News
Lagos-Calabar Coastal project: SERAP threatens Nigerian govt, makes demand from Umahi
SERAP has threatened legal action against Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, over the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project. The organization demands transparency regarding whether the federal government conducted an environmental and social impact assessment for the project and if the report was widely published.
In a post on social media, SERAP stated: “BREAKING: We’re issuing a freedom of information request against Senator David Umahi to immediately disclose if any environmental and social impact assessment was carried out on the Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway Project, and to widely publish a copy of the report of any such assessment including the date and locations of the assessment. We’ll see in court if the information is not immediately provided.”
The 700-kilometer coastal highway project has faced controversy, particularly due to the demolition of the Landmark Beach Resort, valued at $200 million, to create a right of way for the project, which is estimated to cost the federal government N15 trillion.
Paul Onwuanibe, the owner of Landmark Resort, accused the Nigerian Government of foul play following the demolition. However, Umahi countered by accusing Onwuanibe of playing politics, stating that Landmark had no claim over the demolition being carried out by the Federal Government. Umahi clarified that the properties being demolished were along the shoreline to create a pathway for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
SERAP’s move reflects a push for accountability and transparency in major government projects, ensuring that due processes such as environmental assessments are carried out and made available to the public.
News
FIRS says NIN to serve as Tax ID for individuals
The new tax law is scheduled to come into force in January 2026 and mandates the use of a Tax ID for certain financial and economic transactions, including banking-related activities.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has announced that the National Identification Number (NIN) issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) will now automatically serve as the Tax Identification Number (Tax ID) for individual Nigerians under the country’s new tax regime.
FIRS also said that registered businesses will also no longer need a separate Tax Identification Number, as their Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration (RC) number will now function as their Tax ID.
The Service made the disclosure on its official X handle on Monday, ahead of the passage of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA), one of the new tax laws introduced as part of the Federal Government’s broader fiscal and tax reform agenda .
The new tax law is scheduled to come into force in January 2026 and mandates the use of a Tax ID for certain financial and economic transactions, including banking-related activities.
Monday through a public awareness campaign
News
Tanker crushes Akpabio’s dispatch rider to death
We went to Oyo State for the installation of our colleague, but the vehicles that came to pick me up at the Ibadan airport, unfortunately, my dispatch rider was run over by a tanker driver, and his head was shattered.
Ibrahim Hussaini, a dispatch rider attached to the convoy of Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President, has been killed after a petrol tanker rammed into the motorcade.
Although the Senate President did not state the precise location of the crash, he said that it happened in Ibadan, Oyo State, shortly after members of his convoy picked him up from the Ibadan Airport.
Akpabio announced the death during the plenary on Tuesday; he extended condolences to the family of the deceased.
Dispatch riders, who are police officers, form part of the security detail of top government officials and typically escort convoys on motorcycles.
Dispatch riders, who are police officers, form part of the security detail of top government officials and typically escort convoys on motorcycles.
“We went to Oyo State for the installation of our colleague, but the vehicles that came to pick me up at the Ibadan airport, unfortunately, my dispatch rider was run over by a tanker driver, and his head was shattered.
“We just buried him 15 minutes ago in Kogi State. He left two wives and four children,” the Senate President told lawmakers
News
Public holidays: FG declares December 25, 26, and January 1
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the public holidays on behalf of the Federal Government.
The Federal Government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, as well as Thursday, January 1, 2026, as public holidays to mark the Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year celebrations.
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the public holidays on behalf of the Federal Government.
In a statement by the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Interior, Dr Magdalene Ajani, the minister extended warm Christmas and New Year felicitations to Christians in Nigeria and across the world.
He extended the same gestures “to all Nigerians as they celebrate the end of the year and the beginning of a new one”.
Tunji-Ojo urged Christians to reflect on the virtues of love, peace, humility, and sacrifice as exemplified by the birth of Jesus Christ, noting that these values are critical to promoting unity, tolerance, and harmony in the nation.
-
Sports1 day agoAFCON 2025: Davido bets N36million on Nigeria vs Tanzania
-
Crime2 days agoBREAKING: Nigeria Secures Release of Last 130 Abducted Pupils in Niger State; None Remain in Bandit Captivity
-
News1 day agoTinubu Hails DSS DG Ajayi for Championing Press Freedom in IPI Award Recognition
-
News3 days agoSanwo-Olu hails Kolade-Otitoju on TVC’s appointment as News Director,
-
Business2 days agoHeirs Energies Secures $750 Million Financing from Afreximbank for Expansion
-
News12 hours agoDangote fixes petrol selling price at ₦739 only at MRS stations selling nationwide
-
Opinions2 days agoIn Praise of Nigeria’s Quiet Heroes
-
Sports1 day agoAFCON 2025 opens with Morocco 2–0 Comoros
