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2023: Waste Managers Endorse Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu For President, Governor

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Waste managers in Lagos State have endorsed presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for a second term.

The waste managers, under the aegis of Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN), popularly known as PSPs, made the pledge at the Onikan Stadium during a mega rally organized by the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).

National President of AWAMN David Oriyomi said Tinubu brought established the PSPs in 1999 when he was governor of Lagos State, to tackle the challenges of waste disposal.

He said: “Tinubu nurtured and empowered us through the small-medium business model, and successive governments have built on his solid foundation. Lagos was transformed and received numerous accolades as one of the cleanest states in Nigeria and Africa.

“When our livelihood came under attack and 350 businesses were faced with the risk of bankruptcy, Asiwaju came to our rescue by speaking for us. Today, the small business model established by Asiwaju has been replicated in over nine states and other West African countries. It is for this reason that our association is fully and wholly committed to campaigning and voting for Asiwaju Tinubu as the next president of Nigeria.”

Oriyomi, who also recalled that AWAMN was the first group to endorse Governor Sanwo-Olu in 2018, said the association is pleased that he has ‘proven us right by the great work he has done in the state and for the environment’.

He pledged that the association would embark on door-to-door campaign to reach every nook and cranny of the state for Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who made a brief appearance at the event, pledged to increase the salaries of waste managers, especially of street sweepers. He urged them to vote for Tinubu, himself and other APC candidates for various positions.

Deputy Governor Kadiri Hamzat, who reiterated the governor, said: “Tinubu knows the way. We should get our PVCs and mobilise others to get theirs to vote for Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu. Let them know that it is Tinubu we are voting for. When he gets to Abuja, he will perform.

“Many states now have KAI, LAWMA and LASTMA. Tinubu is our teacher. On March 11, we should come out and vote for Sanwo-Olu.”

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Ibrahim Odumboni, said what has become AWAMN today has its foundation solidly laid by Tinubu many years ago.

“Since one good turn deserves another, it is only worthwhile that the association has mobilise its personnel in hundreds and thousands, for APC’s victory in next month’s elections. As an emerging mega city at the time, Lagos State needed to solve the challenge of solid waste management, which the administration of Asiwaju Tinubu as governor of the time, confronted frontally, leading to the emergence of the PSP operators,” he noted.

Odumboni added that through successive stages, they had evolved over time, wading through challenges, but ultimately leaving the environment and the cityscape the better for it.

Others at the rally were state APC chairman Cornelius Ojelabi; Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Tunji Bello, Special Adviser to the governor on Drainage and Water Resources Joe Igbokwe, Ogun State Commissioner for Environment Ola Oresanya, among others.

BIG STORY

President Tinubu Submits Four Tax Reform Bills To National Assembly

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President Bola Tinubu has submitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly for their consideration.

In a letter presented during the plenary sessions by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, on Thursday, the President outlined that the bills align with his administration’s goals.

The proposed legislation includes the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, designed to establish a comprehensive fiscal framework for regulating taxes.

The Tax Administration Bill aims to provide a clear legal structure for managing taxes in Nigeria, reducing disputes and improving efficiency.

Additionally, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill seeks to repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and establish the Nigeria Revenue Service.

The Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill proposes the creation of a tax tribunal and an ombudsman to handle tax-related issues.

Tinubu emphasized that these bills are intended to strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal institutions and support the broader development goals of his government.

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BREAKING: Court Bars VIO From Stopping, Impounding, Confiscating Vehicles

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A Federal High Court in Abuja has barred the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (VIO) from stopping vehicles, impounding or confiscating them, and imposing fines on motorists.

Justice Evelyn Maha issued the order in a judgment on fundamental rights enforcement suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023, filed by human rights activist Abubakar Marshal.

The judge upheld Marshal’s argument that “no law empowers respondents to stop, impound, confiscate, seize, or impose fines on motorists.”

Justice Maha declared that the respondents, under the control of the Minister of the FCT, are not empowered by any law to stop, impound, or confiscate vehicles or impose fines.

She issued an order restraining them from doing so, stating it’s “wrongful, oppressive, and unlawful.”

Additionally, Justice Maha made a perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from violating Nigerians’ rights to freedom of movement, presumption of innocence, and right to own property without lawful justification.

 

More to come…

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NELFUND Fixes BVN Verification Glitch, Urges Students To Reapply For Loans

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The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced the resolution of a technical issue that disrupted the BVN (Bank Verification Number) verification process for students applying for loans.

The issue, which began over the weekend and persisted through the public holiday, caused delays for many applicants.

In a statement posted on NELFUND’s official X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, the organization confirmed that the issue had been fully resolved by Tuesday morning. NELFUND advised all affected students to log back into the portal, complete their BVN verification, and proceed with their loan applications.

“Dear Students,

“We have observed that many of you experienced issues with BVN verification while applying for the student loan over the last weekend, including the public holiday.

“We are pleased to inform you that the issue has been addressed and fully resolved as of yesterday morning.

“We kindly advise all affected students to log back into the portal, complete the BVN verification process, and proceed with your loan application,” the statement read in part.

NELFUND also expressed gratitude to students for their patience during the disruption and reassured them that the application process can now continue smoothly without further issues.

The revised Student Loan Act of 2024 was designed to eliminate financial barriers and make education more accessible to all Nigerian students, regardless of their economic background.

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) receives its primary funding from a 1% allocation of the total revenues collected by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Nigerian Immigration Service, and Nigerian Customs Service through taxes, levies, and duties.

In August, President Bola Tinubu announced that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had transferred N50 billion in recovered funds to NELFUND, following his directive, to further strengthen the student loan program.

Students from across the country applied for the NELFUND loan, with the top 10 states having the highest number of applicants, in ascending order, being Taraba, Yobe, Adamawa, Oyo, Plateau, Kaduna, Katsina, Benue, Borno, and Kano, which ranks first.

Since the fund disbursement’s rollout, NELFUND has distributed N4.6 billion as tuition support to students in 59 approved tertiary institutions across the country.

This includes N2.5 billion disbursed in August and an additional N2.1 billion disbursed to students in 40 institutions earlier in September.

Furthermore, in August, NELFUND initiated the distribution of N20,000 monthly stipends to beneficiaries, with 20,371 students from six tertiary institutions successfully receiving their July payments.

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