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The Governor of Zamfara state Dr. Dauda Lawal has said Christians and Muslims should live together in peace, harmony and appreciate the good different that exist in their faith while avoiding unnecessary discrimination and ranchor.

The Governor said this in Government House on Friday while receiving a team of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN Chairman, members and leaders of Christian denominations who payed an appreciation visit to him.

The Governor commended the effort of the CAN Chairman and other Christian leaders who took a step to appreciate the Government for what was collectively done in the overall interest of the residents of the state.

Governor Lawal reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to ensure the welfare, support and comfortability of all Christians in Zamfara state.

Recalled that, for the past thirty years, a portion of land was purchased at Tudun Wada Area of the state by a certain Church with the aim of erecting structures for school and a place of worship, the leadership of the area rose alongside the youths and resisted the ambition of the church.

Governments came and gone, but no one was able to resolve the situation. When Governor Lawal assumed duty, the church, CAN leadership and other Christian faithfuls met with him and he purchased the land for building of public schools in the interest of both Christians and Muslims living in the area.

Governor Lawal urged everyone to imbibe the spirit of peaceful coexistence and appreciate each other as God was fully aware of the reasons he allowed the two faiths to exist in our world of today.

Earlier, the CAN Chairman, Evangelist Jibril Afolabi and the state Pastor, Living Faith Church, Pastor Umoru Emanuel appreciated Governor Lawal for his wisdom in settling the years long dispute with every party involved returning satisfied, describing him as a worthy father who received everyone with open arms without discrimination.

The highpoint of the visit witnessed the CAN Chairman and the church leaders presenting an Award of an Ambassador of Peace to Governor Dauda Lawal.

Sixty teams from 10 Nigerian universities have entered for the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)-organised CGMA Business Leader Challenge for 2025. The challenge is a fast-paced and vibrant regional business competition aimed at aspiring finance and business leaders by CIMA, global professional body of management accountants.

The third in the series, participating teams will tackle real-world business challenges and present solutions to a panel of Chartered Global Management Accountants (CGMA designation holders) and seasoned accounting, finance, and business professionals, the organisers said in a statement.

The challenge offers young talents a platform to sharpen their business acumen, strengthen their leadership and decision-making capabilities, and enhance their critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills, while showcasing potential as future finance and business leaders.

‘At CIMA, we are passionate about supporting growth of future leaders in finance and business. Hosting this edition here is a proud moment for us, especially after response to last year’s event, which brought together 57 teams,’ Associate Director at Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, Ijeoma Anadozie, said.

Sir: I have noted with dismay that despite the fact that shares and stocks valuation constitute one of the most dynamic areas of national growth and sustenance, and despite several opportunities in it, transaction channels and large market availability, Nigerians are not making the best use of these opportunities for economic development. This is unlike in the more developed countries of the world. Nigeria’s shares and stocks assets, if properly harnessed and utilized, have the potential to achieve that objective.

This is the gap we need to close, and the initiative we should key into. When we launch into this critical aspect, more capital would be accessed by companies with higher valuations, and this will ensure more investment in growth-oriented activities. Confidence would be enhanced in the financial markets, investors would buy and sell various financial instruments such as stocks, bonds, currencies, commodities, derivatives and raise capital. With more capital raised, more funds would be available for investment, and the more we invest in the economy, the more growth we record.

Nigerian economy is unique in various ways, with challenges in all critical services. Shares and stocks valuation is one of the challenges. We only need to comprehend the significance of shares and stocks valuation, and stakeholders would make informed choices and protect their interests effectively.

That makes it mandatory for estate surveyors and valuers to effectively key into this initiative and spearhead the unlocking of potentials in shares and stocks valuation. Partnership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) would suffice. SEC is strategic to ensuring standardization and optimal professionalism in carrying out this aspect of economic services with total compliance to best global practices in the overall interest of our nation. The partnership would enhance the promotion, advancement and deepening of the financial markets, a critical mission the organization has been driving since inception in 1979. The process will assist us in building human and institutional capacity for effective service delivery.

To maximally benefit from the unveiling potentials and long-term prospects in this aspect of professional service, estate surveyors and valuers must intensify and sustain skills acquisition efforts. We should not relent in growing standards and professionalism through training, and re-training in order to be at par with international best practices and standards, especially in today’s technology driven world, where every profession keep innovating in order to remain relevant.

It is my hope that we will get insight into the challenges in this economic development-enhancing endeavour, as well as the roadmap to turning the challenges to prospects and benefits.

