News
Northern Elders Again Reject Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bill, Back 19 Governors, Monarchs On Withdrawal
- /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/images-2024-11-01T163603.368.jpeg&description=Northern Elders Again Reject Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bill, Back 19 Governors, Monarchs On Withdrawal', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/images-2024-11-01T163603.368.jpeg&description=Northern Elders Again Reject Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bill, Back 19 Governors, Monarchs On Withdrawal', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
The Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) has endorsed the stand taken by the Northern States Governors’ Forum in conjunction with the Northern Nigeria Council of Traditional Rulers, about the proposed Tax Reform Bill by President Bola Tinubu.
The 19 state governors in the Northern region had aired their strong displeasure on the recent Tax Reform Bill the Federal Government submitted to the National Assembly for approval.
The governors particularly rejected the proposed shift to a Derivation-based Model for Value Added Tax distribution.
They claimed that the proposed model would be at the disadvantage of the northern states and other less industrial regions.
The governors, under the auspices of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, voiced their strong opposition in a communique issued after a strategic meeting in Kaduna in October.
However, NEF Board of Trustees during its Second Bi-Annual Meeting on Wednesday November 20th, 2024 at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Center, Abuja, reaffirmed the NEF’s strong opposition to this pernicious policy.
According to a statement, NEF maintained, that, in its present form, the Tax Reform Bill is conceived in bad faith, poorly packaged and it is a palpable threat to their unity and national cohesion.
The forum in a communique signed by Professor Ango Abdullahi, its Convener and released on Saturday, condemned the conspicuous loss of voice on the burning issue by the elected lawmakers in the National Assembly from the region.
The communique partly reads; “The meeting unanimously endorsed the patriotic stand taken on the raging national debate about the Tax Reform Bill by the Northern States Governors’ Forum in conjunction with the Northern Nigeria Council of Traditional Rulers, just as it reaffirmed the NEF’s strong opposition to this pernicious policy.
“In addition, the meeting seriously maintained, that, in its present form, the Tax Reform Bill is conceived in bad faith, poorly packaged and it is a palpable threat to our unity and national cohesion. The Meeting proceeded by drawing attention to the brazen cavalier way and suspicious manner in which the Tax Reform Bill was imposed on the nation, without allowing the inputs of critical stakeholders, even as it kept members of the National Economic Council in the dark, thus; confirming the sinister intentions of those promoting this outrageous Bill.
“The Board-in-session, condemned in very strong terms, the conspicuous loss of voice on this burning issue by the overwhelming number of elected politicians in the National Assembly from the region, and fiercely warned, that indeed, the days are fast gone, when such conspiratorial connivance against the vital and strategic interest of the region, either by those within or outside the region, would be condoned or even tolerated.”
A 60-year-old headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mr. Matthew Kolawale Owoade, popularly called “Onaiye”, has reportedly been kidnapped by unidentified gunmen.
It was gathered that the incident happened on Saturday evening, July 11, 2026, between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
According to his son, Mr. Abiola Owoade, the headmaster was on his way back from his farm when he was stopped and taken away by armed men.
Shortly after the abduction, the kidnappers allegedly called the family with the victim’s phone and demanded Thirty Million Naira (N30,000,000) for his release.
At about 8:20 a.m. on Sunday, July 12, 2026, a search team found the victim’s motorcycle abandoned in a bush.
Members of the family, colleagues, and the entire education community in Itesiwaju LGA have expressed sadness over the incident. They have called on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other security agencies to act fast to secure Mr. Kolawale’s immediate and unconditional release.
The public has also been urged to provide any information that could help ensure his safe return.
Confirming the incident, the Oyo State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said: “I can confirm to you that a farmer Mr. Owoade Mathew was kidnapped at his farm in Budo Aare and efforts are on to rescue the man unhurt and perpetrator arrested.”
Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has pleaded not guilty to allegations of forging his university degree and his NYSC discharge certificate brought against him by the federal government.
The former Minister, who was charged to court by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) was arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Nnaji is facing six counts of forging a degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate submitted during his ministerial screening in 2023.
The charges further covered claims of receiving approximately N29.5 million in salary and emoluments under false pretenses, as well as money laundering allegations.
After his plea of not guilty on Monday, the prosecutor informed the court that he was ready to proceed to trial, with three witnesses available in the courtroom already.
