Category: Nigerian Tribune

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, on Wednesday marked his 60th birthday with humanitarian services to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and prison inmates.

Speaker Tajudeen, who clocked 60 on October 1, 2025, had called for low-key celebrations by members of the House, aides, friends and political associates.

He called for humanitarian campaigns instead.

To mark his diamond Jubilee birthday, the Speaker lined up a series of humanitarian activities, including sponsoring examinations for prison inmates and securing the release of others by paying their bail. He also gave food items to IDPs.

At the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja, Speaker Abbas paid registration fees for 100 inmates to sit the 2025 National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) and National Examinations Council (NECO) tests. While 57 will sit for the NABTEB examination, 43 were registered for the NECO.

The Speaker was represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff (Legislative), Dr Chamberlain Dunku, who led several senior aides to the presentation ceremony on Tuesday.

Speaker Tajudeen said: ‘Identifying with the (Nigerian Correctional) Service in the area of quality transformation of inmates through education is a cause that is very close to my heart. This celebration goes beyond personal milestones; it is about extending hope, giving second chances and investing in the future of our brothers and sisters who, though confined today, still carry within them the potential for greatness tomorrow.

‘The registration of inmates for the 2025 NABTEB and NECO is not merely an academic exercise – it is a statement of faith in human dignity and redemption. It is a reminder that conviction is not condemnation, and that every life, when given the right opportunity, can be transformed.’

He added: ‘As Speaker of the House of Representatives, I reaffirm our commitment to policies and initiatives that promote education, justice and opportunities for all Nigerians, inside and outside the correctional facilities.’

Moved by an inmate’s story, Dr Dunkwu, in personal capacity, gave a cash gift of N1 million to Chikwendu Hart, who is currently pursuing a doctorate at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), and has published seven books while awaiting trial for 13 years.

In Zaria on Wednesday, Speaker Tajudeen spent over N3 million on bail bonds, securing the release of nine inmates from the Zaria Medium Correctional Centre.

The beneficiaries are: Ibrahim Dan’asabe (N240,000), Kabir Ibrahim (N180,000), Ibrahim Ahmed (N60,000), Haruna Musa (N350,000), Aliyu Tukur (N390,000), Prince Wadilor Wodu (N326,000), Mustapha Abubakar (N410,000), Sagir Sani (N685,000) and Shehu Abubakar (N440,000).

Also on Wednesday, Speaker Abbas donated food items to IDPs at the Kabusa Camp. The palliatives include over 1,000 bags of rice.

This is just as his wife, Hajia Fatima Abbas-Tajudeen, donated N2 million to the IDPs, while both the Deputy Chief of Staff (Legislative), Dr Chamberlain Nnamdi Dunkwu, and the Deputy Chief of Staff (Administration), Alhaji Ilyasu Balarabe, donated N1 million.

Chairman of the House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Hon Chike Okafor, who also announced a N1 million gift to the IDPs in support of the Speaker’s humanitarian gesture, described Speaker Abbas as ‘a national asset.’

Medical personnel from Nizamiye Hospital, Abuja, were also on the ground to offer free healthcare services to the IDPs as part of the humanitarian services in honour of the Speaker.

Addressing the IDPs through Dr Dunkwu, the Speaker noted that the gathering was not just about marking his 60th birthday but about ‘extending a hand of compassion, solidarity, and hope to our fellow Nigerians who, through no fault of theirs, have found themselves displaced.’

He also stated that the event ‘is a testament to the fact that leadership is not only about legislation and policies, but also about love, empathy, and service to humanity.’

Speaker Tajudeen said, ‘We are here to reaffirm that no Nigerian should ever feel forgotten or abandoned. The House of Representatives remains committed to policies and initiatives that protect the vulnerable, empower the displaced, and restore dignity to every citizen.’

The Speaker commended the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), partners and all stakeholders who made the humanitarian exercise a reality.

‘Your efforts ensure that beyond the symbolic cake-cutting and relief distribution, there is a lasting impact on the lives of those we are privileged to serve,’ he said.

While telling the IDPs that their ‘resilience inspires us all,’ Speaker Abbas assured them that their welfare remains a top priority for the government, ‘and we will continue to support measures that provide education, healthcare, food security, and opportunities for a better future.’

