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Showing posts from October, 2019

Supreme Court dismisses Atiku’s appeal, affirms Buhari’s election

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The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, challenging the election of President Muhammadu Buhari. The apex court announced the decision on Wednesday, hours after it commenced the hearing of the appeal. The Supreme Court panel, led by Chief Justice of Nigeria Tanko Muhammad, said it will give reasons for dismissing the petition on a later date.

Ed Sheeran dethrones Adele as he tops Heat's Rich List to become the richest British star under 30

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Ed Sheeran is now UK’s richest star under 30 after taking the top spot from Adele.  The 28-year-old singer who has had a successful year topped Heat magazine’s annual guide to the UK’s wealthiest stars aged 30 and under, having jumped from an estimated worth of £94 million in 2017 to £170 million. Sheeran, who was in second place last year, took the first spot from fellow music star Adele as she turned 31 in May. She is no longer eligible for the accolade.

Open defecation: Nigeria ranks Number 1 in the world

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The Federal Government says Nigeria now ranks number one in the world with people practicing open defecation. The Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, disclosed this while declaring open a two-day Private Sector Forum on Sanitation, on Monday in Abuja. The forum was organised by Organised Private Sector on Sanitation.

Supreme Court strikes out appeal against Buhari’s election

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The Supreme Court on Monday struck out a fresh suit filed by the Hope Democratic Party (HDP) and it’s presidential candidate, Ambrose Owuru, challenging the declaration of President Muhammadu Buhari as the winner of the Feb. 23 presidential election. The apex court bowed to hear the appeal afresh following protest by the party that the court’s earlier decision which dismissed the appeal was based on a technicality rather than on merits of the law.

Breaking! Court varies conditions in bail granted Omoyele Sowore, Bakare

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Federal High Court in Abuja has agreed to the request by the convener of #RevolutionNow, Omoyele Sowore and his co-defendant, Olawale Bakare for the variation of the conditions attached to the bail earlier granted them. The court had on October 4 this year granted them bail on certain conditions, which they considered stringent and which they could not meet, prompting them to apply to the court for variation.

IMF says border closure negatively impacting Benin, Niger Republics

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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said the sustained closure of the Nigerian land borders is hurting economies of Benin Republic and Niger Republic. Abebe Aemro Selassie, Director, African Department (IMF) stated this at a press briefing during the launch of Economic outlook for sub-Saharan Africa at the ongoing World Bank/IMF annual meetings in Washington DC. 

Domino's Pizza to exit foreign markets

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Domino’s Pizza Group Plc (DOM.L), Britain’s biggest pizza delivery company, on Thursday said it would quit its loss-making international operations, sending shares higher in early trade. The decision to exit four European markets comes a few months after the company announced CEO David Wild would retire, in the midst of a row with disgruntled franchisees in the UK and Ireland over commercial terms.

FG, labour reach agreement on Minimum Wage

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The Federal Government and organised labour have reached an agreement on the implementation of the new minimum wage after three days of talks that ran through nights and ended in the wee hours of mornings. At a meeting which started around 7 pm on Thursday and ended after 2 am on Friday, both sides finally agreed on the percentage increase for grade levels seven to 17. The adjustments for the various wages structures were decided as follows:

Wendy Williams gets star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

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Wendy Williams received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Thursday, looking back on her tumultuous year while accepting the honor. “The elephant in the room is that I’ve been having a very, very tough year,” Williams admitted to the crowd according to E!, “but, slowly but surely, I’m climbing out of the pit and this is one of those monumental days that makes me say, you know, if you don’t believe in yourself who will believe in you? Sometimes life is a very lonely path and you’ve got to make some hard decisions.”

G-Worldwide sues Kizz Daniel for N500m

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Kizz Daniel has been dragged back to court by his former record label, G-Worldwide who are seeking N500m in damages over an alleged breach of contract.    The record label in the lawsuit filed by its counsel Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), are seeking the sum of   Two Hundred Million Naira (N200,000,000) in damages, One Hundred and Seventy-Nine Million, Four Hundred and Ninety-Nine Thousand, Nine Hundred and Fifty-Seven Naira (N179,499,957) in special damages for breach of contract, One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N150, 000, 000) for contract exit fees, among other reliefs. Recall a court injunction issued against the singer stopped him from performing throughout December 2017, hence the name change to Kizz Daniel as his former stage name 'Kiss Daniel' was trademarked by G-Worldwide. Kizz Daniel was then able to float his record label 'Flyboy Entertainment' and also released his sophomore album 'No Bad Songz'. 

