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Rivers CAN Mourns Victims Of Religious Violence

Published

9 years ago

January 6, 2017

The Rivers State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has expressed deep concern and regrets over the death of Nigerians, occasioned by Boko Haram religious sect’s insurgency and Fulani cattle herdsmen in tolerance in various parts of the country.
Expressing regrets to what he described as ‘fake religious bigotry and extremism’, the Rivers CAN Chairman, and the Primate of the New Holy Christ Army Church Worldwide, Most Rev Isaac C. T.
Anyanasikike, described the deaths as unnecessary wastes and irreparable losses of human lives, and urged the Federal Government to wake up to the defense of the defenceless Christians and stem the orgy of violence in the various parts of the country in the current year.
Addressing journalists yesterday in Port Harcourt, in reaction to what he described as ‘continuous’ killings of children of God in Nigeria, especially in the Southern Kaduna, the ‘Man of God’ charged the various strata of the government to wake up from slumber, utilize optimally the security agencies, mobilise opinion and traditional leaders to check religious intolerance, violence and killings in the country, even as he condemned, in its entirety, the wanton waste of human lives.
On the Southern Kaduna Killings, he noted, “CAN has therefore declared Sunday, January 8, 2017, national day of mourning, in memory of those victims, and to draw attention, both nationally and internationally to the on-going ethnic/religious cleansing of Nigerian Christians in general and those of southern Kaduna in particular, in the last few weeks.
“As a result of this declaration, the National Headquarters has directed Christians all over the country, to attend church services that day in black attire, to prove their point— condemnation and rejection of the dastardly act against them.”
On the recent violence involving Fulani herdsmen in Enugu, in which three lives were lost and a Mosque burnt, he said that the incessant crises involving the Fulanis in several parts of the country, since the emergence of the present Federal Government, rather projects the government and President Muhammadu Buhari in particular, in bad light.
Anyanasikike advised the Federal Government to initiate what he described as proactive measures to deal with the issue, declaring the creation of mobile police posts to curb the killings and arrest offenders, as a lip service to religious intolerance.
“Government should stop the killings, and as well ensure that those behind the killings, are brought to book, under the laws of our land and those affected be compensated.
“Let the Federal Government, in honesty, should reach out to religious leaders—the CAN, Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Nigerian Human Rights Commission and other religious groups to deal with the matter, once and for all.
“It is rather unfortunate that, while we grapple with national economic recession, there are religious crises here and there. When it is not the Fulani herdsmen and one community, it is the Shiites against the Sunnis, or Christians attacked and churches burnt in one state or the other”, he regretted.
The Primate maintained that there was cordial relationship between Christians and Muslims in the state, appealing to other states to emulate them.
He commended the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for conducting the affairs of the state with the fear and wisdom of God, and vouched the continued support of the ‘the body of Christ’, in Wike’s resolve, to make Rivers the envy of other states in the federation.
“Governor Nyesom Wike is the first to take a decisive stance on the welfare of Christians and worship of God, since the birth of our dear state, no wonder he is the ‘Golden’ governor. His all-inclusive government has brought about peace and stability here. I make bold toassure the people of Rivers State that, he will complete the Christian Ecumenical Centre in record time,” he assured.
He noted the cordial relationship between his association and the state government, observing that it was the duty and responsibility of CAN to pray for the government and state, emphasizing that it was their prayers that saved the state from massive slaughter of human beings, in the just concluded legislative re-run elections.
Asked to comment further on the success and/or failure of the elections, he declined comments.
“We are the umbrella body of Christians, and not non-governmental organization (NGO), or a political group. We pray for the state and advise government, when the need arises. We are completely and totally non-political,” he said.
He wished Governor Wike, Rivers State and Nigeria a fruitful 2017, predicting that, if the various arms of government utilize the funds appropriated to them, as contained in the budget, operate in accordance with realistic economic blue print, the national economic recession will end before the fourth quarter of the year, and also urged the youth of the state to take seriously agriculture.
“For certain, the government cannot provide employment to all. Some will be in the business sector, while others embark on farming. There is much money in agriculture, and good enough, our soil is fertile, coupled with government’s encouragement.
I sincerely encourage our youth to pay attention to agriculture, and shun militancy”, he argued.

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INEC To Unveil New Party Registration Portal As Applications Hit 129

Published

3 days ago

July 11, 2025

The Tide

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

Published

2 weeks ago

June 27, 2025

The Tide

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.”

Featured

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

Published

2 weeks ago

June 27, 2025

The Tide

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.