The Federal High Court in Lagos has struck out fraud charges by the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) against a businessman, Afolabi Islamiu Olayinka, and his company, Bowofab Global Services Limited.

Justice Musa Kakaki struck out the charges following a settlement with the complainants.

PSFU, through its prosecutor, Chukwu Agwu, charged Olayinka and Bowofab in 2022 with four counts of conspiracy, intent to defraud, and obtaining N58.527 million under false pretences. He pleaded not guilty.

Agwu informed the court yesterday that the parties had settled and sought to withdraw the charge.

Olayinka’s lawyer, J. A. Sanusi, urged the court to strike it out.

Justice Kakaki discharged Olayinka and his company of the alleged offences.

Former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, have reaffirmed his support for his party’s governorship candidate, Dr George Moghalu, while calling for a free, fair, and credible election on Saturday.

Obi made the call yesterday while speaking with reporters shortly after visiting the College of Nursing, Adazi Nnukwu, and the UNIZIK Teaching Hospital, where he donated ?15 million each to the two institutions.

He warned against vote-buying and other electoral malpractices that could undermine the integrity of the poll, stressing that the will of the people must be respected.

‘All those involved in the election, in one way or another, are my friends, and I have respect for all of them,’ Obi said. ‘But as a member of the Labour Party, I’m supporting my candidate, Dr George Moghalu – not to the extent of vote buying or anything improper. Everyone should vote according to their conscience. All I want is for the election to be free, fair, and credible.’

On the issue of state creation, Obi dismissed ongoing agitations as misplaced, arguing that Nigeria’s real challenge is not the number of states but effective governance.

‘Creation of more states is not our problem,’ he said. ‘We need to make Nigeria work first, instead of creating new states, ministries, and other unnecessary structures.’

A new Executive Council, led by Acting Chair, Sister Victoria Clarke, has taken over leadership at Brotherhood of Cross and Star (BCS).

The development followed directive by Sole Spiritual Head, Olumba Olumba Obu, popularly called O O Obu

She pledged that her era would witness key reforms and create new funding sources to drive evangelism and growth.

It was gathered that this would be the first time in the existence of the BCS’s history that such position would be allowed to leave the Olumba Olumba Obu’s family.

Addressing adherents at a reception in her honour, which also coincided with 2025 International Women Fellowship Day in Uyo, Clarke vowed that such development designed by Obu, would spur her to take the faith to greater heights.

Describing the peaceful and orderly transition as victory for all devotees especially the womenfolk, the Acting Chairman, who doubles as the President of the International Women Fellowship (IWF), assured of diversification of funding sources from the traditional tithes collections to business, technology and others.

She explained that such multiple funding sources would help drive the growth of the organisation through pilgrimages and other missionary works.

Sister Clarke noted that for this very dignified achievement, Leader Olumba Olumba Obu had shown to the world that the Kingdom of God does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of gender.

‘We have spoken much about transition, but there is another very important issue that this appointment of Acting Chairman has addressed; and that is the issue of the liberation of women.

By this, He (Olumba) has shown the world that in the Kingdom of God, there is neither male nor female.’

Sis. Clarke also observed that her appointment as the first non-biological family member of Leader Olumba Olumba Obu had broken a leadership pattern where the administration of the Kingdom was hitherto concentrated in their hands only.

‘Since the Father has broken that pattern of leadership remaining within the biological family of Olumba, it will never reoccur here. Brotherhood has come of age. It is no longer what was perceived to be; a family institution,’ she stressed.

The Acting Chairman, who admitted the enormity of work to be done in the areas of prioritising evangelism, financial diversification, establishment of income- generating businesses, among others, however insisted that with the support from all members and grace from God, these urgent issues would be addressed.

Calling on all BCS members to lend their support to these daunting tasks, the Acting Chairman thanked Olumba Olumba Obu, participants at the event, College of Bishops, Chairperson of the International Planning Committee, among others for their efforts towards her reception, urging every member to join hands in ensuring that her administration succeeds.

According to her record, the Acting Chairperson was born in 1950, in the United Kingdom (UK), where she also did most of her studies.

Before her latest position, she had traversed several nations in the West African sub-region, and the Caribbeans to build cathedrals for the worship of the Father.

Chairman on the occasion, Deaconess Maria Onyeacholem, thanked members of BCS for their show of love and unity, by turning out en – masse for the warm reception and enjoined members to support and make useful contributions for the overall success of the event, as such contributions, she noted, would invoke God’s blessings upon them.

