Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Adamawa State Command of the National Drug Law
Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA) said it seized illicit drugs weighing 681.267kg from January to June 20, 2015.
Commander of the agency in the state,Yakubu Kibo, disclosed this in Yola in his speech at the commemoration of the United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Kibo explained that out of the seizure, Indian hemp accounted for 231.91 kg while psychotropic substances weighed 449.357 kg.
“The agency, between January 2015 and June 20, seized 681.267 kg of illicit drugs.
“Out of the seizure, Cannabis Sativa accounted for 231.91 kg while psychotropic substances weighed 449.357 kg,” Kibo said.
Borno
The wife of the Borno State Governor, Hajiya Nana Shettima
on Wednesday, urged women in the state to strive hard toward ensuring quality education for their children and wards.
She said proper education would enable them become useful members of the society. Shettima said this during the distribution of food items to women groups at the multipurpose hall of the government house in Maiduguri.
“Ramadan is also a time for Muslims to unite and share not only food and drinks, but also ideas on how best to improve the society within which we live.
“Therefore, it is our collective responsibility to continue to pray and stand firm against any act capable of destroying us as people” she said.
Ekiti
The Coordinator of Vanguard for Better Living, an NGO,
Mr Samson Olaide, has urged government at all levels to accord priority to widows’ welfare. Olaide told newsmen in Ikole that government should start by elaborate celebration of the International Day of Widows in the country.
“This will create awareness and make governments at all levels to see to the plight of widows and make necessary provisions for their upkeep.
“Internatioal Widows Day is June 23 every year but many people including the widows are not aware of it; even some council chairmen are ignorant of the day, “ Olaide said.
He also appealed to philanthropists across the country to collaborate with government in embarking on projects that would be beneficial to the widows, especially in rural communities.
FCT
Stakeholders in the fight against corruption in the country
have advocated for a different approach in the fight against corruption; saying the current methods have failed.
This view was articulated in Abuja at a seminar organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), with the theme: “The Fight Against Corruption in Nigeria, the Way Forward’’.
The President of the NBA, Mr Augustine Alegeh, noted that anti-corruption agencies were operating full blast to curb corruption, yet corruption was thriving unhindered.
“Since attaining independence over 54 years ago, Nigeria has continued to grapple with the unending issue of combating corruption.
Jigawa
The Jigawa State and Local Governments Contributory Pen
sion Scheme has released the sum of N468.1 million for the payment of pensioners and gratuity for dead civil servants.
The Executive Secretary of the scheme, Alhaji Suleiman Kiyawa, who spoke with newsmen after the screening of beneficiaries in Dutse, said the payment was for the month of March. Kiyawa explained that 349 pensioners and relatives of deceased workers would benefit, adding that cheques had been given to court registrars for onward delivery to the beneficiaries. According to him, the last payment was made to pensioners in April this year and that arrangement had commenced to pay the next batch by the end of June.
He said that the state government was committed to welfare of its retired workers and benefits of those that died in service.KadunaKaduna
Kaduna
The Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, Mr Umar
Shehu, has solicited for the collective support of Nigerians to enhance peace and stability in the country.
Shehu made the appeal in Kaduna when he received a delegation of the state chapter of Igbo Community Welfare Association who paid him a courtesy visit.
He said that the police was committed to protecting lives and property of all Nigerians, adding that they would require the support of the general public to achieve the mandate.
The police commissioner charged the Igbo leaders to play more vital role in peace building, saying that partnership with other socio-cultural groups will be necessary in engendering mutual co-existence.
Lagos
The Environmental Health Officers’ Registration Council
of Nigeria (EHORCON), on Wednesday, said that it would not hesitate to sanction any members who compromise on ethics.
The Registrar of the council told newsmen in Lagos that the use of quacks in the execution Mr Augustine Ebisike of environmental health services would no longer be tolerated.
The council’s reaction followed criticisms by some residents of Lagos, on shoddy environmental health jobs like fumigation and waste management being handled by quacks.
Nasarawa
The Jamaatu Nasir Islam (JNI), an Islamic umbrella, has
called on clerics and Nigerians to be positive at all times to overcome the security challenges affecting the country. The Chairman of the organisation in Toto local government area of Nasarawa State Alhaji Saidu Umar, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Toto.
He urged Nigerians to adopt positive attitude at all times to overcome the present security challenges and other socio-economic woes affecting the country.
Umar identified corruption, kidnapping and ritual killing, among others, as some of the factors that are affecting the country and called for all hands to be on deck in order to tackle it for the overall development of the country.
Ogun
An Obstetrician , Dr Kayode Opadeyi, has urged govern
ment at all levels to increase budgetary allocation to the health sector to strengthen maternal and child health.
Opadeyi, who is also a gynaecologist at the Tolulope Specialist Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, told newsmen in Ijebu-Ode that increased budgetary allocation to the sector would also enhance economic growth.He said that inadequate funding for the sector constituted major hindrance to reproductive health activities and family planning.
“Inadequate personnel at health facilities are also posing serious threat to the provision of quality healthcare delivery.