President Buhari orders forensic audit of NDDC from 2001 to 2019

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President Buhari on Thursday October 17, ordered a forensic   audit of the operations of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from 2001 to 2019. The President who announced this while receiving Governors from the Niger-Delta region at the state house in Abuja, said the current state of the region does not reflect the amount of money allocated to the commission for its development.  Also pointing out that states in the region require enormous resources when compared to other regions with firmer lands, President Buhari added that a forensic   audit of the commission's operations became necessary over the torrent of criticism against it.

'FG is considering introducing excise duty on all carbonated drinks' - Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed

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Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed has said the federal government is considering introducing excise duty on carbonated drinks.   The minister made this known while addressing the media on the sidelines of the ongoing annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group. Excise duty is a levy placed on the manufacture of locally produced goods.     Information on the Nigeria Customs Service website shows that excise duty is currently placed on non-alcoholic beverages, fruit juices, beer, stout and alcoholic beverages  According to Ahmed, the government is working on maximising existing revenue streams while trying to identify new revenue streams.

Bella Hadid named The Most Beautiful Woman In The World according to Golden Ratio Of Beauty

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The 23-year-old was found to be a 94 per cent match to the ratio, a mathematical equation known as Beauty Phi devised by the ancient Greeks. In second place was Beyoncé was who was a 92.44 per cent match, and taking third place was Amber Heard with 91.85 per cent. Ariana Grande came in 4th place with 91.81% and Taylor Swift round up the top 5 with 91.64%. The overall top 10 most beautiful women according to the Golden Ratio of Beauty Phi included: .Kate Moss (91.05%); Scarlett Johansson (90.91%); Natalie Portman (90.51%); Katy Perry (90.08%); and Cara Delevingne (89.99%).

Nigerian Army renames ‘Operation Python Dance’ to ‘Atilogwu Udo’

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The Nigerian Army says it has changed the name of one of its ongoing internal security exercises, Operation  Python Dance  otherwise called  Egwu Eke  in the South-East region to  Atilogwu Udo . The Nigerian Army Operations Media Coordinator, Col Aminu Iliyasu, stated this in a press release saying,  ‘the exercise, which covers the SouthEast region of the country, is designed to combat criminal activities including kidnappings, armed robbery, inter-cult and communal clashes among other sundry crimes.’

LASG declares state of emergency on Lagos roads

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Lagos State Government has declared a state of emergency on various dilapidated highways and carriages within the State.   Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Sunday, October 13th at the Lagos House Marina, ordered massive construction work on critical roads and highways across the State, beginning from Monday. The Governor’s directive followed the conclusion of his series of meetings with eight multi-national engineering firms, which began a few weeks back.

Buhari suspends international trips for executive body members

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President Buhari has ordered an immediate suspension of international travels for all Cabinet Members and Heads of Government Agencies to enable Ministers prepare for the process of budget defence at the National Assembly and also to ensure the timely passage of the Appropriation Bill.  The announcement was made in statement released by the Director of Information, office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey. 

NNPC discovers crude oil in Bauchi State

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has gotten a breakthrough in its search for oil in the Northern region of Nigeria as it just discovered crude oil in Bauchi state.  The NNPC drilling crew discovered the crude oil while working at Kolmani River-II in Gongola basin. The gas component is currently being flared to avoid pressure build up around the drilling rig. Further assessment of the Hydrocarbon type and volume are being carried out.  NNPC's tweet read; 

Minimum Wage: NLC tells Nigerian workers to get ready for nationwide strike

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Labour unions have asked their branches across the country to get set for an industrial nationwide action ahead of the expiration of the ultimatum issued by labour unions over the minimum wage implementation, Labour leaders issued a communiqué, warning that economic activities would be shut down on October 16th 2019 if the federal government failed to reconvene a meeting of the committee on consequential adjustments of workers salaries based on the new minimum wage.  

