Hameed Ali, comptroller-general of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), has warned personnel of the service against corruption.

Ali gave the warning on Saturday when he visited border posts in Cross River state alongside Mohammed Babandede, comptroller-general of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).

Addressing officers of the two agencies after the visit, Ali warned against cutting corners, saying the days of illegality in the services are over.

He said the NCS has been repositioned for better and effective service delivery for the growth of the country.

“It’s high time you committed yourselves to the service. If you cut corners, you will find yourself in jail,” NAN quoted him as saying.

“We will not only dismiss you from service, we will prosecute you; that is the only way to punish the bad eggs. When you compromise, be ready to pay for it.

“Dear colleagues, times have changed and we must change accordingly. I urge you to be more dedicated in service and anything you merit will come to you.

“It is time to serve Nigeria with all our strength. I want you all to see your uniform as a great honour and a call for excellent service.”

Speaking, Babandede warned the personnel against sacrificing the future of the country for monetary values.

He said: “Your small local activities can affect the whole country. I want to charge you all to be upright for the growth and development of the country.”

“We will continue to reward hard work and efficient service delivery. I want to assure you that we are with you always.”

Lagos state government has disclosed that only 700,000 out of the 4.8million Lagosians registered as taxpayers are active taxpayers out of a population of about 22million people.

The state Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Samuel Egube disclosed this in his address at the Lagos Central Senatorial district Y2020 Budget Consultative Forum which held at Surulere on Friday.

He said the government would expand the tax net by engaging and encouraging the citizens to ensure that they participate in their tax obligations.

“The more taxes we are able to collect, the more we are able to do, the more we are able to support small businesses, create and facilitate businesses, put the infrastructure in place that will be able to attract more investments and create jobs and do many other things.

“It is important that as we want to get Lagos greater, we want citizens to participate in governance and also pay their contributions.

Egube said the year 2020 budget is going to be based on the six developmental pillars of the government as captured in the ‘T.H.E.M.E.S’ agenda of the administration.

While assuring that the administration will complete all inherited on-going projects, he said the administration’s dream of a greater Lagos will be realized through engagement and participation of the citizens.

He said the focus of the budget will be woven around the present administration’s advocacy for an inclusive government that will run under the policy thrust based on the ‘THEMES’ agenda.

“Which are: Traffic management and transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology, Making Lagos a 21st-century economy, Entertainment and Tourism, Security and governance.

“The Y2020 budget is being designed to be people-oriented in order to ensure a Lagos that works for all irrespective of age, gender, tribe or status.”

He said the government must grow the GDP at a rate faster than the ever-increasing population of the state and that while the state will deploy debt profile focus on capital expenses it would also ensure that at least 55 per cent of the budget will be on investment in capital expenditure.

He decried the lack of support by the government in the entertainment and tourism sector, saying every achievement recorded there has been on private initiative.

“The government is going to actively support that sector, it is our view that the government must act to support the sector this time around”, Egube said.

The budget consultative forum which will hold in the states’ three senatorial districts, he said, is aimed at giving credence as well as greater transparency and accountability to the state’s budget preparation process.

“We are going to gather the aspirations of the people in Lagos and ensure it comes into the budget, but I can assure you that we are going to focus the budget very squarely on the thematic areas of ‘THEMES’ which tend to capture what we look forward to hear and to see in Lagos”, the commissioner said.

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo says the All Progressives Congress (APC) will lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years.

According to NAN, Osinbajo spoke at Birnin Kebbi in Kebbi state when he paid a courtesy visit to Muhammadu Bashar, emir of Gwandu.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to take 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years, we can believe very strongly that we can achieve it with the collaboration with the state governors, ” he said.

The vice-president said he was in the state to promote petty trading, which according to him, could alleviate the level of poverty in the country.

According to Osinbajo, the national micro and medium enterprises scheme is a scheme that is designed to develop the business of petty traders.

“We are here in Kebbi for several things and to promote national micro, small and medium enterprises and petty traders business, and to inspect the renovation of market in the state,” Osinbajo said.

“We give petty traders N10,000, when they pay back we increase it to N20,000. This is very good program which is designed to help hard working citizens of this country; they should be able to have support from government no matter how little it is.”

He commended the traditional ruler for collaborating with security agencies in fighting insecurity in the state.

He also thanked Abubakar Bagudu, governor of Kebbi, for supporting trader groups across the 21 local government areas of the state and for giving N200 million loan to National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

”I’m so pleased to hear what NURTW has been doing in Kebbi; every ward has two drivers to take pregnant women to hospital and wait for one hour in the hospital and take them back home; they are rendering service to humanity,” he said.

Responding, Bashar congratulated Osinbajo and the president for their victory at the tribunal.

He also thanked Osinbajo for promoting petty trading in Nigeria and urged Nigerians to unite, forget cultural and religious differences and embrace peace and development.

