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Ahmed Joda: We’ve lost a patriot, most valuable citizens – Buhari

Published

4 years ago

August 16, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has described former Permanent Secretary, Ahmed Joda, as a patriot and most valuable citizen, who gave his best for unity and development of the country.

Joda, who was also the Chairman, Buhari administration’s Transition Team, 2015, died at the age of 91 on Friday in Yola, Adamawa.

The president made his feelings known through a delegation led by Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, to commiserate with family, friends and associates of the elder statesman in Yola on Sunday.

Buhari also condoled with the government and people of Adamawa over the passing of the elder statesman.

He said Joda’s transition was a collective loss to the family, state, country and the world that he touched and improved with integrity and competence.

The president told the family that: “Joda was a trustworthy and loyal companion, who steadfastly stood for the interest of the nation through highs and lows.

“The country will not forget his sacrifices.”

The family, through Alhaji Mustapha Aminu, Galadima of Adamawa, thanked the president for sending a high powered delegation to mourn with them, agreeing that Joda was a hero for all Nigerians.

Aminu highlighted the trust and loyalty that shaped the relationship between the president and the former permanent secretary, also known as one of the “Super Perm Secs’’, saying the president shared greatly in the loss as well.

At the palace of Lamido of Adamawa, Dr Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha, the SGF conveyed “deepest condolences” of the president and that of the government and the people of Nigeria to him and his people.

He said: “We have come to mourn a hero, a mentor and a father.”

The president commended the late permanent secretary for productive services to Nigeria and the world.

Buhari also said when he looked around for someone to help manage his transition to the Presidency, following his victory in the 2015 General Elections, he opted for Joda as most fitting, with “the right quality and calibre’’.

He said Joda made a deep impressed on all by the work he did at that time (2015), ensuring a “seamless transition by remaining focused, resourceful and avoiding land mines for a successful takeover”.

Responding, the Lamido thanked the president for sending the delegation and described Joda’s death as a big loss to the state and the country.

“Knowing the relationship between the President and Joda, we should be the ones going to Abuja to condole with the President instead of his sending a delegation to us,’’ he said.

Gov. Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa, who also received the presidential delegation, said the state and country had lost a “father, a friend and an adviser to whom we ran for solutions to intractable problems”.

The presidential delegation to Yola also included the Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; