A staff of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Lugbe, Shila Ojebola, has been reported dead three weeks after his abduction along the Kaduna-Abuja highway.
Ojebola’s promotion was announced while he was at the kidnapper’s den.
Family members told People’s Gazette that the 47-year-old victim was killed after a total of N7m ransom was collected by his captors.
The medium reported that the police and State Security Service (SSS) were involved in the ransom process.
The Kaduna-Abuja highway has come under attack in recent times, with many feared killed and kidnapped.
The appalling situation has incited fear among travelers who are torn between plying the highway or taking the train.
Recall that terrorists had detonated an explosive along the Kaduna- Abuja railway in November, but no casualty was recorded.
The publisher of www.trixxng.com, Osho Oluwatosin has been honoured with the blogger of the year award at the recently concluded fifth edition of Prestige Excellence Award.
The event which held on Sunday, 28th of November, 2021 at the prestigious Presken hotel had several dignitaries that include Governor Babajide Sanwoolu, Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa, Hon Lanre Odubote, Buba Marwa, Babajide Otitoju, captains of industry and important personalities from different walks of life in attendance.
According to Mr Wale Abiodun, the organizer of Prestige Excellence Award, Osho Oluwatosin was selected as the blogger of the year due to the sagacity, intelligence, and consistency he has used to make TRIXX NG a force to reckon within a short period of time.
Mr Wale Abiodun made special reference to TRIXX NG’s rank in Nigeria and globally, while commending Osho Oluwatosin for putting lots of efforts to attain such a huge feat.
In his reaction, Osho Oluwatosin appreciated God and the organizers of Prestige Excellence Award for counting him worthy of such a huge award.
Going down the memory lane, Osho Oluwatosin dedicated the award to his mentor, Femi Oyewale who is the publisher of Sahara Weekly Magazine/Online for putting him through in the media industry. He cited the lessons Femi Oyewale taught him as reasons behind his achievements in the media industry so far.
‘’I want to appreciate Mr Wale Abiodun for counting me worthy of this huge award. It’s not something I take for granted especially for the fact that it will be my first career award. I thank God for the progress experienced in my career so far, it has all been by his grace alone’’
‘’ I want to specially appreciate Mr Femi Oyewale, the publisher of Sahara Weekly Magazine/Online who was the first person I met when I decided to delve into journalism. I had my industrial training with his media outfit and he took me as a son. Without him, I would not have gotten to this stage of my career’’
‘’TRIXX NG is a platform I see as a calling, it’s my ministry and I have no regret starting www.trixxng.com in 2018. I appreciate our readers, supporters, friends who have been pushing for us out there, God bless every one of you, Amen’’
Osho Oluwatosin is a 25-year-old media personality who is vast in the areas of media and public relations. He is currently the media aide to Renowned Prophet, Primate Elijah Ayodele and has worked for several notable personalities that include UK-Based Nollywood Actress, Princess Elizabeth Onanuga, Film maker, Titi Jeje, Prophet Joshua Iginla, late Prophet TB Joshua, Imo PDP Chieftain, Emmanuel Okewulonu, Dr DK Olukoya, corporate organizations that include United Bank For Africa (UBA), First Bank Of Nigeria, Zenith Bank, Union Bank, Unity Bank, Polaris Bank, Fidelity Bank, Dangote Group, Guarantee Trust Bank(GTB), to mention a few.
South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa has tested positive for the coronavirus after visiting four African countries.
His government tweeted on Monday that the President being “booked off for the week, there won’t be a weekly message issued today.”
In a press statement published on the government’s website, he is receiving treatment for mild COVID-19 symptoms after contracting the virus on Sunday, 12 December 2021.
“The President started feeling unwell after leaving the State Memorial Service in honour of former Deputy President FW de Klerk in Cape Town earlier today.
“The President is in good spirits but is being monitored by the South African Military Health Service of the South African National Defence Force,” the statement added on Sunday.