How does the government plan to bring many Nigerians out of poverty when the struggling masses are being overtaxed - Don Jazzy asks

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As tweeted by Mavin boss, Don Jazzy.

Disobedience to court orders will attract grave consequences, Chief Justice of Nigeria warns

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The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad, has warned against disobedience to orders issued by courts, stating that it would attract grave consequences. The warning was issued by the CJN in Abuja on Friday at the launching of the 9th House of Representatives Legislative Agenda. While the CJN did not mention a specific case, the warning is coming at a time when the Federal Government and security agencies are under criticisms for the continued detention of a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), Publisher of SaharaReporters, Omoyele Sowore, among several other Nigerians, despite court orders freeing them.

I owe my political success to my Mother – Gbajabiamila

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Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has said that Nigeria cannot achieve political dependent based on the rights of the Nigerian people to choose their leaders in a free and fair election without interference and imposition and yet argue for the imposition of quotas in elective offices. The Speaker also said that he owes his success in the political arena to his mother who he said encouraged his participation in politics, stressing that he want to be remembered as someone who contributed to active women participation in the political life of the country.

DMX checks himself into rehab

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DMX has checked himself into rehab. In an announcement on his official Instagram page, the embattled rapper revealed he was 'putting family and sobriety first'. The 48-year-old's team shared the announcement alongside a picture of DMX.

Appeal court sacks Senator Dino Melaye, orders fresh election

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The appeal court has affirmed the decision of the election petition tribunal sacking Dino Melaye as senator representing Kogi west.    The court ordered the conduct of a fresh election in the zone.  Confirming the news, Dino Melaye Tweeted,  'I just lost my election at the Appeal Court and Fresh election ordered. In all things I give God the Praise. He who started a good thing will definitely complete it. I ask my supporters to be law abiding as we shall always overcome. To God be the Glory'.

President Buhari is NOT getting married today

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Contrary to viral social media reports and speculations, President Buhari will not be getting married to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq today. Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser on media and Publicity to President Buhari debunked the news in an interview with Tribune saying it was a deceptive manoeuvre by those who fabricated the news. 

"No regrets" Oprah Winfrey says as she reveals why she chose not to have kids or get married after being engaged to Stedman Graham for 27 years

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Oprah Winfrey has revealed why she didn't have kids or get married to her man Stedman Graham, who she has been with for 33 years and engaged to for 27 years. The 65-year-old media mogul got engaged to her long-time partner Stedman Graham in 1992. Though they are still together, they never got married or had kids. Speaking to People magazine, Oprah revealed that she has no regrets over deciding to not marry or have children.

All African countries are corrupt - Osinbajo

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Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has insisted that only a few countries in the world can claim to have a low level of corruption, but that none is in Africa. Osinbajo spoke yesterday in Abuja at the launch of the FLAG’IT App by the Akin Fadeyi Foundation. Represented by the Special Adviser to the President on Rule of Law, Office of the Vice President, Fatima Waziri-Azi, the vice president explained, “The 2019 Global Corruption Barometer on African citizens’ views and experiences of corruption highlights that while most of the people surveyed in 35 countries felt that corruption had increased in their country, a majority equally felt that they, as citizens, could make a difference in the fight against corruption.

Lagos Assembly threatens to arrest Akinwunmi Ambode, four ex-commissioners

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The Lagos State House of Assembly has threatened to issue a warrant of arrest on the former governor of the state, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, and four others who served in his administration as commissioners. This decision followed two preliminary reports presented on Thursday by two ad-hoc committees set up by the House to investigate the 820 buses purchased by Mr Ambode and to appraise the 2019 mid-year budget.

#SexForGrades: UNILAG sets up panel, encourages more students to speak out

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Following the allegations of sex-for-grades against two of its lecturers, the management of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has set up a panel to investigate the scandal.   Boniface Igbeneghu , a senior lecturer, and   Samuel Oladipo , a lecturer in the department of economics, were caught in a documentary on sexual harassment released by the BBC Africa Eye.  

