The speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajuddeen Abbas, on Monday met with six regional caucus leaders and their secretaries to intensified lobby for the passage of controversial Nigeria Tax Bill, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.

The bills have generated widespread controversy, especially in the Northern part of the country over some contentious clauses believed to be inimical to the development of the region.

The regional caucus leaders are Sada Soli, North West; Mukhtar Betara, North East; Ahmed Wase, North Central; Fredrick Agbedi, South South; James Faleke, South West and; Igariwey Iduma, South East.

At least three members of the House of Representatives confirmed the meeting  on Monday, saying the speaker wanted the controversial bills to be passed for the second reading on Tuesday.

“They want the regional caucus leaders to convince their members to allow the bills to be read on Tuesday. Once the bills are read and passed for second reading, that is the end of the game because they will achieve their aim at the committee level,” said a lawmaker who preferred anonymity.

And the irony is that the chairman of the Finance Committee that will handle the bills is James Faleke, a hardline supporter of President Tinubu and one of the top promoters of the bill at the House.”

The sources further said the speaker is under pressure from the presidency to ensure passage of the bills within a week to enable President Bola Tinubu present the 2025 budget.

“Right now the presidency is at crossroads as the budget is tied to tax increase. This is the reason the presidency is desperate about the passage of the bills before the end of the year,” said another lawmaker.

It was gathered that the speaker is scheduled to meet with Northern governors tonight at the Bauchi Governors’ Lodge, Asokoro Abuja.

Mr Abbas’ spokesman, Musa Krishi, did not reply to inquiry on the matter.

Daily Nigerian

UK-Based Nigerian Scholarship Beneficiary Launches Foundation In Sokoto

A Sokoto state born and now living in the United Kingdom, Anas Muhammad Sani has launched a foundation focusing on Female Child Education tagged “Catch Them Young”; Sponsorship and scholarship.

Anas who says the initiative was because of his decision to give back to the society after he was given 100% scholarship for his Masters degree in the UK by House of Representatives member representing Kebbe/Tambuwal, Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki.

“Two years ago, the legislator representing my constituency, Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency, Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki [Santurakin Sokoto] sponsored me 100% to study my MSc at the prestigious University of Westminster in the Central London. That was a historic patriotic move that was unprecedented in the region I come from.

Since then, my primary objective has been to find a way to give back to the community that has been electing the selfless leader who shaped my life career to represent them in the Federal House of Representatives.”

At the launching of the foundation, the Anas Dukura Foundation considered 10 girls from the community’s primary school for the “catch them young” sponsorship; they all got new set of uniforms, exercise and text books, and monthly allowance to take care of their other needs to avoid their parents from sending them for hawking.

“In our community right now no single girl in primary 5 and 6 and we have very few in the other classes this is why we picked those in primary 4 and 3, we will provide everything for their studies.
The foundation is also giving scholarship to 9 higher institution students from the community where six will be giving 50% tuition fee with 30,000 scholarship every year.

“All students of tertiary institutions from my community, Dukura [in Kebbe local government of Sokoto state], would be getting a reasonable financial grant annually starting this year.
Students of institutions (not covered by government’s sponsorship) especially nursing and other health—related courses would be assisted with at least 50% tuition.

Aside the western Education the foundation aimed at establishing a weekly special Quranic classes for kids aged 10 years and below under the tutelage of a sponsored professional instructor.

Salisu Baso

The Kano State House of Assembly has invited six newly nominated commissioners sent by the state governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, for approval. The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Jubril Ismail Falgore, announced this in a letter sent to the House.

He stated that the nominees are Shehu Wada Sagagi, Dr. Ismail Danmaraya, Comrade Ibrahim Wayya, Dahiru Muhammad Hashim, Engr. Gaddafi Sani Shehu, and Comrade Abdulkadir Abdulsalam.

The nominated persons are to report tomorrow by 10:00 AM with 45 copies of their credentials and certificates of code of conduct.