A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has urged northerners not to criticise President Bola Tinubu over the proposed tax reform bills.

Since the bills were introduced in the National Assembly, many northern leaders have criticised them, with millions in the region calling for a review, claiming the bills target the north. In response, the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF), representing 19 northern states, opposed the bills after a meeting with the Northern Traditional Rulers Council.

Speaking during Channels Television’s town hall on tax reform bills on Monday, Dogara stated that governors and other elites criticising the bills were doing so from an uninformed perspective, urging them to consider the benefits of the reforms, especially in addressing key issues across the country.

He said, “I want to talk to my brothers in the North. I don’t think this is the time for us to begin to condemn the president and to begin to say that on account of these bills, he is anti-north because I want to remind us that the president has done something that is significant.

“If he can pursue this to the end, it would be that there is no northern leader of my lifetime that has done what the president has done for the north. And I will tell you [what he has achieved] is the creation of the livestock ministry. There is a global business around that.

“The global market size of dairies of beef in the next three years will rise to about $2.5 trillion. You can Google it. So if in the north, we are able to organise ourselves in such a way that we can corner just 5%, just 5% of this global market size of dairies and beef, I tell you that gives us $250 billion.

“We don’t need VAT from any state in Nigeria to survive. The North can survive on its own. We are the most endowed part of Nigeria.”

Dogara also dismissed concerns over insufficient consultations and timing of the tax reform bills, arguing that what matters is whether the reforms are right, not the political agenda or past discussions.

In recognition of the contribution of Nigeria’s telecommunications industry towards the global telecom network system, Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the International Institute of Communications (IIC).

This affirms Nigeria’s growing influence in global telecommunications and digital innovation.

Dr. Maida has had a rewarding career in the industry, spending over two decades.

He had worked with the British Telecom, Cisco Systems, and EE Ltd. He was instrumental in groundbreaking advancements in small-cell technology during his tenure at UbiquiSys Ltd, which was later acquired by Cisco in 2013

His contributions in Nigeria are equally remarkable. As the Executive Director of Technology and Operations at the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement Systems PLC (NIBSS), he transformed the country’s digital payments infrastructure, reinforcing its financial ecosystem. As EVC of the NCC, Dr. Maida has spearheaded initiatives that promote connectivity, competition, and inclusivity, driving Nigeria’s telecom sector into a new era of innovation and growth.

The IIC, a globally renowned organization, brings together leaders in telecommunications, media, and technology (TMT) to foster collaboration on regulatory frameworks, emerging technologies, and sustainable development. Dr. Maida’s appointment marks a landmark achievement for Nigeria, amplifying its voice in shaping the future of the global telecom sector.

His appointment offers Nigeria a stronger platform on the international stage to influence key discussions on telecommunications and digital equity. His expertise and passion for policy advocacy will play a vital role in global conversations on emerging technologies and the digital divide.

Appreciating this gesture, Dr. Maida said: “It’s an honor to serve on the Board of the International Institute of Communications. I look forward to sharing insights from Nigeria’s transformative journey and collaborating on strategies to foster a more inclusive and sustainable global telecom industry.”

This appointment not only solidifies Dr. Maida’s legacy but also underscores Nigeria’s growing prominence in leveraging technology for development. It signals a future where the country will continue to lead in innovation and bridge global digital divides.

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Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi state.

According to TheCable, Usman Ododo, Kogi governor, brought Bello to Abuja this morning and invited EFCC to come pick him up.

The EFCC had charged the former governor with alleged money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of N80.2 billion.

The former governor’s detention was disclosed by EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale.

“We have arrested him. Our chief security officer arrested him and he was brought in by 12:54pm. He is having a session with our investigators. We are holding him in our custody,” Oyewale told TheCable.

In September, Bello honoured the invitation of the anti-graft agency in Ododo’s company.

The former governor and Ododo were at the car park of the Abuja office of the EFCC, but the anti-graft agency did not arrest him.

The beginning

In April, the commission declared Bello wanted after several attempts to arrest him proved unsuccessful.

On August 20, the court of appeal in Abuja ordered Bello to surrender himself for arraignment.

Ola Olukoyede, EFCC chairman, would later allege that Bello withdrew $720,000 from Kogi coffers to pay his child’s school fees in advance.

The anti-graft agency also filed a 19-count charge against Bello over alleged money laundering.

However, the arraignment was stalled due to the absence of the former governor.

In May, Abdulwahab Mohammed, counsel to Bello, told the court that the former governor’s whereabouts remain unknown and that he was nurturing some safety concerns.

On August 20, the court of appeal in Abuja ordered Bello to surrender himself for arraignment.

Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesperson, had said the court’s ruling was a “vindication” of the EFCC’s stance that Bello must face trial.

Sources had told TheCable that Bello has been hiding in plain sight — holed up in the “protective custody” of the Kogi state government — since he was declared wanted by the EFCC.

FAME Foundation, a gender focused non-governmental organisation (NGO), has launched a tracker to report and document femicide cases in Nigeria.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, founder of the foundation, called for collective action to end femicide.

She said the tracker will provide reliable data on cases of femicide in Nigeria.

“Today, I am proud to announce the launch of our Femicide Tracker, an important tool that allows for the reporting and documentation of femicide cases,” she said.

“This tool will help ensure that no case goes unnoticed, no story is silenced, and that we, as a society, can work toward justice and accountability for victims and their families.

“By utilizing this tool, we aim to spotlight this pressing issue and mobilize action against the rising trend of femicide.”

She said the foundation’s activities for this year’s campaign will focus on amplifying awareness, empowering people, and engaging communities.

As a call to action for collective efforts against gender-based violence, Bello announced the launch of a social media campaign, #HereForHer.

“This campaign serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility we share to protect and empower women and girls,” she said.

“Let us remember, awareness is just the starting point. True change requires sustained and united efforts.

“It demands a commitment from governments to enforce laws that protect women, from civil society to create supportive environment, and from people to challenge harmful behaviours and attitudes.”

The United Kingdom, UK, has announced changes of its visa application centres in Nigeria.

The UK embassy made the announcement in a statement issued on Wednesday.

In a statement on its official X handle, the embassy said the UK is changing its visa supplier in Nigeria.

It however assured that applicants would be notified with further information via email.

“The supplier of our visa application centres in Nigeria is changing. During this transition customers may submit and collect their documents from different location.

“You will be contacted via email if this affects you.”

Applicants were advised to visit the UK official visa application website for more details.

The National Judicial Council, under the Chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has constituted a committee to investigate multiple allegations against Osun State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Adepele Ojo and others.

In its 107th meeting on November 13 and 14, 2024, the NJC sanctioned five judicial officers for misconduct and recommended the formation of a committee to probe the various complaints against Justice Ojo.

At the heart of the allegations are claims that Justice Ojo has repeatedly failed to adhere to legal and ethical standards expected of her position.

A petition submitted to the NJC by the Concerned Citizens of Nigeria, Osun State Chapter, further outlined the gravity of the allegations. The petition claims that Justice Ojo’s actions have violated both the spirit and the letter of the law. The group accuses her of gross abuse of office, breaches of professional ethics, and a blatant disregard for the rule of law, which they argue has led to a loss of public trust in the judiciary.

Earlier, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke took the decision to suspend Justice Ojo following a resolution by the State House of Assembly. The resolution cited serious allegations of misconduct, abuse of power, corruption, and failure to uphold the rule of law.

Additionally, Justice Ojo is accused of taking personal vengeance against judiciary staff, she dismissed several staff members who had shown courage in reporting her actions, creating a climate of fear and retaliation within the judiciary.