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Edo State Government said its deployment of technology and innovation would help it to meet targeted N100billion in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by December ending.

It said it had made gains in the area of increasing the state IGR and being able to manage some of the challenging issues with tax evasion and tax avoidance.

Executive Chairman of Edo Internal Revenue Services (EIRS), Otunba Bamidele Bankole-Balogun, in an interview, said the state was making steady progress through audit processes, assessments and good use of the courts.

He said the state’s IGR at the end of August was N74billion and had hit N79billion at press time.

Bankole-Balogun said the Governor Monday Okpebholo administration inherited a virtually non-existent digitalised system.

The EIRS boss said his team was working assiduously to digitalise revenue collections in Edo State such that in future, cash collections and manual collections would be reduced to the barest minimum.

He said: ‘At the moment, Edo State Internal Revenue Service is making tremendous gains in the area of increasing the state’s IGR. There are many components to our taxation and each and every part of this mix is seeing significant improvement as compared to last year in review.

‘There are other companies that are lined up and individuals lined up somewhere. It has been traditionally difficult, as you say, to come to grips with high net worth individuals. They have all the resources to evade and avoid tax, but we’re on top of it.’

He expressed the state’s preparedness for the new tax regime from January 1, 2026.

‘As you know, the new tax regime that will come in on the 1st of January 2026 places very little emphasis on the low income and places a lot of emphasis on the high income. Our objective is to tap into the high net worth individuals who are able to pay much more than the lower income, so as to harness that group and maximise the potential from the group.

‘Digitalisation is on top of it. Tax bodies are on top of it. The FIRS, which will now be the Federal Revenue Service, is also on top of it. Edo State Internal Revenue Service is also on top of it. Technology will help and as you know TINs, BDNs and NINs are going to be critical to doing any financial transaction in Nigeria from the 1st of January. So all of these mechanisms put together, hopefully, will help us to get more from these people who can pay more actually to give everybody a better life.’

Barau FC head coach, Ladan Bosso, has praised his players for their resilience and determination following the club’s first-ever victory in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

In the battle between two newcomers, Barau defeated Kun Khalifat 3-1 in a Matchday 6 clash at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, to register their maiden win of the season.

An elated Bosso lauded the collective effort behind the result.

‘Actually, I am so happy with the result. Our club proprietor, the general manager, my coaching staff, officials, and players all did well to secure this victory,’ he said.

He added that the team would build on the performance, remain focused, and prepare strongly for their next challenge.

The win lifts Barau FC to 18th place on the table with five points from as many matches.

They will next host Warri Wolves on Sunday, October 5, 2025, at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofarmata, in Matchday 7.

Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), the world’s largest professional body of management accountants, has awarded 235 accounting and finance professionals in Nigeria Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) certificates, and their CGMA designation at its 2025 convocation in Lagos.

CIMA training, which is recognised in over 170 countries, equips candidates with accounting knowledge, risk management, business leadership, decision-making, performance evaluation, and financial analysis. The 235 candidates will also benefit from the large global community of CGMA holders, granting them access to a global network of business and finance leaders as well as providing them with career support and continuous professional development.

Tariro Mutizwa, vice president Africa, lauded the candidates for their hard work, dedication and commitment in acquiring the knowledge and skills to achieve their CGMA. She assured them that the certification has paved the way for promising careers as they have been equipped to meet not only today’s business demands but also future business needs.

‘I am pleased to welcome a new generation of Nigerian accounting and finance professionals into our profession in Nigeria. Their dedication, hard work, and unrelenting commitment have paved the way for promising careers built on a solid foundation of knowledge and skill,’ Mutizwa said. ‘These future leaders are equipped not only to meet the demands of today’s business landscape but to shape what comes next, driving innovation, integrity, and excellence in their organisations. May their journey be marked by growth, impact, and success.’

Ijeoma Anadozie, Country Director in Nigeria, also praised the candidates. The country director said the certification has positioned the candidates to seize a world of exciting opportunities.

Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Board of Trustees (BoT) has said 18 tertiary institutions have been selected to benefit from its sustainable mini grid energy solutions.

The board added that it had also approved mini grid power project under the 2025 intervention cycle, with N70 billion allocation across the instructions.

BoT member, Nurudeen Adeyemi, an engineer; said this yesterday in Ilorin, Kwara State, at a town hall meeting for stakeholders of beneficiary institutions and surrounding communities in the Northcentral.

He said the aim ”is to address one of the most persistent challenges facing our tertiary institutions and high cost of electricity.”

Said he: ‘This bold step will ensure a stable, cost effective and renewable electricity supply to campuses, thereby reducing operational costs and enhancing research and learning.

‘In the Northcentral, several projects were extended by the fund under the direction of the board of trustees.

‘Under the special high impact projects, institutions that benefited from the intervention include University of Ilorin, Kwara State, University of Jos, Plateau State, Benue State University, Federal Polytechnic, Ny’Ak Shendam, Plateau State, College of Agriculture Science and Technology, Nasarawa State and Federal Polytechnic Bida, Niger State.

‘Similarly, Federal College of Education, Odugbo, Benue State, Kwara State College of Education and Federal College of Education, Okene, Kogi State.

‘This town hall meeting is more than a gathering; it is a partnership for progress.

‘It symbolises the board’s determination to institutionalise transparency, accountability and inclusivity in the way we deliver educational interventions.

‘It also reflects our deep conviction that sustainable solutions must be built through dialogue, trust and collective action.’

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has restated Nigeria’s readiness to partner with credible global investors, particularly Nigerians in the diaspora and ‘sons of the soil.’

He described such partnership as part of efforts to secure energy independence and deliver modern infrastructure to power prosperity across Africa.

The President made the declaration in Lagos yesterday after separate meetings with two of the country’s foremost global investment figures – Hakeem Belo-Osagie of Metis Capital and Bayo Ogunlesi of Global Infrastructure Partners and BlackRock.

The tips of the engagements were shared on the President’s verified X handle – @officialABAT.

The tweet reads: ‘We agreed on the urgency of unlocking large-scale investments in upstream oil and gas and critical infrastructure to drive Nigeria’s long-term growth.’

Stressing that such partnerships were essential to transform the nation’s economic trajectory, the President noted that his administration’s reforms are already reshaping the investment climate.

‘Our administration’s reforms are creating a better enabling environment whilst opening new frontiers for sustainable financing, global capital, and transformative projects. We are determined to make Nigeria Africa’s premier investment destination,’ the President said.

The engagements with Belo-Osagie and Ogunlesi form part of Tinubu’s ongoing drive to attract investments into Nigeria’s energy and infrastructure sectors, considered critical pillars of his Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA).

The National Association of Catholic Lawyers (NACL), Archdiocese of Ibadan, would host the Jubilee of Hope: Day of Justice events, on Saturday, October 4, 2025.

The event will hold at the Catholic Church of the Ascension, Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The event will begin with the Holy Mass at 10am, which would have His Grace, Most Rev. (Dr.) Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin, Catholic Archbishop of Ibadan as the Chief Celebrant.

President of NACL, Archdiocese of Ibadan, Michael Agbolade and the Chairman, Planning Committee, Williams Tijani, said this year’s edition would be unique in a number of ways. ‘Firstly, it is organised to mark ‘The Jubilee of Hope: Day of Justice’, as declared by His Holiness, Pope Francis.

‘Secondly, it would feature the launch of a booklet titled, ‘Legal Guide for Catholic Faithful’, a practical resource package, compiling insights from the association’s legal clinics on key areas of law that touch on people’s lives in a way that aligns with both civil law and Catholic values.’

They said that the event would serve as an opportunity to reflect on justice as a source of hope in today’s world, and mark the commencement of the new legal year.

