How tax reform will boost workers’ welfare, by FG – Newstrends
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How tax reform will boost workers’ welfare, by FG

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4 days ago

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Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele

How tax reform will boost workers’ welfare, by FG

The proposed Tax Reform Bills will significantly improve the quality of life for workers, the Federal Government has reaffirmed.

In response to misgivings expressed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Joe Ajaero, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele outlined key measures embedded in the bills.

He said lowly-paid workers earning around N1 million annually (approximately N83,000 monthly), would enjoy full exemption from the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax. This policy would cover nearly one-third of workers in both the public and private sectors.

For middle-income earners, the bills propose reduced PAYE tax rates for those earning up to N20 million annually (about N1.7 million per month), benefiting an additional 60 percent of Nigerian workers. Members of the armed forces actively engaged in combating insecurity will also receive PAYE tax exemptions alongside other ranks.

To mitigate the rising cost of living, the bills propose eliminating Value Added Tax (VAT) on essential goods and services, including food, healthcare, and education, which account for approximately 60 percent of all household consumption. Other items such as transportation, renewable energy, compressed natural gas (CNG), baby products, sanitary towels, and fuel products, representing over 20 percent of household consumption, are also exempted. Oyedele explained that these measures would address nearly 82 percent of household expenses and up to 100 percent for low-income earners.

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The tax reform bills include provisions to incentivize better compensation for workers. These include tax breaks for wage awards and transport subsidies targeting low-income earners. Furthermore, the bills aim to simplify processes by removing bureaucratic restrictions on wage awards and introducing caps on taxable benefits granted to workers.

Oyedele explained that the reforms propose VAT exemptions on rent and property acquisition to promote affordable housing. Stamp duties on rents below N10 million would also be waived to alleviate housing-related financial burdens.

The tax reforms also prioritize employment creation through various incentives. These include tax benefits for employers hiring more workers, tax-friendly rules to attract remote work opportunities for Nigerians, and tax exemptions for 97 percent of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The harmonization and reduction of tax rates for large businesses are expected to stimulate growth, creating more job opportunities.

Acknowledging that the tax bills could be refined further, Oyedele noted the importance of robust debates and stakeholder engagements during the legislative process. “The bills in their current form are the most pro-workers tax reforms in Nigerian history,” he stated, urging the NLC to collaborate in identifying areas for improvement.

“We believe the NLC will not intentionally work against the interest of its members. We look forward to discussing specific areas to better serve the interest of all Nigerians, including workers,” Oyedele added.

 

How tax reform will boost workers’ welfare, by FG

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Distribution of CNG buses tears NANS leaders apart

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10 hours ago

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January 6, 2025

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Distribution of CNG buses tears NANS leaders apart

The leadership of the National Association of Nigeria Students, NANS, is currently grappling with a crisis over the distribution formula of Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, buses to higher institutions nationwide.

A faction of the student body is accusing its national president, Comrade Lucky Emonefe, and the Students’ Senate President, Comrade Babatunde Akinteye Afeez, of being selective in the distribution formula.

The faction has also passed a vote of no confidence on the two leaders.

The accusation was contained in a petition jointly signed by the Deputy Senate President, Dangote University of Science and Technology Wudil, Kano State; Comrade Huzaifa Sabo Usman, National ex-officio; Comrade Anderson Chimezie Uwakwe of the Federal College of Land and Resources Technology Owerri, Imo State, Vice President Special Duties; Egbo Johnpaul Nnamchi, Enugu State College of Education; Comrade Gundu Mimidoo Joy, Public Relations Officer, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Benue State, Abdulkaman Muhammad; Comrade Muhd Muazu; Mamuna Bello; Paul Edoh Gabriel; Kabiru Saminu; and Okafor Ernest Obinna made available to newsmen Monday in Awka.

In the statement, a copy of which was also sent to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Director-General, Department of State Services, DSS Headquarters, Abuja; Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Force Headquarters, Abuja; EFCC; ICPC; SSA to the President on Students Affairs; Minister of Transportation; NANS Zonal Coordinators; NANS JCC Chairmen; as well as all SUG Presidents, asking particularly President Tinubu to urgently intervene to avoid a breakdown of law and order and to save his political integrity in the country.

