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House softens stance on Tax Reform Bills

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The House of Representatives has softened its stance on the Tax Reform Bills.

Yesterday, after a three-hour generally positive debate by members, the Bills scaled second reading and passed for public hearing.

This is unlike the situation when the Bills were sent by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the Green Chamber in October.

Following opposition from a section of the ruling class, the House exploded in uproar over the Bills, forcing Speaker Abbas Tajudeen to dissolve the House into and Executive session after which all issues on the Bills were kept in ambiance to allow for consultations.

But at the Senate, the Bills were quickly debated and moved to the public hearing stage.

The Bills are the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.

The bills were consolidated into one at the House for a seamless debate.

The proposed laws were read for the first time on October 8 but debate by the House was put on hold due to disagreement on the content of the bill, especially by Northern leaders and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF).

Although the House engaged government officials on the benefits of the bills, Speaker Tajudeen asked members to engage in wide consultations with their constituents to pave the way for a robust debate.

Apart from some observations on certain areas of the bills that appeared not in tandem with some sections of the 1999 Constitution and a few other clauses, members unanimously okayed the bills for a second reading.

Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda said while opposition members supported the spirit behind the bills, some had issues with certain aspects.

Chinda noted that the bills seek to rejig the nation’s tax system for effective revenue generation. He pointed out that for every law, there must be the spirit of the letters.

He said: “We have all agreed that the spirit behind the four bills is good.‘’

But we have issues with some of the letters of the bills. Why we oppose some letters of the bills, we support the spirit and want to assure Nigerians that we will watch those letters and at the appropriate time, we will ensure that the letters are corrected in the interest of Nigerians.

“He advocated a reduction in the Value Added Tax(VAT), saying ‘’It is possible to reduce tax, while efforts should be made to tidy up all areas of conflicts..’’

House Leader Julius Ihonvbere thereafter set the tone for the debate by explaining that the bills were intended to overhaul the country’s outdated tax laws.

Ihonvbere reassured the public that the reforms would benefit ordinary Nigerians without imposing tax burdens on the poor.

While appreciating those who hold opposing views to the bills, he said their views helped strengthen the bills.

The House leader charged members to “be part of history in reforming the tax system to promote revenue growth, increase employment and better the life of ordinary Nigerians.

Minority Whip, Ali Isa commended Speaker Abass for creating an opportunity for members to engage and consult widely on the contentious parts of the bills.

Isa however expressed concern about clause 146 which encourages a gradual increase in VAT from 7.5 percent to 10 percent and later 15 percent.

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NYSC announces 2025 Batch ‘B’ Stream I corps members passing-out date

NYSC announced the date in a statement posted on its official X handle on Wednesday and signed by its Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu.

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The Management of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has approved Thursday, 9th July, 2026, as the passing-out date for the 2025 Batch ‘B’ Stream One Corps Members.

NYSC announced the date in a statement posted on its official X handle on Wednesday and signed by its Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu.

Activities leading up to the passing-out exercise commenced on June 23.

NYSC said the low-key exercise would culminate in the distribution of Certificates of National Service to eligible corps members across all local government areas of the country.

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Rowdy Scenes as Court sends Sowore To Prison Pending June 30 Ruling

The DSS said that it had taken note of public concerns over scenes at the court showing Sowore in an altercation with an official of the Nigerian Correctional Service and what appeared to be a scuffle involving DSS operatives.

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Image: Sowore torn between DSS and Kuje Prison officers

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday fixed June 30, 2026, for ruling on an application by activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, seeking the restoration of his bail and the setting aside of a bench warrant issued against him.

Justice Mohammed Umar adjourned the matter after parties adopted their processes in the application, remanding Sowore in Kuje Custodial Centre after dramatic scenes at the court.

Following this, the Department of State Services (DSS) distanced itself from the remand , insisting that Sowore’s remand resulted entirely from court proceedings and not from any action taken by the agency.

The DSS position was contained in a statement signed by the Deputy Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications at the DSS National Headquarters, Favour Dozie.

The agency also disclosed that its director-general, Adeola Ajayi, had ordered an investigation into the conduct of operatives captured in videos from the Federal High Court in Abuja on June 22.

The DSS said that it had taken note of public concerns over scenes at the court showing Sowore in an altercation with an official of the Nigerian Correctional Service and what appeared to be a scuffle involving DSS operatives.

Although the agency noted that Sowore eventually chose to enter a DSS vehicle rather than one belonging to the Nigerian Correctional Service after the incident, it said an immediate investigation had been ordered into the alleged conduct of personnel involved.

“From the foregoing, it is clear that the issues which led to the revocation of his bail and his subsequent remand arose entirely from court processes, as the Service neither arrested him nor opposed his bail application,” the statement said.

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Lagos Shuts Oshodi Market Over Attack on Sanitation Officers

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The Lagos State Government has indefinitely shut down the Oshodi Resettlement Market following a violent confrontation in which traders allegedly attacked officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC/KAI) during an enforcement operation.

Environment and Water Resources Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab announced the closure on Tuesday via X (formerly Twitter), stating that traders obstructed the operation, assaulted personnel, and prevented the arrest of hoodlums and beggars who vandalised the agency’s operational vehicles.

“Oshodi Resettlement Market, Oshodi has been shut down,” Wahab wrote. “Traders at the market attacked officers and personnel of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, prevented them from arresting hoodlums and beggars who vandalised the agency’s operational vehicles during an enforcement operation earlier today.”

A video shared by the commissioner showed LAGESC operatives patrolling the now-locked market premises. The incident occurred on Monday during a routine exercise aimed at clearing hoodlums and beggars from the area.

No reopening date has been announced as investigations continue. The closure affects traders in one of Lagos’ major commercial hubs dealing in fabrics, foodstuffs, and other goods, highlighting the state government’s zero-tolerance stance on indiscipline and attacks on public officials.

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