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UNILAG Honours Bayelsa Gov, Diri

Published

4 months ago

September 5, 2025

The University of Lagos has completed a book project on the leadership qualities and governance style of Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri.

The Managing Director of the UNILAG Consult, Prof John Oyefara, who disclosed this on Thursday during a courtesy visit to Government House, Yenagoa, said the institution has also proposed a public lecture as well as endowing a Professorial Chair in the Department of Political Science in his honour.

UNILAG Consult was established in 1983 and incorporated under the Companies and Allied Matters Act in 2013. It serves as the consultancy arm of the institution, providing research-driven, cross-sectoral technical services via access to the university’s academic expertise and facilities.

Diri’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, in a statement on Friday, quoted Oyefara as saying that the university had a track record of assessing the performance of various leaders in Nigeria and that the book titled “Leadership Chronicles of Governor Douye Diri” focuses on his exemplary leadership and achievements.

He said, “At the University of Lagos, we have a tradition of assessing leaders in Nigeria. We use our own templates and standards that are global to measure the leadership in Nigeria.

“We identified Your Excellency to be a leading star in Nigeria, based on leadership and governance. We decided to put together all your achievements. The purpose of our visit was to inform you about our project in three thematic areas. One, is on the publication of the book we have been able to put together about His Excellency’s achievements in the state.

“We also propose a public lecture where renowned leaders in Africa will deliver a lecture on leadership and governance to exemplify the achievements of the governor. The third one is for the Department of Political Science in the University of Lagos to see the possibility of endowing a professorial chair in the name of His Excellency.”

The Lead Editor of the project, Prof Hope Eghagha, also stated that the idea was an independent assessment of the governor’s performance in office, either in infrastructure or human capacity development, through interviews that were conducted.

Responding, Diri said he was pleasantly surprised by the gesture of the institution. He welcomed the idea of documenting his achievements, saying he had been nursing the idea of establishing a leadership institute to groom those with an interest in politics and political offices.

The governor said, “It is really interesting when people, without your prompting, decide to do a thing for the purpose of posterity. A lot of the time, we do not document these events and activities, as we look at them as not too important. But they are.

“I have toyed with the idea that if I had the resources, could I establish a leadership institution in Bayelsa State so that before anyone thinks of becoming a councillor, council chairman, commissioner, special adviser or even governor, he knows what he is coming to do in office?

“If you are not prepared for it, then we are bound to fail as a country and as a state. So, I have been pleasantly surprised by the University of Lagos, and I think it is a good thing. Let me also state that the success in Bayelsa is not all about me. It is actually about our team. We have a dedicated team of commissioners, special advisers, technical advisers, and everybody contributing their quota to the whole.

“That is why if anyone says we have done well in infrastructure, it is because down the ladder, those who have been vested with that authority have implemented our policies, projects and programmes to the best of what we expected to be.”

Diri approved the proposals from the delegation and thanked them for recognising him in the midst of others.

Serving as Bayelsa State’s helmsman since his Supreme Court-affirmed inauguration in February 2020, Diri has become noted for his inclusive leadership and development-oriented governance.

Against this backdrop, UNILAG’s decision to document Diri’s leadership style and legacy through a dedicated book, alongside a public lecture series and a named professorial chair, marks a rare scholarly honour reflecting both institutional respect for governance excellence and encouragement of lasting academic inquiry.

News

Read How Ex-Edo IDP Became A PhD Student In US Varsity

Published

52 minutes ago

January 7, 2026

Editor

Ishaku Amos, a native of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, on Wednesday narrated how his life was transformed from displacement to academic excellence.

Amos, who currently pursues a PhD in Chemical Engineering at the University of Illinois, Chicago, in the United States, spoke when he paid a visit to the Internally Displaced Person (IDP) at the Home for the Needy Foundation in Uhogua, Edo State.

The excited Amos, who once lived in Home for the Needy Foundation,
said the organisation played a decisive role in changing the course of his life.

According to him, after completing his undergraduate studies at Edo State University, Iyamho, he secured a scholarship for doctoral studies abroad.

He narrated how he left Nigeria in August with the support of Pastor Solomon Folorunsho, Coordinator of the IDP Camp in Uhogua.

“I had never travelled outside Nigeria before. I grew up in the North and in the camp, so everything was new to me. Having him accompany me made the transition easier and gave me confidence.”

Amos explained that adjusting to life in the United States would have been difficult without that support.

“It was a new culture, a new system and a different weather. But I was prepared. I was guided on what to expect and how to adapt, so I didn’t experience culture shock. He made sure I was comfortable before returning to Nigeria.”

