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Peter Obi Decries Power Grid Collapse as Sign of Leadership Failure

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On Tuesday, Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), expressed his dismay over the recent collapse of Nigeria’s national power grid, labeling it a national shame that highlights significant leadership failures in the country.

Obi called for immediate reforms in Nigeria’s power sector, stating that the latest incident has further exposed the fragile state of the nation’s electricity infrastructure.

In a post on X, he remarked, “For the umpteenth time, the national grid has collapsed, plunging a huge part of the nation into darkness and exposing the fragility of Nigeria’s power infrastructure.” He emphasized that this recurring disaster serves as a stark reminder of the government’s failure to prioritize the welfare and economic well-being of its citizens.

Obi posed a poignant question: “How long must Nigerians endure a system that fails to provide one of the critical necessities for a productive society?” He underscored the vital role of electricity supply in transforming the economy, particularly in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are crucial for job creation and significantly contribute to the country’s GDP.

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He highlighted Nigeria’s decline from the position of Africa’s largest economy to fourth place, attributing this regression to ongoing leadership failures and the persistent power crisis.

“Today, we are the fourth largest economy in Africa, having fallen from the number one position due to leadership failure over the years,” he stated, comparing Nigeria’s electricity generation to that of other African nations:

South Africa, now the largest economy on the continent, generates and distributes over 40,000 megawatts with a GDP of approximately $400 billion and only 30% of Nigeria’s population.

Egypt, the second-largest economy, also produces over 40,000 megawatts and has a GDP of about $350 billion, with half of Nigeria’s population.

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Algeria, the third-largest economy, generates over 50,000 megawatts and has a GDP of about $300 billion, with only 20% of Nigeria’s population.

In stark contrast, Obi pointed out that Nigeria, despite its larger population and lower GDP, generates and distributes less than 10,000 megawatts, with frequent outages and crises.

“This disparity in power generation is a reflection of the deep-rooted governance deficit that continues to hold back our growth and potential,” he concluded, urging for urgent, comprehensive reforms in the power sector. “Nigerians deserve a government that prioritizes.

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WATCH Gov Sanwo-Olu turns conductor at train station

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By Mario Deepromoter

A video clip showing Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu conducting activities at the Red Line Train Service.

It’s indeed ‘Eko oni baje’ fully loading in centre of excellence.

Kudos to LASG!

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Watch clip below;

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Tax Reforms: No cause for alarm, FIRS assures Nigerians

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By Mario Deepromoter

The chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, has allayed the fears of Nigerians on the possible introduction of new taxes through proposed tax reform laws.

Mr Adedeji, during an interactive session with members of the Senate Committee on Finance in Abuja on Tuesday, assured Nigerians that the tax reform laws would not entail the introduction of new taxes or an increase in the already existing ones.

“Tax reform will not introduce any tax or increase the percentage of the existing ones, but it will reduce the number of taxes being paid by Nigerians.

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“No agency will be merged in the process of carrying out the reform, and no job will be taken from anybody.

“The tax reform basically seeks to increase the simplicity and efficiency of tax administration in Nigeria,” he said.

Mr Adedeji said there were four executive bills already forwarded to both chambers of the National Assembly to legalise the reform.

According to him, the bills include the Nigeria Tax Bill, Nigeria Tax Administration Act (amendment) bill, Nigeria Revenue Service bill, and Joint Revenue Board (establishment ) bill.

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Mr Adedeji said the four bills, when passed, would, among others, help to harmonise the multiple tax laws in the country.

“They will drive efficiency and modernisation, simplify tax laws and ensure synergy among the agencies involved.

“The bills will also increase efficiency and effectiveness in government savings, promote transparency and integrity in revenue collection, align with international standards and broaden Nigeria’s tax base,” he said.

When asked why FIRS, as contained in one of the bills, would be changed to Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Mr Adedeji said the present name of the agency did not cover the scope of its services.

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“Like the Value Added Tax (VAT), 85 per cent are remitted to states while the federal government gets the remaining 15 per cent,” he said.

In his remarks, the committee chairman, Sani Musa, said the purpose of the interactive session was for the FIRS to update the committee on what the tax reform bills were aiming at.

He commended the FIRS boss for meeting the revenue targets set in the fiscal year, even as he urged him to go beyond the target.

Source: ibomfocus

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Oyedepo Bombs netizns over Abioye, Aremu’s retirement, Says It’s none of your biz

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By Mario Deepromoter

Founder of Living Faith Church, Bishop David Oyedepo, has blasted those criticizing the church’s decision over change of leadership to mind their business.

Bishop Oyedepo said critics should refrain from questioning the decision to retire some of his assistant pastors.

Nigerians have been criticizing Oyedepo over the retirement of his two Vice Presidents, Bishops Thomas Aremu and David Abioye.

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Both clergymen would be retiring after serving three and four decades in the ministry.

Their retirement was said to be in line with the operational guidelines of the church.

However, Oyedepo faulted the criticism that greeted the church’s decision.

Delivering a sermon at the valedictory service for Bishop Aremu at Winners Chapel, Orita Bashorun, on Tuesday, Oyedepo revealed that the church’s Administrative Policy of 1998 was reviewed in 2001, while The Mandate of 2012 was revised in 2024, stressing that the ministry operates by divine order.

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He said, “My advice to commentators is to study to be quiet and mind your business. It is wisdom to learn what is working and find out what makes it work. Everything works here.”

Quoting the Bible in Genesis 49:26, Bishop Oyedepo stated that no one has an inheritance in a teacher or pastor.

He encouraged him to maintain a mindset focused on growth, saying, “There’s no such thing as the best today or tomorrow; what matters is your pursuit of God.”

Oyedepo urged Aremu to remain connected for the continued flow of grace, advising him not to be distracted by baseless criticism.

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Source: ibomfocus

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