Nigeria At 63: Tinubu To Address Nigerians Sunday

As part of activities to mark the 63rd Independence Anniversary of the nation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will make a nationwide broadcast on Sunday, October 1, 2023.

The time for Tinubu’s broadcast is 7 am.

This was disclosed in a statement by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, on Saturday. 

Television, radio stations and other electronic media outlets are enjoined to hook up to the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority and Radio Nigeria for the broadcast.

Meanwhile, former President Muhammadu Buhari has conveyed his greetings to President Tinubu and Nigerians on the occasion of Nigeria’s 63rd anniversary.

Buhari expressed optimism that democracy will continue to gain strength in Nigeria.

In his independent message signed by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, the former president said Nigeria will continue to inspire the African continent.

Tinubu Returns To Nigeria After UNGA Outing

President Bola Tinubu has finally returned back into the country after his first participation at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States of America (USA).

President Tinubu returned after a 12-day absence on Friday night devoid of the usual fanfare that usually heralds his arrival into the country every time he left. 

Recall Tinubu left Nigeria on 17 September to attend the 78th in New York, in what is his first participation at the UNGA since he was sworn-in last May.

After delivering the national statement and holding several meetings on the sidelines of the global assembly, he rang the closing bell at NASDAQ. 

Shortly after, the Nigerian President departed New York for Paris, France, last week Thursday. There was no official statement about his mission in the country, but sources said he went for a short vacation.

Tinubu returns to Nigeria amid threats by labour unions to commence an indefinite strike from October 3, if he fails to address the rising cost of living in his October 1st broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 63rd Independence anniversary.

Mobhad: We’ll Ensure Justice Won’t Be Aborted – Falana

Mrs Funmi Falana, wife of Mr Femi Falana (SAN), on Friday expressed confidence that justice would be served in the death of a young musician, Ilerioluwa Aloba (a.k.a Mohbad).

Mrs Falana is a Partner at the Falana Falana Chambers, which is a concerned party in the death of the musician.

She is also counsel to the family of Aloba.

She gave the assurance at the Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court, venue of a coroner’s inquest into the musician’s death.

The musician died on Sept. 12 and was buried the following day. He was aged 27 years.

His death has been generating controversies, prompting Lagos State Government to direct a coroner’s inquest into the death.

A preliminary meeting on the inquest took place on Friday at the court’s premises.

Mrs Falana told journalists that the meeting was to discuss the modalities for the inquest including witness to bring before the court.

“I am sure you all know that the essence of the coroner’s inquest is to inquire into the cause of the death.

“By God’s grace, we want to assure the public that justice will definitely be served,” she said.

She said that by Oct. 13, witnesses would be testifying before the court, urging members of the public to be calm.

“We want to assure the public that justice will not be aborted.

“We are here to get to the root cause of the death of the young man, to serve as deterent,” she said.

The controversy being generated by the musician’s death also made the police command in Lagos State to set up a 19-man special team to investigate the incident. 

BBNaija All Stars: CeeC Wins Brand New CONCEPTar

BIG Brother Naija All Stars Housemate, Cynthia Nwadiora, popularly known as  CeeC, on Friday night  won a brand new car in the reality show.

CeeC achieved the feat after winning the Innoson task, which comes with a brand new SUV, the Innoson Ikenga.

She beat her closest contender, Pere to the prize.

It is the first time CeeC would win an individual task this season on the show.

The Big Brother Naija All Stars season will come to an end on Sunday October 1st as the winner will go home with a whopping N120 million grand prize.

The is the first time that the organizers will be coming up with the All Stars edition.

NLC, TUC Shun Meeting With FG, Insist On October 3 Nationwide Strike

Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), and the Trace Union Congress, (TUC) on Friday, shunned an emergency meeting with the Federal Government scheduled for 3 pm on Friday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Earlier,  the Federal Government led by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, had called an emergency meeting with the leaders of organized Labour at the Conference Room of the Office of the President’s Chief of Staff.

The meeting was fixed in order to  persuade the labour movement against implementing its planned nationwide strike from Tuesday, October 3, 2023.

Recall that on September 26, the NLC and the TUC announced plans to commence an indefinite strike on October 3 over the economic hardship occasioned by fuel subsidy removal by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government.

On Friday, the organized labour and affiliated bodies started mobilizing members in compliance with the proposed strike.

The Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, and the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals have all announced plans to join the strike.

Also, the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions’ Employees announced its intention to participate in the strike.

