Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 10th December, 2024
1. Tinubu Has Said He Wants To Take Nigeria To A Position Where No Man Goes To Bed Hungry – Minister
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, has said that President Bola Tinubu’s vision is to “take Nigeria to a position where no man goes to bed hungry”.
He insisted that the president is committed to improving Nigeria’s food security.
Aliyu stated this during an appearance on Channels Television programme, on Monday.
The minister noted that the federal government has rolled out programmes to ensure food security in the country and improve the life of the citizens.
“As part of the Renewed Hope Agenda, because food security is on the front burner in the agriculture sector; it is the mainstream of Nigeria’s economy.
“It is expected to also play a critical role in the economy as a means of poverty alleviation and gender inclusivity.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is seriously concerned about our food security situation. Let me add that many times he would say to us his vision is for us to take Nigeria to a position where no man goes to bed hungry,” Abdullahi said.
2. RMAFC Challenges Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills
The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has challenged the constitutionality of proposals made by President Bola Tinubu in his proposed tax reform bills.
Naturenex understands the RMAFC in challenging the tax reform proposals, argued that the Commission is the only body constitutionally empowered to determine revenue sharing between the three tiers of government in Nigeria.
RMAFC is said to have submitted a nine-page memorandum in which it opposed the tax reform proposals as submitted to the National Assembly by President Tinubu.
According to Economic Confidential, the memorandum, signed by the commission’s chairman, Mohammed Bello Shehu, outlined a range of legal, constitutional, and technical objections to the proposed reforms.
RMAFC called on the government to respect its role as the exclusive arbiter in developing fair revenue allocation formulas, arguing that any deviation from its constitutional duties, could undermine the integrity of the Commission and compromise the principles of justice in revenue sharing.
The Commission called for an approach to Value Added Tax (VAT) allocation that accounts for the unique nature of VAT as a consumption tax. It proposed a formula developed by RMAFC that would ensure equitable distribution among federal, state, and local governments.
3. Nigeria Is Hitting Them Hard – Army Chief Vows To Wipe Out Lukarawa
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has assured Nigerians that the Lukarawa terror group would soon become a thing of the past.
The Army boss made the promise while speaking to State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
He stated that a joint effort from Niger Republic would bring the terror reign to an end.
“We are hitting them hard at the Nigerian end, and once you hit them hard here, they tend to flee to the Niger Republic. Now that Niger Republic is coming on board, that means very soon, Lukarawa will be a thing of the past,” he said.
Speaking further, he highlighted the importance of collaboration with neighbouring countries to tackle the cross-border threat posed by the group.
“We need to work together with neighbouring countries because these issues affect them too. By cooperating, we can address the threat more effectively,” he added.
Oluyede, who was recently appointed Chief of Army Staff, said his visit to the Villa was to brief the President on his security strategy.
4. South-East Lawmakers To Consult Governors, Constituents Before Final Decision On Tax Reform Bills
Senators from Nigeria’s South-East region have resolved to consult with their state governments, constituents, and other stakeholders before making a final decision on the contentious tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly.
Under the umbrella of the South-East Senators’ Forum, the lawmakers emphasized the importance of seeking input from the zone to ensure their position reflects the collective interests of their people.
Leader of the caucus, Senator Eyinanaya Abaribe, disclosed this on Monday while addressing journalists after a closed-door meeting at the National Assembly in Abuja.
The tax reform bills—Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill—were transmitted to the National Assembly on October 3 by President Bola Tinubu.
While the bills aim to overhaul the country’s tax system, they have faced significant criticism, with some of the opposition taking ethnic and sectional dimensions.
Abaribe clarified that while South-East senators are generally supportive of the proposed tax reforms, they believe wider consultations are necessary to address the peculiar concerns of their zone.
5. Bank Accounts Attack: NITDA Raises Alarm Over Sophisticated Malware
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has alerted Nigerians about a banking malware which targets users globally.
The malware uses sophisticated phishing campaigns to defraud its victims.