Kevin Hart gets back to work weeks after horrific car crash

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Kevin Hart is reportedly back to work just weeks after suffering serious injuries from a horrific car crash.  According to TMZ, the 40-year-old actor and comedian is reportedly back in action promoting his upcoming action sequel Jumanji: The Next Level.  The publication added that the comedian showed up for several hours worth of video shoots on set on Monday, in addition to another two-hour shoot on Tuesday and one more slated for Thursday.  

President Buhari’s Bombshell: International NGOs scamming Nigeria

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President Muhammadu Buhari accused the international NGOs working in the theatre of war in the North East of scamming Nigeria and their donors, in that their impact in addressing the humanitarian problems in the region does not match the millions of dollars they claim to have spent. Buhari dropped the bombshell on Wednesday when he held a maiden meeting with members of the Economic Advisory Council headed by Professor Doyin Salami.

Nigerian rapper, Sky B rumored to have died speaks, begs for show

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A Nigerian rapper who was announced dead on Tuesday has broken his silence and has now explained how he was supposed to die, but made it eventually. While narrating the whole scene and apologising to those who really got hurt about the news of his death, Sky begged for shows appealing to people he was ready to perform at any stage. Read what he shared on his Instagram page addressing the news of his death;

Nicki Minaj's ex Safaree Samuels secretly ties the knot

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Love and Hip Hop stars Erica Mena and Safaree Samuels have now been pronounced husband and wife, just one week after announcing they're expecting. Mena, 31, shared an Instagram video on Tuesday afternoon, showing off both hers and Samuels, 38, glimmering wedding bands.

2020 budget: Works ministry gets highest allocation

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The Ministry of Works and Housing on Tuesday got the highest projected allocation of N262 billion from the N10. 33 trillion budget estimates. This was contained in the proposal as presented by President Muhammadu Buhari to a joint session of the National Assembly on Tuesday.

President Buhari presents 2020 budget to National Assembly

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President Muhammadu Buhari has present the year 2020 appropriation bill to a joint session of the National Assembly. This will be the first time the new leaders of the two chambers of the National Assembly, Ahmed Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila, will host the president in the parliament.

MASSOB vows to resist tollgates in South-East

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The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra has said it will not allow the Federal Government to set up tollgates in the South-East. MASSOB leader, Uchenna Madu, stated this in a statement on Monday. He said, “We will not fold our hands and watch the Federal Government occupy Biafraland forcefully in the name of tollgates.

#SexForGrades: Ghanaian lecturer threatens to sue

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Ransford Gyampo, an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Ghana, Legon, who was caught in a sex-for-marks scandal has threatened to sue. In the exposé, he was seen making inappropriate requests of an undercover reporter, who was posing as a student seeking academic favours. According to Pulse Ghana, Gyampo took to his Facebook page to issue his threat to sue.

FIRS may impose communication tax because "Nigerians talk a lot on phone"

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The Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) , Babatunde Fowler was quoted to have said there is no harm in introducing communication tax. Speaking on the sidelines of the 25th Nigerian Economic Summit Group Conference, the FIRS boss maintained that due to how much Nigerians often talk on phone, it won't do any harm should communication tax be imposed.

$11m Cyber Fraud: Court orders forfeiture of N280m traced to Invictus Obi

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A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday, October 7th temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government the N280,555,010.65 found in bank accounts belonging to two companies owned by  Obinwanne Okeke  also known as  Invictus Obi .   The companies are: Invictus Oil and Gas Ltd and Invictus Investment Limited. Okeke is standing trial in the United States of American for an alleged $11m cyber fraud following his indictment alongside 77 Nigerians.  

#SexForGrades : UNILAG Suspends Dr Boniface, the lecturer caught on video sexually assaulting admission seeker

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The Vice chancellor of the institution, Oluwaoyin Ogundipe confirmed the development to Premium Times in an interview on Monday afternoon. Mr. Ogundipe said the lecturer has been suspended indefinitely.