Similarly, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the National Union of Electricity Employees said they would join the indefinite strike announced on Thursday.

The country’s economy could be shut down if the proposed nationwide strike takes effect from next week Tuesday.

The development comes when Nigeria is battling with the crumbling Naira at the foreign exchange market, exchanging at N985/$ at the parallel market and soaring inflation of 25.80 per cent in August.

Lagos Govt Closes Ojuelegba Flyover For Repairs

Lagos State Government has announced traffic diversion at Ojuelegba flyover bridge on the night of Monday, October 2, 2023, from 10pm to 6am.

This is in line with plans by the state government to repair the truck barrier at the bridge which was recently damaged again. 

This is contained in a statement issued by the state government on Friday, September 29, 2023, and can be checked on its official X (formerly Twitter) account.

Alternative routes:

The state government in the statement said that the following alternative routes will be available to Motorists during the diversion: 

Motorists from Eko Bridge/Costain/Iponri inbound Ojuelegba/Alhaji Masha Road will be diverted to the service lane from Alaka via the National Stadium gate to link Barracks or Alhaji Masha Road to continue their journeys.

Motorists from Eko Bridge via Costain and those from Apapa Road going through Iponri will make use of Iponri Estate Road to link Bode Thomas via Adeniran Ogunsanya to Shitta Roundabout for their desired destinations. 

Motorists were implored to be patient as the brief closure of the bridge is planned for night time as part of a traffic management strategy to avert further accidents and loss of lives.

What you should know: 

The Lagos State Government had in February 2023 announced the banning of trucks and articulated vehicles from using the Dorman Long and Ojuelegba bridges.

This is as the government has also directed its Traffic Management Agency to arrest truck drivers that passed through the routes. 

The state government’s action was due to the frequent road accidents caused by these trucks and articulated vehicles with the attendant loss of lives and property across the state, especially at that axis. 

Emee Oil Boss, Florence Onojame In Big Trouble

Emee Oil & Gas Nig. Ltd., Florence Onojame is in hot soup.The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned her for allegedly defrauding Access Bank of N4.4 billion.

She appeared before an Ikeja Special Offences Court alongside her company on a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and receiving fraudulently obtained property.

EFCC counsel, Mr Fatai Mohammed, thereafter prayed to the court for a trial date and remand of the defendant.

Mohammed told the court the defendant committed the offences with four others at large sometime in February 2022 in Lagos.

The counsel said that the defendant stole N4.4 billion, which she fraudulently transferred via Primus Plus, an electronic banking platform of Access Bank, using her company’s login details.

He added that the defendant further transferred the sum into several accounts domiciled with the bank.

The prosecution counsel further submitted that the defendant retained the control of N100 million in her Access Bank account with the name of her company and transferred the sum from Total Energy Nig. Ltd. account, knowing the same to be proceeds of criminal activities.

Defence counsel, Williams Onate, however, informed the court that a bail application for his client had been filed before the court and served on the prosecution.

He said: “We will be praying for a short adjournment for hearing of the bail application and that the defendant be ordered to remain in the custody of the EFCC.”

EFCC said the alleged offences contravene Sections 278, 326 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Justice Mojisola Dada ordered that the defendant should be kept at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the hearing of her bail application.

Dada adjourned the case until Oct. 10 for a hearing of the bail application.

UBA Partners AfCFTA, Rolls Out Comprehensive Financing Solutions Of $6 Billion For SMEs Across Africa

Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has announced an initiative aimed at providing robust and comprehensive financing solutions to support and boost activities of Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs) across the African continent.

Through this initiative, UBA will be giving SMEs the opportunity to access financing for small businesses that specialise in the key sectors of Agro-processing, Pharmaceuticals, Automotive, Transport and Logistics.

The financing initiative is powered by UBA’s recent partnership with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) secretariat to provide financing for up to $6 billion over the next three years to eligible SMEs across Africa, an agreement which was signed on the sidelines of the 30th Afreximbank Annual Meeting (AAM) which was held in Accra, Ghana in June.

By the agreement, UBA and AfCFTA agreed to promote the development of SMEs operating in four sectors under the 1st phase of the partnership which are largely import–dependent, by providing technical and financing solutions for intra-African/domestic alternatives. These economic sectors are Agro-processing, Automotive, Pharmaceuticals, Transport and Logistics.

The Deputy Managing Director of UBA, Muyiwa Akinyemi who signed the agreement on behalf of the bank noted that being Africa’s global bank, UBA remains committed to supporting the growth/development of SMEs across Africa. This is in line with our strategic focus on the SME segment being a catalyst for the economic development of Africa.