Earlier in his homily, the Officiating Priest Christ, Witness Ime Akpakpan, reminded BCS members that God would always bless them with gifts according to their capacity, but added that expectations abound that such gifts must be used to advance God’s Kingdom here on earth.

Expounding on the theme: ‘Use Your Talent and Possession to Serve God’, the Officiating Priest further admonished members that in view of God’s gifts to them, accountability would expediently come in the end.

Witness Ime Akpakpan, who drew his message from Luke 12:48; Matthew 19:21 and Acts 4:34-35, therefore, assured BCS members that those who would invest their resources according to what they were endowed with, would reap a good reward from God.

Eminent dignitaries included; Bishop Emmanuel Shegum; Bishop Alex Igwe; Bishop Iwat Etuk; Bishop Anthony Udeh; Bishop Bassey Ephraim; Bishop Sape; National and State Leaders’ Representives and Council members.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) will on Monday, November 10, 2025, officially unveil the Nigeria Tax Reform Acts during a high-level strategic stakeholder engagement session themed ‘Impact of the New Tax Laws.’

The event marks a major milestone in Nigeria’s fiscal reform journey and reflects the government’s commitment to building a simpler, fairer, and more efficient tax system that encourages compliance, stimulates investment, and supports sustainable economic growth.

The engagement session will bring together senior government officials, policy experts, development partners, and private sector stakeholders to deliberate on the operational framework and broader implications of the newly enacted tax laws.

The programme will feature keynote and technical presentations by the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele; Chief Executive Officer of Compliance Professionals and former Executive Chairman of FIRS, Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru; Coordinating Director of FIRS, Mr. Matthew Gbonjubola; and Chief of Staff to the FIRS Executive Chairman, Mr. Tayo Koleoso.

A high-level panel discussion will also form part of the event. Participants will include senior management of the Federal Inland Revenue Service-Mrs. Amina Ado, Mr. Kabir Abba, and Mr. Matthew Gbonjubola-alongside the Executive Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS), Mr. Michael Ango, and a Partner at Deloitte, Mr. Olumide Esan.

According to the Director of Taxpayer Services at FIRS, Dr. Lovette Ononuga, the engagement seeks to ‘strengthen public understanding of the reforms and promote collaboration among stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of the new laws.’

She noted that the session represents a critical opportunity to clarify how the new tax framework will operate in practice, as well as its expected impact on businesses, revenue generation, and economic development.

Attendance at the Abuja event will be strictly by invitation, but FIRS has made provisions for virtual participation to ensure broader stakeholder inclusion. The session will be streamed live via YouTube and Zoom, with participation links to be shared two days before the event on the Service’s official communication platforms.

The unveiling of the Nigeria Tax Reform Acts is expected to consolidate ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to modernize the country’s tax administration system, close compliance gaps, and position Nigeria for improved fiscal sustainability.

Two months to the end of this year 2025, it is getting clearer that once again, the Federal Government through the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) under Dr Zacch Adedeji, is poised to surpass the revenue target for the year.

Dr Zacch Adedeji had set a N25.2 trillion revenue target for 2025, N3.6 trillion higher than the revenue generated in 2024. The target for 2024 was N19.4 trillion. This target was not only met, it was exceeded by N2.2 trillion as N21.6 trillion was generated.

For 2025, under the leadership of Zacch Adedeji, the FIRS has already recorded a total of N22.59 trillion in tax collections from January to September, leaving just N2.64 trillion to meet the targeted N25.2 trillion.

The N22.59 trillion nine months tax collection will amount to an average of N2.51 trillion per month. Going by this, it can be rightly expected that the FIRS will surpass this year’s revenue target of N25.2 trillion by more than N4 trillion.

From the total collections from January to September 2025, oil tax revenue stood at N5.29 trillion, representing 98 percent of the target, while non-oil taxes amounted to N17.3 trillion, or 128 percent of the target, accounting for 76 percent of the total collection.

Since Zacch Adedeji took over as the FIRS boss, FIRS has achieved significant revenue improvements in mobilisation.

While setting the 2025 target of N25.2 trillion, he had declared that its realization would be anchored on the strategic pillars of capacity building and training, infrastructure and facility enhancement, as well as technological advancement.

Dr. Zacch Adedeji, who had described the 2024 performance as a landmark moment in Nigeria’s tax administration history, stressed the need for sustained momentum, strategic reforms, and institutional consolidation.