Orji Uzor Kalu, senate chief whip, says if elections are conducted in Abia north senatorial district 20 times, he will win.

On Monday, the national assembly election petition tribunal in Abia nullified Kalu’s election and ordered a rerun election within 90 days.

The tribunal’s verdict was sequel to a petition filed by Mao Ohuabunwa, candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking when he received a delegation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Abia state in Abuja on Thursday, Kalu said he is not losing sleep over the verdict of the tribunal.

“I have already issued a statement that in Abia north we are not losing sleep. If we do that election 20 times, Buhari, our president, our senatorial district – my seat and the governorship candidate seat is intact, we will always win it. It is a fundamental error that they may have to call for supplementary election in some units,” he said.

“If not that it is a fight for my fundamental human rights, we will call for an election next week, if INEC will agree.

“But because the constitution gives us the right to appeal, we have already contacted our lawyers and the lawyers are already preparing our appeal to go to the appellate court.”

Speaking at the event, Uchechukwu Ogah, minister of mines and steel development, said they are confident that Kalu would retain his seat at the upper legislative chamber.

“We are all here in solidarity to our leader, to show our concern and to assure him that we all behind him and we know this ruling will not see the light of day in appeal court and we want to assure all our supporters down home that there is no need to worry because his seat is not vacant,” Ogah said.

Also speaking, Donatus Nwakpa, chairman of the APC in Abia, described the judgement sacking Kalu as “biased”.

“We are going to appeal that ruling, that ruling in all dynamics of law is a failure and it must pass the litmus test of an appellate court,” he said.

“APC Abia state has confidence in him, we have confidence in our people and if we are going to have an election this night we will have a captain for that election in the name of Uchechukwu Ogah, the honourable minister for mines and steel development.

“But we know there is not going to be election because we have seen the weaknesses, the flaws, we have seen everything – there is no appeal sitting now, so I’m not engaging in any judicial contempt.”

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association has said the implementation of the 7.2 per cent Value Added Tax approved by the Federal Executive Council will make nonsense of the recent increase in minimum wage.

VAT is a consumption tax payable on goods and services consumed by individuals, government agencies and business organisations.

NECA, in a statement on Thursday, cautioned the Federal Government against the timing of the announced increase of VAT from five per cent to 7.2 per cent, which was approved by the Federal Executive Council on Wednesday.

“The benefits of the recently signed National Minimum Wage of N30,000 would be neutralised by the proposed increase in the VAT, further reduce the purchasing power of the citizens, leading to increase in prices of goods and services, resulting in upward movement of the inflation rate, and further contraction of the economy,” the Director-General, NECA, Mr Timothy Olawale, said.

He said since the purchasing power of the citizens would be reduced, sales of goods and services would reduce and inventories for business would be high, adding that this could lead to closure of businesses that ought to be supported by government in reducing the alarming unemployment rate in the country.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, who announced the approval of the new VAT rate after the FEC meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, had said consultations were in process over when the new rate would apply.

She explained that stakeholders, including the National Assembly and the states, would have to agree on the date.

The minister stated that the VAT Act would also have to be amended by the National Assembly before the commencement of the new rate, which she said could be sometime in 2020.

Iyara Development Movement (IDM) has concluded plans to celebrate another “Iyara Day” on Saturday October 19th, 2019.

The event is scheduled to hold at Iyara Town Hall Premises, Iyara, Kogi State by 10 am.

A statement dated 5th September, 2019 and jointly signed by the President of IDM, Professor Mike Ikupolati and its Director General, Mr. Funso Fayomi, revealed that the 2019 Iyara Day, celebration is the 26th in the series and it will feature cultural activities by various groups to make the event memorable.

The theme of the celebration, according to the statement, which was made available to journalists, is “Operation Quench Thirst In Iyara Water Project” and the event would be marked with fanfare such as cultural dances, displays, and celebrations.

The water project is estimated to cost N100 Million.

Prof Ikupolati, Alh Gani Musa, Dayo Asaju and Chairman, with the chairman, Dotun sulaiman at the Iyaraday ’19

It will be recalled that the fund raising for the ambitious project started during the 25th Anniversary of “Iyara Day” in September last year.

Expected at the event, which had been endorsed in the past by former president Ibrahim Babangida and Chief (Mrs.) Kemi Nelson, are the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, who is the Special Guest, while the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Hon. (Mrs.) Ramatu Tijani Aliyu is the Special Guest of Honour.

Others that will add colour to the ceremony are the Board Chairman of Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria and a top management consultant, Mr. Dotun Sulaiman, who will serve as the Chairman of the event and the Chairman of Nigerian Insurance Association, who is also the Vice President of the African Insurance Organization and Managing Director of NEM Insurance PLC, Mr. Tope Smart, who is the Chief Launcher.

