News

Reps Resolve To Continue Consultation on Tax Reform Bills

Published

4 hours ago

November 28, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has resolved to continue its consultation on the Tax Reform Bills presented to the parliament by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

This was the resolution reached after a closed door meeting which lasted for over two hours of on Thursday during plenary time.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that President Tinubu had presented four tax bills to the National Assembly which are being considered by the House, but the northern leaders as well as governors of the 36 states have asked the President to withdraw the bills to allow for more consultations.

But the Presidency has insisted that the bills be allowed to go through the usual legislative process, emphasizing that any suggestion or opposition to any of the bills can be done during publis hearing.

But at Plenary on Thursday, November 28, 2024, the House went into an executive session which lasted for over two hours to discuss the issues surrounding the tax reform bills.

Despondent the issue of the tax bills was not listed for discussion in the order paper, it was gathered that some members had insisted that the issue be discussed by the lawmakers.

After the over two hours closed door meeting, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu who presided over plenary said the decision at the meeting was to allow room for further consultations on the bills.

He said “what we did was to continue our consultation which we promise the House on the tax bills and the agreement at that session was to continue that conversation. This consultation is going to continue from now till Tuesday when we will hold a special session when we will invite these resource persons to be here in the House to engage us.

“Thereafter, we decide which way to go. This is to make sure that it is well documented that we did our consultation in the form of an executive session and we are continuing that consultation till next week Tuesday.”

News

NUJ-FCT Election: Director Journalism Institute Refutes Certificate Forgery Allegations Against Grace Ike, 3 Others

Published

48 minutes ago

November 28, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…Reaffirm Authenticity of Certificates Issued

In a decisive blow to the baseless allegations being peddled by some desperate individuals, Victorson Agbenson, Johnchucks Onuanyim, and Emeka Nze, the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ), Abuja, has categorically cleared the candidates for the upcoming Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council elections of alleged certificate forgery.

This clarification, issued by the Institute during an inquiry by the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, reaffirmed the authenticity of the certificates presented by the candidates, putting to rest the smear campaign orchestrated by a faction of disgruntled journalists who lost out early during the electioneering process.

For over six years, the NUJ FCT Council has been held hostage by a select group of journalists whose vested interests have stagnated the progress and integrity of the union. Now, with the winds of change sweeping through the council, these same individuals are resorting to desperate tactics, including leveling baseless accusations of certificate forgery against legitimate candidates.

Addressing journalists who honoured an invitation by the police, Commissioner of Police (OPS) Olajide Rufus Ibitoye Msc, PCs speaking on behalf of the Deputy Inspector General of Police , Force Intelligence Department (FID) in Abuja, stated clearly that contrary to the petitioners’ prayers, the Police cannot stop the election process and anyone who has grievances should approach the industrial court.

Ibitoye further stated that should the council need police protection for election, a formal request should be made through the Commissioner of Police, FCT State Command.

The controversy began when Victor Abegenso, a chairmanship aspirant with a history of questionable leadership practices, alongside two others, filed a petition accusing Grace Ike of Advocates Broadcasting Network, Ndambabo Yahaya of Voice of Nigeria, Jide Oyekunle of Daily Independent, and Edeh Sandra Ogechukwu of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria of forging their Postgraduate Diploma certificates in Journalism from IIJ.

However, during their appearance before the police, the IIJ officials led by its Director Dr. Emman Shehu and other management staff, were present on the invitation of he police, and unequivocally confirmed that the certificates and statements of results presented by the accused candidates were genuine and had been duly issued by the institution.

In their response, the IIJ representatives explained that the discrepancies highlighted by the petitioners—such as dates of admission and graduation—were administrative nuances that did not compromise the authenticity of the documents.

They further clarified that the institution’s issuance process adheres strictly to academic protocols, and the candidates in question met all the requirements for their certifications.

This revelation has exposed the petitioners’ allegations as a calculated attempt to discredit the candidates and manipulate the electoral process to their advantage.

Victorson Agbenson, in particular, has been at the forefront of this smear campaign, seeking to divert attention from his inability to articulate a clear vision for the council. His actions, however, have only served to reinforce his reputation as a divisive figure unfit to lead a union that demands integrity and transparency.

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, reiterated that its involvement in the matter was purely investigatory and not an interference in the NUJ elections.

This development marks a turning point for the NUJ FCT Council. For years, the council has suffered under a system that prioritized personal gain over collective progress. With the IIJ’s clarification, it is evident that the era of using falsehoods and intimidation to maintain the status quo is over.

As the December 4, 2024, elections approach, journalists within the council must remain vigilant and resist the antics of those who seek to derail the democratic process. The NUJ FCT Council is on the brink of a new era—one that prioritizes accountability, professionalism, and the welfare of its members.

The truth has prevailed, and it is now clear that the allegations of certificate forgery were nothing more than a desperate ploy by those unwilling to relinquish their grip on power. Whether they like it or not, the NUJ FCT Council is poised for change, and every injustice done to its members will be addressed.

The elections will undoubtedly mark the beginning of a brighter future for the NUJ FCT Council—a future built on integrity, transparency, and the unwavering resolve of journalists who refuse to be silenced.

News

Just in: Reps confirm Oluyede Chief of Army Staff

Published

5 hours ago

November 28, 2024

Naijablitznews

The House of Representatives on Thursday has confirmed Lit-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede as the substantive Chief of Army Staff.

This followed his screening on Wednesday by the Joint Committees on Defence and Army.

The committee Chairman, Babajimi Benson submitted the report during plenary and urged the House to confirm Oluyede; a prayer granted at the session presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu.

Details later…

News

Just in: Former Liberian warlord Prince Johnson dies at 72

Published

5 hours ago

November 28, 2024

Naijablitznews

Ex- Liberian warlord Prince Johnson, a key player in the 1989-2003 back-to-back civil wars, died Thursday aged 72, officials from his party and the Senate revealed.

Johnson, who was seen sipping beer in a video as fighters loyal to him tortured then-president Samuel Doe to death in 1990, was an influential senator.

Senator Johnson was the longest-serving senator,” said Siaffa Jallah, deputy director of press at the Senate.

“Yes, we lost him this morning. He passed away at Hope for Women (health centre)”, Wilfred Bangura, a senior official in Prince Johnson’s Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction party, told AFP.

The death of Doe was an early bloody episode that would plunge Liberia into two civil wars which killed some 250,000 people and ravaged the economy.

Prince Johnson, who hailed from the northern region of Nimba, later became a preacher in an evangelical church where he enjoyed wide popularity.

He was also a leading opponent of the creation of a tribunal that would try civil war-related crimes.