Buhari's Decision To Impose New Taxes On Nigerians Will Kill Businesses, Lead To Job Losses, Employers’ Association Warns

The Nigeria Employers' Consultative Association (NECA) has noted that the combination of a struggling aviation sector and roads taken over by bandits had worsened the economic situation in the country.  

This has resulted in 18.6 percent inflation, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. 

“These have continued to worsen the promotion of commerce and the increase the rate of de-industrialisation of some regions of the country,” NECA director-general Wale Oyerinde, said. 

Oyerinde asked for a comprehensive strategy to address the nation's economic difficulties, describing them as multifaceted, News Agency of Nigeria reports. 

There has never been a better time, according to Oyerinde, for the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to reevaluate its economic strategies and strengthen ties with the organized private sector. 

‘’The nation is currently faced with multiple challenges: a dire combination of spiralling inflation; rising energy cost; scarcity of foreign exchange (forex); the dwindling value of the naira, and an almost comatose aviation sector. Also, a stuttering education system; rising debt; depleting foreign reserves and rising fuel subsidy expenses, among others, threaten to lay bare the country’s economy,” Oyerinde said. 

He added, “In April 2022, the World Bank warned that the rising cost of fuel subsidy could significantly impact public finance and pose debt sustainability concerns: alas, this projection is almost happening. The fiscal performance report released recently by the government confirmed the accuracy of these projections.” 

The NECA DG, therefore, called for the start of a deliberate and economic-priority-influenced approach, along with extensive consultation with stakeholders to curb the problems. 

He said, "While the challenges of revenue shortage are acknowledged, burdening businesses with new taxes or levies will be counter-productive and self-destructive action. 

“Overburdening already burdened businesses will only result in business closure and an increase in job losses, with negative consequences for our social and economic stability." 

According to him, Buhari's government should rather broaden the tax net, reduce waste in governance, and give priorities to economic projects that will stimulate the economy and provide an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.  

This, according to him, will lay the groundwork for new foreign direct investment and potentially increase foreign exchange inflows into the country, which will boost the strength of the naira. 

The NECA director-general also urged the government to repair the four national refineries and encourage the development of modular ones as a first step toward eliminating fuel subsidies entirely. 

He also urged the regime to implement interventions aimed at raising living standards to boost consumption and enterprise sustainability to foster job creation. 

‘’While forex scarcity persists, allocation of the available forex to manufacturing and other productive sectors of the economy should be given priority,” Mr Oyerinde stated 

 

NDLEA arrests pastor with crystal methamphetamine in Akwa Ibom

A trans-border drug dealer, Pastor Anietie Okon Effiong has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, with three drums of crystal methamphetamine, locally called meth, believed to have been imported from India.

The consignment weighing 90 kilograms and loaded into a commercial bus with registration number RSH 691XC at Ojuelegba in Lagos was intercepted during a stop and search operation along Umuahia – Ikot Ekpene highway on Saturday 6th August 2022. The dangerous drug packed 30kg in each drum was meant for Pastor Anietie Okon Effiong, who was arrested in a follow up operation at Oron beach in Oron. The recovered Meth drums were meant for onward delivery to the Republic of Cameroon.

This comes on the heels of four seizures of the same illicit substance weighing 4.074kg going to Australia, Indonesia and Philippines with a 3kg cannabis sativa heading to Dubai, United Arab Emirates at some courier companies in Lagos. The consignments were concealed in body cream, hot burner iron and beads.
Meanwhile, in Sokoto, a 90-year-old retired soldier, Usman Adamu was arrested on Wednesday 3rd August in Mailalle, Sabon Birni LGA for supplying bandits illicit drugs. At the time of his arrest, the suspect was caught with 5.1kg cannabis sativa.

At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, a 37-year-old indigene of Ovia LGA, Edo State and resident in Italy; Solo Osamede has been arrested for ingesting 41 wraps of heroin. He was nabbed and taken into custody for excretion while attempting to board a Turkish Airline flight to Milan, Italy via Istanbul, Turkey on Saturday 30th July. The swallowed wraps of the illicit drug were recovered in four excretions, which the suspect completed on Monday 1st Aug.

In the same vein, a female passenger Jatau Lydia Lami was arrested at the Lagos airport for attempting to export 1,700 tablets of Tramadol 225mg concealed in her luggage to Istanbul, Turkey via a Turkish Airline flight on Sunday 31st July.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect, a mother of three, hails from Zango Kataf LGA, Kaduna State and lives in Istanbul, Turkey with her family. She blamed her action on pressure to raise N5million ransom to free her mother from the captivity of bandits who kidnapped her since June.

Also at the SAHCO export shed of the airport, attempts by some freight agents to export two consignments of cannabis in a consolidated cargo to Dubai, UAE on Thursday 4th Aug were thwarted by NDLEA operatives who have arrested two of them in follow up operations. They are: Oladipupo Oladapo Fatai and Animashaun Qudus, while two others are still at large.

