Day: November 29, 2024

“Nigeria’s population census to be conducted in 2025” – NPC 

Aminu Imam
National Census

The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Isa Kwarra, has announced that Nigeria’s long-overdue national census will finally be conducted in 2025. Kwarra made this disclosure yesterday in Abuja at the ‘2024 Anniversary of the Nairobi Summit on the International Conference on Population and Development, (ICPD)’. He emphasised that the delay in conducting the census has hindered Nigeria’s ability to effectively assess population needs and allocate resources, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Nigeria last conducted a population census in 2006, despite the United Nations’ recommendation for countries…

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Senate passes Tax Reform Bills for second reading  

Aminu Imam

The 10th Senate yesterday passed President Bola Tinubu’s four controversial Tax Reform Bills for second reading. This followed a lead debate on the bills presented by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and debated by senators during plenary. The Bills are: A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, No. 13, 2007 and enact the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act to Establish the Nigeria Revenue Service, charged with powers of assessment, collection of, and accounting for revenue accruable to the Government of the Federation, and…

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Paris: Tinubu urges more investments in food security, solid minerals, energy, education

Aminu Imam
Paris Tinubu urges

President Bola Tinubu yesterday affirmed Nigeria’s strong commitment to enhancing cooperation in key sectors such as food security, energy, solid minerals, education, and defense during a high-profile meeting with President Emmanuel Macron, at the prestigious Palais des L’Élysée. At a joint press conference, President Tinubu highlighted the vast, yet largely untapped potential within Nigeria’s agricultural sector and beckoned international investors to capitalise on the nation’s welcoming investment climate. He emphasised Nigeria’s flourishing financial sector as a facilitator for foreign investment, particularly from French enterprises, as part of the drive to…

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SEC warns investors against crypto platform, Marino FX Ltd.

Aminu Imam
SEC warns investors

…Says it’s not licensed The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has warned investors and the general public against engaging with Marino FX Ltd., which is fraudulently claiming to be an SEC-licensed crypto-currency exchange. In a statement released on Wednesday, on the Commission website, the regulator clarified that Marino FX Ltd is neither registered nor licensed by the SEC to operate in the Nigerian capital market in any capacity, including crypto-currency exchange services. According to the Commission, “Any claim to the public by the company of its registration or license by…

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UK introduces electronic travel authorisation for non-European visitors

Aminu Imam
UK introduces

The United Kingdom government has introduced the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system for non-European visitors to the country. An ETA is a digital travel permit required for visitors to enter a country. It is linked to a traveller’s passport and grants permission to travel without needing a physical visa. Starting yesterday, Thursday, November 28, all eligible non-European visitors can apply for an ETA, which will be required for travel to the UK from January 8, 2025. According to a press release by the UK’s Home Office on its official website…

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Alleged Corruption: Ex-Bank of China Chairman sentenced to death

Aminu Imam
Ex Bank of China Chairman

Former Bank of China Chairman, Liu Liange has been sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve for accepting significant bribes and issuing illegal loans.  The Jinan Intermediate People’s Court in Shandong Province delivered the verdict on November 26, 2024.  Liu was found guilty of taking bribes amounting to 121 million yuan (approximately $16.7 million) and approving illegal loans worth 3.32 billion yuan, leading to losses exceeding 190 million yuan.  His sentence includes the confiscation of all personal assets and a lifetime deprivation of political rights. The court’s ruling includes the…

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Finnish court sets May 2025 deadline for Ekpa’s terorrism trial

Aminu Imam
Finnish court on Ekpa

Pro-Biafran separatist leader, Simon Ekpa, is set to face trial in Finland by May 2025, according to Finnish authorities. Ekpa, who was arrested last week alongside four others on suspicion of terrorism-related activities, remained in custody at the Päijät-Häme District Court. Senior Detective Superintendent Mikko Laaksonen of Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation confirmed the trial timeline via email, stating: “The date for bringing up possible charges by the prosecution was set by the district court to May 2025”. Laaksonen added that both Ekpa and Finnish authorities may request a re-evaluation…

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“We’ll take over ACF Secretariat if Chairman is not reinstated”- Northern Youth group 

Aminu Imam
Northern Youth group threatens

The Northern Youth Assembly (NYA) has threatened to take over the Secretariat of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), in Kaduna in protest if Chairman of the Forum, Mamman Mike Osuman, is not reinstated back to office in the next seven days. Recall that Mamman was recently suspended by the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the ACF for saying that ACF will only support a Northern Presidential candidate in the 2027 general election. According to the NYA, it received with shock, the statement jointly signed by Bashir Muhammad Dalhatu and Murtala…

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