BREAKING:STATE HOUSE PRESS STATEMENT

EXPLAINER: PROPOSED TAX REFORM BILLS NOT AGAINST THE NORTH; THEY WILL BENEFIT ALL STATES
Governors of 19 Northern States of Nigeria, under the platform of the Northern Governors' Forum, at their meeting on Monday, October 28, 2024, expressed their opposition to the new derivation-based model for Value-Added Tax (VAT) distribution in the new tax reform bills before the National Assembly.
Chairman of the forum, Governor Muhammed Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, read the communiqué.
The Northern Governors' Forum meeting also had traditional rulers from the region, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar III, in attendance.
While we commend the Governors and traditional rulers for supporting President Bola Tinubu over the success recorded in addressing the country's security challenges, we consider it necessary to address the misunderstandings and misgivings around the tax reform already embarked upon by the administration.
President Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council recently endorsed new policy initiatives aimed at streamlining Nigeria’s tax administration processes, enhancing efficiency and eliminating redundancies across the nation’s tax operations.
These reforms emerged after an extensive review of existing tax laws. The National Assembly is considering four executive bills designed to transform and modernise Nigeria’s tax landscape.
First is the Nigeria Tax Bill, which aims to eliminate unintended multiple taxation and make Nigeria’s economy more competitive by simplifying tax obligations for businesses and individuals nationwide.
Second, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill (NTAB) proposes new rules governing the administration of all taxes in the country. Its objective is to harmonise tax administrative processes across federal, state and local jurisdictions for ease of compliance for taxpayers in all parts of the country.
Third, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill seeks to rename the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) to better reflect the mandate of the Service as the revenue agency for the entire federation, not just the Federal Government.
Fourth, the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill proposes the creation of a Joint Revenue Board to replace the Joint Tax Board, covering federal and all states’  tax authorities.
 The fourth bill also suggests establishing the Office of Tax Ombudsman under the Joint Revenue Board, which would serve as a complaint resolution body for taxpayers.
 It is instructive to note that these proposed laws will not increase the number of taxes currently in operation. Instead, they are designed to optimise and simplify existing tax frameworks.
The tax rates or percentages will remain the same under these reforms, as they focus on ensuring a more equitable distribution of tax obligations without adding to the burden on Nigerians.
The reforms will not lead to job losses. On the contrary, they are structured to stimulate new avenues for job creation by supporting a dynamic, growth-oriented economy.
Importantly, these laws will not absorb or eliminate the duties of any existing department, agency, or ministry. Instead, they aim to harmonise revenue collection and administration across the federation to ensure efficiency and cooperation.
At the moment, tax administration lacks coordination among federal, state, and local tax authorities, often resulting in overlapping responsibilities, confusion, and inefficiency. Without reform, this inefficiency will persist.
The proposed laws aim to coordinate efforts between different tiers of government, resulting in better tax resource management and greater clarity for taxpayers.
Under existing laws, taxes like Company Income Tax (CIT), Personal Income Tax (PIT), Capital Gains Tax (CGT), Petroleum Profits Tax (PPT), Tertiary Education Tax (TET), Value-Added Tax (VAT), and other taxing provisions in numerous laws are administered separately, with individual legislative frameworks.
 The proposed reforms seek to consolidate these multiple taxes, integrating CIT, PIT, CGT, VAT, PPT, and excise duties into a unified structure to reduce administrative fragmentation.
 On the proposed derivation-based VAT distribution model, which the Northern Governors oppose, it must be stressed that the new proposal, as enunciated in the Bill, is designed to create a fairer system.
 The current model for distributing VAT is based on where the tax is remitted rather than where goods and services are supplied or consumed. The ongoing tax reform seeks to correct the inherent inequity in the current derivation model as a basis for distributing VAT revenue.
 The new proposal before the National Assembly outlines a different form of derivation which considers the place of supply or consumption for relevant goods and services. This means that states in the Northern region that produce the food we eat should not lose out just because their products are VAT-exempt or consumed in other states.
 These reforms are critical to improving the lives of Nigerians and were not put forward by President Tinubu to undermine any part of the country. There is no better time than now for the National Assembly to give due consideration to these bills that will overhaul our tax systems and create the revenue all the tiers of government require to fund the development our country and people urgently need.
 
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
 October 31, 2024

Cancer Treatment: Oncologist seeks Government Support.

An oncologist at the General Hospital in Odon, Lagos State has urged the Nigerian government to subsidize cancer treatment and integrate it into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

During the Muslimah Health Forum, an annual convention sponsored by the Bounties Organisation, Dr. Balikis Mabadeje-Isowo noted that many cancer patients delay treatment due to financial constraints.

"Currently, cancer treatment is not covered by the NHIS, although efforts are being made to include anti-cancer therapies. “Many of our patients are not doing well, and we must address the financial burden they face,” 

Dr. Mababdeje-Isowo proposed that the government allocate one oil block to support cancer patients financially.

The forum, themed “Serenity Now,” gathered professional Muslim women to discuss pressing health issues, with cancer being a central topic. 

Hajia Hafsah Ameen-Kukoyi, the convener of the Bounties Charity Initiative, emphasized the importance of raising awareness among Muslim women about their physical, mental, and spiritual health, as ignorance has led to unnecessary fatalities.