Two months to the end the year 2025, it is crystal clear that the momentum that made the 2023 and 2024 revenue target to be surpassed has not only been sustained, it has increased.

And as assured by Adedeji, the one being referred to as the Nigeria version of ‘Zaccheus The Tax Collector’, ‘the FIRS will continue to implement new tax laws fairly, enhance the digitalisation of tax processes, train and retrain its staff, and strengthen partnerships with stakeholders to meet and surpass government revenue expectations.’

According to him, the implementation of the new tax laws, which provide for the transformation of the FIRS into the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) will take effect on January 1, 2026, thus empowering the agency to be involved in non-tax revenue collection from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

Adedeji noted that several strategic initiatives have modernised tax administration, including the National Single Window Project, designed to streamline trade and tax processes, and the e-invoicing system, which enhances transparency, accuracy, and digital integration in tax collection.

He said; ‘FIRS has in 2025 continued its transformation into a modern, technology-driven, and service-oriented institution, achieving major legislative, operational, and technological milestones that position it for sustained growth and greater efficiency.’

The FIRS has also not stopped praising the judiciary for what he called ‘its sound and consistent tax rulings that have helped shape the nation’s fiscal landscape.’

Speaking at a capacity-building workshop for Justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and Judges of the Federal High Court on new tax laws recently, the FIRS Chairman, said that the introduction of new tax laws, including amendments to the Finance Acts, the Petroleum Industry Act, and other subsidiary legislations, has significantly reshaped the tax ecosystem. He however demanded deeper collaboration between the judiciary and tax authorities.

‘The judiciary, through its interpretative powers, remains the ultimate arbiter in maintaining the delicate balance between the legitimate powers of tax authorities and the rights of taxpayers.

‘Tax disputes that are resolved promptly and based on clear judicial principles foster compliance and contribute to economic stability,’ he said.

With a record-breaking revenue growth of N47.39 trillion, representing 115 per cent of the target, non-oil revenue accounting for 76 per cent of total collections, the diversification and reform success in the country’s tax administration is becoming more and more obvious.

And for the country’s Zaccheus The Tax Collector, it is yet another Garland, even as another ambitious target is being expected for 2026.

The Vice Chancellor of the African School of Economics (The Pan-African University of Excellence), Abuja, Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji, has tasked Nigerians, especially the youth, to embark on measures that will safeguard them from poverty despite the state of the economy.

Adedimeji gave this insight in his lecture, ‘Overcoming Economic Crisis and Multidimensional Poverty: Exploring Pathways to Prosperity’, delivered at the October edition of the lecture series organised by the University of Ilorin Muslim Graduates Association (UNILOMGA) in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the university.

According to the Vice Chancellor, it has been established right from the beginning of time and documented by Plato that the primary needs of human beings are food, clothing and shelter, which are all economic. He noted that if the basic economic needs are met, many challenges facing millions of people would be overcome, adding that this philosophy accounts for the infusion of economic literacy as a cornerstone of the training of students in his university regardless of their disciplines, an approach he described as novel to university education.

While explaining multidimensional poverty as the type of lack that is characterised by absence of education, poor health, inadequate living standards and lack of access to basic services, Adedimeji said escaping poverty for individuals requires capacity development through education, production of marketable products and acquisition of skills that generate income or rendering payable services.

The don, who is a chartered world encyclopedist and Fellow of the Corporate Administration of Nigeria, also stressed that minimising expenditure and maximising income are two time-tested strategies of coping with a crisis-prone economy while encouraging young people to cultivate the habit of volunteering because it is part of gaining experience and attracting future opportunities.

In differentiating economic crisis from economic instability, economic stability, economic independence and economic freedom, the don said such variables as economic factors, social inequalities, political instability and environmental challenges are key determinants of multidimensional poverty in Africa, noting that poverty in rural Nigeria is 75 per cent based on World Bank statistics.

Trabzonspor forward Paul Onuachu has been named the Turkish Super Lig Player of the Month for October.

The towering Nigerian striker, according to BSNSports.com.ng, outshone eight other nominees including Rafa Silva, Andre Onana, Milan Skriniar, Marco Asensio, Orkun Kokcu, Ederson Moraes, Wilfred Singo, and Davinson Sanchez to claim the prestigious award.

Onuachu netted two goals and provided one assist in three league appearances during the month, helping Trabzonspor remain unbeaten with two wins and a draw.

The 31-year-old has been in outstanding form this season, already winning the Goal of the Month award twice. He has so far scored seven goals and registered one assist in 11 league matches for the Black Sea Storm.