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National Security Council meeting continues

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The National Security Council (NSC) meeting, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja, may continue Wednesday.

There was no press briefing or statement at the end of the meeting, which first held last Friday.

The Senate shifted its proposed meeting with Service Chiefs and heads of security agencies to tomorrow.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan, during plenary, said the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, and the Service Chiefs were at the meeting.

The Senate had invited them for a security briefing.

“Today (yesterday), the National Security Council is continuing its meeting that it started last week. Therefore the invited security heads will not be able to come for the briefing.

“We are not sure if they will finish their meeting today (Tuesday). We assume it could spill to Wednesday too,” he said.

At the meeting were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major-General Babagana Monguno.

Also present were Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Defense Major-General Bashir Salihi Magashi (Rtd.), Minister of Interior Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Minister of Police Affairs Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi.

Others were Chief of Defense Staff General Lucky Irabor, Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant-General Ibrahim Attahiru, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Ishiaka Oladayo Amoo.

The acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Alkali Usman, Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) Yusuf Bichi, Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General Samuel Adebayo, were also in attendance.

Also on Tuesday, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said in a statement that the security situation was deteriorating.

He called for the recall of ex-servicemen to boost the anti-terror war, and for a better arming and motivation of the armed forces.

Atiku said: “Now is the time for decisive leadership and I call on the Federal Government to consider recalling all ex-servicemen and women, who are willing to return to service, and take the fight to the insurgents until they are rolled back and defeated.

“As a former vice-chairman of the National Security Council, I am aware that Nigeria has a sizeable population of military veterans, who are alive, and were trained locally and internationally.

“It serves no purpose to allow these valuable national assets lie fallow when there is an existential threat to our nation.

“Call them up. Immediately. Mobilise them to the field. The time has come for us to put in all our effort and stamp out this menace from our nation.

“The men and women of Nigeria’s armed forces, whether serving or retired, who restored peace to Lebanon, Liberia, Sierra Leone and São Tomé and Príncipe can and should be used to do the same in the motherland.

“But they need arms and ammunition. It is incumbent on the Federal Government to develop a more efficient means of sourcing weapons and delivering them to the troops at the battlefront.

“A situation where terrorists and criminals are better armed than our troops on the battlefront is intolerable.

“We need to urgently improve the conditions of service of the men and women of our armed forces. And not just the government.

“The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, working in concert with primary mortgage institutions, ought to offer the men and women of our armed forces special concessionary mortgage loans so they can own homes.

“The private sector should also be encouraged to offer discounted services to them in appreciation of their services. There is no sacrifice greater than to lay down your life for the motherland.

“When our military is properly rewarded, they will fight more valiantly and gallantly. A nation that rewards courage avoids outrage.”

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Macron welcomes Tinubu, Remi in historic France visit

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November 28, 2024

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France's President Emmanuel Macron (R) and first lady Brigitte Macron (2ndL) welcome their Nigerian counterpart Bola Tinubu (2ndR) and Oluremi Tinubu

Macron welcomes Tinubu, Remi in historic France visit

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday began a two-day visit to France, with both countries seeking increased economic cooperation and Paris looking to boost ties in English-speaking Africa following a series of setbacks with former allies on the continent.

French President Emmanuel Macron met his counterpart at the historic Invalides Memorial Complex, with the first official state visit by a Nigerian leader in more than two decades.

The two national anthems sang out in the courtyard of one of Paris’ landmarks, kicking off a visit focused on encouraging economic partnerships between France and Africa’s most populous country.

Macron has sought a “renewal” between Paris and Africa since his 2017 election and after military coups and changing attitudes lessened France’s influence in Africa.

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The visit is “an opportunity to deepen the already dynamic relationship between France and Nigeria”, Macron’s office said.

Nigeria is Africa’s leading oil producer and has a robust film and entertainment industry.

However challenges posed by insecurity and corruption have left 129 million Nigerians — more than half the country’s population — living below the poverty line.

Nigeria is seeking to build ties in “agriculture, security, education, health, youth engagement, innovation and energy transition,” Tinubu’s office said in a statement, adding that the president had landed in Paris on Wednesday evening.

Tinubu and Macron will also address “shared values concerning finance, solid minerals, trade and investment, and communication,” it added.

Macron welcomes Tinubu, Remi in historic France visit

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Senate passes tax reform bills for second reading

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November 28, 2024

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Senate plenary

Senate passes tax reform bills for second reading

The Senate has passed, for second reading, the four tax reform bills that were forwarded to it for consideration for consideration.

After scaling Second Reading during plenary on Thursday, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio referred the four bills to the Senator Sani Musa, APC, Niger East led Committee on Finance to carry out other legislative action and report back in six weeks.