He stated: ‘As I celebrate this milestone of life, I dedicate it to service – to humanity, to the vulnerable, and to our great nation.’

Also speaking, Hajia Fatima noted that Speaker Abbas’ birthday was not just a day to celebrate, but also to thank Allah (SWT) for the journey so far, and to reflect on life generally.

She said: ‘His Excellency is not just a patriotic leader, he is also a caring and supportive husband; a protective, affectionate and encouraging father; and an exceptional philanthropist. A humble prince of the ancient Zazzau Emirate. I count myself as the luckiest woman to have him as a husband. He is a perfect gentleman.’

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has released a list of 101 products that have been withdrawn, suspended, or cancelled in Nigeria.

The agency said the affected products are no longer permitted for manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, advertisement, sale, or use in the country.

Tribune Online reports that the product includes Artemether/Lumefantrine 40mg/240mg Tablets, Amaryl M SR Tablets, Abacavir Sulfate/Lamivudine Dispersible Tablets 60mg/30mg, Aprovasc 150mg/5mg tablets, ASAQ(Artesunate amodiaquine Winthrop) 100mg/270mg Tablets, Betopic Eye drop, Efavirenz 600mg Tablets and Flagyl Suspension.

Others are Iliadin Adult 0.05% Metered Nose Spray, Invanz 1g Injections and Invega (Paliperidone) 3mg extended release tablets.

In a statement on NAFDAC’s X handle, ‘A product’s Certificate of Registration is considered withdrawn when its use is discontinued at the request of the Market Authorisation Holder.

‘A registration certificate may be suspended when the conditions under which it was issued are no longer met, pending a determination by the agency.

‘It is regarded as cancelled when NAFDAC revokes the registration license entirely.’

The agency urged the public and stakeholders in the pharmaceutical and food sectors to take note of the latest decision and comply accordingly.

Former Presidential candidate on the platform of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of destroying the gains and legacies of previous civilian administrations.

Obi made the allegation on Wednesday while addressing journalists in Abuja on the occasion of the nation’s 65th Independence Anniversary.

Obi, who noted that the country was on the path to global acclaim in 1960 after it secured independence from colonial rule, acknowledged the ‘confidence, passion, and determination to build a prosperous Nigeria that would stand alongside the world’s most advanced nations.’

Giving a trajectory of its democratic sojourn since 1999, the former presidential candidate declared that the landmark achievements of the erstwhile ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party, in 16 years have been destroyed in a decade of the All Progressives Congress administration. These achievements were significant legacies of previous administrations.

Peter Obi, who recalled debt forgiveness granted to the country under the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, lamented that the nation is facing crippling external debt to the tune of N2.5 trillion.

In his speech titled, ‘A great Nigeria is still possible’, Obi equally noted that as at 2014, under the Goodluck Jonathan administration, Nigeria was rated as the largest economy in Africa.

He said: ‘On 1 October 1960, Nigeria gained independence to global acclaim as an emerging African economic and political power. Such was our potential that Time Magazine predicted the rise of a true African superpower that would lead the continent with pride. Our founding fathers fought for independence with confidence, passion, and determination to build a prosperous Nigeria that would stand alongside the world’s most advanced nations.

‘Unfortunately, tragic failures of leadership derailed this vision. Yet despite these setbacks, Nigeria has always shown resilience. In 1999, we overcame military dictatorship and restored democracy, beginning a renewed journey toward prosperity, freedom, and justice. That journey helped us build Africa’s largest economy and strengthen democratic institutions. But over the last decade, under the APC’s incompetent, divisive, and corrupt leadership, Nigeria has been greatly diminished.

‘By the end of 2007, our total debt was about N2.5 trillion, only 10 percent of GDP, after President Obasanjo’s government secured debt forgiveness of over 30 billion dollars. By 2014, Nigeria had become Africa’s largest economy and was primed to achieve middle-income status. In 2015, for the first time, a ruling party was defeated in a presidential election, marking another milestone for our democracy.

‘Today, the picture is bleak. Our total debt stands at about N175 trillion, nearly 50 percent of GDP, without any improvement in productive sectors. Nigeria has fallen to the fourth-largest economy in Africa, behind South Africa, Egypt, and Algeria. Our democracy is now described as ‘undemocratic.’ In just one year, this administration pushed over 15 million Nigerians into acute poverty. Today, more than 150 million Nigerians lack access to basic healthcare, education, water, and sanitation. This number grows daily under an APC government that pursues brutal, revenue-driven policies while ignoring the welfare of its people. Nigeria now ranks among the lowest in the world on human development indicators. Much of this decline is due to the neglect of the legacies of previous administrations.