In Zamfara, NDLEA operatives on Thursday 4th Aug intercepted a truck from Benin, Edo state enroute Sokoto with 50,000 tablets of Diazepam owned by a drug dealer, Umaru Attahiru, while in Kogi, 14 sacks containing 1,376 bottles of codeine based syrup weighing 190.4kg were seized along Okene-Abuja highway on Wednesday 3rd Aug.

The exhibits were found in a delivery bus coming from Onitsha, Anambra and heading to Abuja. Follow up operation in Abuja same day led to the arrest of Jude Ikenna and Ozoemene Cornelius.

In Kaduna, four suspects: Sulaiman Rabi’u; Sanusi Sha’aibu; Ma’aruf Habibu and Christian Nnachor, were arrested in Zaria, Tafa and Romi Kaduna with 106, 770 tablets of Tramadol 225mg, Diazepam, Exol-5 and 100 bottles of codeine cough syrup.

In Enugu, 143.5kg cannabis sativa was recovered from locked up stores in new market area of the state capital on Saturday 6th Aug, while in Delta, a suspect, Ike Okparachi, 42, was arrested at Abraka Junction, Asaba with 10,550 tablets of Tramadol 225mg; Swinol; Rohypnol; and 3,105 bottles of codeine syrup as well as 69grams of Molly.

Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the officers and men of the Akwa Ibom, MMIA, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kogi, Delta, Enugu, and Kaduna Commands of the Agency as well as those of the Directorate of Operation and General Investigation, DOGI for their recent feats. He charged them and others across the country to remain focused and vigilant.

Father narrates how kidnappers who demanded N50m ransom killed his son after collecting N500,000

A father, Malam Tukur, has narrated how kidnappers killed his 32-year-old son, Abdulmalik Tukur after collecting N500,000. 

The victim was abducted from his family house in Vinkilang community in the outskirt of Yola, the Adamawa state capital, alongside six others on Monday night, August 1, 2022. 

According to Daily Trust, the other five victims were said to have been separately released after ransom of up to N400,000 was paid for each of them.

Malam Tukur confirmed that the kidnappers had demanded N50 million for the release of his son. 

After three days of negotiation, an agreement was reached with the victim’s family who then sent a representative to deliver the sum of N500,000 at a spot in the bush.

A family member delivered the money around 7pm on Thursday and the kidnappers made him and Tukur to count the notes to confirm that the money was intact.

"After they helped them count the notes, they released Tukur to return home. As he started walking to freedom, they shot him without any explanation," his father said.

He said the murder left family and friends both in Yola and in their home town of Numan shocked, saying they have left the matter to God.

Abdulmalik was born in Numan and grew up in Kasuwan Izala Numan where he attended Bright future for both is primary and secondary education. He then proceeded to Futy (now Modibbo Adama University) where he earned Btech Biotechnology.

A former classmate, Chinenye Sylvester described Abdulmalik as a fun loving, intelligent, and jovial young man.

"One of the best students in my class. Full of big dreams and a friend to everyone that crosses his path. This is heartbreaking." 

"Malik is a young man full of dreams, his family struggled to give him good education by attending the best schools in town despite their economic background. Unfortunately they didn’t reap what they sow. But then as people of faith that’s the will of God." another person wrote. 

Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson break up after 9 months of dating

Reality TV star and business magnate Kim Kardashian and her actor-comedian boyfriend Pete Davidson have reportedly parted ways. As per an E! report, the two have decided to end their relationship of nine months, but remain friends.

A source close to the couple told the news portal that the reason for Kim and Pete’s break up is the “long-distance dynamic and their demanding work schedules”.

Keeping Up with the Kardashians Kim had made her relationship with Davidson Instagram official in March this year. She had posted a few love-soaked photos with the actor-comedian after the two were spotted together on numerous occasions.

According to reports, while Kim and Pete began dating in 2021, they have known each other for many years. They were often spotted going out together and in February this year, Pete referred to Kim as his girlfriend for the first time publicly during an interview with People magazine.

Both celebrities have always made headlines for their personal lives. Kim filed for divorce from rapper husband Kanye West after six years of marriage. They have four children—two daughters and two sons in 2021.

The comedian was previously in relationships with singer Ariana Grande, and actors Kate Beckinsale, Kaia Gerber, Margeret Qualley and Phoebe Dynevor. He was one of the youngest-ever cast members on SNL, while Kim’s net worth shot up to over $1 billion last year after she sold a stake in her cosmetics brand to Coty.

Unknown gunmen invade police station, kill 4 officers and burn vehicles in Imo state

 

Nigerian Police Officers were killed on Friday night, August 5, when unknown gunmen attacked the Agwa Divisional Police headquarters in Oguta Local Government Area, Imo State.

The assailants invaded the area shooting sporadically before gaining access into the station.

According to a police source, the incident has triggered tension in the entire local government.

He said the gunmen burnt some vehicles in the station and destroyed other valuable items.

