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BREAKING: New Tax Reforms, Not Tweaked Against North – FG
The Nigerian Government has explained that proposed tax regime, particularly as it has to do with the Value Added Tax (VAT) is not skewed against the northern part of the country.
This was contained in statehouse statement on Thursday afternoon, by the Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga on Thursday.
Onanuga wrote, “Governors of 19 Northern States of Nigeria, under the platform of the Northern Governors’ Forum, at their meeting on Monday, October 28, 2024, expressed their opposition to the new derivation-based model for Value-Added Tax (VAT) distribution in the new tax reform bills before the National Assembly.
“Chairman of the forum, Governor Muhammed Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, read the communiqué.
“The Northern Governors’ Forum meeting also had traditional rulers from the region, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, in attendance.
“While we commend the Governors and traditional rulers for supporting President Bola Tinubu over the success recorded in addressing the country’s security challenges, we consider it necessary to address the misunderstandings and misgivings around the tax reform already embarked upon by the administration.
“President Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council recently endorsed new policy initiatives aimed at streamlining Nigeria’s tax administration processes, enhancing efficiency and eliminating redundancies across the nation’s tax operations.
“These reforms emerged after an extensive review of existing tax laws. The National Assembly is considering four executive bills designed to transform and modernise Nigeria’s tax landscape.
“First is the Nigeria Tax Bill, which aims to eliminate unintended multiple taxation and make Nigeria’s economy more competitive by simplifying tax obligations for businesses and individuals nationwide.
“Second, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill (NTAB) proposes new rules governing the administration of all taxes in the country. Its objective is to harmonise tax administrative processes across federal, state and local jurisdictions for ease of compliance for taxpayers in all parts of the country.
“Third, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill seeks to rename the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) to better reflect the mandate of the Service as the revenue agency for the entire federation, not just the Federal Government.
“Fourth, the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill proposes the creation of a Joint Revenue Board to replace the Joint Tax Board, covering federal and all states’ tax authorities.
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“The fourth bill also suggests establishing the Office of Tax Ombudsman under the Joint Revenue Board, which would serve as a complaint resolution body for taxpayers.
“It is instructive to note that these proposed laws will not increase the number of taxes currently in operation. Instead, they are designed to optimise and simplify existing tax frameworks.
“The tax rates or percentages will remain the same under these reforms, as they focus on ensuring a more equitable distribution of tax obligations without adding to the burden on Nigerians.
“The reforms will not lead to job losses. On the contrary, they are structured to stimulate new avenues for job creation by supporting a dynamic, growth-oriented economy.
“Importantly, these laws will not absorb or eliminate the duties of any existing department, agency, or ministry. Instead, they aim to harmonise revenue collection and administration across the federation to ensure efficiency and cooperation.
“At the moment, tax administration lacks coordination among federal, state, and local tax authorities, often resulting in overlapping responsibilities, confusion, and inefficiency. Without reform, this inefficiency will persist.
“The proposed laws aim to coordinate efforts between different tiers of government, resulting in better tax resource management and greater clarity for taxpayers.
“Under existing laws, taxes like Company Income Tax (CIT), Personal Income Tax (PIT), Capital Gains Tax (CGT), Petroleum Profits Tax (PPT), Tertiary Education Tax (TET), Value-Added Tax (VAT), and other taxing provisions in numerous laws are administered separately, with individual legislative frameworks.
“The proposed reforms seek to consolidate these multiple taxes, integrating CIT, PIT, CGT, VAT, PPT, and excise duties into a unified structure to reduce administrative fragmentation.
“On the proposed derivation-based VAT distribution model, which the Northern Governors oppose, it must be stressed that the new proposal, as enunciated in the Bill, is designed to create a fairer system.
“The current model for distributing VAT is based on where the tax is remitted rather than where goods and services are supplied or consumed. The ongoing tax reform seeks to correct the inherent inequity in the current derivation model as a basis for distributing VAT revenue.
“The new proposal before the National Assembly outlines a different form of derivation which considers the place of supply or consumption for relevant goods and services. This means that states in the Northern region that produce the food we eat should not lose out just because their products are VAT-exempt or consumed in other states.
“These reforms are critical to improving the lives of Nigerians and were not put forward by President Tinubu to undermine any part of the country. There is no better time than now for the National Assembly to give due consideration to these bills that will overhaul our tax systems and create the revenue all the tiers of government require to fund the development our country and people urgently need.”
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Human Rights Lawyer Reveals Over N10m Raised For 17-Year-Old Wrongfully Arrested In Lagos
In just four days, more than N10 million has been raised to support 17-year-old Quadri Alabi, who was allegedly wrongfully arrested and charged by the police in Lagos.
The revelation came from human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, where he appeared alongside Alabi.
Effiong accused officers from the Amukoko Police Division of manipulating Alabi’s age and working with local area boys to falsely charge him with a crime he did not commit.
READ ALSO: Lad Who Stood In Front Of Obi’s Convoy Apprehended For Street Fighting – Police
Alabi was arrested earlier this year in connection with a street fight in the Amukoko area, but he was eventually cleared after Magistrate Adetola Olorunfemi acted on legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr. Babajide Martins.
Speaking out against the police’s actions, Effiong described the ordeal as part of a “sinister, oppressive, and corrupt scheme” involving rogue area boys.