‘This government taxes struggling citizens and small businesses heavily, while indulging in extravagance. Billions are spent on new presidential jets, yachts, and luxury cars that cost more than the entire 2024 budget for primary healthcare. The Vice President’s residence was renovated at a cost of N25 billion, more than the combined capital budgets of six major federal university teaching hospitals. Over N10 billion was allocated for car parks and canteens for the National Assembly, more than the capital budget of the Ministry of Science and Technology, at a time when science is crucial to national growth.

‘Meanwhile, Nigerians pay more for everything and receive less. Passports, permits, electricity, petrol, food, rent, and healthcare all cost more. Yet power supply remains unreliable, food insecurity deepens, and UNICEF and WFP project that 33 million Nigerians will face acute hunger in 2025.

‘This government borrows recklessly, not for investment in productive infrastructure but for wasteful consumption. Insecurity has further crippled our economy. Nigerians now live in fear of travelling by road. Kidnapping has become rampant, with billions paid in ransom. Incompetence in security management has turned our country into one of the most terrorised and unsafe nations in the world. Cronyism, corruption, and disregard for the rule of law have scared away investors, while other African nations overtake us as preferred investment destinations. It is imperative to remember the legacies of previous administrations to guide future developments.

The LP national leader who expressed confidence in the capacity of Nigeria to regain lost grounds, however, maintained that ‘What we need is competent, compassionate, and committed leadership. Our priority must be prudent economic management, investment in human capital, the rule of law, and infrastructure development. We must mobilise our enormous natural resources to drastically reduce poverty and achieve rapid, sustained growth.

‘We should learn from nations like China, India, Indonesia, and Bangladesh, which have turned around their economies through disciplined leadership and people-centred policies. Nigeria, too, can rebound, but only if we exit the path of incompetence and fiscal irresponsibility.

‘The current administration’s failures must not lead us to despair. They should instead fuel our determination to rebuild. Nigeria has the resources, talent, and resilience to become an industrialised nation in record time. With the right leadership, we can defeat terrorism, restore security, and guarantee Nigerians safe communities where enterprise and social life can thrive. We must end a system where leaders feast while the people starve, where politics enriches a few and impoverishes the many. The old politics must end, and a new politics of prosperity for all must begin by honouring the legacies of previous administrations.

‘Against all odds, we will return Nigeria to the path of prosperity and justice. We will not relent. We will not be discouraged. The mission is clear: Nigeria will rise again.

‘I call on political leaders to reflect on the crises confronting our nation and recognise this as a moment to transcend personal interests. We must reject corruption, bigotry, and division. We must embrace a new Nigeria where leadership is defined by competence, compassion, and commitment.’

A new case study published by Climate Strategies and Salzburg Global has highlighted the urgent challenges and untapped opportunities Nigeria faces as the world accelerates its shift away from fossil fuels.

The report titled ‘Domestic Implications of Existing and Planned Oil and Gas Demand Reduction Strategies for Nigeria,’ authored by Dr Oluwasola Omoju, warned that the country’s heavy dependence on oil and gas revenues makes it especially vulnerable to global energy transition trends.

Despite holding one of the world’s largest oil and gas reserves, Nigeria is already experiencing declining oil revenues, high production costs, and limited refining capacity.

‘As key export markets (including the EU, US, and India) ramp up decarbonisation efforts, demand for Nigerian oil is projected to fall sharply. This poses risks for government budgets, foreign exchange earnings, and employment especially in oil-dependent regions,’ Omoju said.

According to the report, it is not a hopeless situation as the decline in fossil fuel demand could catalyse long-overdue diversification into agriculture, manufacturing, solid minerals, and services with strong potential for job creation and inclusive growth.

‘Nigeria’s natural gas, critical mineral deposits such as lithium, and growing renewable energy sector also offer short- to medium-term pathways for sustainable prosperity,’ the report added.

