Author: Aminu Imam

South Africa relaxes visa rules for Nigerians

Aminu Imam
S'Africa relaxes visa rules

President Cyril Ramaphosa, of South Africa, has announced that tourists from Nigeria can now apply for a visa without submitting a passport. Ramaphosa revealed this yesterday, at the opening of the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Cape Town, which President Bola Tinubu attended. He said South Africa has simplified its visa processes to facilitate travel for Nigerian business people and tourists, with measures such as five-year multiple entry visas. “Our efforts to create a favourable environment include our simplified visa process for Nigerian business people…

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Aero reduces airfares to ?80,000 across all destinations

Aminu Imam
Aero reduces airfares

Nigeria’s oldest aviation company, Aero Contractors, says travellers will pay a minimum of ?80,000 for local flights this festive season. Speaking to newsmen yesterday, the airline’s Managing Director, Ado Sanusi, said the ticket price would apply to all Aero’s routes. According to him, through the gesture, billed to end in January next year, the company aims to give back to Nigerians and support them the during the Christmas season. “We have understood the pains Nigerians have been going through because of the economic hardship, the high prices of tickets, and…

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Insecurity: Gunmen kill 9, abduct others in Sokoto

Aminu Imam
Sokoto banditry

An attack by gunmen on ?an Tudu village in Sabon-Birni local government area of Sokoto State has left nine people dead. According to eyewitnesses, the attackers struck on Monday, shooting sporadically and killing nine people on the spot. One person was injured and taken to the hospital, while several women were abducted. The people of ?an-Tudu village in Lajinge, Sabon Birni Local Government Area, eastern Sokoto, are currently mourning the loss of nine lives to a recent attack by gunmen. A survivor of the attack said that the villagers had…

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Iredia, Lai Moh’d, DSS DG, EFCC Chair to speak at IPI Nigeria conference

Aminu Imam
IPI Nigeria conference

Renowned media practitioner, Professor Tonnie Iredia will deliver a keynote address on: ‘Democracy, Media Freedom and the Imperative of Protecting Nigeria’s Civic Space’, at the 2024 conference of the Nigeria Chapter of the International Press Institute, (IPI Nigeria). According to an issued statement yesterday by the IPI’s Secretary, Ahmed I. Shekarau, the event will be held on December 11, at the Abuja Continental Hotel, (formerly Sheraton Hotel). The Institute will also hold its annual general conference, elect new leadership and host its members and supporters to a dinner on 12…

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Tax Reform: “Suspend legislative action”, Pantami urges NASS

Aminu Imam
Pantami urges NASS

A former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, has advised the leadership of the 10th National Assembly to suspend legislative action on the proposed tax reform Bills. The former minister, who stated this yesterday in a post on Facebook  amid controversies surrounding the Bills, also suggested wider consultations on then involving all relevant stakeholders. He noted that the proposed Bills have the potential to transform tax collection administration if improved and implemented in the interest of the nation. Pantami said he personally observed in the proposed…

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Kukah backs Tinubu’s tax reforms to tackle elite recklessness

Aminu Imam

Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Hassan Kukah, has expressed support for the proposed tax reform Bills introduced by President Bola Tinubu, stating that they have the potential to curb the recklessness of the elite in the country. Speaking on a television programme  yesterday, Kukah asserted that the Bills were what the country needed to catapult it into economic prosperity. According to the controversial cleric, the Bills would halt the fiscal impunity and financial recklessness of the elites. The Bill, which has passed the second reading at the Senate, is…

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Ex-AMCON MD, Ahmed Kuru, others on trial for alleged  ?125bn fraud

Aminu Imam
Ex AMCON MD, Kuru, others on trial

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed 6-count criminal charges against several individuals and organisations, including former Managing Director of the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Ahmed Lawal Kuru, and the Union Bank of Nigeria Plc.  The charges, according to reports, alleged their involvement in the mismanagement of funds belonging to Arik Air Limited totalling a staggering 125billion. The charges, filed at the Ikeja Judicial Division of the Lagos State High Court, October 29, 2024 is between Federal Republic of Nigeria as Complainant and Kamilu Alaba Omokide,…

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“No provision in tax reform Bills will impoverish the North” – Presidency

Aminu Imam
Presidency on tax

The Presidency has debunked claims suggesting that the proposed tax reform Bills before the 10th National Assembly that will impoverish the northern region of the country. In an issued  statement yesterday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, clarified that the Bills are designed to streamline Nigeria’s tax administration, enhance business competitiveness, and foster economic growth—not to impoverish any region or compromise vital institutions. According to the presidential spokesperson, the Bills will not make Lagos or Rivers States more affluent than other parts of the country.…

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EFCC’s makes largest asset recovery since establishment

Aminu Imam
EFCC makes recovery

…As court orders forfeiture of Abuja estate with 753 duplexes  The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), has achieved its largest single asset recovery since its establishment in 2003, following the final forfeiture of an estate comprising 753 duplexes and apartments in Abuja.  This was contained in an issued statement made available on the official X account of the Commission yesterday. The estate, covering 150,500 square metres in Lokogoma District, was forfeited to the federal government by order of the presiding judge, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie yesterday, December 2, 2024. Justice…

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FG begins deduction of N50 electronic levy from OPay, Moniepoint users

Aminu Imam
FG on OPay, Moniepoint

The Federal Government has commenced deduction of N50 electronic levy from transactions made by users of OPay, Moniepoint, and other financial technology companies. A notification from OPay and Moniepoint during the weekend to customers confirmed the development. According to the FinTech banks, the levy collection is in line with the Federal Inland Revenue Service, (FIRS)’s recent directives. OPay explained that the electronic levy deduction begins on December 1. “Dear Customer, in line with the FIRS, the EMTL applies starting from December 1st, 2024”, its message reads. Similarly, Moniepoint, in a…

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