Ogwu Onoja, SAN, counsel for the defendant pleaded for more time to prepare for trial and informed the court of a pending application for bail filed on 9 July. The prosecutor did not oppose to the application for bail.
In a short ruling, the trial judge granted the defendant bail in the sum of N20million with one surety who must not be below level 15 in the Federal civil service. The surety must be residing in Abuja. Other terms of bail include that Nnaji deposits his official and personal passports.
Nnaji being charged to court follows months of investigation questioning the authenticity of his documents. Both UNN and the NYSC have reportedly disowned the certificates in question.
He was arrested on June 30, 2026, by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja upon his arrival from Enugu.
The arrest was executed following a Federal High Court order issued on June 11, 2026, after he allegedly failed to honor multiple invitations for investigative interviews.
Nnaji resigned from his ministerial position on October 7, 2025, describing the move as a “principled decision to respect the sanctity of due process” amid ongoing judicial proceedings, and denying any wrongdoing. He has previously described elements of the case as politically motivated.
The defendant is the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in Enugu State.
Norwegian Air Shuttle, has changed its logo to that of British Airways on Instagram after losing a bet on the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final match between England and Norway on Saturday.
Ahead of the high-profile match, Norwegian Air challenged British Airways to a wager that would see the losing airline replace its Instagram profile picture with the winner’s logo for 24 hours.
Hey @british_airways, do you wanna make
a bet? If Norway wins, you have to switch to our logo on Instagram on Sunday (one day). And vice versa. Deal?,” Norwegian Air posted on Instagram before the match.
British Airways wasted no time accepting the friendly offer, warning the challenger against biting off more than they could chew, writing “Don’t make bets you can’t win.”
During the match, it was the Norwegians who landed the first blow after Andreas Schjelderup opened the scoring for them in 36th minute, firing home the ball over goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who was caught off his line.
It was looking like Norway would take the lead into the break until Jude Bellingham drove a pass from Anthony Gordon into the box before latching it into the net from close range to equalise for England.
Neither side was able to find the net in the second half, forcing the match into extra time when Bellingham scored within its first three minutes, which ended up being the winning goal of the match to send England into the semifinals.
Following Norway’s defeat, Norwegian Air acknowledged the result and immediately fulfilled the bet’s condition by swapping its Instagram profile picture for the logo of British Airways.
“While the tournament is over for us, this friendly bet will forever live in all our hearts. We wish England and
@british_airways all the best in the semi-final, and we sincerely hope you’ll get to bring football home!,” Norwegian Air said in response to losing the bet.
Also, British Airways thanked its Norwegian Airways counterpart for the challenge, assuring that both England and Norway would remain friends forever.
“Rivals for 90 minutes, friends forever. A little competition keeps things interesting, thanks for challenging us @flynorwegian! Well done to the England team on qualifying for the World Cup semi-finals! It’s coming home!,” the airline said.
Nevertheless, the World Cup marked a historic milestone for Norway because it’s the first time the Scandinavian nation reached the tournament’s quarter-finals.
Gunmen Kidnap 60-Year-Old Headmaster In Oyo, Demand N30m Ransom
JUST IN: Former Minister Of Science, Nnaji Docked, Denies Certificate Forgery
Norwegian Air adorns British Airways logo for 24hrs after losing 2026 World Cup wager
-
News21 hours agoMilitary identifies Army lieutenant who paid supreme sacrifice in rescue of abducted Oyo pupils, teachers
-
News24 hours agoThe Sundiata Post Model (2): Historical and Intellectual Foundations Of A Knowledge-Producing Newsroom
-
News21 hours agoAPC Volunteer supports Shettima’s reaffirmation, celebrates successful rescue of abducted school kids
-
News21 hours agoIranian Newspaper lists Trump, European leaders as alleged revenge targets
-
News9 hours agoPolice to Arraign ‘Presidential Council’ DG Adeniyi Adeyemi Over Alleged Forgery, Impersonation
-
Metro9 hours agoOch’Otukpo Orders Herders To Leave Otukpo Kingdom Immediately After Deadly Attack
-
Metro9 hours agoTroops Kill ISWAP Cameraman In Borno, Recover Footage Of Terrorist Activities
-
Sports9 hours agoSuper Eagles Goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali Returns To Chippa United
Warning: Undefined variable $user_ID in /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/themes/zox-news/comments.php on line 49
You must be logged in to post a comment Login