The South African presidency revealed that Ramaphosa had authorized his vice to deputize for him.
“The President, who is fully vaccinated, is in self-isolation in Cape Town and has delegated all responsibilities to Deputy President David Mabuza for the next week,” it added on Sunday.
The presidency explained that his covid-19 test results were negative when he visited Ghana, Nigeria and other countries.
“On his recent visit to four West African states, President Ramaphosa and the South African delegation were tested for COVID-19 in all countries.
“The President and the delegation returned to South Africa from the Republic of Senegal on Wednesday, 8 December 2021, after obtaining negative test results. The President also tested negative on his return to Johannesburg on 8 December.
“Today’s proceedings in Cape Town were undertaken in compliance with health regulations pertaining to hand hygiene, the wearing of face masks and social distancing.”
Presidency has debunked reports that there are provisions in the Finance Bill 2022 now before the National Assembly forcing Nigerians to have a Tax Identification Number (TIN) in order to operate a bank account.
Recall that the Leader of the Senate, Yahaya Abdullahi, had last week Wednesday in his lead debate on the bill, sent to the National Assembly by President General Muhammadu Buhari, had said the Finance Bill 2021 has made it mandatory for commercial banks to demand the TIN from anyone who wishes to open an account with them.
Bill, he said also empowers banks to demand TIN from existing customers if they wish to continue to operate their accounts.
But a Presidency source who pleaded for anonymity, claimed to be involved in the drafting of the bill said the news reports are “totally inaccurate, the bill has no such provisions for individuals.”
The source presenter the main changes proposed under the bill which would be further defended this week at both the Senate and the House of Representatives:
“Capital gains tax at the rate of 5% to be applicable on disposal of shares in a Nigerian company worth N500m or more in any 12 consecutive months except where the proceed is reinvested in the shares of any Nigerian company within the same year of assessment. Partial re-investment will attract tax proportionately. Transfer of shares under the regulated Security Lending Transaction is exempted.
“Lottery and Gaming business to be specifically taxable under CITA including betting, game of chance, promotional competition, gambling, wagering, video poker, roulette, craps, bingo, slot or gaming machines and the likes.
“Companies engaged in petroleum operations including Midstream and Downstream operations will not be eligible for exemption on profits in respect of goods exported from Nigeria. Downstream companies were previously eligible under the old Upstream and Downstream classification.
“FIRS to be empowered to assess CIT on the turnover of a foreign digital company involved in transmitting, emitting, or receiving signals, sounds, messages, images or data of any kind including e-commerce, app stores, and online adverts.
“Capital allowance claimable on an asset is limited to the portion used for generating taxable profits. Assets partially used to generate taxable income will be eligible for pro-rata capital allowance except where the proportion of non-taxable income does not exceed 20% of the total income of the company.
“Any capital allowance or unabsorbed allowances brought forward by a small or medium company, other than a company under pioneer status, to be treated as having been claimed and consumed in each such year of assessment.
“The reduction of minimum tax rate from 0.5% to 0.25% of turnover (less franked investment income) is to be applicable to any two accounting periods between 1 Jan 2019 and 31 Dec 2021 as may be chosen by the taxpayer.
“Disputed tax assessment to be in abeyance until determination while undisputed tax assessment is to be paid within 30 days after service of the notice of assessment on the company except otherwise extended by the FIRS. Reference to provisional tax has been deleted in recognition of the well-established self-assessment tax regime.
“Withholding tax on interest earned from a unit trust to be treated as final tax. Only WHT on dividend is currently treated as final tax for local companies.
“The deployment of technology to automate tax administration including assessment and information gathering by FIRS to now include third party technology (previously only proprietary technology may be deployed). A penalty of N50,000 to be applicable where a company fails to grant access to FIRS in addition to N25,000 for each day the failure continues.
“FIRS to be the primary agency of the Federal Government responsible for the administration, assessment, collection, accounting and enforcement of taxes and levies due to the Federation, the Federal Government and any of its agencies except otherwise authorized by the Finance Minister.