The statement said new wigs would be welcomed into the profession, while the St. Thomas More Award would be conferred on some NACL members to recognise their outstanding contributions to justice.

Distinguished guests expected include Catholic Bishops from the Ecclesiastical Province of Ibadan; Chairman of the Day, Hon. Justice Peter Ige (rtd), Patron of NACL Ibadan and Chairman, Board of Trustees, National Association of Catholic Lawyers of Nigeria; and the Chief Host of the Day, His Grace, Archbishop Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin.

The keynote address is to be delivered by a Professor of Law at the School of Law and Security Studies, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Prof. Titilayo Aderibigbe and is titled, ‘Is There Hope for Justice in the Present Nigeria?’; and panel discussion including the Pastoral Secretary, Archdiocese of Ibadan; Very Rev. Fr. Richard Omolade; and a former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Chief Ayodele Adigun.

The lawyers have expressed appreciation to Archbishop Abegunrin for his unwavering support and fatherly care for the association and the legal profession.

‘With your continued prayers and guidance, we are confident that the Jubilee of Hope: Day of Justice will be a meaningful and impactful occasion, advancing the mission of justice and peace in our Archdiocese and beyond’, the statement added. The Ibadan Branch of NACL is dedicated to promoting justice and upholding the rule of law by bringing together Catholic lawyers from across Nigeria to work towards a just and equitable society.’, the statement said.

Nigeria’s sole representative at the IWF World Weightlifting Championship in Forde, Norway African Games and Commonwealth Games multiple gold medalists, Rafiatu Folashade Lawal will depart the country for the Scandinavian land today.

The competition will start from Thursday this week to 11th October with Lawal aiming to boost her chances of qualifying for the next year’s Commonwealth Games.

The Nigerian is expected to compete in the Women’s 58kg on October 4th and her decision to leave about five days to her event is to enable her to train in Norway and also to get acclimatized to the weather.

The Oyo-born weightlifter represented Nigeria at the Paris 2024 Olympics where she placed fifth in the Women’s 59kg with a total lift of 230kg.

Lawal has been training very hard in anticipation of the competition and she told NWF Media that she’s doing all within her powers to finish on the podium and boost her chances of qualifying for the Commonwealth Games next year.

She said she’s thrilled with the spotlight on her and that she’s convinced she would give a good account of herself in Norway notwithstanding the weather and other factors.

Rotary International District 9111 has inaugurated Learning Committee Facilitators for 2026- 2027.

District Governor-elect, Bukola Bakare, said their journey for the year had started.

She urged them to live to their responsibilities and formulate the learning needs of the district and fashion out ways of maximising learning experiences of members.

The facilitators, among others, are Past District Governor, Bola Oyebade; Adviser, Past District Governor, Kennedy Ejakpomehwe; Executive District Secretary 2026-2027, Assistant Governor, Felix Nwagu; and Deputy District Learning Facilitator (DDLF) 1, and Past Assistant Governor Antonia Omotayo Taiwo.

Gernot Rohr, coach of the Cheetahs of Benin, and George Aluo, a prominent member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), have expressed their appreciation for FIFA’s recent ruling to deduct three points from South Africa. This decision has effectively intensified the competition for automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as the race in Group C heats up.

FIFA cited a violation of regulations concerning player eligibility as the reason for the sanction, which stemmed from South Africa’s usage of Teboho Mokoena in a preliminary match against Lesotho on March 21, 2025. The original result, a 2-0 win for South Africa, was overturned and awarded as a 3-0 victory for Lesotho, resulting in South Africa not only losing three crucial points but also facing a fine of CHF 10,000, with Mokoena receiving a warning from FIFA.

‘Finally, FIFA has taken the decision we have been waiting for a long time. It’s a logical outcome that comes just before our last games, ‘ Rohr told NationSports moments after FIFA’s decision was made public.