Speaking on his past, Amos described himself as a victim of terrorism and insurgency in the North-East.

“Anyone who says these things are not happening should listen to my story.

“I know what I suffered. People sometimes talk because they have not experienced it. When you have lived through killings and displacement, you can never deny the reality,” he said.

He expressed deep gratitude to the Home for the Needy Foundation, saying words were not enough to appreciate what the organisation did for him and thousands of others.

“They changed my narrative and my understanding of life. Despite our trauma, they never gave up on us. They paid for our exams even when we failed and had to try again. They kept telling us to focus and try one more time.”

Amos said his experience has inspired him to give back to society and support vulnerable people in the future.

He also appealed to the Borno State Government and lawmakers from his area to support displaced indigenes.

“They know we exist and that we are Borno indigenes, but we have been ignored for too long. We are calling on them to clear outstanding school fees and provide scholarships. We will continue to call until something is done.”

News

Minister Suspends Aide Over 2027 Governorship Election Write-up

Published

3 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Editor

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has formally distanced himself from a political article titled “Malagi 2027,” which speculated on potential scenarios ahead of the 2027 Niger State governorship election.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the minister’s office clarified that the article was published without authorization by one of his aides, Sa’idu Enagi, emphasizing that the opinions expressed do not represent Idris’ views or intentions.

“The write-up and all its contents are hereby vehemently disclaimed,” the statement affirmed, urging the public to disregard the publication.

The statement noted that the minister remains fully dedicated to his duties at the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and has no interest in, nor tolerance for political distractions or premature electioneering.

It further stressed that he neither approved nor directed the publication of the write-up.

Following the incident, the minister has ordered an immediate investigation, and the aide responsible has been suspended with immediate effect.

The statement also underscored the cordial and mutually beneficial relationship between the minister and Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, highlighting their joint commitment to the development and stability of the state.

“Speculations about the 2027 elections would be inimical to these noble objectives,” the statement added.

The disclaimer was signed by Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant (Media) to the minister.

News

How To Calculate Your Taxable Income

Published

11 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Editor

Contents

Current Personal Income Tax Brackets (2026 Onward)

Personal income tax applies to:

*Residents: on worldwide income

*Non-residents: on Nigeria-sourced income

For employees, tax is usually deducted at source under the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) system.

Current Personal Income Tax Brackets (2026 Onward)

Nigeria operates a progressive tax system, meaning income is taxed in layers. Only the portion of income within each band is taxed at the applicable rate.

Annual Taxable Income (₦)	Tax Rate
First ₦800,000	0%
Next ₦1,400,000 (₦800,001 – ₦3,000,000)	15%
Next ₦9,000,000 (₦3,000,001 – ₦12,000,000)	18%
Next ₦13,000,000 (₦12,000,001 – ₦25,000,000)	21%
Next ₦25,000,000 (₦25,000,001 – ₦50,000,000)	23%
Above ₦50,000,000	25%

Your tax bracket refers to the highest (marginal) rate that applies to any portion of your income.
For example:

₦10 million → 18% bracket

₦60 million → 25% bracket

Steps to Calculate Your Taxable Income

1. Determine Your Gross Income

Add all annual earnings, including:

Salary and wages
Bonuses and allowances
Business or professional income
Rental income and other earnings

2. Subtract Allowable Deductions and Reliefs

These include:

Pension contribution: 8% of salary (employee portion)
National Housing Fund (NHF) (where applicable)
Rent relief: higher of ₦500,000 or 20% of annual rent paid
Other approved deductions (e.g. life insurance premiums, eligible mortgage interest)

Note: The former Consolidated Relief Allowance (CRA) has been abolished.

3. Arrive at Taxable Income

Taxable income = Gross income – deductions and reliefs

4. Apply the Progressive Tax Rates

Tax each portion of income according to the applicable band.

Worked Example

Annual gross salary: ₦15,000,000

Pension (8%): ₦1,200,000
Rent relief: ₦600,000

Taxable income:
₦15,000,000 − ₦1,200,000 − ₦600,000 = ₦13,200,000

Tax Breakdown:

First ₦800,000 @ 0% = ₦0
Next ₦2,200,000 @ 15% = ₦330,000
Next ₦9,000,000 @ 18% = ₦1,620,000
Remaining ₦1,200,000 @ 21% = ₦252,000

Total tax payable: ₦2,202,000
Marginal tax rate: 21%
Effective tax rate: ~16.7%

Important Notes

Low-income earners, including those below the minimum wage threshold, may be fully exempt.
PAYE administration may vary slightly by state.
For exact figures, taxpayers should consult their state internal revenue service or a licensed tax professional.

Source: Tribune