Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 29th November, 2024.
1. We Need More Investments In Food, Solid Minerals – Tinubu Tells Macron
President Bola Tinubu has told President Emmanuel Macron of France that Nigeria hopes to see more investment in food, solid minerals, education, defense and energy sector.
President Tinubu, who stated this during a high-profile meeting with President Macron at Palais des L’Élysée on Thursday, said Nigeria is open for business.
“The French-Nigeria Business Forum is doing a lot already, but we need to do more on food security. We cannot help but invest in another’s country,” he said.
He emphasized Nigeria’s flourishing financial sector as a facilitator for foreign investment, particularly from French enterprises, as part of the drive to bolster food security.
2. Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills Passes For Second Reading At Senate
The 10th senate led by Godswill Akpabio, has passed four tax reform bills proposed by President Bola Tinubu for second reading.
Naturenex gathered that the bills passed second reading after the majority leader of the senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, led a debate on them on Thursday.
The four tax bills sent to the National Assembly include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, which is expected to provide the fiscal framework for taxation in the country, and the Tax Administration Bill, which will provide a legal framework for all taxes in the country and reduce disputes.
Others are the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, which will repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and establish the Nigeria Revenue Service; and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill which will create a tax tribunal and a tax ombudsman.
3. Two Reasons Why We Must Withdraw Controversial Tax Reform Bills – Ndume
The lawmaker representing the Borno South Senatorial district, Ali Ndume, has identified timing as one of the elements drawing antagonisms to the proposed bills.
Speaking on the floor of the upper legislative chamber on Thursday, the legislator argued, that while the bill might have good prospect, introducing such a bill at the moment was bad timing, citing the current perception of the present administration by the populace.
The lawmaker stated that “as it is today, when you talk about reforms to Nigerians, whether good or bad, they misconceive you”.
He also identified derivation and the Value Added Tax (VAT) as another bone of contention in the bills, stressing that the two items are “not something that many of us will agree to”.
Ndume advised that the bill be withdrawn to allow for further scrutiny, stating that he was not interested in killing the bill.
4. FG To Conduct Census In 2025
President Bola Tinubu’s government has announced that the long-awaited census will occur in Nigeria in 2025.
The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Isa Kwarra, confirmed this during the 2024 Anniversary of the Nairobi Summit on the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held on Thursday in Abuja.
It is important to note that although the United Nations recommends conducting population censuses every decade, Nigeria last performed one in 2006, resulting in an 18-year gap without accurate demographic data.
Naturenex reports that the census was initially planned for 2023; however, it was postponed after two missed deadlines under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The cancellation was attributed to a desire for the incoming administration, which emerged victorious in the 2023 elections, to oversee the census process.
5. House Of Reps Confirm Oluyede As Army Chief
The House of Representatives under the leadership of Tajudeen Abbas has confirmed Olufemi Oluyede as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
Naturenex reports that Oluyede was confirmed as Army Chief after a report was presented by Babajimi Benson, chairman of the committee on defence.
The house of representatives joint committee on army and defence had screened Oluyede on Wednesday.
Oluyede was appointed by President Bola Tinubu as the Acting COAS following the ill-health of his predecessor, Taoreed Lagbaja, who later passed away.
Naturenex reported that President Tinubu had formally requested the House of Representatives to confirm Olufemi Oluyede as the substantive Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
6. Tinubu Seeks Senate Confirmation For PSC, CCB Nominees
President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, forwarded a letter to the Senate, seeking the confirmation of the appointments of four nominees to the Police Service Commission.
The nominees are Deputy Inspector General of Police, Buba Ringim (rtd), Hon. Justice Adamu Paul Galumje JSC (rtd.), Christine Ladi Dabup, and Abdulfatah Muhammed.
Naturenex reports that the President, in the letter read by Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio during plenary, said, “In accordance with the provisions of Section 154(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate the appointments of the under-listed four nominees as members of the Police Service Commission.