The advisory was released by NITDA’s Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team on Monday.
According to the agency, the new version of the Grandoreiro is a significant threat, using “advanced techniques, including screen overlay attacks and remote device control, to steal sensitive information such as banking credentials and personal data.”
The malware, NITDA explained, is primarily distributed via phishing emails and fraudulent websites that deceive victims into downloading malicious software disguised as legitimate updates or documents.
Once installed, the malware bypasses security controls, granting attackers unauthorised access to users’ devices.
NITDA warned that the malware could lead to financial losses and identity theft.
The agency urged the public to exercise caution and adopt recommended security measures, to mitigate the risk.
6. Court Grants Dele Farotimi ₦50 Million Bail
A Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has reportedly granted ₦50 million bail to Human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi.
In a post via X on Monday, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Action Alliance Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, revealed that Farotimi had been granted ₦50 million.
Recall that Farotimi was remanded following allegations of defaming a prominent legal figure and founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN.
Naturenex reports that the activist is accused of damaging the reputation of Afe Babalola through statements made in his recently released book, ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.’
Farotimi, who was arraigned last Wednesday, pleaded not guilty to all sixteen charges against him.
7. Telling Atiku, Northern Political Bigwigs To Wait Till After Tinubu Will Still Shortchange North – Atiku’s Aide Faults Akume
The spokesperson of the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, has replied to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, over a statement to his principal and political bigwigs in North.
Naturenex reported that Akume, who spoke on Sunday while featuring on a TVC programme, advised Atiku and other northern political bigwigs to shelve the ambition of contesting for the 2027 presidency and wait till 2031.
Akume said it is still the turn of the South to produce a president in 2027, stressing that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would complete his second term.
Reacting via a post on X, Atiku’s aide noted that the North was still shortchanged by six years of power rotation.
Ibe added that Tinubu has not shown he deserves a second term in office; however, his fate lies with Nigerians.
8. Obaseki Stopped Children From Using Books Donated By Tinubu Because Of Wickedness – Okpebholo
The Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo has accused his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki of hoarding books and instructional materials donated to school children in the state.
Okpebholo made the allegation during the distribution of notebooks, textbooks, and other instructional materials to schools across the three senatorial districts in the state.
The Governor alleged that Obaseki failed to distribute the books which were donated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to mark his one year in office.
He argued that Obaseki’s act of keeping the books from the schoolchildren was nothing short of wickedness.
9. ₦454 Million Is A Small Price To Pay For The Support We Receive From Nigerian Air Force – Fubara
The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara has said that his administration’s support is not limited to electorates or specific communities but also to institutions playing a vital role in protecting lives and property.
Fubara stated this during the inauguration of two blocks of 12 flats each, comprising two-bedroom Nigerian Air Force (NAF) prototype residential buildings at the Port Harcourt NAF Base in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area on Monday.
He explained that the residential building constructed by the state government for officers of the NAF was intended to complement the efforts of the military and the federal government in providing welfare support to servicemen.
He noted that the housing facility, which began in 2017, was initially valued at ₦212 million but was later revised to ₦454 million.
This, he said, demonstrates a modest contribution to the welfare of Air Force personnel in recognition of the ongoing collaboration in the fight against crime and criminality.
The Governor reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to continue supporting all security agencies in the state, particularly in the fight against oil theft and vandalization of pipelines.
10. You Are Confusing Yourself With Tax Reform Bills, It Contradicts The Constitution – Ndume To Presidency
The Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has stated that his stance remains the same on President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills.
Naturenex reports that the lawmaker had earlier condemned the timing of the bills, arguing that the focus should be on governance reforms before tax reforms.
Speaking further on the situation during an interview with Punch, Ndume insisted that the withdrawal of the bill is the best decision for the executive to allow for wider consultation.
He further explained that the country spent over 50 per cent of its budget on recurrent expenditure and debt servicing.
Ndume argued that Northern senators are not divided, adding that anyone who supports the passage of the bills should come and openly say so.