“Any person or agency of the Federal Government must refer matters requiring tax investigation, enforcement and compliance to the FIRS. Relevant officers who violate the rule to be liable to a penalty of N10m and/or 5 years imprisonment on conviction.
“Deductible life assurance premium for personal income tax purposes to exclude a contract for deferred annuity.
“The Finance Minister, subject to the approval of the National Assembly, shall make regulations for the imposition, administration, collection, remittance, including distribution of arrears of stamp duty and Electronic Money Transfer levies collected between 2015 and 2019 fiscal years.
“Tertiary Education Tax to be payable within 30 days of service of assessment (currently 60 days).
“Non-residents making taxable supplies to recipients in Nigeria to have the primary obligation to charge, collect and remit VAT to FIRS. The VAT withholding obligation of Nigerian recipients now limited to where the non-resident or its appointed agent fails to collect the VAT.
“The exemption from VAT registration and compliance obligation applicable to small companies with annual turnover less than N25m to exclude companies engaged in upstream petroleum operations regardless of turnover.
“Appointment of the FIRS to assess, collect and enforce the payment of Nigerian Police Trust Fund levy. The Act enacted in 2019 imposed a tax of 0.005% on the net profit of companies operating in Nigeria.
“Amendment of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure Act to remove the requirement for commercial companies to pay a levy of 0.25% of turnover annually to the Fund. Primary sources of fund to be limited to 1% of the Federation Account.
“Mandatory payment of gross revenue collected by federal ministries, departments or agencies to the federation account or consolidated revenue fund as the case may be except otherwise authorized by law. Any officer who violates this requirement may be liable on conviction to imprisonment of up to 5 years or a fine of N5m or both.
“Amendment of the Fiscal Responsibility Act to enable government borrow for “critical reforms of significant national impact”. Currently, government at all tiers are only empowered to borrow for capital expenditure and human development. Capital expenditure is defined as spending on an asset that lasts for more than one financial year. Human development and critical reforms are not defined.”
The National Union of Road Transport Workers boss, Musiliu Akinsanya, better known as MC Oluomo has been defended on social media by one of his son’s, King West.
According to Naija News, King West on his Instastories on Sunday slammed those calling his father a tout.
Sharing a photo of his father, MC Oluomo, and his two twin siblings who recently graduated from United States Universities, King West said his ‘tout’ father is better than the parents of those criticizing his.
He wrote: “What did you say about a tout? Well all I know is he is better than most of your pops”.
The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB has said it will fight tooth and nail to actualize the 2023 Igbo Presidency.
Naija News understands that the Biafra agitators stated this in a statement on Sunday while condemning a comment by the Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG against the Igbo nation over the 2023 presidency.
A former Secretary to the Federal Government, Pius Anyim; and a former governor of Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, were quoted to have earlier said that the South East is ‘prepared to kneel or bow before every ethnic group to clinch the 2023 presidency’.
CNG has, however, mocked the statement credited to the Igbo leaders, describing their comment as ‘no more than deception.’
“The bitter truth is that no matter how low the Igbo are willing to go or how long they are willing to keep their knees on the ground, it will be unreasonable to expect other Nigerian tribes, not least the North, to risk entrusting the Presidency in them,” CNG said in a publication.
Responding in its statement on Sunday, MASSOB described the remarks of the group against the Igbo nation as adding salt to the injury, querying “how do you think that your enemies will trust you? Een if you kill your wife or children to show your loyalty to them, just as our so-called Igbo/ Abuja politicians are killing our brothers to please the Northern caliphate, yet they never gain their trust.”
In addition to his response, MASSOB Leader, Uchenna Madu said it was appalling the appealing tendencies of the two Igbo statesmen.
Madu said, “A beggar only begs for something that does not belong to him. A beggar is always inferior to the giver. Ndigbo are not beggars.