He explained that Alabi’s rise to fame came after a spontaneous moment during Peter Obi’s 2023 campaign tour, where Alabi jumped in front of the convoy and raised his hand, a photo of which quickly went viral.
“The boy sitting next to me, Quadri Alabi, went viral in 2023 during one of Peter Obi’s campaign tours. He spontaneously jumped in front of the convoy, raised his hand, and the photo went viral. That moment changed his life,” Effiong said.
However, Effiong claimed that the publicity also brought Alabi unwanted attention.
“Local area boys began extorting him, saying he hadn’t ‘settled’ them. They even told his mother to buy a cow, cook rice, and throw a feast for the community. When she refused, the threats continued,” Effiong added.
The harassment escalated when Alabi was allegedly targeted again in January. Effiong described how two area boys, known as Leggy and Baba Waris, arrested Alabi after claiming he had ignored them despite receiving donations from Peter Obi.
They handed him over to the police, where he was detained for a week before being charged alongside four adult men he had never met.
“They accused him of armed robbery said to have occurred on January 22 at 10 p.m. No identification parade was conducted, and there was no evidence linking him to the crime,” Effiong explained.
Alabi’s ordeal was further complicated when the police falsely listed his age as 18, allowing him to be tried in a regular court. Effiong argued that had his real age of 17 been documented, the court would have treated the case differently.
“The police falsely claimed he was 18 in court documents. If they had said he was 17, the court would have treated the matter differently—possibly not even remanding him in a regular prison,” Effiong said.
Alabi, recounting his experience, said, “I was just at the entrance of my house when the police came and arrested me. The area boys pointed me out. At the station, I was the youngest there.
“I was locked up with older men. They asked me what I did, and I said nothing.” He also revealed that the area boys had earlier taken his phone and money before handing him over to the police.
Despite the challenges, Alabi’s case has sparked an outpouring of public support. Effiong confirmed that Nigerians have donated over N10 million in just four days to assist Alabi.
“The goal is to relocate him from Amukoko and secure a source of income for his mother, who is a petty trader,” Effiong stated, highlighting the generosity and resilience of the Nigerian people. “This shows the strength of the Nigerian spirit,” he added.
Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, has urged party members to stand strong and united as Nigeria faces a crisis.
Speaking at the ongoing National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, Obi highlighted the urgent need for national rescue, calling attention to the country’s ongoing struggles.
Obi did not mince words about the state of the nation, stressing that Nigeria is heading towards collapse.
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He encouraged party members to speak up, no matter the opposition they may face.
“Do not fear anybody. Those who were afraid yesterday didn’t do any better,” Obi told the gathered party members. “We must speak out when things are going wrong. Nigeria is collapsing. The numbers are clear; the indices are clear—people are getting poorer every day.”
The former governor of Anambra State also stressed the importance of party unity and inclusiveness. He made it clear that the Labour Party’s direction is about collective choice, not individual preferences.
“Labour Party has chosen to be a family, and we must do everything as a family. It’s not about Peter Obi’s choice; it’s everyone’s choice. This family excludes no one. We want to build a party that is fair and just,” he said.
Looking forward, Obi outlined the party’s vision for the upcoming elections, emphasizing the need for preparation and a focus on selecting the most competent candidates for all political offices.
“We want to go into the next election fully prepared, offering Nigerians the best and most competent candidates for the House of Representatives, the Senate, Governorships, and the Presidency,” Obi stated.
He also called for a stricter focus on loyalty and competence from anyone seeking to run under the Labour Party banner. Obi noted that only committed party members with the necessary capabilities should be considered as candidates.
“We want to correct the mistakes we made in the past. Anyone seeking to contest under our party must be a committed member, not just someone passing through. They must be competent,” he said.
In today’s fast-paced world, where lifestyle diseases and infectious conditions are on the rise, accurate medical result interpretation is more important than ever.
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How Medical Diagnostics Helps in Disease Discovery
Many serious health conditions do not show symptoms in their early stages, making medical testing and accurate interpretation essential for early detection. SYNLAB Nigeria offers a wide range of advanced diagnostics that help uncover hidden health conditions before they become critical.
Read Also: On SYNLAB Nigeria’s Secured Patient Portal, Test Result Delivery’s Safe Alternative
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• Genetic testing helps individuals understand their risk for hereditary diseases like sickle cell disease, certain cancers, and metabolic disorders.
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Preventing Diseases Through Proactive Screening
While detecting diseases is crucial, preventive healthcare plays an even more vital role in reducing the burden of illness. Regular screenings and early interventions can mitigate health risks and promote long-term well-being.
1. Identifying Health Risks Before Symptoms Appear
• Routine Blood Tests: Kidney function, liver enzymes, and other blood markers help detect underlying health conditions early.
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Medical results are more than just numbers—they offer actionable insights for better health.
• A patient with borderline high blood sugar may be advised on diet and exercise to prevent full-blown diabetes.
• Someone with elevated cholesterol can receive tailored recommendations for heart health before complications arise.
By understanding test results and acting on them, individuals can make informed choices that prevent serious illnesses.
The Role of SYNLAB Nigeria in Medical Result Interpretation
Read Also: Celebrating 20 Years of Excellence: SYNLAB Nigeria’s Journey in Diagnostics Care
SYNLAB Nigeria bridges the gap between medical testing and meaningful healthcare decisions. With a team of in-house pathologists, its expertise in medical result interpretation ensures:
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