Mohammed Shosanya

The Federal Government,says the soon-to-be resuscitated National Home Grown School Feeding Programme will cater for over 10 million pupils across the country.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on School Feeding, Dr. Yetunde Adeniji,said this during a visit to an IDP camp at the Transitional Learning Center, Wassa, Abuja.

She was at Wassa to inspect the school feeding program sponsored by a NGO, Maple Leaf Early Years Foundation, in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, according to a statement signed by Mr. Oyewumi Oyedokun,Office of the SSA to the President on School Feeding

She added that the school feeding programme, would ensure that no child in each public school is left behind.

She commended the program at Wassa for its demonstrable success in bolstering school enrollment and attendance rates.

She said it is an instrumental force in the advancement of education, the alleviation of hunger, and the dismantling of the cycle of poverty.

She also said the school feeding initiative under the President’s renewed hope agenda is targeting pupils from primary one to three across Nigeria.

According to her, the initiative resonates with the sentiment that every child deserves the opportunity to flourish and contribute to the nation’s development.

She commended the efforts of the organization, saying it underscores the paramount importance of education and nutrition in the comprehensive development of every child, irrespective of their circumstances.

She affirmed that initiatives of this nature hold the power to effect substantial positive change in the lives of the most vulnerable citizens.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of the nation is exemplified by the Renewed Hope agenda. Within this framework, a vision is cast for a Nigeria wherein every child enjoys access to quality education and nutritious sustenance, regardless of their background or geographical location. Dr. Adeniji articulated that by investing in the youth today, a brighter and more prosperous future is being forged for the nation”, she said.

Adeniji added that smallholder farmers will be engaged to supply foodstuff for the school feeding programme, as soon as it commences.

Reiterating the objectives of the school feeding programme model, the SSA said the programme is aimed to increase resilience, promote equity, stimulate growth and poverty reduction.

“The school feeding program stands as a transformative force in realizing the Renewed Hope vision. Beyond its immediate impact on addressing childhood nutrition, it serves as an incentive for families to prioritize education”, Dr. Adeniji said.

She lauded the NGO for doing all the needful to ensure school children are fed.

Adeniji also said the Federal Government has committed huge sum to the school feeding programme, which will be complemented by state governments.

Advocating increased collaborations with relevant agencies, Dr. Adeniji extended profound gratitude to NGOs like Plane, UNESCO and various stakeholders who have contributed to the noble endeavor.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed a criminal charge against Professor Cyril Ndifon, the suspended Dean of Faculty of Law, University of Calabar (UNICAL).

The action follows the Commission’s conclusion of investigation into his alleged gross misconducts against some of his students.

In the charge sheet number: FHC/ABJ/CR/511/2023, ICPC is arraigning the Senior Lecturer on a four (4) count charge bordering on sexual harassment, official corruption and abuse of office contrary to sections 8, 18 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

One of the counts, according to a statement signed by Mrs. Azuka Ogugua, Spokesperson, ICPC read, “That you, Professor CYRIL OSIM NDIFON (m) between June-September, 2023 at Calabar, within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court, and while being a public officer charged with responsibility for the certification of students as fit in learning and character as a prerequisite for the award of Bachelor’s degree in law and admission into the Nigeria Law School, used your office and position as the Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Calabar to gratify yourself by soliciting for nude photographs and videos from one Ms. ABC (not real name), a year 2 diploma student of the University of Calabar, through WhatsApp chats on your telephone number 0803***** and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under S. 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”

According to the statement,Professor Ndifon would be arraigned in court on a date to be given by the court.

The ICPC, in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) had on 4th of October, 2023 arrested Professor Ndifon in Calabar, Cross River State after shunning several invitations extended to him.

Mohammed Shosanya

The House of Representatives,Tuesday summoned the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu over modalities to be used in the distribution of N25,000 per month to 15 million households over a period of three months.

The resolution of the House follows an urgent motion moved by Morufu Adebayo (Osun, PDP) at plenary.

President Bola Tinubu had flag off the Renewed Hope conditional cash transfer programme for 15 million households targeted at uplifting poor and vulnerable Nigerians as an immediate intervention to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal and other economic shocks.

The conditional cash transfer which will gulp about N1.1trn is one of 15 items in the Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Government and the Organised Labour on October 2, 2023.

