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Sanwo-Olu denies claims Lagos will benefit most from Tax Reform Bills

Published

3 months ago

December 5, 2024

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Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu

Sanwo-Olu denies claims Lagos will benefit most from Tax Reform Bills

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos State, has rejected that the proposed tax reform laws will benefit Lagos the most.

Sanwo-Olu urged Nigerians to take the time to grasp the reform legislation’s provisions, rejecting allegations that Lagos will be the principal beneficiary.

According to a report, the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, stated in an interview with Channels Television on December 2 that the proposed Value-Added Tax sharing scheme under the tax reform measures will primarily benefit Lagos State.

Furthermore, in an interview with BBC Hausa last Friday, Zulum cautioned that the laws could have disastrous effects for the Northern area and other parts of the country.

Sanwo-Olu, speaking to NAN on the sidelines of the Africa Investment Forum Market Days 2024 in Morocco on Wednesday, said the reforms would need everyone to work harder to get the full advantages.

He said, “What those uncomfortable with the tax reform are not willing to accept is that there is no way of making an omelette without breaking the egg.

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“You cannot make changes if the reforms are not set in. I have advised that people should take time to read the provisions of the reform very well and to fully understand what they’re trying to do.

“I have seen comments around. Comments like Lagos is going to be the major beneficiary. It is not true. Lagos is actually going to be shaped off in some places, but on a larger scale basis, we see it as a global thing for a better governance structure.

“All of us will play better, and we’ll be able to discipline ourselves more. One of the things you will see is that you need to work harder to get the full benefit of the reform. So it’s not just an easy kill.”

Sanwo-Olu went on to say that while Lagos state may suffer certain losses in certain areas, it will also gain additional opportunity to play a larger role.

He emphasised the urgent need for reform, citing Nigeria’s low tax-to-GDP ratio, which is among the lowest in the world.

However, the governor expressed confidence that the planned reforms will create enormous opportunities for all states and non-governmental entities.

Sanwo-Olu told Nigerians that the reforms are not intended to harm anyone, but rather to create a fair and inclusive system that benefits everyone.

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“I have a positive attitude toward it. I see it as a very wonderful reform. The tax-to-GDP ratio in Nigeria is one of the lowest in the world.

“So, there are a few things that need to happen, and like I keep saying, not only when you make those changes, you will not be able to see the opportunities that are found in your account.

“We really need to be bullish. We need to be encouraging ourselves and know that the intention is not to hurt anybody. This, I am very sure of.

“The intention is to better a lot, but not just better a lot of one person or one set of people. It’s for all of us, and so we should look at it this way.”

Sanwo-Olu stated that he has aggressively engaged stakeholders to clear up misconceptions regarding the reforms and that he has personally asked the presidential tax reform committee, led by Taiwo Oyedele, to increase its public engagement activities.

He also acknowledged that some of the opposition to the reforms originates from misunderstandings but emphasised that public participation is a healthy trend.

On October 3, President Bola Tinubu directed the national assembly to review and enact four tax reform bills: the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill.

Sanwo-Olu denies claims Lagos will benefit most from Tax Reform Bills

Related Topics:Featured Lagos Tax Reform Bills

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Tragedy as 25-year-old man hangs self in Ogun forest

Published

5 hours ago

March 14, 2025

Trends Admin

CSP Omolola Odutola

Tragedy as 25-year-old man hangs self in Ogun forest

The Police Command in Ogun State has launched an investigation into the death of a 25-year-old man, Toye Dominic, whose body was discovered hanging from a tree in a forest near Alagbodagbo Village, Ijebu Igbo.

In a statement released on Thursday, the command’s spokesperson, CSP Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident and said the body was found around 4:30 p.m.

According to Odutola, a local hunter, Kareem Olawalose, came across the scene while on a hunting trip and promptly reported the discovery to the Ijebu Igbo Divisional Police Headquarters.

After spotting the body, Olawalose sought assistance from a nearby village, where he met the deceased’s elder brother, Joseph Dominic.

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The brother disclosed that Toye had left for the farm earlier in the day but failed to return, prompting a search by concerned family members.

