Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Doris Israel Ijeoma

  • Content Creators Who Refuse To Pay Tax Will Be Penalized – CAC

    Content Creators Who Refuse To Pay Tax Will Be Penalized – CAC

    The Corporate Affairs Commission has warned that skit makers social media influencers, Instagram, and TikTok users with large followings who refuse to pay tax risk being penalized.

    The Registrar General, CAC, Hussaini Magaji, revealed this on Tuesday, when he was paid a courtesy visit by the Managing Director, Opay, Dauda Gotring, and his team in Abuja.

    Recall that the Federal Inland Revenue Services on Monday revealed that social media influencers and skit makers are exempted from paying tax as they do not fall within the purview of the FIRS.

    But the CAC boss said that social media and content creators are generating a lot of money without paying any form of tax to the Federal Government.

    Magaji said, “Ignorance of the law is not an excuse. It is stated in the Company and Allied Matters 2020 that for any business to take place in Nigeria, whether you are doing business with your name or another name, you must surrender your business for registration.

    ” If you are a content creator on the internet and you have a large followership and you are gaining or making money from it, you must register and that’s the provision of the law. 

     “And we are all out to enforce the provision of the law with its penalties.”

    He added that the commission will soon begin compliance checks to ensure these businesses start paying their taxes to the government. 

     He added, “This cannot go on, these groups of people are under mandate to register as a business considering the amount they make from the content creation. The government is all out to ensure every business in Nigeria, no matter what or how, is registered with the CAC.

  • Atiku Disowns Aide Daniel Bwala, Clarifies Relationship 

    Atiku Disowns Aide Daniel Bwala, Clarifies Relationship 

    Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has clarified the relationship between himself and a lawyer cum politician, Daniel Bwala.

    According to Atiku, in a statement released on Tuesday by his media office, Bwala is a former spokesperson of the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organisation and not his former aide.

    The statement noted that “it is important that the media and the general public take corrective note of defining Mr. Daniel Bwala as an aide to His Excellency Atiku Abubakar.”

    It added that Bwala served as a spokesperson to the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organization in the 2023 election, and after the election, the need for a campaign spokesperson was terminated, and Bwala has also moved on.

    The 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, therefore, urged the public/media to stop defining Bwala as an ex-aide of Atiku Abubakar, but recognize him by his current vocation and alliance.

    “Bwala offered his services and support to the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organization as a spokesperson – and it was a position he held during the last presidential campaign.

    “Subsequently, and after the election, the need for a campaign spokesperson has terminated, and Bwala has moved on with his career.

    “This, therefore, serves as notice to the media and the interested public to desist from defining Bwala as an ex-aide of Atiku Abubakar.

    “We duly urge the public to henceforth recognize, introduce, and define Daniel Bwala by his current vocation and alliance,” the statement noted.

    The clarification by Atiku comes amidst the recent fraternization and declaration of support by Bwala for the administration of President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

  • Details Of PDP BoT Meeting In Abuja Emerge

    Details Of PDP BoT Meeting In Abuja Emerge

    The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to address the escalating insecurity and the continuous depreciation of the Naira.

    The call came after a meeting at the PDP National Secretariat in Wadata Plaza, where Adolphus Wabara, the newly appointed Chairman, expressed deep concerns about economic hardship, high costs of essential commodities, and alarming food scarcity. 

    Wabara emphasized the BoT’s distress over the worsening insecurity, corruption, falling Naira value, high fuel prices, and unemployment. 

    He stated “The BoT is alarmed by the worsening insecurity in the country as evident in the rising cases of mass killings, banditry, kidnap for ransom, and acts of terrorism by assailants who are emboldened by the manifest laidback attitude of the APC administration to issues of security, especially in the last nine months.

    “The BoT is appalled by the monumental corruption and unbridled treasury-looting in the APC administration especially the looting of billions of Naira meant for palliatives for poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

    “The BoT is seriously worried over the fall of the Naira to an abysmal N1,500 to the Dollar, incessant increase in the pump price of fuel which now sells for over N700 per liter with long queues in various parts of the country.

    “These have attendant negative consequences as evident in the nearly 30% inflation rate, 41% unemployment rate, and alarming 46% poverty rate where up to 130 million citizens have sunk deeper into multi-dimensional poverty in the last nine months.

    “The BoT is disturbed that the catastrophic economic and security situation in the country has left Nigerians hopeless, despondent, angry and constitutes a present and immediate threat to the survival of the country as hardworking young Nigerians, professionals in critical fields as well as major multinational companies are now leaving our nation in droves.