"There was an attack in the station and we learnt that about four officers were killed. The total damage cannot be ascertained at the moment," he said.

Kogi: Two Police officers, Indian expatriate killed, others kidnapped in Ajaokuta

Five persons have been killed while three other foreigners were kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State.

DAILY POST gathered that two Police Officers, an Indian expatriate, a driver and one other person were killed.

The incident, according to sources happened Friday night at about 7:30pm when the victims were returning from the West African Ceramics located in Ajaokuta.

A source said, ” It is another black day for us in Ajaokuta. We are still mourning the killings of seven officers, and the kidnap of three children. Now another tragic incident has happened again.

“The deceased and kidnapped victims were going back to their Niger bridge estate before they were ambushed. They work with West African Ceramics. The Police officers exchanged gunfire with the criminals but unfortunately, two of them were killed alongside an Indian man, a driver and one other person inside the vehicle. The name of the driver is Muhammed. Also, three foreigners have been taken to the bush by these unidentified gunmen”.

Efforts to speak with the Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO) in Kogi State, William Ovye Aya proved abortive at the time of filing this report.

The latest attack in Ajaokuta is coming a few days after unidentified gunmen killed two Police officers and five vigilante men in Jada Bassa area of Kogi State.

Similarly, on Wednesday 3rd August 2022, unknown gunmen stormed Kaduna Estate in Ajaokuta Steel Complex and kidnapped three children.

The kidnappers are still demanding N100m before releasing their victims.

2023 presidency: Peter Obi way ahead, Atiku cannot be trusted – Festus Keyamo

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo has declared that the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi is ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar in terms of capacity and experience.

Keyamo, the spokesman for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council made the assertion on Friday when he appeared on Channels TV.

According to Keyamo, the former Vice President has never been in charge of any government, stressing that he (Atiku) is not tested and can’t be trusted.

He said, “How are we going to hand the country to somebody who has never held a position—who has never shown capacity where he makes the final call?

“Atiku Abubakar is not tested, he is not trusted. He has never held such a position, even Obi is ahead of him.”

Kidnappers den discovered opposite Police Headquarters in Abuja

Abuja residents have uncovered a kidnappers’ den just opposite the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Central Business District.

A video making the rounds online shows the hideout located inside a thick bush off the busy highway.

A suspected kidnapper was found in the bushy enclave and arrested after security operatives stormed the hideout.

In the video clip, a man could be heard recounting how he was attacked when his car broke down near the same spot in the past.

Amotekun intercepts 151 suspected invaders with charms, combat photographs in Ondo

No fewer than 151 suspected invaders have been apprehended by operatives of the Ondo State Security Network, Amotekun Corps.

According to reports, the corps acted on intelligence about the incursion of terrorists into the Southwest region of Nigeria.

They were stopped at about 6:30 a.m. on the Sango axis on the Akure/Ado route by a team of the corps who were conducting a “stop and search” in response to their suspicious movement.

Dangerous charms and photographs of combat drills were discovered on the suspects after a thorough search.

Driver of the truck conveying the invaders claimed they were from the States of Jigawa, Kastina, and Kano and that they had chosen them among groups traveling to the South West States.

Five women were discovered among the 151 suspects, hiding inside the truck behind bags of beans and rice.

The State Commander of Amotekun, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, who confirmed the development, claimed that the suspects were deftly hidden behind bags of rice.

“Upon interception, we asked for their destinations, some said Akure, while others said Osogbo in Osun State.

“We have not completed profiling them, as none of them has an idea of what they are going to do or their mission.

“All they were able to tell us is that they entered the vehicle and came to Ondo State.

“This, however, is not a good sign, following the security warning in the South West States.

“While respecting their rights as Nigerians, yet, we are not sure of what they are here for, we still feel that while traveling, anyone should have a mission and destination at where he or she is going to

Newly married lady discovers husband has no leg after their wedding

A man identified as Jado reportedly kept his disability from his fiancée, Bora, until after their wedding because he was afraid she might reject him.

According to the video published by Afrimax, the couple said they dated for two years before they eventually tied the knot after they met at a singing competition.

Jado, who lost his legs to a bomb explosion when he was a child, said he concealed the fact that he has no legs from Bora for fear of being rejected by her.

He said that the decision was motivated by his previous experiences with girls who dumped him owing to his disability which made many people bully him in his village.

Bora was shocked when she learned her husband had no legs because Joda always walked on artificial legs and she thought his inability to walk properly was due to a fracture.

She discovered the truth after their wedding, but it did not stop her from falling in love with him and describing him as the best spouse in the world.

Although Bora’s family was said to have opposed the marriage due to the man’s disability, she said she was not angry with her husband after he explained the reason behind his action.

The couple shared how people tried to convince them to leave each other. Bora was advised to end her marriage, while Joda was told his wife would abandon him within a week of their marriage.

At the time they granted the interview, Joda and Bora have been married for eight months and declared that it is the nicest thing they have ever experienced.