The publication stresses that seizing these opportunities will require decisive action, such as reallocating investment away from costly oil exploration into high-growth sectors; expanding non-oil exports and tax reforms to reduce dependence on oil revenues; partnering with the private sector to invest in renewable energy and reskill oil workers; and leveraging natural gas and critical minerals as transition strategies while accelerating clean energy deployment.

‘This transition can be an opportunity, not just a threat. Nigeria must act now to diversify its economy and ensure a just, inclusive energy future,’ Omoju added.

The Nigerian Army has sustained its fierce onslaught against terrorists and criminal gangs across the country, recording sweeping operational gains in recent days.

A report made available to Tribune Online in Abuja on Wednesday stated ‘these include the rescue of 16 hostages, arrest of 25 suspects, neutralisation of several terrorists, and the recovery of a cache of weapons, explosives and logistics during the operations.’

The report explained that ‘ in Borno and Adamawa States, troops decimated ISWAP/JAS terrorists in Kolori and Karumi (Konduga Local Government Area, as well as Madagali Local Government Area

According to it, a key logistics supplier was intercepted in Mafa Local Government Area of the state with 23 cans of petrol concealed in a bag, while troops in Mubi North halted the smuggling of petrol and fertilisers.

It added that ‘ In Garkida, a terrorist who admitted to past attacks in Damboa was captured with assorted weapons including one M70AB2 rifle, four magazines and 150 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.’

The report further added that the Troops of 1 Brigade foiled multiple terrorist attempts in Zamfara’s Maradun, Tsafe and Anka Local Government Areas, rescued six kidnap victims, and seized motorcycles.

It added that in Kaduna State, a notorious kidnap kingpin was arrested in Mayir Village, Sanga Local Government, following precise intelligence.

The statement read, ‘In Benue, Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralised a violent extremist in Katsina-Ala LGA and rescued 10 abducted passengers along the Kyado-Wukari road.

‘In Kwara State, three kidnap victims were freed near Eruku Town with a motorcycle recovered. Meanwhile, troops in Nasarawa intercepted a drug-laden vehicle and arrested two suspects, including the consignee.

‘In Imo State, two cultists were arrested in Mgbidi with a pistol, phones and a motorcycle and in Anambra, troops disrupted IPOB/ESN activities in Orumba North, where criminals detonated three IEDs before fleeing. The explosives, wires, cylinders and batteries were safely neutralised.

‘In Delta and Bayelsa States, troops recovered two locally made double-barrel guns, 27 cartridges and in joint operations with the NDLEA, apprehended 19 drug dealers with cannabis, tramadol, pentazocine, diazepam and Canadian lou. In Rivers and Bayelsa, troops seized over 1,200 litres of illegally refined AGO and crude oil in line with Operation DELTA SAFE directives. Four suspected kidnappers were also nabbed in Oshimili North LGA of Delta State.

‘These operations yielded recovery of M70AB2 rifle, four magazines, 150 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, two double-barrel guns, 27 cartridges, one pistol, several motorcycles, IEDs, large consignments of petrol and fertilisers, mobile phones and assorted illicit drugs.’

The Nigerian Army reiterated its unshakable commitment to hunt down terrorists, kidnappers and criminal elements wherever they operate, warning that ‘those who threaten the peace and security of the nation will face relentless military pressure and devastating consequences.’

It added that the Nigerian Army remains firm in safeguarding communities, enabling farming and supporting national economic recovery in line with the Federal Government’s drive for food security.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that Nigeria has become a net exporter, recording a trade surplus for five consecutive quarters.

In his nationwide broadcast to mark the country’s 65th independence anniversary on Wednesday, Tinubu said the shift reflects a fundamental change in the economy, with Nigeria now selling more to the global market than it imports.

He explained that this development is strengthening the naira, creating jobs locally, and signalling the diversification of the economy away from oil dependence.

According to the president, manufactured goods exported from Nigeria have increased significantly, while non-oil exports now account for nearly half of the country’s total trade earnings.

He described the trend as evidence that the reforms undertaken by his administration are beginning to yield tangible results.

He said, ‘We are now a Net Exporter: Nigeria has recorded a trade surplus for five consecutive quarters. We are now selling more to the world than we are buying, a fundamental shift that strengthens our currency and creates jobs at home.

‘Nigeria’s trade surplus increased by 44.3% in Q2 2025 to ?7.46 trillion ($4.74 billion), the largest in about three years. Goods manufactured in Nigeria and exported jumped by 173%.