Ikupolati and Fayomi revealed in the statement that the water project was meant to provide potable water for the people of the community and put an end to years of suffering of the residents due to unavailability of potable water in the community.

“This year’s Iyara Day has been planned to be the best in recent times.

“We are happy that we are all alive to celebrate this special day and we look forward to seeing our people trooping to the town and joining us in this celebration and fund raising ceremony.

“We use this opportunity to invite all Okun sons and daughters to this special event and we assure them that they will be glad to be part of this year’s event that promises to be full of actions, colour and tradition,” they said in the statement.

It will be recalled that In 1993, a group of young persons identified the advantages of community day celebration they witnessed in their respective areas of domicile and were motivated to replicate same in Iyara, headquarters of Ijumu LGA, Kogi State.

The celebration was the first of its kind in Okunland and it has become an avenue to unite the people of the community.

Ikupolati and Fayomi revealed in the statement that the laudable idea of “Iyara Day” is the flagship of such celebrations in Okunland and that it has become a reference point, which others have since emulated.

The duo emphasized in the statement that “Iyara Day” has become an avenue to unite the people of the community and that it is getting better by the day.

They recalled that the jubilee celebration of “Iyara Day,” which they said held in September 2018, is still being talked about by the people of the community and others, adding that this year’s celebration would be far better.

“Iyara Community will always be grateful to God for what He has done for us and we will continue to showcase those things that unite us as a people.

“We are committed to the development of Iyara Town and its people and we are proud of the dreams of the founding fathers of Iyara Community and Iyara Development Movement (IDM) will continue to do its best to move the community and it’s people forward.

“2019 “Iyara Day” will surely mark a turnaround for the community and it will also be an avenue to socialise and make better plans for the development of the community and it’s people.

“May you be honoured and celebrated as you be a part of this event and we are sure that your efforts will not be in vain as you support our humble efforts of uplifting our common heritage,” the statement read.

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the ruling of the presidential election petition tribunal on the February 23, 2019 poll, as a victory for Nigerians who trooped out to overwhelmingly elect him for a second term in office.

Speaking shortly after the tribunal upheld his victory, the president said he was not worried about the petition filed to challenge the outcome of the election because he knew that Nigerians elected him.

“Good conscience fears no evil report. I was unperturbed all along, because I knew Nigerians freely gave us the mandate. We are now vindicated,” Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, quoted Buhari to have said.

Adesina said Buhari dedicated the victory to God, and to Nigerians, while also commending the judiciary for “dispensing justice without fear or favour.”

He said the president has extended a hand of fellowship to those who had felt aggrieved at the outcome of the election, and went to court, noting that it was within their democratic rights.

“It is time for the country to move forward as one cohesive body, putting behind us all bickering and potential distractions over an election in which Nigerians spoke clearly and resoundingly,” he was quoted to have said.

Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election, had asked the tribunal to declare him winner, arguing that the election was rigged in favour of Buhari.

The remains of Zimbabwe’s former president Robert Mugabe arrived at the country’s main airport earlier today but his final resting place remained a source of mystery amid a dispute between some family members and the government.

Mugabe who ruled the southern African nation for 37 years until he was ousted by his own army in November 2017, died in a Singapore hospital five days ago.

Crowds had gathered at the airport well before the scheduled arrival time, with some people wearing T-shirts bearing Mugabe’s face and others with Mnangagwa’s image, while music blared from loudspeakers.

A convoy of 4×4 vehicles with number plates bearing the letters “RG Mugabe” and the former leader’s signature were also on the runway. Mugabe’s wife Grace and Zimbabwean Vice President Kembo Mohadi were among those accompanying the body of the former leader on the plane.

President Mnangagwa, top officials and other Mugabe family members were at the airport to receive the body.

The Federal High Court in Lagos has discharged its August 8, 2019 order, which empowered the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria to take over an Ikoyi property of a former governor of Cross River State, Mr Donald Duke, over an alleged debt of N537,334,360.77.

Justice Nicholas Oweibo discharged the takeover order on Wednesday after the parties presented him with their terms of settlement of the case.

The parties had on September 2 told the judge that they were exploring an out-of-court settlement and pleaded for an adjournment to enable them to conclude settlement talks.

When they returned to court on Wednesday, AMCON’s lawyer, Juliet Benson, told Justice Oweibo that Duke had met the terms of settlement agreed upon by the parties.

Duke’s lawyer, Edoigiawerie Uyi, said his client had shown good faith by paying over N350m.

The two lawyers urged the judge to adopt the terms of settlements agreed upon by their clients as the judgment of the court in the case.

Justice Oweibo, in a short ruling, granted their prayers and discharged the August 8 takeover order.

AMCON and the United Bank for Africa had on August 8, 2019 obtained the takeover order from Justice Chuka Obiozor following an ex parte application, marked FHC/L/CS/1373/2019.