Sanwo-Olu cancels Lagos EndSARS peace walk amidst omicron concerns
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has cancelled the Lagos peace walk planned for December 2021.
Specifically, the governor had invited Folarin Falana (Falz), Debo Adebayo (Mr. Marcaroni), Dele Farotimi, Temitope Majekodunmi, Segun Awosanya (Segalink), Adedotun (Just Detoun), Seun Kuti, Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu and Commander of Rapid Response Squad (RRS), CSP Yinka Egbeyemi and others to join him in the “historic march for our dear Lagos.”
But Falz, Mr Macaroni, the younger Kuti, amongst some arrowheads of the protest had rejected the invitation, saying there must be justice for EndSARS victims before peace.
Subsequently, in a press statement on Thursday, November 9, 2021, Sanwo-Olu said he is “constrained to stand down all preparations for the Walk for Peace” so as not to “endanger the life of any Lagosian” amid the outbreak of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.
Finance bill makes TIN obligatory for all bank accounts holders
The Finance Bill 2021 has made it onligatory for commercial banks to demand the Tax Identification Numbers from anyone who wishes to open an account with them.
It also empowers banks to demand TIN from existing customers if they wish to continue to operate their accounts.
The Leader of the Senate, Yahaya Abdullahi, stated this on Wednesday in his lead debate on the bill, sent to the National Assembly by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Tuesday.
He said, “Banks will be required to request for Tax Identification Number before opening bank accounts for individuals, while existing account holders must provide their TIN to continue operating their accounts.”
Facebook to impose tax on Nigerian Users by January
Nigerians will start paying value added tax (VAT) for using Facebook, beginning from 1st of January 2022. The tax is directly to Nigerians who use the platform as a means to market or sell their products.
Already, Facebook has started informing users on the platform of the development via email. With the development, Nigerians will now pay a VAT at the applicable rate of 7.5 percent.
The new tax regime is in pursuant of the Companies Income Tax (Significant Economic Presence) Order, introduced in 2020 as an amendment of the Finance Act 2019.
The document imposes tax on any “foreign entity with respect to certain services or digital transactions tax foreign digital service providers offering services to Nigerians and earning revenue in naira.
Nollywood actress shot dead by Gunmen
Unknown gunmen, yesterday, shot dead a budding actress, Chiemeke Ngozi at Boji boji Owa in Ika North East Local Council of Delta State.
Ngozi was killed along Deeper Life road, Boji boji Owa, Town. Sources in the community said they heard gunshots, but before they could get to the scene, the hoodlums had fled the area.
The gruesome murder of the role interpreter has thrown the entire community into confusion and mourning, as people were seen in groups, discussing the sad incident.
When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed the killing of the actress , who was also a Point of Sales (POS) operator.
Imo monarch abducted by unknown gunmen
Ten unidentified gunmen in the early hours of Thursday kidnapped the traditional ruler of Mbutu ancient kingdom in the Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, Damian Nwaigwe.
The gunmen abducted the traditional ruler at his palace around 2:30 am, a community a close source to the palace revealed.
The source said, “the traditional ruler of Mbutu ancient kingdom in the Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo state, Eze Damian Nwaigwe, has been kidnapped. The respected king was kidnapped at his palace around 2.30 am, on Thursday.
Police spokesperson in the state, Micheal Abattam, confirmed the kidnap of the monarch when contacted by our correspondent. Abattam said that the command had swung into action intending to rescue the traditional ruler, unhurt.
Saudi Arabia Suspends Flights From Nigeria Amidst Omicron Concerns
Saudi Arabia authorities have suspended flights coming from Nigeria into the Kingdom over concerns of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) in Saudi Arabia confirmed the development in a circular issued on Wednesday, and signed by Assistant President for Economic Policy and Air Transport, Dr Faisal Al Sugair.
The development came a few days after Canada, United Kingdom extended a travel ban to travellers from Nigeria.
Saudi Arabia recorded her index case of Omiron from a passenger returning from North Africa.
Okowa Makes a U-turn, Dumps Ijaw, Re-affirms Commitment to Urhobo
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state has reversed his earlier decision to pick his successor from the Ijaw in the Delta South zone, a move that pitched him against power blocs in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
Sources said that the Governor has finally made up his mind to pick his successor from the Urhobo tribe in Delta Central zone after a long careful thought.
According to sources, Okowa who was irked by the move by some among the Urhobos to jettison the zoning agreement in the state during the governorship poll in 2015, decided to respect the unwritten power sharing agreement within the PDP in the state but with a caveat. “He would not support any aspirant in the race that played a key role in the botched 2015 primary,” one of the sources said.
With his latest decision to support the zoning agreement, the governor, according to our sources, is ready for the battle to determine who succeeds him in 2023.
Ahmadu Bello Way closed As Buhari Attends Akande’s Book Presentation in Lagos
The Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos will be shut for four hours on Thursday as President Muhammadu Buhari arrives in the State for the book presentation of former interim chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande.
The event, to be held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, will present a book on the autobiography of Chief Bisi Akande, titled: “My Participations.”
A statement issued by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation on Wednesday said government would be diverting Traffic on Ahmadu Bello Way from Adeola Odeku Intersection inwards Adetokunbo Ademola Roundabout (Eko Hotel) from 8:00am to 2:00pm Thursday 9th December, 2021.
The government appealed to Lagosians, especially those who reside and do business at the axis to cooperate with the interventions made available to manage movement within and around Victoria Island, stressing that the traffic diversion was for a short period.
Fake Soldier nabbed with ‘CIA’ ID card in Benin
Officials of the Edo State Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV) have arrested one Sunday James, an alleged fake military officer who has been intimidating and oppressing residents and traders in the Benin metropolis.
The PUWOV state commander, Mukhtar Yusuf-Osagie, who disclosed this to journalists in Benin City, said the suspect was arrested at the Oba Ovonramwen Square in Benin, with a fake military identification card from the Civil Intelligence Agency (CIA).
According to Yusuf-Osagie, the suspected fake soldier was arrested following intelligence and complaints from residents in the area, adding that the suspect had been handed over to the Oba Market Police Division for further investigation and prosecution.
Reassuring the people of increased collaboration with other security agencies to ensure a crime-free yuletide in Edo State, Yusuf-Osagie said PUWOV was committed to supporting the state government in curbing all forms of criminality and making the state habitable for every resident.
One dead, three injured in Ogun auto crash
A truck has crushed a motor boy to death in an auto crash that occurred opposite Enyo Petrol Station along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State. Three persons also sustained varying degrees of injuries from the accident
Spokesperson of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, TRACE, Babatunde Akinbiyi confirmed the incident to newsmen in Abeokuta on Wednesday.
Akinbiyi said that seven occupants( four males and three females) were involved in the auto crash where three sustained injuries and one died.
The TRACE PRO said that the cause of the crash was due to over speeding by the driver of the Scania truck leading to the death of his motor boy. He said that his officials and the police were on ground for rescue operation