‘Non-oil exports, as a component of our export trade, now represent 48 per cent, compared to oil exports, which account for 52 per cent. This signals that we are diversifying our economy and foreign exchange sources outside oil and gas.’

Tinubu also urged Nigerians to embrace locally made products as part of efforts to drive national growth and reduce dependence on foreign goods.

The president explained that while the federal government is implementing policies to stabilise the economy and improve infrastructure, citizens also have a responsibility to support nation-building through choices that favour local production.

He noted that placing Nigeria first in everyday consumption decisions would help accelerate growth and secure a sustainable future.

‘Let us be a nation of producers, not just consumers. Let us farm our land and build factories to process our produce. Let us patronise ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ goods. I say Nigeria first. Let us pay our taxes.’

As the nation’s celebrates her 65th anniversary on October 1, this year, stakeholders have warned that such celebrations should be done cautiously, since the state of the nation’s economy still calls for sober reflection.

The stakeholders, comprising the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN); Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (AS BON) and Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI); have therefore charged the government on the need to intensify efforts at easing the reforms-induced pains individuals and businesses have continued to endure in the past two years.

They argued that, while there seems to be some form of positives in the fact that the non-oil sector of the economy, unlike in the past, now contributes significantly to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), they are however of the opinion that the real sector, such as Manufacturing, which should have been the major driver of the nation’s economic growth has not been able to perform such role, due to a myriad of challenges, ranging from inflation, to high interest rates, huge electricity rates, and diminishing consumer purchasing power, among others, facing the sector.

For instance, in his review of the performance of the sector in 2024, the President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Francis Meshioye, believed the sector was not able to contribute maximally to the nation’s GDP, due to different macro-economic and infrastructural challenges facing it, during the period under review.

For instance, manufacturing’s share of the economy dropped significantly from 16.04 per cent in Q4 2023 to 12.68 per cent in Q2 2024, indicating a contraction in economic activity within the sector.

‘In 2024, Nigeria’s manufacturing encountered a myriad of macroeconomic and infrastructural challenges that severely impacted its performance. The sector faced mounting pressure from high inflation, a depreciating Naira, rising interest rates, escalating electricity tariffs, record low sales, multiplicity of taxes and levies and militating security concerns, which affected profitability and hindered the sector’s contribution to the nation’s GDP,’ he stated.

On inflation, the MAN boss described as alarming, the 34.6 per cent inflation figure recorded in November 2024, a development, he argued, diminished consumers’ purchasing power and caused a decline in demand for manufactured goods.

According to him, another of the consequences of all these, was the huge unsold inventory of N1.4 trillion, recorded across companies in the sector, during the period.

Meshioye also identified the steep decline in the value of the Naira, from N666/$ in mid 2023 to over N1700/$ by mid-2024, due to the floating of the exchange rate, as another major factor for the sector’s non-performance in 2024.

He noted that the interest rate figure at 27.7 percent, recorded by November 2024, also made it difficult for operators in the sector to access financing for expansion, since it raised borrowing cost for expansion and modernisation; thereby limiting, severely, the potential for investment in the sector, impeding long-term growth prospects.

Interestingly, one challenge that seems intractable in the sector remains the issue of high electricity tariff. A drastic rise in electricity tariffs by over 250 per cent, manufacturers complained, have made energy costs become one of the highest operating expenses for businesses in the sector in 2024.

In a bid to remain in business, they argued, manufacturers now seek alternative energy sources, a development that has further strained their financial resources and complicate their ability to remain competitive.

Speaking in this same vein, the President of the Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria, Dr. Femi Egbesola, noted that the impact of the reforms on small businesses, in the past two years, had been very negative, since over 2 million businesses had shut down over the period due to the reforms.

He added that small businesses had also continued to groan under the heavy burden of multiplicity of taxes. Egbesola, however expressed the optimism that the new tax reforms, expected to kickoff in January next year, would serve as a form of relief to small businesses.

‘A lot of things will change for good. And if nano, micro and small businesses which form about 96 percent of businesses that we have in Nigeria, are positively impacted by these tax reforms, it would also impact the economy, positively,’ he stated.

He said part of the survival strategies adopted by operators in the sector, has been the decision to leverage the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to enhance their fortunes.

