News
Nigeria nominates Olufemi Elias as candidate for World Court
Nigeria has formally presented Olufemi Elias as the country’s candidate to lead the world’s highest court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague, Netherlands, for the term 2027 to 2036.
The ICJ is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, which was set up in 1945, after the World War II, to settle disputes within states, in line with international law.
The World Court has a panel of 15 judges elected by the UN General Assembly and Security Council for nine-year terms. An election for a seat at the Court is expected to hold in 2026.
Elias is currently Judge Ad Hoc at ICJ and a full member of the Institut de Droit International and has extensive experience as a lawyer and leader in various international organizations including serving as a UN Assistant Secretary-General and as the Legal Adviser and Director at the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons at The Hague.
At an event to formally present Elias to the UN diplomatic corps at the Nigeria House in New York, the Charge d’Affaires of the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the UN, Ambassador Samson Itegboje gave reasons the Nigerian candidate should be elected to the World Court.
Itegboje informed the gathering that Nigeria had become a party to the Statute of the ICJ in 1960 upon independence, the same year it became a member of the United Nations.
The Nigerian envoy also said that Elias was well read and knowledgeable in the field of law and already had considerable experience in the field, having had a long service at the United Nations.
“Since 1960, Nigeria has been making significant contributions, both in terms of participation in cases before the ICJ and in promoting the ICJ’s role in global dispute resolution.
Through these efforts we can state without being immodest that Nigeria has contributed significantly to the development of international law.
“It is important to recall that our legal experts and diplomats have participated in legal submissions, particularly in cases dealing with territorial disputes, human rights and maritime law.
” The Nigerian diplomat added that Nigeria had fully abided by all decisions of the ICJ that were binding on it, pursuant to Article 59 of the Statute of the Court.
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.
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.
FIRS says NIN to serve as Tax ID for individuals
Tanker crushes Akpabio’s dispatch rider to death
President Tinubu fulfils housing and land pledges to Super Eagles for 2023 AFCON feat
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
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
-
News13 hours agoDangote fixes petrol selling price at ₦739 only at MRS stations selling nationwide
-
Opinions2 days agoIn Praise of Nigeria’s Quiet Heroes
-
News12 hours agoNovember Petrol supply rises 55% to 71.5m litres daily