    “The BoT is distressed that there are no concrete and coherent policies, measures, and steps by the APC administration to address these existential threats which have put the country in a precarious situation.

    “The BoT calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to know that the situation in the country has become unbearable. Mr. President should immediately address the issues of corruption in his administration, worsening insecurity in the country, continuous fall in the value of the Naira, high fuel price, unbearable food scarcity, and unemployment in the country.”

  • Nigerian Bakers To Begin Nationwide Strike

    Nigerian Bakers To Begin Nationwide Strike

    Bakers and caterers in Nigeria are set to commence a nationwide strike starting February 27, 2024.

    This was announced by the Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCON) on Tuesday February 13.

    AMBCON’s National President, Mansur Umar, relayed this decision through Gabriel Adeniyi, the Kogi State Chairman, citing the government’s failure to honor a 2020 agreement. 

    The association highlighted soaring material prices and urged the immediate implementation of promised financial support for bakers post COVID-19. 

    They also demanded a halt on bakery industry taxation across federal, state, and local levels, attributing the strike to various cost increases and taxation burdens. 

    AMBCON additionally called for importation liberalization of key baking materials, reduction or removal of import duties, concessional forex exchange, and tariff reduction on imported wheat and sugar. 

    Other demands included domestic wheat and sugar cane cultivation, removal of multiple taxations, and the establishment of a price control committee to enhance business operations.

    “We have critically accessed the state of our business operation, consequently demand the liberalisation of flour and sugar importation, reduction or total removal of import duties on major baking materials such as flour, sugar, butter, yeast etc as applicable to other commodities as have recently been done by the federal government and Provision of concessionary forex exchange to flour millers and other stakeholders as well as reduction of tariff on imported wheat and sugar,” the association said.

  • How Buhari’s signature forged to withdraw $6.2 billion from CBN – Boss Mustapha

    How Buhari’s signature forged to withdraw $6.2 billion from CBN – Boss Mustapha

    Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha has revealed how former Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari’s signature was forged.

    Mustapha said Buhari’s signature was forged to withdraw $6,230,000 from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) before the 2023 elections.

    He made the revelation while testifying during the trial of former CBN governor Godwin Emefiele.

    Mustapha also claimed his signature was forged, stating his lack of knowledge about the funds supposedly withdrawn for foreign election observers.

    He emphasized that the responsibility for dealing with such matters rested solely with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), not the CBN or the federal government.

  • Tinubu Rewards Super Eagles With National Awards, Flats, Lands

    Tinubu Rewards Super Eagles With National Awards, Flats, Lands

    President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday honoured the Super Eagles of Nigeria with the national award of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), presenting them with flats in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and parcels of land. 

    The announcement was made during a reception for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) delegation, led by the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja. 

    The president praised the team, coach, crew, and management for their dedication and perseverance throughout the Africa Cup of Nations, where they secured the runner-up position. 

    Tinubu encouraged Nigerians to stay positive, highlighting the team’s remarkable journey and calling for unity and continued effort towards national success.

    “Let this passing event not dispirit us but bring us together to work harder. We are a great nation bound as one by the green-white-green banner of resilience, joy, hope, duty, and untiring love.

    “To those cherished Nigerian youths expressing their gifts in communities, drawing lines in the sand as they play football in their humble rectangles of play, you can be our heroes tomorrow, do not relent in your pursuit. My administration is here to make dreams come true,” the president said.

  • Liberia’s Defense Minister Resigns 10 Days After Appointment

    Liberia’s Defense Minister Resigns 10 Days After Appointment

    Liberia’s newly appointed Defense Minister, Prince C. Johnson, has resigned from his position just 10 days after his appointment, citing protests by soldiers’ wives as the reason for his decision. 

    This development marks the first political crisis for President Joseph Boakai since his inauguration.

    In response to Johnson’s resignation, General Geraldine Janet George has been swiftly named as a provisional replacement for the position.

    Johnson stated that his resignation was prompted by the “current political and civil disturbances” caused by the ongoing protests by the wives of Liberian soldiers. 

    The women had set up roadblocks, leading to the cancellation of National Army Day celebrations, as they raised grievances including low salaries, pensions, lack of social security, electricity shortages, and corruption within the armed forces.

    The soldiers’ wives specifically demanded Johnson’s resignation, holding him responsible for salary reductions for soldiers who had returned from Mali.

