Author: Festus Adeloye

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s move to increase Value Added Tax (VAT) from the current 7.5% to 10%, 12.5% and finally to 15% as proposed in one of the tax reform bills. In a statement on Tuesday, TUC President Festus Osifo said “allowing VAT rate to remain at 7.5% is in the best interest of the nation, as increasing it would place an additional financial burden on Nigerians, many of whom are already struggling with economic challenges”. “At a time when inflation, unemployment, and the cost of living are rising, imposing higher taxes would further…

President Bola Tinubu has said his administration has been targeting the financial backbone of terrorist groups in the country. Tinubu added that over 100 terrorist financiers had been convicted in the last two years. Speaking at the opening of the 2025 National Anti-Money Laundering, Counter-Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation (AML/CFT/CPF) Summit in Abuja on Tuesday, Tinubu who did not disclose names of any of the convicted financiers stated that the strategy was meant to prevent the terrorists from terrorizing the citizens. Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, Tinubu said, “We have made progress to…

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, on Tuesday, assigned portfolios to six newly sworn-in commissioners, urging them to immediately resume their duties to accelerate development in the state. The announcement was contained in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government,  Musa Ikhilor, which detailed the appointments and emphasized the importance of their swift assumption of office. The statement read, “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has sworn in six commissioners into the State Executive Council. “The newly sworn-in commissioners and their portfolios are, Paul…

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Tuesday criticised Donald Trump’s “unacceptable” pledge to seize the Panama Canal, which the returning US president repeated in his inaugural address. Baerbock was asked in an interview about Trump’s comments Monday on the waterway and on his desire to control Greenland, an autonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark. “Any threat against a NATO member or other states is of course completely unacceptable,” Baerbock told German broadcaster RBB. Baerbock however said that Germany needed to “play it smart”, when responding to the president’s statements. “It’s not about how President Trump says something… but we should…

The National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS) has announced plans to sue the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) over the recently approved 50 percent tariff hike. On January 20, the NCC approved the request by telecommunications companies (telcos) to increase tariffs. The adjustment followed concerns raised by the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), which had called on the NCC to review call tariffs upwards. Karl Toriola, the chief executive officer (CEO) of MTN Nigeria, revealed that telcos had initially requested a 100 percent increase in tariffs. However, the NCC…

The World Health Organisation has expressed regret over the announcement that the United States intends to withdraw from the organisation. The global health body urged the US to reconsider the decision. WHO made this known in a statement on its X account on Tuesday, emphasising its crucial role in protecting global health, including that of Americans. The organisation highlighted its work in addressing the root causes of diseases, strengthening health systems, and responding to health emergencies, often in challenging environments where others cannot operate. On Monday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the United States to withdraw from…

United States President, Donald Trump, has signed an executive order attempting to end birthright citizenship — a right guaranteed by the US Constitution and affirmed by the Supreme Court more than 125 years ago. On Monday, Trump issued a blitz of executive actions to start reshaping federal immigration and border policy, many of which are expected to face significant legal challenges. “As commander in chief, I have no higher responsibility than to defend our country from threats and invasions, and that is what I’m going to do,” Trump said in his inaugural address. CBS News reports that the US government…

The Taliban government announced on Tuesday the release by the United States of an Afghan prisoner in exchange for US detainees, saying the deal was brokered by Qatar. “An Afghan fighter Khan Mohammad imprisoned in America has been released in exchange for American citizens and returned to the country,” the Afghan foreign ministry said in a statement. The ministry said Mohammad had been serving a life sentence in the state of California after being arrested “almost two decades ago” in the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar. Asked by AFP, the foreign ministry refused to provide further details or the number…

President Donald Trump on Monday announced the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris climate accord for a second time, a defiant rejection of global efforts to combat planetary warming as catastrophic weather events intensify worldwide. The Republican leader also declared a “national energy emergency” to expand drilling in the world’s top oil and gas producer, said he would scrap vehicle emissions standards that amount to an “electric vehicle mandate,” and vowed to halt offshore wind farms, a frequent target of his scorn. “I’m immediately withdrawing from the unfair, one-sided Paris Climate Accord rip-off,” he said to cheering supporters at a…

Mikel Arteta said on Friday the Premier League title race cannot be boiled down to a straight shootout between Arsenal and Liverpool as he urged his players to relish the battle. The Gunners moved to within four points of Arne Slot’s table-topping Reds following their 2-1 comeback victory against Tottenham at the Emirates on Wednesday. Liverpool had dropped two points against high-flying Nottingham Forest the previous day, though they still have a game in hand over their rivals. Chelsea are 10 points behind Liverpool following a slump, while champions Manchester City are a dozen points off the pace. But Forest…