Plateau
Some local government chairmen in Plateau State have com
mended President Muhammadu Buhari over his directive ordering the dismantling of checkpoints across the country.
Buhari had last Monday ordered the dismantling of the check points while directing the police to take charge of internal security.
The chairmen, in separate interviews with newsmen described the president’s directive as timely and a step in the right direction.
Chairman of Pankshin Local Government, Mr Samuel Goar, said that ordering the soldiers back to the barracks would restore their image.
The Chairman of Kanke Local Government Council, Mr John Gotau, who said internal security was the sole prerogative of the police, commended the president for the directive and said the road blocks help in frightening criminals.
Taraba
The Taraba State Ministry of Urban Development has said
the ongoing demolition of illegal structures erected within the Jalingo metropolis was to restore the state capital’s original master plan.
The Administrative Officer of the Ministry, Mr Abel Bako, told newsmen in Jalingo that the exercise was aimed at easing congestion in Jalingo.
Bako said the Jalingo master plan, which had been disrupted by illegal structures, must be restored before infrastructure development could occur in the metropolis.
He denied claims in some quarters that the exercise was politically motivated, stressing that the measure was carried out in line with laid down rules and regulations of the ministry.
The ministry had mobilised tractors and graders to Sintali Filling Station area and began destruction of about ten shops beside the station along Donga road.
Yobe
The General Manager, Yobe State Rural Water Supply and
Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), Alhaji Muhammad Bukar, has expressed the agency’s determination to ensure total elimination of open defecation in the state.
He gave the assurance in an interview with newsmen in Damaturu.
He said the agency had evolved strategies to scale up sanitation activities through sustained behavioural change.
He added that RUWASA hoped to achieve this through mobilisation of communities to understand the risks associated with open defecation.
The general manager said that with the support of EU and UNICEF, the agency had launched an awareness campaign across 200 communities in Bade and Nguru local government areas of the state to sensitise communities on the health hazards of open defecation.
According to him, the agency has also set up a task force group on sanitation to ensure that all latrines are well maintained and all open defecation sites cleaned.
Nation
95% Of Small Businesses Should Be Off Tax – Oyedele
The Federal Government is working on a system that will provide tax relief to 95 per cent of the informal sector of the economy in the country.
Mr Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, said this at the closing session of the committee on Sunday in Abuja.
He said this would be achieved through the exemption of businesses earning N25 million a year or less from the various taxes hindering their progress over time.
‘’So, we think that 95 per cent of the informal sector should be legally exempted from all taxes; withholding tax, company income tax, even payee on their staff.
‘’We’re using data to inform our decisions. Currently, if you earn N25 million a year or less, you don’t have to pay company income tax, you don’t have to worry about VAT.
‘’We think that the informal sector are people who are trying to earn legitimate living, we should allow them be and support them to grow to a point where they can then have the ability to pay taxes,” he said.
Oyedele said the new reforms being proposed would focus on the top 5 per cent of that sector, the middle class and the elite for taxes.
He said the committee was drafting the laws to effect the necessary changes in the fiscal policy and tax reform ecosystem of the country.
According to the chairman, the new laws will ensure that reviews become sustained by all governments coming in, adding that: “we don’t want this whole effort to go down the drain, after one or two years.”
On compliance, he urged all stakeholders to fully cooperate with the government in implementing a new fiscal and tax policy that would be used for the general good of the citizens.
‘’We think that the days of being above the law in paying taxes are over. The same thing we’re saying to our leaders, whether they are elected or appointed.
‘’We think they have to lead by example by showing that they have paid the taxes, not only on time, but correctly to the lawful authorities as contained in the various laws,” he said.
He said explained that some of the taxes complained about by Nigerians were those already in the constitution, which the committee had looked at and called for their review.
Oyedele said the committee report would be made to pass through the normal process of legislation in order to give it the full legal backing.
‘’So, our expectation is, as we progress now from ideation, proposal to implementation, you’ll see less and less of those issues and then you’ll see harmony in the direction of the fiscal system.
‘’Not only in the number of taxes we collect, you will also see an improvement in how those monies are being spent.
‘’In terms of priority of spending, in terms of the efficiency of spending and in terms of focusing on what impacts on the lives of majority of our population that live in multi-dimensional poverty,” he said.
Oyedele added that the committee had been working with the sub-nationals and the local government councils in its task of harmonising the taxes into a single digit in the country.
‘’So, we’re convinced, and that’s what the data tells us, that the right path we need to follow, is the path where we repeal many of these taxes, harmonise whatever is left.
‘’We think we can keep that within single digit across local government, state and federal government combined, and then improve the efficiency of collecting those taxes.
‘’We are also very convinced that we need to increase the threshold of exemption for small businesses, for low income earners because if you can’t make ends meet, the last thing you want is someone asking you to pay tax.
‘’We think in fact, when our nation gets to the level we need to be, we should be able to even add money to those who have very little or nothing,” said Oyedele.
At the ceremony, Vice-President Kashim Shettima restated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to revitalise revenue generation in the country.
“Our aim remains the revitalisation of revenue generation in Nigeria, while sustaining an investment-friendly and globally competitive business environment.
