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Arewa Broadcast Media Practitioner’s Forum Criticizes Proposed VAT Bill, Calls for Withdrawal

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The Arewa Broadcast Media Practitioner’s Forum, a body of media professionals from Northern Nigeria, has voiced strong opposition to the proposed Value Added Tax (VAT) bill currently before the National Assembly. In a press statement signed by its Chairman, Abdullahi Yelwa (Ajiyan Yauri), the forum expressed concerns that certain provisions of the bill are detrimental to the interests of the Northern region and the overall economic development of the nation.

The forum highlighted that while some aspects of the bill, if implemented judiciously, may generate much-needed resources for national development, the resort to ethnic and regional sentiments by some supporters of the bill is unacceptable. “We take exception to the resort to ethnic and regional sentiments by some of the supporters of the bill, who mischievously adduced ulterior motives to the legitimate concerns of the Northern Governors Forum and National Economic Council,” the statement read.

The forum emphasized that the North, like any part of the country, has the right to comment on any public policy, especially those it considers injurious to its survival. “The conceivers of the bill have shown total disregard for the concerns of a large majority of Nigerians, especially the North that is economically disadvantaged,” the forum stated.

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One of the key concerns raised by the forum is the provision in the bill that imposes tax on inheritance funds, which they argue is contrary to religious doctrine and cultural norms. Additionally, the forum criticized the lopsided distribution of VAT revenue to states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as proposed in the bill, calling it unjust and likely to exacerbate economic disparities between the North and other regions of the country.

The forum also noted the “fire brigade approach” by the Tax Reform Committee to engage key stakeholders after the fact, which they believe has not erased the suspicion and distrust the bill has generated. “In light of these concerns, we advise the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to honourably withdraw the VAT bill for further consultations with stakeholders,” the statement urged.

The forum believes that withdrawing the bill for further consultations will promote national unity and cohesion and ensure that the VAT regime is fair, equitable, and beneficial to all Nigerians. “This approach will not only promote national unity and cohesion but also ensure that the VAT regime is fair, equitable, and beneficial to all Nigerians,” the forum concluded.

 

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Governor Yusuf Approves 200 Riyals Support, Ihram for Each Kano Pilgrim

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Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved a cash support of 200 Saudi Riyals and Ihram to each intending pilgrim from the state for the 2026 hajj exercise.

 

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by his Deputy, Murtala Sule Garo, disclosed this on Sunday during the launch of the practical demonstration session organised by the Kano State pilgrims Welfare Board for prospective pilgrims in Kano.

 

Speaking at the event, Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo explained that the exercise was organized to educate, inform, spiritually prepare the intending pilgrims for the Hajj rites from Ihram to Tawaf, from Sa’i to Arafat, from Muzdalifah to Mina and the symbolic stoning of the Jamarat.

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He stated that the administration of Abba Kabir Yusuf remains committed to the welfare and well-being of all the pilgrims from the state.

 

Garo said, “This demonstration is a vital aspect of Hajj preparation. Hajj is not merely a journey of travel; it is a sacred act of worship that requires adequate knowledge, discipline, patience and sincere devotion to Allah.”

 

Garo further conveyed the Governor’s goodwill gesture to the pilgrims.

 

He added, “I also wish to give the good tidings to our pilgrims that the Kano State Government has approved the sum of 200 Saudi Riyals and Ihram to each and every intending pilgrim as a compliment from His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.”

 

The Deputy Governor also revealed that the administration has secured conducive accommodation arrangements to ensure the comfort and convenience of the pilgrims throughout their stay in Saudi Arabia.

 

According to him, the state government has equally deployed well-trained medical personnel to complement healthcare services provided by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), saying qualified Islamic scholars have also been selected to provide spiritual guidance during the exercise.

 

He urged the intending pilgrims to be worthy ambassadors of Kano State and Nigeria by obeying the laws of Saudi Arabia and conducting themselves with discipline, humility, and responsibility throughout the pilgrimage.

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6 Kano Central Senatorial Aspirants Withdraw for Senator Ibrahim Shekarau

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Six Kano Central senatorial aspirants have withdrawn for Senator Ibrahim Shekarau in the forthcoming 2027 general election.

One of the senatorial aspirants and a former Kano State Head of Service, Alhaji Usman Bala Muhammad, stated this while addressing journalists at Aminu Kano House in Abuja.

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Those that Withdraw for Malam Ibrahim Shekarau are Dr Muhammad Zango,Alhaji Danyaro Yakasai,Usman Bala Muhammad ,Shaaban Ibrahim Sharada and Shehu Isah Direba.

 

The aspirants have already purchased their nominations forms and submitted to APC secretariat before they were called for a consensus by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

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Obi Thunders at NDC Convention: ‘Rethink Now, Tyrants! Nigerians Will Reclaim Power in 2027!

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

 

The presidential hopeful of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, vowed today at the party’s national convention in Abuja to reclaim power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with the support of Nigerians.

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In his words: “To the beneficiaries of democracy who have now turned themselves into agents of destruction, depriving Nigerians of the democracy they enjoy—who think we will not have a free and fair election in 2027—let them rethink now, because we are going to have a free, fair, and credible election.”

 

The party’s convention today officially unveiled the NDC as the country’s second most vibrant opposition platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

With both Mr. Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso in the NDC, and Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, and Hayatu-Deen in the ADC, the political atmosphere is set for a power play in 2027.

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