Muyiwa further said: “Under this partnership, UBA will go beyond just financing to provide non-financial services to these SMEs to develop the capacity for growth across the 20 African countries that we are present, and build sustainable business practices. We shall also be leveraging technology to deliver our financing activities to the beneficiaries and this platform provides us with a unique opportunity to stimulate the development of the continent as Africa’s Global Bank.”

UBA’s Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, noted that the $240,000 financing by the bank will be in the form of working capital loans and asset finance loans, with the aim of positioning the businesses for growth and success in the evolving African business landscape.

Specifically, she explained that the SMEs in the particular sectors of Agro-processing, Automotive, Pharmaceuticals, Transport and Logistics, will be able to access a working capital loan by way of overdrafts and short-term loans with a maximum value of $120,000 in each of their country’s local currency; and asset finance loan of up to $120,000 in the local currency of the obligor, to use for the acquisition of operational assets and equipment to meet their business expansion needs.

Ladipo also pointed out that this strategic move aligns with UBA’s vision to be a catalyst for economic development across Africa, as she noted that by empowering SMEs in key sectors, the bank is fostering job creation, enhancing local production, and promoting intra-African trade, all of which are pivotal goals of the AfCFTA agreement.

In addition to financial support, she emphasised the bank’s commitment towards providing capacity-building opportunities for SMEs through various training programmes and resources, and how UBA aims to equip the businesses with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in a competitive market environment.

She said: “UBA recognises the critical role that SMEs play in driving economic growth and job creation. To facilitate their growth and success. To this end, We are proud to be at the forefront of driving entrepreneurship in Africa. Our partnership with AfCFTA and our commitment to SMEs in these critical sectors reflect our dedication to the economic transformation of our continent. We believe that this initiative will not only benefit individual businesses but will also contribute significantly to the overall development and prosperity of Africa.”

UBA is a leading pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than thirty-seven million customers across 1,000 business offices and customer touch points in 20 African countries.

With a presence in New York, London, Paris, the Cayman Islands and now the UAE, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative cross-border payments and remittances, trade finance and ancillary banking services.

Sanwo-Olu Launches 'Lagos City's Inform Women, Transform Lives' Campaign

As the world marks the International Day of Universal Access to Information, Lagos State on Thursday joined other 35 cities selected by the Jimmy Carter Foundation to launch the 'Lagos City's Inform Women, Transform Lives' campaign, to make a difference in the lives of women in Lagos State.

 

Speaking at a press conference held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Center, Alausa, Ikeja to launch the initiative, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the campaign is targeted at lifting the plight of several women in the society, especially at the grassroots in line with the THEMES+ agenda of his administration, which includes Social Inclusion, Gender Equality and Youth Development 

 

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Barr. (Mrs.) Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, said the aim of the campaign is to also provide a platform for women to seek and receive information from all tiers of governments irrespective of their status, tribe and religion.

 

The Governor said the City of Lagos Inform Women, Transform Lives Campaign” themed: "Gender Equality and Inclusivity” would raise awareness on where and how women can easily get information about city services that would benefit them as his administration had upgraded its developmental agenda from THEMES to THEMES+.

 

"Two months ago, Lagos State participated in the Carter Centre competition with other 300 Cities across the globe and was among the few that got selected for the “Inform Women, Transform Lives” programme. The driving force behind our success at the competition was made possible through contributions by the Ministries of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Information and Strategy Youths and Social Development, Commerce, Cooperative, Trade and Investment as well as Special Adviser to the Governor on Legal Matters. 

 

"It is my absolute delight to highlight the fact that Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu upgraded the agenda of his first administration’s development agenda from THEMES agenda to THEMES PLUS. The PLUS represents social inclusion, gender equality and youth engagement," Salu-Hundeyin said.  

 

Speaking earlier, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, who was accompanied by his Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment counterpart, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem and other state officials and stakeholders, said the inclusive campaign would be focused on information dissemination particularly to women and girls in order to transform their lives positively.

 

The Carter Center is a non-governmental organization helping to improve the lives of people in more than 80 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy and human rights; preventing diseases; and improving mental health care.

 

The Carter Centre was founded in 1982 by Mr. Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States from 1977 to 1981 and his wife, Mrs. Rosalyn Carter.

 

The Foundation is committed to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering.