In addition to the discussions, the event featured a “Health Souk,” a marketplace aimed at showcasing health initiatives and products tailored for Muslim women, thereby improving their access to healthcare services.

Dr. Fatimah Habeeb Adeyemi, an obstetrician-gynecologist echoed the need for early detection of cancer.

Cancer survivor Oyekemi Bawahala shared her journey, underscoring the importance of early diagnosis and adherence to medical advice as October is recognized as cancer awareness month, "serves as a reminder of the disease seriousness and the importance of early intervention.

 Bawahala warned against misconceptions surrounding cancer treatment, noting that spiritual beliefs can sometimes lead individuals to forgo necessary medical care.

The media representative of the Local Organising Committee, LOC of the Bounties Charity Initiative, Hajiah Rabi Abdallah expressed hope that merging diverse professional skills would lead to a significant societal impact, explaining that "more programs such as this needs to be organized by the Muslim community to create more awareness and educate Muslim women on their health and well being.

Hajiah Mutiat Orolu, Executive Director of the Hijab Rights Advocacy Group, called for increased awareness regarding the hereditary nature of certain cancers and the need for improved access to testing and treatment. 

She urged the government to enhance primary healthcare centers to facilitate screenings and promote collaboration between public and private sectors in cancer care.

The discussion emphasized that " cancer should not be viewed as a death sentence; instead, education and access to treatment are vital in combating the disease and improving survival rates ".

Other activities at the event included discussions on mental health, stress management, exhibition, and promotion of health products by professional Muslim women.

BREAKING: Centenarian and popular Yoruba actor Abdulsalam Sanyaolu, known as Charles Olumo or ‘Agbako,’ has died at 101.

The President of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Bolaji Amusan, also known as Mr. Latin, announced the veteran actor's death on Instagram on Thursday. He wrote, “#tampanglobal announces the passing of Pa Charles Olumo Sanyaolu, fondly known as Agbako. Information about burial arrangements will be provided at a later date. Good night, Father. 25/02/1923 to 31/10/2024.”

 

Another veteran actor, Jide Kosoko, confirmed Agbako’s demise, writing, “Good night to Baba Charles a.k.a. Agbako, 101 years, ba wasa ba. Rest in peace.”

MOON SIGHTING: Look for the new moon of Jimada Ula tomorrow: Sultan of Sokoto urges faithful

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Saad Abubakar, has called on Muslims in the country to start looking for the new moon of Jimada Ula tomorrow, Friday, November 1st, 2024, equivalent to the 29th of Rabiul Assani1446AH in the Islamic calendar. 

In a statement signed by the Chairman Advisory Committee on Islamic Religious Affairs Sultanate Council Sokoto State Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu, Wazirin Sokoto says that if sighted, " the information should be forwarded to the nearest district or village head for onward commutation to the Sultan." 

The statement noted that the Monthly Observation of the moon clarifies the Islamic Calendar within a given year, thereby making moon sightings during the month of Ramadan more acceptable to all Muslims in the Country. 

NASIR MALALI Network

Speed up inauguration of PCN Council to revitalise pharmacy regulation – PSN tells FMoH, PCN.

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, has called on the Federal Ministry of Health to speed up the inauguration of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) Council.
Speaking with journalists on the forthcoming PSN 97th Annual National Conference, with the theme: “Ibom 2024,” billed for Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the PSN President, Prof. Cyril Usifoh, said the council, which has been without an active Chairman since February 2024, has crippled a lot of activities.
The President who expressed deep concern over the delay, emphasised its negative impact on the accreditation of training facilities and disciplinary procedures, pharmacy training and, by extension, the quality of healthcare services in Nigeria,”
Prof Usifoh urged the Ministry of Health to collaborate with the Ministry of Justice to expedite waivers that would empower the PCN to enforce the PCN Act 2022 and regulate pharmaceutical practice effectively.

 Addressed the pressing challenges faced by public sector pharmacists, including the potential strike by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), he appealed to the Federal Government to honour existing agreements, particularly those related to the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), and fully implement the Consultant Pharmacist cadre across federal health institutions.
“ There is the need for immediate implementation of the adjusted CONHESS, enforcement of government circulars mandating the establishment of the Consultant Pharmacist cadre, payment of outstanding wages for workers in professional regulatory councils and suspend the Drug Revolving Fund Standard Operating Procedure (DRF SOP) “ Osifoh
The President called for timely negotiations between the government and JOHESU to avert a potential healthcare crisis.
Briefing on the upcoming 97th conference, Osifoh says, “It is to foster collaboration and unity within the pharmacy profession and mark a new chapter with the election of a new president and other NEC members.”

He advised the 68 ESUT graduates to desist from get-rich-quick syndrome adding that it does not present the industry in good light.
Prof.Usifoh expressed gratitude to PSN members for their support and highlighted the achievements made during his tenure.
“ I acknowledged that while challenges persist, the groundwork has been laid for future progress “. He said
The President further expressed gratitude to PSN members for their support, underscoring achievements made in advancing the profession.
“We may not have completely solved all challenges, but we have laid a visible pathway for our successors to follow.” He noted.
By Sherifat Oyediran, Lagos.