The Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA), a civil society organisation, has called for a non-partisan approach to the ongoing tax reform process.
Speaking on Wednesday on the sidelines of the public hearing on the tax reform bills organised by the house of representatives committee on finance, Ezenwa Nwagwu, PAACA executive director, said a stable and well-structured tax system will benefit Nigerians irrespective of political affiliations.
He said the reforms should be driven by national interest rather than political or regional inclination.
“A well-balanced tax system is key to national development and these reforms must be approached with a collective, non-partisan mindset,” he said.
On the contentious proposed changes to the value-added tax (VAT) sharing formula, Nwagwu said the bills have the potential to encourage economic activities and job creation in underdeveloped regions and increase their earnings in the long run.
He urged stakeholders to view the reform as an opportunity to stimulate broader economic participation rather than as a disadvantage to certain states.
He harped on the need for a post-reform monitoring mechanism to track progress, address implementation challenges, and ensure continuous improvement.
Nwagwu said such a framework would help assess the effectiveness of the new tax policies and make necessary adjustments where needed.
He called on the government to uphold transparency and public accountability in the execution of the tax reforms.
“The success of these reforms depends on how well they are implemented and whether Nigerians see them as fair and beneficial. Government must commit to openness and engage citizens in the process,” he said.
Nwagwu added that clear communication and responsible governance are crucial to building public trust and ensuring compliance with the new tax policies.
The Chairman of Northern Youth Wing Christians Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), Musa Misal, has denied issuing any press statement in support of Rev Yakubu Pam, the former Northern CAN chairman, stating that their allegiance is with Rev John Joseph Hayab.
Misal in a statement issued to journalists said some people wrote an earlier statement and asked him to sign, but he refused because he was present when the State Chairmen in the 19 Northern States and FCT elected Rev John Joseph Hayab as their leader.
“I was present, live and direct when the State Chairmen and Secretaries, together with Christian Stakeholders, elected Rev Joseph John Hayab as chairman, an election that has brought joy and relief to many Christians in the region,” he said.
The Northern States YOWICAN and the general public should disregard the fake statement. We are children of God who will give account before God on the day of Judgement.
“I, therefore, wish to disassociate myself from the “Northern CAN Youth Wing Stands Firm for REV Pam ” press statement and also appeal to any of my colleagues that has allowed anyone to use him to stop henceforth.
“My appeal also goes to the former leaders to stop the desperation and join the joy of the moment with Rev Hayab as our New Chairman,” he added.
EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja.
According to him, their arrest follows credible intelligence linking them to fraudulent internet activities.
”Items recovered from them include seven exotic cars, laptop computers and phones.
”They have made useful statements and will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” he said.
“As in the previous days, the night was quiet, and the pope is now resting,” a spokesman said.
The 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church has been in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for two weeks, where he is being treated for a severe bilateral pneumonia.
In recent days, Francis’ condition had slightly improved, according to official reports. Sources close to him revealed in the evening that he was “out of the most critical phase.”
The pope is receiving medication along with physiotherapy aimed at easing the respiratory infection, he is repeatedly being provided with extra oxygen through a face mask or a nasal tube.
This therapy is evidently effective as since the weekend, Francis has had no breathing difficulties, according to official reports. His blood values have also improved.
However, a discharge is not expected soon: “Given the complexity of the medical condition, further days of clinical stability are required,” an evening bulletin stated.
The pontiff has now been in hospital for longer than ever. Doctors still emphasise how dangerous such a severe pneumonia is at Francis’ age.
He was elected as the head of the Church in March 2013, succeeding the German Benedict XVI. Francis is now the second oldest pope in history.(dpa)