Prior to debate on the bills, the Senators had gone into a closed door session from 11.55am to 12.42pm.

The resolution of the Senate was sequel to presentation of the lead debate on the general principles of the bills by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central.

In his presentation, Bamidele said that they are “A Bill for an Act to Establish the Joint Revenue Board, the Tax Appeal Tribunal and the Office of the Tax Ombud, for the harmonization, coordination and settlement of disputes arising from revenue administration in Nigeria and for related matters, 2024 (SB. 583).

“A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, No.13, 2007 and enact the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act to Establish the Nigeria Revenue Service, charged with powers of assessment, collection of, and accounting for revenue accruable to the Government of the Federation, and for related matters, 2024 (SB. 584)

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“A Bill for an Act to Provide for the assessment, collection of, and accounting for revenue accruing to the Federation, Federal, States and Local Governments; prescribe the powers and functions of tax authorities, and for related matters, 2024 (SB. 585) –

“A Bill for an Act to Repeal certain Acts on taxation and consolidate the legal frameworks relating to taxation and enact the Nigeria Tax Act to provide for taxation of income, transactions and instruments, and for related matters, 2024 (SB. 586).

In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Senator Akpabio said that during the public hearing, experts will be invited as well as Governors under the aegis of Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, traditional rulers and other stakeholders, just as he said that at the end of the day, the Senate will give to Nigerians and the country what is good.

The bills

Recall that on September 3, President Tinubu transmitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly for consideration, following the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms headed by Taiwo Oyedele for the review of existing tax laws.

The bills include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, which is expected to provide the fiscal framework for taxation in the country, and the Tax Administration Bill, which will provide a clear and concise legal framework for all taxes in the country and reduce disputes.

Others are the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, which will repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and establish the Nigeria Revenue Service, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, which will create a tax tribunal and a tax ombudsman.

Also recall that the same day, both the Senate and the House of Representatives embarked on the hurried recess, the National Economic Council, NEC, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, resolved that the tax reform bills should be withdrawn from the National Assembly by President Tinubu for wider consultation.

But President Tinubu, on Thursday, October 31, responded to the request that the bills should be allowed to pass through the required legislative processes at both chambers which, according to him, will give concerned Nigerians the opportunity to get details on the bills and make their inputs, particularly at the stage of Public hearing.

 

Senate passes tax reform bills for second reading

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Senate breaks into rowdy session over Tax Reform Bill

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18 hours ago

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November 28, 2024

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Senate breaks into rowdy session over Tax Reform Bill

The Senate’s plenary today was marked by a shouting match over the controversial Tax Reform Bill, which came up, unexpectedly, for debate despite not being listed as an item for the day’s business.

Recall the Tax Reform Bill, introduced by President Bola Tinubu, seeks to overhaul Nigeria’s tax framework.

While it is deemed a priority for national economic stability, it has faced resistance from various stakeholders, including state governors and the National Economic Council, over its implications.

The Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, representing Kano North, presided over the plenary which got disrupted after the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, representing Ekiti Central, invoked Order 12(1) of the Senate Standing Rules.

Bamidele proposed inviting experts, including the Director-General of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Tanimu Yakubu, and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, to address the Chamber on the Tax Reform Bill.

After the Senate had considered and passed two bills for second reading and referred them to relevant committees, Bamidele raised the motion to bring the tax experts into the Chamber.

Barau seconded the motion and directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to allow the visitors in.

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However, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, strongly opposed the move, citing Senate Rules that forbid visitors from addressing the Chamber on matters not included in the Order Paper.

Ndume argued that the Tax Reform Bill was too significant to be treated without following proper legislative procedure, stating:

“This is a very important matter. We must follow known procedures. If this issue is to be addressed today, there must be a supplementary Order Paper to reflect it. Nigerians are watching, and this issue cannot be rushed.

“Mr. President, you can have your way, but I will have my say. Tax Reform is sensitive, and our people are deeply affected by this matter. We must represent the interest of Nigerians as we swore to do,” he said.

Barau responded, defending the decision to allow the experts into the Chamber. He dismissed Ndume’s objections, stating:

“The Chamber has no time for rhetorics. We are here for facts.”

This comment further inflamed the situation, leading to a rowdy session as Ndume accused Barau of dismissing his concerns due to his position.

“Is it because you are sitting there that you are saying a Senator is speaking rhetorics? You can rule me out of order, but I will speak for Nigerians,” Ndume retorted.

Eventually, Ndume was ruled out of order, and the visitors were permitted to address the Chamber on the proposed Tax Reform Bill.

 

Senate breaks into rowdy session over Tax Reform Bill

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