“It is an abomination that Igbo elders will kneel down to another in begging, even though that the lives of Ndigbo are at risk. We can never beg, rather we devise our own means of fighting back because Igbos must survive. Ndigbo are not cowards or weaklings.”
Society gazette reports that Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III is dead
It was gathered that the monarch died early Sunday morning at the age of 95 after spending 47 years on the throne.
Palace sources confirmed his death to Vanguard but stated that his death has not been officially announced.
He ascended the throne on October 24, 1973. He was born on May 27, 1926, in Ogbomoso to Oba Bello Afolabi Oyewumi Ajagungbade II and Ayaba Seliat Olatundun Oyewumi.
Davido has announced that his charity panel has received 1,234 applications from orphanages, for a share of his N250 million donation.
Davido made this known in his Insta story while giving an update on the selection and disbursement process of the funds.
The music star said that verification of applications is currently ongoing and would be finished by 15 Dec whereby selection and disbursement would follow.
“Verification is ongoing, and the report will be out by 15 December. Selection and disbursement 18th/19th and the press release should be 20th Dec.
“1234 responded; 852 without orphanage names; 382 with orphanage names.
“The national association of orphanages in Nigeria sent the list of orphanage homes within their coverage, which to some extent, is helping us in the verification process. God bless. We rise by lifting others,” Davido wrote.
Davido announced his donation to orphans as part of celebration of his birthday after he raised over N200m and added N50 million of his own.
The N200 million winffall came after Davido jokingly asked his friends and fans to send him N1m each first of all to clear his Rolls Royce at the port.
Later he said the donation will be for his birthday. Naira rain flooded his Wema Bank account.
He setup a five-man committee to oversee the disbursement of the funds.
In what seems like a retaliatory move by the Dubai-based airline, Emirates, its management stated on Friday that it will stop flights to and from Lagos and Abuja by Saturday until certain condition is met by the Nigerian government.
This is coming after the director general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Musa Nuhu, had limited Emirate operations to Nigeria by one flight per week for not granting the flight request of one of its home grown airlines.
“With the recently imposed directive limiting Emirates to operate one flight per week to Nigeria via Abuja, Emirates will be suspending its flights between Nigeria and Dubai from 13 December 2021, until the UAE and Nigerian authorities work on a solution to the ongoing issue.
“The last flights to operate on 12 December 2021are EK 783/784 to/from Lagos and EK 785/786 to/from Abuja.
“Customers holding tickets with the final destinations Lagos and Abuja will not be accepted at the point of origin,” Emirates stated on its website.
To lift its suspension, the airline stated that the Nigerian government will have to remove the restrictions it imposed on its operations.
“Emirates is committed to its operations in Nigeria, and we stand ready to reinstate services once restrictions are lifted by the Nigerian authorities, ensuring travellers have more choice and access to trade and tourism opportunities in Dubai, and beyond to our network of over 120 destinations.
“Emirates regrets any inconvenience caused,” it stated.
The traditional ruler of Mbutu Ancient Kingdom in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, Eze Damian Nwaigwe has been rescued from his abductors.
News about the Monarch’s freedom was made known by the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, Michael Abattam on Saturday.
Abattam said the Royal Father was rescued unhurt and had returned to his family.
“The abducted Royal father, HRH Eze Damian Nwaigwe of Mbutu Ancient Kingdom, who was kidnapped on 09/12/2021 at about 0300 hours in his residence has been rescued unhurt and reunited with his family.”
Details on how he was rescued is still sketchy as at the time of filling this report.
The Royal Father was kidnapped on Thursday at his palace by yet to be identified gunmen.
Sources said the gunmen numbering about ten stormed the Monarch’s palace around 2:30 am, barricaded the compound while shooting sporadically before the king was whisked away.
His rescue came barely 24 hours after the traditional ruler of Atta Ancient Kingdom in Njaba local government area of Imo, Edwin Ezike was killed by his abductors and his body dumped at the village square.
HRH Eze Damian Nwaigwe of Mbutu Ancient KingdomMbutu Ancient Kingdom
