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1,000 Civil Society Groups to Convene in Abuja Over Nigeria Tax Bill 2024
The Situation Room, a coalition of 1,000 civil society groups, has announced a town hall meeting on December 1, 2024, to discuss the proposed Nigeria Tax Bill 2024.
The meeting, themed “Taxation in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges, and the Future,” aims to examine the bill’s provisions and implications.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently transmitted the bill to the National Assembly, seeking to reshape Nigeria’s fiscal framework.
However, governors and traditional rulers of Northern Nigerian states have rejected the bill, citing inconsistencies with regional interests.
Key provisions include VAT increases, company income tax, development levies, and excise taxes.
In a statement signed by Dr. Vincent Ntui, the Executive Director of The Situation Room, the meeting will bring together scholars, civil society representatives, policymakers, and stakeholders to facilitate dialogue and ensure the bill serves Nigeria’s best interests.
Ntui added that The town hall meeting will adopt a civil society working document outlining concerns and recommendations for the National Assembly.
He emphasised the meeting’s importance in promoting transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in policymaking.
“We are proud to announce that the Situation Room, a coalition of 1,000 civil society groups across Nigeria, is set to convene a strategic town hall meeting on December 1, 2024, to discuss the proposed Nigeria Tax Bill 2024,”Ntiu sad.
“This meeting, themed ‘Taxation in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges, and the Future,’ aims to provide a platform for stakeholders to critically examine the bill’s provisions and their implications for the country.
“The proposed bill, recently transmitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, seeks to reshape Nigeria’s fiscal framework and establish a comprehensive legal framework governing taxation of incomes, transactions, and instruments.
“However, it has generated concerns from various quarters, including governors and traditional rulers of Northern Nigerian states, who have rejected the bill, citing its inconsistency with the interests of the North and other sub-national entities.
“Key provisions of the bill include an increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) from 7.5% to 10% by 2025, with further increases to 12.5% from 2026 to 2029, and 15% from 2030 onwards.
“The bill also proposes a 27.5% company income tax for companies with aggregate turnover exceeding N20 billion, a 4% development levy on assessable profits of companies, and a 5% excise tax on lottery and gaming income, as well as telecommunications services.
“The town hall meeting will bring together renowned scholars and experts in taxation and economic policy, representatives of civil society groups and organizations, and policymakers and stakeholders from the National Assembly and relevant government agencies.
“The meeting aims to facilitate dialogue among stakeholders and provide a platform for civil society groups to contribute to the policymaking process.
“The importance of this meeting is crucial for civil society groups to engage with policymakers and stakeholders to ensure that the tax bill serves the best interests of the Nigerian people.”
“The meeting will also feature the adoption of a civil society working document to be presented to the National Assembly. This document will outline the key concerns and recommendations of civil society groups regarding the tax bill.
“These groups have been actively engaged in advocating for policies that promote social justice, human rights, and economic development in Nigeria.
“The town hall meeting is expected to provide a unique opportunity for stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue and find common ground on the tax bill.
“By bringing together diverse stakeholders, The Situation Room aims to promote transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in the policymaking process.
“The outcome of the meeting will inform the National Assembly’s deliberations on the tax bill and ensure that the final legislation reflects the needs and aspirations of the Nigerian people.
“As the country navigates the complexities of tax reform, the contributions of civil society groups will be crucial in shaping a more equitable and sustainable fiscal framework for Nigeria.”
Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media and Public Communications to Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has responded to the recent appointment of Bashir Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.).
Olayinka took to X (formerly Twitter) to address discussions surrounding this leadership transition. His post aimed to clarify that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not dismiss Mele Kyari, a northerner, to replace him with a southerner, as some speculated. Instead, Olayinka pointed out that Ojulari, like Kyari, hails from the northern region of Nigeria.
According to Olayinka’s post on his official X account, he emphasised that Bashir Ojulari is from Kwara State, located in North Central Nigeria. Additionally, the new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, originates from Borno State in the North East.
His post stated: “Bashir Ojulari, the new NNPCL CEO, is a northerner from Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. The new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, is also a northerner, from Borno State, North East Nigeria.”
Olayinka’s statement came in response to narratives suggesting that the appointment was politically motivated to favour one region over another.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has strongly condemned the extrajudicial killing of 16 travelers in Uromi, Edo State, while warning against retaliatory violence targeting Southerners in Northern Nigeria.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, MBF Spokesman Luka Binniyat denounced inflammatory threats from individuals claiming to represent Northern interests in response to the killings.
Recalled that the victims, were allegedly armed hunters, traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano when they were attacked by a mob that accused them of being kidnappers.
“The MBF strongly condemns the unlawful killing of any Nigerian citizen, including those who lost their lives in Uromi,” the statement read. “However, we categorically reject any attempt to use this tragic incident as a pretext to unleash violence against Southerners residing in Northern Nigeria.”
The forum assured that the Middle Belt would not become a battleground for reprisals, emphasizing that it remains a safe haven for all law-abiding Nigerians. It urged community leaders and youths to remain vigilant and prevent any attempts to instigate violence, calling for anyone with such intentions to be handed over to authorities.
The MBF also reaffirmed its commitment to justice for all victims of violence across Nigeria. The statement highlighted the ongoing security challenges facing Middle Belt communities, citing persistent attacks by armed herdsmen with little government intervention.
” We hope that the swift response to the Uromi killings would serve as a precedent for broader action against criminal elements terrorizing the region.
“Thousands of our people remain in captivity, and vast portions of our land are still under the control of violent outlaws—primarily Fulani militants,” the statement noted.
“Justice must be served across the board.”
The MBF concluded by reiterating its support for the ongoing investigation into the Uromi incident and calling for a fair and decisive crackdown on all forms of criminality across the country.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Deputy Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim kware, has commended governor Ahmed Aliyu for executing numerous developmental projects without taking loan from any financial institution.
Ibrahim Kware whp gave the commendation when he led other members of the State Assembly on Sallah homage to governor Aliyu, added that, the governor is very prudent in managing resources to achieve results.
“There was never a time you approached us with a request for permission to borrow money from any financial institutions whether at home or abroad,”he affirmed.
This , according to him, is worthy of commendation considering the myriad people- oriented projects the governor is executing across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the State’s Judiciary, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, commended the governor for the construction of additional Court rooms at the State High Court.
Justice Sifawa also expressed delight over the way and manner the governor responds to issues affecting the Judiciary, which he said, is a clear testimony of the good working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state.
Responding to the commendations, governor Ahmed Aliyu appealed for more synergy among the three tiers of government in the overall development of the state.
A statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to governor Alhmed Aliyu reaffirmed his principal’s unwavering commitment of the executive arm to providing the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state,in line with his campaign promises.
The governor also urged lawmakers to present all the needs of their constituencies for prompt and diligent implementation.
“”I want to assure you that my doors are always open for you at any given time, to listen to the demands of your people.”
He reminded them on the need to put politics aside and work together with the executive arm for the progress and even development of the people they represent.
Turning to the members of the State Judiciary, the governor appealed to Judges and Khadis to ensure the quick dispensation of justice, so as to decongest the correctional centres.
“It is worrisome to see how inmates are languishing in correctional centres for minor offences in the name of awaiting trial.
“We recently appointed seven additional Judges and 7 Khadis, which is the first in the history of Sokoto State.
“The idea is to enhance the manpower in our Judiciary so as to speed up the dispensation of justice,” he added.
The governor further assured the members of the Judiciary of his administration’s readiness to ensure their welfare at all times.