    President Boakai responded to the protests by urging the army to lift the roadblocks immediately and meeting with the soldiers’ wives to address their concerns. 

    Boakai has taken immediate steps to address some of the grievances, including ordering the restoration of electricity and providing free classes in a barracks school.

    The president has appealed for calm as the government works to address the long-standing issues raised by the protesters.

  • We’ll Announce Ogunbanjo’s Successor Soon – Beta Glass

    We’ll Announce Ogunbanjo’s Successor Soon – Beta Glass

    Beta Glass, a subsidiary of Frigoglass Group, is set to disclose its board’s succession plan in the wake of the passing of Abimbola Ogunbanjo, its chairman.

    Ogunbanjo, former group chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group), tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash in the United States last Friday.

    The crash also claimed the lives of Herbert Wigwe, former group chief executive officer (GCEO) of Access Holdings Plc, along with his wife and son.

    In a corporate filing on Monday, Beta Glass affirmed that its board of directors would offer continued support during this transition period.

    “In due time Beta Glass and the Frigoglass Group will communicate the board’s succession plan. In the interim, the Company will continue to receive support from its Board of Directors,” the company stated.

    Gagik Apkarian, chairman of Frigoglass Group board and managing director of Tetrad Capital Partners, expressed deep sorrow over the loss, highlighting Ogunbanjo’s dedication during her eight-year tenure as Beta Glass chairman.

    “We extend our deepest condolences to Abi’s family, friends, and loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers are with them,” Apkarian added.

    Darren Bennett-Voci, Beta Glass’ CEO, emphasized Ogunbanjo’s lasting impact on the company, pledging to uphold his legacy by maintaining the values and vision he instilled.

    In addition to his role at Beta Glass, Ogunbanjo was actively involved in various professional organizations, including the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping and the Institute of Directors (IoD).

    Meanwhile, Access Holdings announced Bolaji Agbede as the successor to Wigwe as its GCEO on February 12, 2024.

  • FIRS Speaks On Going After  Skit Makers And Influencers Over Tax Payment

    FIRS Speaks On Going After  Skit Makers And Influencers Over Tax Payment

    The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has said it has no plans to tax skitmakers, influencers and other digital content creators.

    The Special Adviser on Media to the chairman of the FIRS, Dare Adekambi, was quoted as saying that social media content creators and influencers constituted a major block of tax evaders.

    He said content creators and influencers constitute a significant block of tax evaders, adding that a law in Nigeria requires everybody who earns income to pay tax.

    Adekambi stressed that the FIRS would meet with content creators and influencers and make them see why they should voluntarily pay tax.

    But an official of the agency who spoke to some journalists anonymously on Monday, said skit makers are individuals who do not fall within the purview of the FIRS.

    The FIRS official stated that the agency does not tax Personal Income Tax but only collects Company Income Tax.

    He said: “FIRS does not tax Personal Income Tax; State governments do.

    “FIRS collects Company Income Tax. Only those who are corporate names and earn profit of N25 million and more are required to pay tax.”

  • Any Government That Refuses To Implement N35,000 Wage Increment Does Not Deserve Peace – Oshiomhole

    Any Government That Refuses To Implement N35,000 Wage Increment Does Not Deserve Peace – Oshiomhole

    Senator Adams Oshiomhole is urging all levels of government to enforce the Federal Government’s N35,000 grant, emphasizing that no government at the state or local level should experience peace if they fail to implement the grant.

    President Bola Tinubu’s administration had approved the N35,000 provisional wage to alleviate the impact of subsidy removal, applicable to all treasury-paid federal government workers for six months. 

    Expressing his concern on Channels Television, Oshiomhole questioned why no Nigerian state government has implemented the wage increase despite federal approval, asserting that it should be applied universally across federal, state, and local levels, as well as in the private sector.

    According to him, “The Federal Government approved N35,000 increase on top of current wage levels. But I’m yet to understand why any Nigerian state government or governor is not implementing that agreement.

    “I don’t agree that the money was for only federal employees. Federal employees don’t have different markets from state employees and the struggle that was mobilised, workers in Nigeria were mobilised both public and private sectors in what we called a general strike before that money was awarded.

    “By extension, therefore, all state governments, local governments, federal government and private sector employers should implement it. I don’t think NLC business is to lament it.

    “They should fight for the implementation of their rights. Any government that refuses to implement the N35,000 is not entitled to peace. That’s my view.”