In his debate, Hon. Adebayo regretted that there had been a lot of unsatisfactory feedback from the ways and manners palliative to vulnerable Nigerians have been handled by some, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Reminding the House about the ugly scenario witnessed during the COVID19 palliative distribution few years ago, where items from international donor meant to cushion the effect of the pandemic were mismanaged, he said the distribution process has not in any way reduce hardship in the land.

He said: “Cognizant that the removal of fuel subsidy necessitated the introduction of various programmes, policies and intervention to alleviate and boost the economics of families and small businesses.

“Also cognizant that the National Assembly members. being closer to the people of Nigeria are meant to represent the interest and concerns of their constituents at the National level, therefore deserved to be fully briefed and carried along in the implementation process.

“Worried that there is growing suspicion of ways and manners this programme will be implemented.

“Also worried that the lack of transparent handling of the previous conditional cash transfer programmes has led to corruption and fraud, where funds intended for vulnerable people were misappropriated by individuals.

After deliberation, the House mandated
the committee on constituency outreach and committee on poverty Alleviation to invite the minister to give detailed policy documents adopted in allocation and distribution of funds for the conditional cash transfer in order to ensure transparency and accountability.

Mohammed Shosanya
The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has shut 34 corporate organizations for failing to remit Personal Income Taxes of their employees in the state.

The agency also took the action against the companies for non-remittance of consumption taxes by operators in the hospitality sector to the state government.

A statement issued by Monsurat Amasa-Oyelude, LIRS Head of Corporate Communications on Tuesday said the affected companies include NTS Nigeria Ltd., Med-In Hospital & Pharma Services Ltd., Danvic Petroleum Int’l Ltd., Business Intelligence Technology, Avaya Nigeria Ltd., Gladstone Tech Ltd., Courier Plus Services Ltd., Kurioucity Ltd., Medilag Ventures Ltd., Future Oilfields, and Seven Six & Ten Limited.

The statement quoted that during the operation, 23 hotels, restaurants, and event facilities were also sealed for failure to deduct and remit consumption taxes.

These businesses include Blitz Suites & Hotel, Offshoroomz Hotel, God’s Grace Hotel, De Orange Place Ltd., De Santos Hotel, Kentade Hotel Limited, Chamcee, Chelsea Suites, Falode Hotels, High Climax Hotel, Chez Moi Apartment, Excellence Hotel, Bereans Venture (Tantalizer Ebute Metta), La Avril Hotel & Suites, De Orange Place Ltd., Milaco Guest House, New World Inn, Model Motels Ltd, Rely Maritime Ltd, 4 Seasons Hotel, Dream Land Hotel, 343 North Restaurant and Lounge, and Jade Palace Chinese Restaurant.

Mr. Seyi Alade, the Director of Legal Services LIRS, made this announcement while addressing a state-wide tax law enforcement exercise conducted by the Service in Lagos on Monday.

He disclosed that the tax liabilities of these companies and hotels amounted to more than N356.12 million,adding that their actions had caused the state government loss of revenue.

He explained that the agency had previously reduced its enforcement activities to promote voluntary compliance by taxpayers, but that certain companies and hotels chose to engage in tax evasion.

He emphasized that the primary goal is to secure compliance with the remittance of Consumption and Personal Income taxes, enabling the Lagos State Government to carry out projects intended for the well-being of the vast populace resident in the state.

Mr. Alade further reiterated that “these companies deduct Personal Income taxes from their employees’ salaries at the end of each month, and charge consumption taxes on goods and services purchased by customers.

“Unfortunately, some unpatriotic firms choose to withhold these payments, illegally converting the funds for their own use.”

He warned that failing to file tax returns or engaging in tax evasion are considered criminal offences that may result in financial penalties and, in some cases, custodial sentences upon conviction.

The agency said it was prosecuting some high-net-worth individuals and companies who failed to file their returns.

It said courts had issued bench warrants for some taxpayers in this category and three arrests had been made pursuant to the warrants, and “they are Platinum Apartments & Suites, The Moonlight Place Enterprises and Jezreel Nursery and Primary School”.

The son of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, Isaac Oyedepo, has cleared air on recent speculations regarding his status within the church and his relationship with his father.

The younger Oyedepo clarified that there are no complications in his relationship with his family, particularly his father, and he remains a steadfast member of the Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel International.

