News

Hardship: Review Multiple Taxations On Essential Goods, Reps Urge FG

Published

2 years ago

October 10, 2024

Editor

The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to review its current tax policies, particularly those on essential goods, to ease the burden on Nigerians.

The House resolution followed the adoption of a motion on urgent public importance moved during Thursday’s plenary session by the member representing Anambra East/Anambra West Federal Constituency, Anambra State, Mr Peter Aniekwe.

Titled “Need for government’s sensitivity to the plight of the masses and the call to refrain from shifting economic burden through unnecessary and multiple taxations,” the Labour Party lawmaker lamented the current economic situation of the country, “characterised by rising inflation, unemployment, and the increasing cost of living,” which he said “has led to widespread hardship for the masses.”

He noted that, “The imposition of multiple taxes, levies, and charges at various levels of government only serves to exacerbate the financial strain on citizens, particularly those in low-income brackets, many of whom are already struggling to meet basic needs such as food, healthcare, housing, and education.”

“The introduction of additional and sometimes unnecessary taxes, including consumption taxes, service taxes, and levies on essential goods and services, places an undue burden on the masses, further widening the inequality gap.

“While taxation is necessary for government revenue, a balance must be struck between revenue generation and the economic well-being of citizens, particularly at a time when many families and businesses are still recovering from the economic impact of global and local challenges.”

He noted that the Federal Government can explore other revenue sources without “overburdening the masses, such as expanding the tax base, improving tax administration, reducing government waste, and curbing corruption.”

Following the adoption of the motion, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who presided over the plenary, mandated the House Committees on Finance and Federal Inland Revenue Service to, within three weeks, “conduct a thorough review of existing tax laws and policies to streamline tax collection processes.”

This, he noted, will help eliminate redundant or overlapping taxes that contribute to the financial burden on citizens “and identify areas of double taxation at all levels to provide relief to citizens without jeopardising government revenue targets.”

The House also urged the Federal Government to consider alternative revenue generation strategies, “such as widening the tax net to capture more high-income earners, strengthening enforcement of existing tax laws, and plugging leakages in the system.”

It further directed the National Orientation Agency and other relevant agencies to embark on an awareness campaign to educate the public on their tax rights and responsibilities and to report any cases of exploitation or unjust taxation to the ombudsman.

That said, the House called for the immediate suspension of any new tax initiatives that disproportionately affect the low-income population until a comprehensive review of their impact is conducted.

Last Friday, the Federal Government announced the exemption of 63 items from Value-Added Tax (VAT), as part of its latest fiscal reforms.

News

Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

Published

5 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.