By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja AS the world marks the 2024 World AIDS Day, Civil Society for HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (CISHAN) has called on the Nigerian government and all stakeholders to scale up HIV testing and treatment services particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas. In a statement issued on Monday in Lokoja, as part of activities to commemorate the day, CISHAN said the call is aimed at entrenching efforts toward achieving a resilient and sustainable HIV response in Nigeria. The statement signed by Dr Remi Obinatu, Chairman of the Governing Council of CISHAN restated its commitment to working with…
Author: National Update
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja The National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) has undertaken a Management Post-Evaluation exercise of its projects across communities in 10 Local Government Areas in Kogi state commending communities for taking ownership of the projects. Nura Tanko Wakili, the Team Lead while addressing newsmen at the end of the exercise commended the N-HYPPADEC catchment communities in Kogi state for taking ownership and utilizing the projects cited in their areas described their zeal as “heart-warming.” Nura who is also the Head of Press and Public Affairs in the Commission, said that the wholesome acceptance of the…
By Yisa Usman FCA, FCTI The proposed tax reforms mark a transformative moment in Nigeria’s fiscal evolution, focusing on modernization and addressing challenges rooted in outdated pre-colonial tax laws and redundant systems that burden businesses and individuals. These reforms aim to streamline tax administration and improve Value Added Tax (VAT) processes, providing a pathway toward equitable revenue distribution and fiscal decentralization. However, while the potential benefits are substantial, addressing significant challenges and equity concerns is critical to ensuring the reforms achieve their objectives. A comparative analysis of Nigeria’s tax system against those of countries like Kenya, the United States, and…
The Senator representing Bayelsa West senatorial district Seriake Dickson has confidently declared that the Tax Reform Bill will be passed, likening it to the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which succeeded with a controversial 3% allocation to host communities instead of 10%. He dismissed fears of backlash, assuring Nigerians that the legislative process will not be derailed by opposition. “When the PIB passed at 3% instead of 10%, heavens didn’t fall, and they won’t fall now,” Dickson asserted. “This Tax Reform Bill is vital for correcting an unfair system, and it will be passed through due process.” Central…
The senator representing Kogi Central in the National Assembly, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has called for urgent support following the tragic boat mishap in Kogi State that claimed the lives of several women, petty traders, and artisans. The accident occurred along the Dambo-Ebuchi section of the River Niger, as the victims traveled to the Katcha weekly market in Niger State. Expressing deep sorrow, Akpoti-Uduaghan described the victims as the backbone of the local economy. “Their untimely deaths leave a profound void in their families and the wider society,” she said. Chief Press Secretary to the senator, Arogbonlo Israel in a statement on…
In a decisive move to uphold judicial fairness, Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State will today, December 2, 2024, swear in three High Court Judges-designate who were excluded by the previous administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki. The ceremony will take place at 1:00 PM at the State Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Benin City. The judges—Ojo Maureen Osa, Godwin Jeff Okundamiya, and Edoghogho Eboigbe—were part of eight candidates approved by the National Judicial Council (NJC) in June 2023. Despite their clearance, they were conspicuously left out during Obaseki’s swearing-in ceremony in May 2024, raising concerns about bias and favoritism in…
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has revealed that some individuals and groups, including civilians and military personnel, are profiting from the ongoing insurgency in the region. Speaking as a guest on Channels TV on Sunday night, Zulum stated that these beneficiaries extend beyond Borno and are spread across the country. He disclosed that informants within local communities and even military officers supplying ammunition to insurgents have been uncovered, complicating efforts to restore peace. “Many times, informants were arrested within the community, and military personnel were caught trying to provide ammunition to the insurgents,” Zulum said. The Governor also highlighted…
Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has urged governments, private investors, and stakeholders to make bold investments in Nigeria’s film industry, describing it as both an economic opportunity and a cultural necessity. Dr Mahmoud spoke at the 14th Zuma Film Festival held at Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja. The minister who was represented by her Special Assistant on Social Development Secretariat, Hon. Grace Zamani, also noted that the Zuma film festival has become a true celebration of storytelling, culture, and creativity. Special adviser on media to the minister, Austine Elemue in a Statement on Monday,…
***Millions of Nigerian Women to Live on Less Than $2.15 Per Day by 2030 With over 27,698 cases of gender-based violence (GBV) recorded between 2020 and 2023, the 100 Women Lobby Group National Hub has called for urgent action to address the alarming rise in violence against women, compounded by worsening economic conditions. Speaking at an event marking the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, on a topic; Today’s economy and gender based Violence in Nigeria via Zoom over the weekend, Coordinator Felicia Onibon highlighted the critical need for comprehensive strategies to combat both violence and poverty. “These figures…
By Ehichioya Ezomon In my November 18, 2024, article entitled, “That ‘fake’ Sanwo-Olu vs EFCC suit: Whodunit it? Who sponsored it?” I held that snapets from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) moves to investigate, arrest, detain and prosecute ex-governors “are telegraphed a few months or weeks before they bow out of office,” so giving them the jitters to “either begin to express being squeaky clean, alleging political witch-hunt or daring the EFCC to carry out its threat to make them account for their stewardship.” I however observed that lately, the anti-graft agency’s threat against former governors “has become…