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JUST IN: Tinubu Heading For France
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Wednesday for a state visit to France.
According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, President Emmanuel Macron invited his Nigerian counterpart to the European country.
Onanuga said the three-day visit will focus “on strengthening political, economic, and cultural relations and establishing more opportunities for partnership, particularly in agriculture, security, education, health, youth engagement and employment, innovation among others”.
“President Tinubu who will be traveling with the First Lady Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, will be received on Thursday at the 350-year-old French military museum, Les Invalides and Palais de l’Élysée, by Macron and his spouse, Brigitte, for initial ceremonies that will dovetail into bilateral meetings.”
“During the visit, President Tinubu and President Macron will harmonise positions on stimulating more interest in exchange programmes that focus on skill development for youths and improving their competencies in automation, entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership.
“Both leaders will participate in political and diplomatic meetings highlighting shared values on finance, solid minerals, trade and investments, and communication. They will also witness a session by the France-Nigeria Business Council, which oversees private sector participation in economic development.
“Brigitte and Nigeria’s First Lady will discuss the latter’s passion for empowering women, children, and the most vulnerable through the Renewed Hope Initiative,” the statement read.
Tinubu and his wife who will be hosted to a state dinner by the French leader before their departure, will be accompanied by top government officials.
The Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Finance, Rep. James Faleke, has guaranteed that the new tax laws resulting from the reform bills will be Favourable to all Nigerians.
Speaking with journalists on Thursday, Rep. Faleke gave this assurance after the House reviewed and approved the report on four tax reform bills in Abuja.
The bills under consideration include the Nigerian Tax Bill, the Tax Administration Bill, the Revenue Tax Board Bill, and the Nigerian Revenue Service Establishment Bill.
He praised President Bola Tinubu for taking the initiative to amend outdated tax laws, noting that some have been in place since 1959.
According to him, continuing with these old laws will not support the country’s economic needs, business growth, or revenue targets.
The Deputy Chairman of the committee, Rep. Saidu Abdullahi (APC-Niger), pointed out that no bill in the 10th Assembly had sparked as much debate as the tax reform bills.
He emphasized that under Speaker Tajudeen Abbas’ leadership, the House was able to bring all stakeholders together to reach a common ground.
Abdullahi explained that representatives from various geopolitical zones and regional leaders were involved in the discussions, helping to address public concerns.
He added that the committee’s recommendations were shaped by the contributions of all stakeholders.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has asked the Department of State Services to investigate the Chief Judge of the State for alleged age falsification.
This was the subject of plenary on Thursday at the Assembly following the presentation of some documents to the assembly by the leader of the House, Hon Major Jack.
Afterwards the Deputy Speaker, Hon Dumle Maol raised an allegation against the Chief Judge of the state, Simeon Amadi.
He said , “These document before me simply say that the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Simeon Amadi falsified his age in service. Mr Speaker, that is a very serious allegation, and I do hope that this House takes legislative notice.”
The House debated on it and resolved to write a letter to the Director of the DSS to do its investigation and revert to the House on their findings.
In his remarks, the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule called for an investigation into the alleged age falsification against the state chief judge.
He said, “The documents are only suggesting a case of age falsification by the honourable Chief Judge of the state, Simeon Amadi. What it means is that there has to be an investigation to that effect.”
After a voice vote, the House eventually agreed to write the DSS to investigate the age falsification allegation against the Chief Judge.
A former Speaker of Rivers State Assembly, Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani has confirmed that each time his Governor, Nyesom Wike wants to visit, he personally notifies him.
Ibani was Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly between 2015 and 2023 when Nyesom Wike was governor
The former Speaker was a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily breakfast programme on Thursday.
Ibani, who referenced his eight-year tenure as Speaker, said then-governor Nyesom Wike informed him behind the scenes of his planned visits to the Assembly before he showed up.
The pro-Wike ex-lawmaker said, “I operated as Speaker from 2015 to 2023. When Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was governor, I informed him to look at the state of the Assembly Quarters.
“He had to write to me; he had to call me that he would be visiting the Quarters of Rivers State House of Assembly.
I then put the members on notice that the governor of Rivers State was coming. He couldn’t have driven down there to inspect knowing that it is a different institution headed by a different official of government.”
There seems to be no end in sight in the protracted feud between the Wike-backed House of Assembly and Fubara as the governor was denied access to the Assembly Quarters on Wednesday when he showed up to re-present the 2025 Budget of the state, as mandated by the House after the Supreme Court verdict of February 28, 2025.
Ibani said what transpired on Wednesday between the Amaewhule-led Assembly was not unconnected to the frosty relationship between Fubara and Wike since 2023.
Ibani said, “What happened yesterday (Wednesday), nobody should treat it in isolation; it should be taken holistically. It didn’t just happen because it was to happen yesterday, it started from somewhere.
“When you are elected into a position of trust and authority, your personal interest should take the background while the interest of the people should take the foreground.
“You don’t know the legislative calendar of the legislature. A governor or a president cannot just walk to the assembly to present a budget.
“The process that will lead to that is the exchange that goes on behind the scenes to ensure that the governor comes and the budget is presented in the interest of the people.”
New Tax Laws Will Be Beneficial To Nigerians – Chairman Finance C’ttee
Rivers Assembly wants DSS to investigate CJ over age falsification
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