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The petition read in part: His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Dear Sir, Petition against unequal distribution of CNG buses by the President, National Association of Nigerian Students, and a vote of no confidence on Lucky Emonefe and Babatunde Akinteye Afeez. On behalf of the Nigerian Students, we write to express our utmost indignation and disappointment at the egregious unequal distribution of the CNG buses recently donated to the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS.

“This decision, made by the President of NANS, Comr. Lucky Emonofe, in collaboration with the Senate President, Comr. Babatunde Akinteye Afeez is a flagrant disregard for the principles of equity, justice, and transparency.”

“The buses meant to benefit all Nigerian students have been selectively distributed, leaving many students without access to this vital resource. This unequal distribution will inevitably lead to a shortage of transportation options within our campuses, causing undue hardship and economic challenges for Nigerian students.”

“The economic implications of this unequal distribution cannot be overstated. Many students rely on affordable transportation to commute from campuses, and the shortage of these buses will only exacerbate the economic challenges facing Nigerian students. This will lead to increased costs for alternative transportation, which will further burden students who are already struggling to cope with the situation”.

*Mr. President, we urge you to take immediate action by addressing this issue, as it will inevitably have far-reaching consequences on your political integrity. The unequal distribution of the buses will not only tarnish the image of NANS but also undermine the trust and confidence of students in your leadership, particularly during these economically challenging times across the country”.

“Furthermore, this incident will likely be perceived as a gross dereliction of duty by the NANS President and the Senate President, which will in turn reflect poorly on your administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and fairness. It is imperative to take decisive action to address this issue and restore the trust and confidence of students in the leadership of NANS”.

“In view of the aforementioned fact, we request that you take the following actions: We demand a thorough investigation into the distribution process to identify those responsible for the unequal distribution of the buses.”

“We therefore call for the immediate redistribution of the buses to ensure that all students have equal access to this resource. We equally demand that the President and Senate President of NANS be held accountable for their actions and appropriate disciplinary measures taken against them due to the shortage of these buses within campuses”.

“From the foregoing, we hereby pass a vote of no confidence on the duo of Lucky Emonefe and Babatunde Akinteye Afeez. We believe that it is your responsibility as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to ensure that the resources meant for the benefit of all students are distributed equitably, fairly, and transparently”.

“We hope that you will take immediate action to address this issue and restore the trust of Nigerian students in the leadership of NANS.”

 

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Gunmen kill 3 sons of Anambra native doctor

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11 hours ago

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January 6, 2025

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Anambra State Police command’s spokesperson, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga

Gunmen kill 3 sons of Anambra native doctor

Gunmen have killed three children of a native doctor at their home in Nise community of Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State.

The killers were said to have carried out the act on Saturday night by scaling the fence to gain entrance to the building.

It was learnt that the suspects dumped the corpses in a parked Mercedes Benz car in the compound before exiting.

Spokesman of Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, told newsmen on Monday that a manhunt for the killers had begun.

“The assailants entered the compound, killed the victims and dumped their corpses inside a parked Mercedes Benz in the compound. The incident happened on Saturday, but we got the report late on Sunday.

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“We are trying to unravel the circumstances behind the killing, whether it was due to the negligence of their father or the motive of the suspect and as soon as we conclude our investigation, the report will be made public,” he said.

A source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the bodies of the three boys, aged between six and two, were found with their mouths tied.

The source claimed the native doctor had a habit of locking up his children and wife in the house while he is out.

“The father of the victims was reported to have been having issues with some unconfirmed individuals. However, it cannot be determined if these conflicts led to the deaths of the three children or not,” the source added.

Gunmen kill 3 sons of Anambra native doctor

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Court to hear Speed Darlington’s N300m suit against IG Jan. 13

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11 hours ago

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January 6, 2025

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Speed Darlington

Court to hear Speed Darlington’s N300m suit against IG Jan. 13

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, fixed Jan. 13 to hear a N300 million fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by the detained Singer, Darlington Achakpo, popularly known as Speed Darlington.

He filed the lawsuit against the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

Justice Musa Liman fixed the date after counsel for the singer, Abubakar Marshal, sought an adjournment to enable the I-G’s lawyer, Garba Audu, to study and to respond accordingly to the processes served on him in the open court.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Liman had, on Dec. 23, 2024, ordered the I-G to charge Speed Darlington to court or release him on bail unconditionally within 48 hours.