‘We are beginning to look at how we can be innovative in the way we run our business. That is why you see some of us involved in exports, especially non-oil export. We are also leveraging AfCFTA, ECOWAS and technology to be able to survive at this time,’ he stated.

While expressing the optimism that, with time, businesses would begin to reap the fruits of the reform, he however charged government on the need to begin to think of how to give soft landing to small businesses by cushioning the effects of those reforms.on their operations.

In its review, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry LCCI expressed the delight that key indicators are showing some positive trends, with GDP growth accelerating to 4.23 percent in Q2, of this year; and headline inflation gradually easing, to 2012 percent as of August.

The Chamber, however , called for sober reflection on the state of the nation’s economy, and the business environment , since sustained reforms still remained imperative to unlocking the country’s full potential.

‘At 65, Nigeria stands at a pivotal juncture. We need to deepen structural reforms that ease the cost of doing business. With the benchmark rate still as high as 27%, weak power supply, high energy costs, and an expensive exchange rate for critical imports, businesses are operating in a harsh business environment.

‘We must prioritise infrastructure investments, particularly in power, logistics, and broadband. We need critical infrastructure upgrades to support innovation, digital transformation, and industrialization,’ it added.

The National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) has dismissed reports circulating about the existence of an interim leadership within the association, insisting that its current National President, Dr Ojo Joseph Ajanaku, remains the duly elected and recognised leader.

In a statement issued by the association, NCAN described the claims made at a recent press briefing by an unnamed group as misleading, stressing that the purported interim executives do not represent the cashew industry.

According to the association, its national election was held on 23 November 2024 at the FACAN Headquarters in Abuja, where Dr Ajanaku was elected and sworn in by the Board of Trustees.

It noted that any insinuation of a leadership crisis was an attempt to misinform stakeholders and distract from ongoing efforts to develop the cashew subsector.

On allegations that NCAN had stalled the cashew industry road map, the association clarified that the document in question was produced by an international development partner and was being reviewed in consultation with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS). NCAN explained that the review was necessary to ensure the policy framework aligns with national interests.

‘The association remains united and focused on promoting Nigeria’s cashew industry. We assure Nigerians and international partners that NCAN, under the leadership of Dr Ajanaku, is open for business and committed to supporting the sector’s growth,’ a statement from NCAN read.

While urging stakeholders to disregard the claims of the self-acclaimed interim executives, NCAN reiterated its commitment to working with government and private sector players to strengthen cashew production, processing and export in Nigeria.

Stakeholders in Edo State have laminated what they described as the continuous loss of revenue to neighbouring Delta State through taxes.

The people made the claim at a stakeholders meeting, organised by the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), on Wednesday in Benin

The interactive session of the one day programme had in attendance top government functionaries, heads and representatives of ministries, departments and agencies

Engr Stainless Ijeghede, Managing Director of the Edo State Traffic Management Agency, said he had made reports on the payment of taxes of oil company workers in Edo State to Delta, noting that the Edo State government was yet to take any action.

He said, ‘When I was working at that place, at the end of the month, I saw in my pay slip that the tax was paid to Delta.

‘What that means is that those people who work in Oben pay tax to the Delta State Government.’

While agreeing with Ijeghede, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon Samson Osagie, said many of Deltans came into Edo State as settlers but because the people of the state were fond of migrating to the city, the settlers claim ownership of those places and that led to lose of revenue for the state.

He, however, said that several meetings on the boundary issues have been held and adjustments made, noting that he expects the National Boundary Commission to visit the areas and ratify the boundaries to stop the revenue loss.

Osagie also said his ministry is proposing a revenue court Law that would create specific courts to try tax offenders.

‘There is the need for Revenue Court Law that will see to the setting up of a specific court to try offenders.

‘The whole idea is to ensure that the entire gamut of our tax system is put together in a way that enforcement and prosecution of tax offenders are easy.

‘As I speak, we are proposing a draft using our neighbouring Delta State as a model to have revenue courts law of Edo State so that all tax offenders will be sent to those courts and make trials fast and easy.’

Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Chairman of EIRS, Barr. Oladele Bankole-Balogun, said though, the EIRS was making progress in terms of revenue collection, there was the need for all the stakeholders to work together and increase the state’s revenue base.

He said that a fundamental tool for achieving this is the Single Treasury Account which the state have begun to institutionalise.