 

Among the cities participating in the campaign include Atlanta, Georgia; Amman, Jordan; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Cape Town, South Africa; Chicago, Illinois; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Dhaka North, Bangladesh; Dublin, Ireland and Guatemala City among others. They are also launching their campaigns simultaneously today in line with Carter Centre’s directive."

Osun Assembly Speaker Commiserates With Oyo Lawmaker Over Son’s Death

Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun has commiserated with the Oyo State House of Assembly Majority Leader, Sanjo Adedoyin, over the death of his son, Faith Adedoyin.

In a statement signed by Egbedun’s media aide, Olamide Tiamiyu, the Speaker noted that the news came to him as a shock and prayed that God grants the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

“I received with rude shock the news of the untimely death of Faith Adedoyin, a 500-level accounting department student of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) and a son to Oyo State Assembly Majority Leader.

“On behalf of myself, my family, and the entire Osun State 8th House of Assembly, I commiserate with Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin and the entire family. The Lord will grant you the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. Please, accept my condolences,” he said.

DailyReporter reliably gathered that Adedoyin’s son, Faith was among the students of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, who died in a road traffic accident in Osun on Wednesday night.

According to a statement released by the Osun Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, the accident involving a white commercial Mazda bus occurred at the Ojutu Bridge along the Osogbo-Ilobu road.

The driver of the vehicle and two students, a male and a female died in the crash and five other students were rescued with serious injuries.

They were returning to Ogbomoso from an excursion trip to Olumirin waterfall, Erin-Ijesa.

LAUTECH Confirms Death Of Two Students In Auto Accident

Authorities of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, have confirmed the death of two of its students and a driver.

The institution made this disclosure on Thursday.

Recall that two students of the accounting department died in an accident while returning from an excursion to Erin-Ijesa Waterfall in Osun State on Wednesday.

Public Relations Officer of the institution, Lekan Fadeyi confirmed the incident on Thursday.

Fadeyi, in a response to an enquiry, noted that the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Razaq Olatunde Kalilu, has called on members of the University community to pray for God’s protection “as we go deeper into the ember months.”

“The students were mainly from the accounting department of the University and were reported to have traveled in two vehicles.

“Professor Kalilu while mourning the passage of two of the students and driver of the bus commiserated with parents of the dead ones among them and prayed that God grants those surviving them the fortitude to bear the loss.

“He also prayed for divine healing for those still receiving medical attention in the various hospitals.”

LIRS Tasks Business Organizations On Consumption Tax Compliance

Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has urged owners of restaurants, hotels, and event centres operating in the state to contribute to the state's development by prioritizing the monthly collection and remittance of a 5% consumption tax on all consumables and personal services.

 

The State on June 22, 2009, enacted the Hotel Occupancy and Restaurant Consumption Law of Lagos State otherwise called Hotel Consumption Law, which imposes consumption tax at 5% on the value of goods and services consumed in hotels, restaurants and event centers within the state. The tax base is the total cost of facilities, consumables or personal services supplied to a consumer in, by or on behalf of the hotel, restaurant or events centre.

 

Speaking on The Tax Talk programme monitored on TVC on Wednesday, Jimi Aina, Director, New Growth, LIRS, said while the consumption tax is a major source of revenue for the Lagos State Government, which uses the funds to provide public amenities and services such as healthcare, education, transportation, and security, owners of restaurants, hotels, event centres, etc are obligated to register with the LIRS as collecting agents.

 

Aina submitted that contrary to the misconception a lot of people have about consumption tax, the state has not imposed additional taxes on restaurants, hotels and event centres, rather, consumers who purchase taxable goods or services in the state are responsible for paying the consumption tax. The tax is already included in the price of the goods or services and is paid to the collecting agent who collects it on behalf of the Lagos State Government.

 

“Many people misunderstand the concept of consumption tax. It is often thought that this tax is an additional burden on hotels and restaurants, but this is not the case. In reality, it is the customers who are taxed when they dine out, attend events, or have drinks at a bar. The tax rate is five per cent. By paying the consumption tax, consumers contribute to the development and maintenance of these amenities and services.”

 

“According to Section 1 of the Lagos State Consumption Tax Law, consumption tax is defined as a tax on the supply of goods and services in Lagos State, which is charged and payable by the consumer.

 

“Consumers who purchase taxable goods or services in Lagos State are responsible for paying consumption tax. The tax is included in the price of the goods or services and is paid to the collecting agent who collects it on behalf of the Lagos State Government,” he said.