In a statement shared on his X account on Tuesday,he expressed his commitment to the church and requested that the public exercise caution when considering information that has not been communicated through his official social media platforms.

He warned against the dissemination of unverified information regarding any separation from the Living Faith Church, as such actions could be viewed as a breach of his privacy.

He said in part, ““I must state that there is no complication in my relationship with my beloved family and my beloved dad ( Bishop David Oyedepo) who has stood by me and supported me over the years nor are there any in my commitment to my church-turned-home, Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel International.

“I remain a steadfast member of the Living Faith Church dedicated to the service of the body of Christ.

“I urge the general public to treat information not communicated by me or any of my social media platforms with extreme caution. There should be no further publications on any severance of my relationships with the Living Faith Church without my express authorisation, as it may be considered a breach of my privacy. Thank you so much for your understanding”

Mohammed Shosanya
The Dean of Non Career Ambassadors of Nigeria has accused the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusufu Tuggar of deliberately lying against them and misleading the public about facts relating to their recent recall.

They accused the Minister of deliberately feigning ignorance of the letter the Ambassadors wrote to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu seeking for extension of terminal date to December 31, 2023 as against October 31, 2023, in order to enable their children conclude their examinations.

The diplomats faulted the Minister’s insinuations that the Ambassadors, whose recall was announced on September 2, were lobbying prominent Nigerians to extend their stay, and that the Minister placed embargo on expenditures by the outgoing ambassadors to curtail alleged moves by some of them to mop up funds in their embassies.

In a statement signed by Mr. Chris Mayor, Special Assistant to the Dean, None-Career Ambassadors of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr. Nwanne Omeinyi, and made available to journalists in Enugu on Tuesday, the envoys regretted what they referred to as “the Minister’s resort to blackmail and utter misrepresentation”.

The Ambassadors insisted that the said letter to the president requesting for extension of time was by the consent of the Minister whom they channeled the request to at first as is the practice before presenting it to the President.

“The envoys view his folte-face as treachery and backstabbing.”

The statement reads, “The attention of the Dean of Non Career Ambassadors of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has been drawn to the publication credited to one Mr. Alkasim Abdulkadir Special assistant to the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Tuggar, on Media and Communication published in the Newspaper on 26th October 2023.

“In the said publication, the author alleged that Non-Career Ambassadors are lobbying prominent personalities to extend their stay.

“Ordinarily we would have ignored the publication but for the obligation we owe Nigerians and our friends and partners at the international community to be properly informed and the fact that dignity and integrity, intelligence and accuracy, and sensibility in speech is required from occupants of the exalted office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“Regrettably, these attributes are conspicuously absent in the publication above. Firstly, the starvation which the Missions and Embassies are going through for the Ministry’s failure in remittance of their overhead allocation for five months running now is in public domain.

“So where are the funds which a source according to the author learnt that the alleged move to mop up funds in their embassies by the Ambassadors, when it is as well in the public domain that the Ambassadors have resorted to using their savings to run the missions and embassies and service providers are threatening court actions against Missions?”.

The statement emphasized that the present class of Ambassadors both Career and Non-Career have distinguished themselves as men and women of high integrity, as eloquently expressed by the erstwhile Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Geoffrey Onyeama, whom together they made some modest achievements.

The envoys stated that contrary to the claim of Mr. Alkasim that the Ministry has completed as at 24th October 2023 sending the money for Ambassadors passages to return home, that the information was misleading as none of the Envoys has received such money as at today 30th October 2023 and that the information filtering from headquarters was that a circular was to be sent to missions to source (borrow) money to pay for the envoys passages.

“I urge the Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister to please find out from his boss and report to the public: (1) whether or not he was consulted before the Ambassadors wrote him for the extension of date to 31st December 2023; (2) Whether or not he was in receipt of the letter to that effect dated September 8, 2023; (3) Whether or not he assured his erstwhile colleagues that he was going to present their request to Mr. President and; (4) whether he did present the request to His Excellency Mr President.”

The statement noted that the Envoys would not sit down and watch their hard earned reputation dragged in the mud.

“The envoys will in due course and not long, address the public as it is important to discharge this obligations for the overall well-being of the 4Ds foreign policy directions of the Renewed Hope mantra of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government,” he noted.