Secret investigation by BBC Africa, exposes sexual harassment in UNILAG

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A secret investigation by BBC Africa, has exposed sexual harassment in UNILAG. After gathering dozens of testimonies, BBC Africa Eye sent undercover journalists posing as students inside the University of Lagos and the University of Ghana. True to it, their female reporters were s3xually harassed, propositioned and put under pressure by senior lecturers at the institutions – all the while wearing secret cameras.

FG warns travellers and tourists against Bobrisky, says he might leave them with diseases

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Travellers and tourists visiting Nigeria have been asked to be careful of Bobrisky when they share public facilities with him, following report of the cross-dresser using the female toilet at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.  The Federal Government said Bobrisky now constitutes a threat to women and also appealed to the leadership of Nigeria Medical Association to enlighten people on the dangers of women sharing public toilet with Bobrisky.  

Vimbai Mutinhiri and Dru Ekpenyong are engaged

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Media personality and actress Vimbai Mutinhiri is engaged to her Nigerian boyfriend Dru Ekpenyong. Vimbai shared the news on her instagram page.  She wrote: "God's time is the best time. #MyAfricanFairyTale"

Meat sellers in Lagos to now submit a ‘veterinary health certificate for trade of meat’

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The Lagos State Government has directed the major food vendors, who sell meat in the state, to henceforth submit a ‘veterinary health certificate for trade of meat’ to the inspecting veterinary personnel in the state Ministry of Agriculture. Prince Gbolahan Lawal, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, made the announcement on Sunday, in Lagos. Gbolahan said that the state government would confirm the certificates to ascertain that the animal had been duly slaughtered under hygienic conditions.

#BBNaijaFinale : Mercy emerges first female winner of Big Brother Naija

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Mercy has been announced as the winner of the 2019 Big Brother Naija Reality show after she became the last woman standing and one of the five finalists.   Five housemates made it through the 99th day of the reality show and they are Frodd, Omashola, Mercy, Seyi and Mike, with Mercy, Mike and Frodd as top three.

Court grants Sowore N100m bail

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The Federal High Court has granted bail to Omoyele Sowore with a bond of N100 million and two sureties in like sum. This comes after two months in DSS custody. The court also granted the second defendant bail with a bond of N50 million.

Lagos issues seven days ultimatum to traders, transporters obstructing traffic to vacate

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Lagos State Government on Thursday issued seven days ultimatum to traders, transporters and others obstructing traffic in some areas of the state to vacate road sides or face the wrath of the law. The identified areas that will be affected by the ultimatum for now are Iyana Ipaja bus stop, Ikotun bus stop, Oyingbo, Yaba, Ketu and Ikorodu roundabout and Lekki/Ajah area.

Government may sack workers to meet minimum wage demand – Ngige

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Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, on Thursday, said that the demand of labour over the implementation of the new minimum wage would cost the Federal Government N580 billion annually. Ngige said that such adjustment, in line with labour’s demand, was not sustainable as the government would have to lay off some workers to be able to meet their demands.

Okorocha calls for drastic reduction in the number of legislators in the National Assembly

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The cost-saving campaign of the Federal Government won a convert in Senator Rochas Okorocha, who, on Thursday, called for a drastic reduction in the number of legislators in the National Assembly. Okorocha, representing Imo West, proposed the reduction as part of efforts to reduce cost of governance while contributing to debate on the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) at plenary.

Senate bill to impose tax on GSM and cable TV subscribers passes first reading

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The Bill for an Act to establish the Communication Service Tax which is sponsored by a former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume passed its first reading at the Senate on Wednesday October 2.  The Borno Senator argued that the proposed tax which will be replacing the 2.2 per cent increase in the Value Added Tax being planned by the Federal Government, was better as an increased VAT will lead to an increase in price of goods and services. 

Toll gates returning to Federal roads- Fashola

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The Federal Government has concluded designs for the return of toll plazas on Federal roads, Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola has said. Fashola disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Lagos state government to close Costain bridge today

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The Lagos State government on Wednesday disclosed plans to shut down the Costain Roundabout inwards Funso Williams Avenue for three months, beginning from Thursday October 3 till December 3. The closure, according to a statement, is to facilitate the completion of the ongoing construction of the bridge.