“While it is my hope that the Senate will consider and confirm the nominees in the usual expeditious manner, please accept, Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration and personal regards.”
7. Biafra: Finnish Court Fixes Deadline For Simon Ekpa’s Trial
Pro-Biafran agitator Simon Ekpa, arrested in Finland over alleged terrorism-related activities, is expected to face charges in May 2025, according to Finnish authorities.
Senior Detective Superintendent Mikko Laaksonen of Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation confirmed to The PUNCH via email on Tuesday that the district court had set May 2025 as the deadline for prosecutors to file potential charges against Ekpa.
The Finnish government announced last week the arrest of Ekpa and four others on suspicion of terrorism-related offenses, including incitement to violence and financing terrorism.
Finnish police identified Ekpa, who refers to himself as the Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, as allegedly using social media to incite violence in Nigeria’s South-East, targeting civilians and government authorities.
8. Stop Your Childish Lies, Edo Hospital Completed, Equipped, Operationally – Obaseki Fires Okpebholo, Releases Evidence [Photos]
Former Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has berated his successor, Senator Monday Okpebholo for allegedly falsely claiming that the Stella Obasanjo Hospital was hurriedly commissioned when it has not been completed.
Obaseki stated that Okpebholo’s false comments on Stella Obasanjo Hospital was targeted at dodging payment of contractors.
Recall that Okpebholo had described the recent commissioning of the hospital in Benin City by Obaseki as a scam.
He said construction at the facility is still ongoing, and equipment yet to be procured by the last administration before it hurriedly commissioned it as a completed project.
Okpebholo pledged to immediately correct the structural defects at the Hospital in order to reposition it to serve the people better
But in a swift reaction in a statement to Naija News on Thursday, Obaseki’s Media Adviser, Crusoe Osagie, said the Stella Obasanjo Hospital is completed, equipped, fully operational.
9. Liberian Ex-Warlord, Prince Johnson Is Dead
Prince Johnson, a former Liberian warlord and prominent figure during the country’s brutal civil wars from 1989 to 2003, has died at the age of 72.
Naturenex reports that his death was confirmed on Thursday by officials from his political party and the Senate.
Johnson gained global notoriety in 1990 when a video showed him drinking beer as his fighters tortured and killed then-president Samuel Doe.
This gruesome act marked one of the early and defining moments of Liberia’s devastating civil conflicts, which claimed approximately 250,000 lives and left the nation’s economy in ruins.
Siaffa Jallah, Deputy Director of Press at the Senate, described Johnson as the “longest-serving senator.”
10. ‘I Don’t Have Stroke But It Could Have Been Fatal’ – TD Jakes Breaks Silence After Heath Scare During Sunday Sermon
Popular American pastor, Bishop T.D Jakes, has spoken for the first time after suffering a health scare while preaching to his congregation on Sunday.
The pastor clarified that he didn’t suffer a stroke, but acknowledged that the situation could have been fatal if not for God’s intervention.
Naturenex recalls Jakes experienced a slight health incident after preaching for one hour on Sunda and received immediate attention before he was eventually moved to the hospital.
Reflecting on the incident via a statement shared on his X account late on Wednesday night, the clergyman said what happened to him is a reminder that every human being needs rest.
He appreciated God, family members, health professionals, church members and all those who rallied around during the incident.
“Serving God’s people is an extraordinary privilege, and Sunday was no exception as I gave my all in delivering the message God placed on my heart. Even when I sensed the weight of my humanity and pushed through nonetheless, I’m reminded that even the strongest must rely on His strength.
“I give thanks unto the Lord that I did not have a stroke, however the event could’ve been fatal if it weren’t for God’s intervention. A special thank you to God and the medical professionals in our city whose speed and expertise were beyond exceptional. My job is to recuperate and reflect on God’s protection. I owe it to my amazing family and church members to rest and ruminate as He restores me towards His service. As God calls us to honor the Sabbath, I’m reminded that rest is not a weakness – it is a divine gift.” he wrote.
