s claim that the arrest was effected because Caverton Helicopters’ operations were based on permit granted them by the Ministry of Aviation amounts to an “indecent and reckless politicisation of the fight to check the spread of Coronavirus by agents of the Federal Government, especially as it relates to Rivers State”.
The information boss added that, “From all indications, it is clear that there is a plot to compromise the health of Rivers people. Otherwise, what is the motive for the grandstanding and the sponsorship of false editorials to mislead Nigerians by agents of the Federal Government?
“The Rivers State Government urges the Federal Government to direct all their business associates to subject themselves to health checks to ascertain their Coronavirus status. On this premise, the Rivers State Government is not prepared to compromise.
“The safety of Rivers people is beyond any other consideration. No amount of yellow journalism will diminish the leading role Governor Nyesom Wike has provided the entire country since the outbreak of Coronavirus.
“Governor Wike, through the various prevention strategies he had initiated, has demonstrated to the entire world that he is prepared for leadership. The truth is that it is in time of crisis like the whole world is facing now, that you know genuine leaders.
“The Rivers State Government respects the rule of law and has acted within the ambit of the law,” he added.
Meanwhile, as the lockdown on markets alongside the stay-at-home order by the Rivers State Government continues, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, has assured that the underprivileged people living and doing business in the state would be catered for.
Making this known, last Saturday, during the distribution of food items to the people of Ward 18, Nkpolu-Oroworukwu in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, as part of palliative measures by the state government, the commissioner stated that it was part of the governor’s commitment towards alleviating the suffering of the downtrodden in the state.
“The governor of Rivers State said that he has seen the hardships the people of Rivers State are facing, because of COVID-19, and as a man, who has sworn an oath to protect lives and properties of Rivers people; he would do all within his powers to ensure that nobody suffers from hunger in this period. This is what a visionary leader would do”, he said.
It is in pursuant to this stance, Nsirim explained that the governor has taken various steps in not only checking Coronavirus infection in the state since it came to the fore in Nigeria, and food items are made available to the downtrodden.
“You will recall that since this Coronavirus broke out in Nigeria, the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has played a leading role in showing leadership in terms of strategies for prevention and other things. Right now, he is also showing leadership in terms of catering for the downtrodden and less privileged in the state”, the commissioner stated.
He noted further that for this purpose, the governor had set aside the sum of N2billion to ensure that “no matter where you are in Rivers State, as long as you live and do business in Rivers State, you’ll not die of hunger. There’s a committee that he (governor) has set up again to purchase all the foodstuffs that are produced in Rivers State: yam, garri, plantain, fish, etc. All those things that are edible that Rivers people like to eat, that committee is going round now in all the LGAs in Rivers State to buy them”.
While expressing appreciation over the leadership style of the governor, Nsirim also noted that Rivers people in Diaspora, in countries such as the United States and United Kingdom, have at various times, expressed the same appreciation since news of COVID-19 broke out in Nigeria.
Receiving the food items on behalf of the ward, a religious leader, Prophet Michael Ichemati, expressed gratitude to the governor, and promised that they would ensure the food items get to the needy in the ward.
Ichemati said: “I want to use this opportunity given to me to express our gratitude to our governor, who has been so much forthcoming to reach out to the people. We want to also thank the committee for their time, and, having seen what they have presented to the ward, we want to say God will reward you all.
“We’re promising that what you have given to us today will get to those that need it most. We sincerely appreciate what you people have given to us. God bless you”, he added.
In his response, the state Commissioner for Transport, Sunny Ejeku, who is a member of the ward, said “This is my community, this is my ward, and I know the impact of what HE has done will create in the lives of the people here. When you give a man food, you’re preserving his life. The COVID-19 pandemic has come with all other side effects, most of which have to do with complaint of hunger. Social distancing has to be maintained.
“Thank God that His Excellency has the drive and the leadership style, which he has employed to save the lives of Rivers people”.
On his part, the traditional head of the ward, Eze Omunakwe Innocent Ejekwuaka, also thanked the governor for the food items, praying that God should grant him more ideas to cater for the needy.
Also present at the presentation were the Councillor of the ward, Henry Ichemati, and the Women Leader of Oro-Obaziolu Community, Madam Mercy Orlu.
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.”