He noted that this would ensure a transparent flow of resources into a centralised account thus eliminating cash handling, reducing leakages, and, most importantly, improving accountability.

Bankole-Balogun added, ‘So going forward, we want to encourage that all revenue streams be remitted into the state IGR account with proper digital records and accountability.

‘Remember that revenue is not an end in itself. It’s just a means to enable the state to provide better roads, stronger health systems, vibrant education and safer communities.

He said the state was waiting for the commencement of the new national tax law which the state would key into.

A review of Reverend Sam Adesua’s book, Israel and The Rest of Them: Perspective of a Christian by Adewale Oshodi

AT a time of chaos in the Middle East, Reverend Sam Adesua, through his new book, Israel and The Rest of Them: Perspective of a Christian, has been able to delve into the history of the Jewish state and how if found itself in the midst of ‘the rest of them.’

Reverend Adesua, whose work is from a personal perspective based on his knowledge of the Bible, highlights the relationship between Israel and the countries/peoples surrounding it since time immemorial.

The 20-chapter book starts with an introduction before the second chapter delves into, ‘Israel: A Panoramic View,’ where the author takes the reader to beginning of the Jewish state, which he described as a long turbulent history.

The author documents the challenges Israel faced to the extent that it was out of existence for about 2,000 years following series of perennial political crises and wars. Of note was the determination for total subjugation of Israel by the Roman Empire in the middle of the first century, as the Roman Legion, led by General Titus, defeated Israel as a nation in 70 A.D. The result of this was that the Jewish people remained seemingly lost among other nations worldwide for about 2,000 years.

‘However, one of the unique notable characteristics of the Jews from ages was that, as much as possible, they always tried to maintain their Jewish identity anywhere they found themselves,’ the author writes.

After being scattered all over the world, the Israeli nation, however, reemerged as a corporate political entity on May 14, 1948, and since then, the nations around them had been locked in battle with the new state. The author documents some of the existential wars the Israel nation had fought to ward off their enemies. Among the wars was on May 15, 1948, just a day after Israel became an official state, its neighbours, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, invaded the new state.

‘Their sole aim was to mercilessly kill the new nation of Israel at birth. To the Arab enemies, the new state must not be allowed to even take off, not to talk of surviving. (Pg127).’

That war lasted from May 15, 1948 till March 10, 1949 and an armistice agreement formally ended the war and established a green line between the adversaries. There was also the six-day 1967 Arab-Israel war, the 1973 Yom Kippur war, among others, but in all, Israel emerged victorious. The latest war, which started on October 7, 2023, is also documented, with the author describing it as a misadventure by Hamas.

However, before then, the author writes that Israel came into existence from an ancient man called Abram, who is popularly known as the progenitor of the Jewish people or Israelites.

Adesua traces the history of Abraham, who was the first man to be referred to as a Hebrew and how the people who emerged from his family finally became Israelites. The book further takes the reader to the period of Moses, Joshua and how they led the Israelites at various times during their challenging periods.

He further writes about the Jewish peoples’ turbulent years, which particularly came as a result of their stubbornness and disobedience to the laws of their God. The world-wide persecution of Jews also took centre stage in the book, before the rebirth of the modern Israeli state, which came shortly after the end of the second world war.

Of all the challenges the Jewish people faced, they always emerged victorious and stronger, which the author traced to the divine hand of God in action.

The final chapter, ‘Genesis of the Problem and Solution,’ is perhaps the most important aspect of the book, as the author lays the blame of the crises in the region at the feet of the United Nations, which he said made a mistake in the partitioning of Palestine through the allocation of land between the people of Israel and their Arab neighbours, as: ‘Both Arabs and Jews at this time were just Palestinians because they resided and operated in the area. There was no recognised nation-state there at the time.’

The author then said the solution to the chaos is the one proposed by United States President Donald Trump for peace to reign in the region.

Adesua, a former Managing Director/Editor in Chief (EiC) of African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc and retired Senior Pastor of the Foursquare Gospel Church, has done a great work in tracing the history of Jewish people from the Biblical period to the current war Israel is waging in the region, which began following the October 7, 2023 invasion of the Jewish state by Hamas.

This book is, therefore, a must read for lovers of global affairs, history students, academic, religious leaders, among others, as it will give them a sound perspective of what is really happening in the Middle East and how it got to where it is today.