With the points deduction, the former Super Eagles trainer noted that his team is now in a stronger position within the group but acknowledged the tough matches that lie ahead-one against Rwanda in Kigali and another against Nigeria in Uyo.

‘If I have a good calculator, we are mow the leader in Group C but with two difficult games to finish the qualifying competition . We have to go to Rwanda (Kigali) and Nigeria(Uyo).,’ the vastly travelled Rohr sais.

Aluo who doubles as the Chairman of the Nigeria national League (NNL), echoed Rohr’s sentiments, noting that the sanction opens up the competition for all teams in Group C. He views the three points taken from South Africa as a boost for Nigeria to push towards qualification.

‘The decision has made the group wide open,’ Aluo remarked, highlighting Rwanda’s potential as a dark horse in this race.

He went on to emphasize the importance of the upcoming match between Rwanda and Benin, suggesting that the outcomes of those games could dramatically alter the standings.

‘If Rwanda wins that match and we triumph over Lesotho, the dynamics of the competition will change completely. All four countries-Nigeria, South Africa, Benin, and Rwanda-are very much in the hunt for qualification, and I expect Rwanda to be competitive against South Africa if they manage to defeat Benin at home.’

Yet Rohr maintained that it would be foolhardy for anyone to doubt his history-seeking Cheetahs, adding they are at the ready for the upcoming deciding matches in October.

‘I know we still have a chance even against Rwanda and Nigeria,’ maintained the former Bayern Munich defender. ‘ I think the first three teams can finish as the first team in the group especially if South Africa did not win any of their next games with high score.’

He added: ‘The next game (away to Rwanda) will be very important for us. Even now, Nigeria has a chance because Zimbabwe can even shock South Africa . It is very interesting , very interesting. ‘

Indeed, as the qualifying campaign approaches its climax, the focus remains on the outcomes of each match, with tension and excitement building among fans and teams alike in anticipation of who will eventually secure the Group C automatic ticket to the 2026 World Cup.

GROUP C: REMAINING MATCHES:

OCTOBER 12

Lesotho vs. Nigeria

Rwanda vs. Benin

Zimbabwe vs. South Africa

OCTOBER 14

Nigeria vs. Benin

South Africa vs. Rwanda

Singer Seyi Shay has revealed why the presence of a father in a girl child’s life is immeasurable.

In an interview on Honest Bunch podcast, Seyi said having a father figure can significantly contribute to a child’s stability and access to better opportunities.

She argued that father figures provide guidance, moral values, and set standards for relationships and friendships, which can positively impact a child’s development and future.

Seyi Shay expressed concerns about the narrative that men are not important in the home, calling it an agenda that creates disparity and division within families.

She opined that this can lead to more broken individuals and emphasises the value of having a father figure in a child’s life.

She said: ‘Most women that have a father figure are generally more stable growing up. They have a lot more access to a lot more things like good education, good moral values and there’s a bar when they want to get married or when they choose male friends and stuff like that.

‘All this agenda pushing of men are not important. You can do this. I think it’s bullshit because that’s just an agenda placed for there to be more disparity and more division in a home so that we can churn out more broken souls or more lost females and males’.

The mother of one credits her life experiences and the timing of her motherhood for allowing her to be a better parent to her daughter.

According to her, she sees herself as her daughter’s ‘cheat code,’ able to provide guidance and share her experiences to help her daughter avoid some of the challenges she faced.

‘Look at me. I’m just so very lucky that I didn’t have a child when I was like 20 or 23 because my daughter would probably grow up to be a mess. Like, having her at this age means that I’m her cheat code.

‘It means that I’m able to, like, put her on to certain things and she can avoid certain routes that I took. Because I’ve done them. I’ve been through them. I can tell her all about guys, all about certain friends and how and why and be real and honest with her, and hopefully she will be 10 million times better than me without having to also go through the tribulations and trials that I’ve been through.

‘And there are a lot of women like that, you know, today. And there are young mothers as well that are entrepreneurs,,’ she added.