“Policemen and villagers on arrival at the scene, observed that the deceased had set aside his farm tools before proceeding further into the forest, where he was found hanging from a tree.“No suicide note was found, and family members expressed shock and disbelief over the incident,” Odutola said.

She added that officers documented the scene with photographs, and the body was taken to General Hospital, Ijebu Ode, for further examination.
Odutola assured the public that the police would carry out a comprehensive investigation to determine the events leading to the tragedy.

She also encouraged community members to stay alert and support people who might be experiencing emotional distress, emphasizing the importance of mental health awareness and timely intervention.

Tragedy as 25-year-old man hangs self in Ogun forest

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Ex-Kwara Gov AbdulFatah Ahmed rearranged in N5.8bn fraud case

Published

5 hours ago

March 14, 2025

Trends Admin

Former Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed

Ex-Kwara Gov AbdulFatah Ahmed rearranged in N5.8bn fraud case

The Kwara State High Court has fixed April 10 and 11 for the continuation of the trial of former governor AbdulFatah Ahmed and his finance commissioner, Demola Banu, over the alleged diversion of 5.78 billion naira from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) fund.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the two officials, who have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Testifying in court, Engineer Abdulsalam Olanrewaju, a former project manager at the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), revealed that despite the state paying counterpart funds in 2014 and 2015, no contracts were awarded.

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He stated that while the 2013 contractors were eventually paid after protesting delays, funds meant for subsequent projects remained unused.

During cross-examination, Olanrewaju clarified that signatories to the SUBEB account were the accountant, permanent secretary, and executive chairman of the board.

Earlier, a second witness, Dr. Musa Dasuki, emphasized that matching grants from UBEC and SUBEB are strictly meant for school infrastructure and cannot be diverted for other purposes.

Ex-Kwara Gov AbdulFatah Ahmed rearranged in N5.8bn fraud case

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Fubara writes fresh letter to Rivers Assembly for 2025 budget presentation

Published

5 hours ago

March 14, 2025

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Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara

Fubara writes fresh letter to Rivers Assembly for 2025 budget presentation

Less than eight hours after his Chief Judge has been placed on investigation over alleged age falsification, the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has properly written to the state House of Assembly of his intention to present the 2025 budget.

On Wednesday, Fubara was locked out of the Assembly Complex for what the spokesman of the House, Hon Enemi George said “his inability to formally communicate the House”.

In a letter titled: Notice of Presentation of Rivers State 2025 Budget to Rivers State House of Assembly, and addressed to the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, the Governor recalled his first visit to the House.

“You may recall my failed visit to the Rivers State House of Assembly on Wednesday, 12th March, 2025 for the presentation of the 2025 Rivers State Budget in compliance with the judgement of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

“As you know, the planned presentation of the said budget could not take place because my entourage and I were locked out at the gate and denied entry into the premises despite the prior delivery of a soft copy of the notice to you following the failure of the Clerk to accept the hard copy from us.

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“Recall further that before this unfortunate incident, the House issued a 48-hour ultimatum to present the 2025 budget even when we were yet to be served with the certified
true copy of the judgement and accompanying enrolled orders”, he said.

Governor Fubara informed the Speaker in the letter that “we were simply complying with both the order of the Supreme Court and the request of the Rivers State House of Assembly when we came to present the 2025 budget on the 12th of March, 2025.

“The Supreme Court has directed that all arms of government should exercise their
powers and perform their duties within the ambits of the Constitution and ordinary laws of our country, and this we must do to end the lingering stalemate and advance the progress of our state and the well-being of our people.

“No matter the depth of our differences, we believe the interests of the State and our
people should take priority over political conflicts.

“Against this background, it is my pleasure to again notify you, Mr. Speaker, of my desire and intention to present the 2025 Budget to the Rivers State House of Assembly on
Wednesday, 19th March, 2025 by 11.00 a.m. or any other date within March 2025 that you may
consider convenient”.

It is therefore left to be seen if the House will have the courtesy to respond to the letter giving the long time frame for thr presentation of the budget.