The judge made the order in a ruling on an ex-parte motion moved by a lawyer who appeared for Achakpo, David Ihuoma, and adjourned the matter until Jan. 6 for the hearing of the substantive case.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Speed Darlington, 39, was allegedly arrested by the police over allegations of “defamation and cyberstalking” of the ace award-winning artiste, Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy but was released on bail on Oct. 8, 2024.

A lawyer and human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju alleged that Speed Darlington was apprehended in Lagos State following a petition by Burna Boy, and was moved to Abuja where he had been in detention.

Upon resuming hearing in the matter on Monday, Marshal informed the court that the matter was scheduled for hearing of the originating motion on notice for the enforcement of Achakpo’s fundamental rights.

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Although Audu said he was yet to be served with the process, the court however confirmed through the proof of service in the court record that the police were duly served.

The judge thereafter directed Marshal to avail Audu with a copy of the application in the open court.

Justice Liman then asked Marshal if the singer had been released but the lawyer responded in the negative.

Responding, Audu explained to the court that the I-G had already filed a criminal charge against Speed Darlington before the singer filed the motion ex-parte for his release.

He said the singer was admitted to administrative bail but allegedly jumped the bail.

The police lawyer said that the charge, which was filed before Justice Ekerete Akpan of Court 13, came up earlier in December 2024, but could not be heard.

He said an application was also written to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for the reassignment of the criminal matter to a vacation judge so that the defendant can be arraigned but all to no avail.

He explained that the criminal matter was now fixed for Jan. 15 for Speed Darlington’s arraignment before Justice Akpan.

The lawyer further explained that contrary to insinuation, the police did not flout the order of the court as it would have been difficult to arraign the defendant at the time the order was made going by the Christmas holiday.

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Marshal, therefore, prayed the court to direct the police to release the singer to him pending when he would be arraigned.

“We shall be applying pending the trial and arraignment of the applicant that your lordship make an order admitting him to bail.

“If my lord will, as ministers in the temple of justice, we will ensure his presence in court on the day of arraignment,” he said, but Audu opposed the application.

Justice Liman, who agreed that the police were not in deliberate disobedience to the court order, advised Audu to ensure Speed Darlington is released to Marshal, having undertook to produce him in court.

“I don’t see anything the police will lose if granted bail,” the judge advised.

He subsequently adjourned the matter until Jan. 13 for hearing of the substantive matter.

NAN reports that in the fundamental right suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1832/2024, Speed Darlington sued I-G as sole respondent.

The artiste, who urged the court to declare that his arrest and detention violated his fundamental rights as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution, sought four orders.

In the suit filed by Adeyanju, he sought an order directing the I-G to immediately and unconditionally release him from detention facility where he is being kept.

Alternatively, he sought an order mandating and compelling the I-G to produce him before the court to enable the court inquire into the circumstances constituting grounds of his arrest and detention and where it deems fit, admits him to bail.

He also sought “an order directing the respondent to pay the applicant the sum of N300,000,000.00 (Three Hundred Million Naira) only as general, exemplary and aggravating damages for their unlawful and continued detention since the 2024 till date.”

In the affidavit deposed to by Esther Eyisi, a secretary in the law firm, she alleged that Speed Darlington was first arrested on Oct. 4, 2024 for allegedly defaming Burna Boy.

She said he was illegally detained for five days and subjected to severe torture and maltreatment without being formally charged to a court of competent jurisdiction.

Eyisi averred that the artiste was eventually granted bail by the police after spending five days under inhumane conditions.

According to her, on Nov. 27, 2024, the applicant was arrested and detained by officers of respondent on the grounds that he allegedly jumped administrative bail.

This, she said, is inspite of notification from her client about his medical emergency and his inability to report on the scheduled date and obtaining the permission of the officers of the respondent to travel to Owerri, Imo for a performance.

She said the continuous detention of Speed Darlington without arraignment contravened his constitutional rights, describing him as the “breadwinner in his family.”

Court to hear Speed Darlington’s N300m suit against IG Jan. 13

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