“Contrary to speculations in some quarters, we are not here to frustrate any sector of our economy but to create an administrative system that ensures the benefits of a thriving tax system for all our citizens,” he said.
He said the dynamics of the nation’s fiscal landscape prompted the Tinubu administration to pause and reconsider the direction it was going.
“I am confident that both the Federal and State Governments stand ready to ensure the effective implementation of your reform proposals.
“We shall provide the institutional framework to guarantee the adoption of the consensus of this committee, aligning them with our economic agenda,”said Shettima.
Nation
138.9m Nigerians Need Interventions Against Tropical Diseases -WHO
Data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated that 138.9 million Nigerians require interventions against Neglected Tropical Diseases.
This is according to the latest epidemiological and programmatic data for 2022, which were gathered, compiled, and analysed in 2023, and obtained from the WHO on Saturday.
The body also said NTDs are endemic in Nigeria as it ranks first in the African region and second globally after India.
WHO defined NTDs as a diverse group of conditions of parasitic, bacterial, viral, fungal, and non-communicable origin, noting that there are more than 15 NTDs in Nigeria.
The report stated, “They prevent children from going to school and adults from going to work, trapping communities in cycles of poverty and inequity. People affected by disabilities and impairments caused by NTDs often experience stigma within their communities, hindering their access to needed care and leading to social isolation.
“Nigeria is endemic for several NTDs. The only disease eliminated was dracunculiasis (Guinea-worm disease) in 2013. The population requiring interventions against NTDs was approximately 138.9 million in 2022, ranking first in the African region and second globally after India.
“This includes 138.9 million requiring treatment for lymphatic filariasis through mass drug administration; 48.7 million requiring treatment for soil-transmitted helminthiases through mass drug administration; and 43.5 million requiring treatment for onchocerciasis through mass drug administration.”
Meanwhile, the Federal Government had in 2023 said it would eradicate NTDs in the country by 2027.
The Director of the WHO Global Neglected Tropical Diseases Programme, Dr Ibrahima Fall, said, “With a renewed focus on strategic priorities addressing advocacy for action, partnership, costing and accelerated implementation, technical gaps including research and development and leadership.
“We must intensify our collective action to address the deep-rooted inequalities that fuel the transmission of NTDs in the populations where they persist.”
Nation
NDLEA Intercepts Three Trailer Loads Of Opioids, Others, Arrests Suspects
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted three trailer loads of opioids, comprising 3,450,000 pills and 344,000 bottles of codeine syrup.
The agency said the illegal drugs at Abule Ado in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State, last Thursday.
The NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement, yesterday, adding that three suspects were also arrested in connection with the seizure.
The statement partly read, “The multi-billion naira consignments were loaded into two 40-ft container trucks and another 20-ft truck at the AML bonded terminal, Abule-Osun, near the International Trade Fair complex before heading to a large warehouse at Abule-Ado, where NDLEA officers eventually arrested the suspects and recovered the opioid consignments on Thursday, May 9, 2024.
“Those arrested include the warehouse agent, Cosmas Obiajulu, 51; Ridwan Balogun, 25, and Banjo Tayo, 30, both drivers of two of the trucks, while the third driver jumped off to escape arrest.”
The statement also revealed that in Ekiti State, a 75-year-old grandpa, Jibril Audu, was arrested on Friday with 7.5 kilogrammes of cannabis at Oke-asa village, Ijero-Ekiti, during a raid operation, while a 70-year-old grandma, Tikwase Nytor, was nabbed with 15.6 kilogrammes of the same substance on Thursday during a raid operation at Achusa and International Market Road, Makurdi, Benue State.
“It also stated that in a separate operation on Tuesday, NDLEA operatives arrested a suspect, Nwankwo Ejike, in the Coker area of Lagos, where 100 litres of codeine syrup were recovered from him, while 60 litres of the same substance were seized from one Clinton Akinye in the same area on the same day.
The statement added, “Not less than 37.5kg of cannabis sativa loaded in a Toyota Camry car was recovered from another suspect, Adegbola Segun, 47, when the car was intercepted at Mile 12 area of Lagos on Monday, May 6th.
“Another consignment of opioids consisting of 59,106 pills of tramadol and different quantities of codeine syrup and Rohypnol being taken across the border to Garua, Cameroon, was intercepted by NDLEA officers on Monday, May 6th, along Mubi-Yola Road, Adamawa State.
“Two suspects linked to the drugs: Abubakar Auwal, 39, and Adamu Abubakar, 25, (a.k.a. Bamanga), a trans-border trafficker who was to take the consignment from Mubi across to Cameroon, were promptly arrested.”
Similarly, NDLEA officers in Edo State were reported to have raided the Iguiye forest in Ovia North East LGA on Saturday, “where a total of 11, 636.185 kg of cannabis was destroyed on three farms measuring 4.654474 hectares, while an additional 188kg of the same psychoactive substance was recovered, and a suspect, Itah Nyong, was arrested during the overnight operation.”
In the statement, the NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa commended the officers for their efforts and pledged continued collaboration with local and international partners to combat drug trade in Nigeria.
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