 

Speaking further, the New Growth Director said while collecting agents (restaurants, hotels and event centres) have the responsibility of collecting these taxes from consumers and remitting to the LIRS, it's also important to factor in the deadline for remittances.

 

He explained; “According to the Lagos state consumption tax law, the remittances must be made not later than the 20th day of the month following the month of collection. For example, consumption tax collected in September must be remitted to the LIRS on or before the 20th of October.

 

Aina noted that there are legal implications to non-remittances by collecting agents who failed to remit consumption tax collected from consumers to the LIRS within the prescribed time.

 

“Where a Collecting Agent fails to make a return or remittances as and when due, LIRS may make an estimate of the total amount due and such estimate shall become due not later than 21 days of service of such a notice.

 

“Failure to remit the tax collected within the stipulated time will attract a 10% penalty of an amount not remitted plus interest at 5% above the prevailing Monetary Policy Rate of CBN of Nigeria. Such collecting agent may also face sanctions including closure of business and prosecution,” he submitted.

 

According to the LIRS, the monthly filing of returns on sales using UCL 2 form must be accompanied by a report stating:

• The total amount of payments made for all chargeable transactions during the preceding reporting period.
• The amount of consumption tax collected by the agent during the reporting period.
• Any other information required by LIRS to be included in the report.

 

Every collecting agent is required to keep, maintain and preserve such records, books and accounts in respect of all transactions chargeable under the Law as hotels, restaurants and other businesses affected by this Law are required to register with LIRS and keep records of Evidence of registration as a Collecting Agent.

UBA Sponsors Lagos International Trade Fair 2023

Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) has announced that it is once again the headline sponsor of the 2023 edition of the annual Lagos International Trade Fair.

In partnership with the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), organisers of the annual event, UBA seeks to bolster small and medium-scale businesses, while catalysing entrepreneurial growth across the continent.

We can tell you for free that for the past five years, UBA has been the headline sponsor for this all-important event, and this year’s edition which is the 37th, is scheduled to hold at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, between November 3rd and 12th, 2023.

Speaking at a press briefing in the Commerce House, Lagos, on Thursday to announce the partnership, the Chairman Trade Promotion Board, LCCI, Engr. Leye Kupoluyi commended UBA for once again sponsoring the Trade Fair.

He told participants that this edition promises to provide networking opportunities, showcase innovation and promote international trade, industry and sector diversity while boosting local businesses.

He said the local organising committee is bringing world class facilities and ambience with the best exhibition standard, health, safety and deployment of digital banking platforms provided by the bank to ease money transactions and intra-Africa fund transfers.

UBA’s Head of SME Banking, Babatunde Ajayi, who spoke on the partnership said; “UBA’s partnership with the LCCI emphasises its support for local businesses and the community. We at UBA, consider this as exemplary which is why our partnership with LCCI continues to stand the test of time.”

“There is no gainsaying that in virtually all economies all over the world – developed and developing alike, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are critical to the generation of economic activity and to long-term sustainability.”

He explained that the bank’s promise to offer special incentives to businesses that register to attend the fair is In line with UBA’s unflinching support for the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). 

Overall, the collaboration between UBA and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry to host the Lagos International Trade Fair in 2023 appears to be a significant opportunity for businesses, both small and large, to grow, network, and explore new horizons in the business world. It has the potential to boost economic activity and contribute to the development of the Nigerian business landscape.

UBA is a leading pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than thirty-seven million customers across 1,000 business offices and customer touch points in 20 African countries.

With a presence in New York, London, the Cayman Islands, Paris and now the UAE, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative cross-border payments and remittances, trade finance and ancillary banking services.

Ogun Tribunal Fixes Date For Judgement

Ogun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has fixed Saturday, September 30, for the delivery of judgement in the petition filed by Ladi Adebutu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the election of Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Recall that the tribunal had on September 4 reserved judgment after parties adopted their final written addresses.

The Hamidu Kunaza-led tribunal promised to communicate the date of judgment delivery to the parties.

Our correspondent learnt on Thursday that the tribunal had sent notice to the counsel of the petitioners and the respondents, fixing Saturday for the judgement.

Contacted, the Media Aide to Adebutu, the first petitioner, Afolabi Orekoya, confirmed to our correspondent that judgement would be delivered on September 30.

“Yes, it is true,” Afolabi said when asked if the PDP counsel had been contacted that judgement would be delivered by the tribunal on Saturday.

Adebutu is requesting the tribunal to declare him the winner of the March 18 governorship election in Ogun State, alleging non-compliance with the electoral act.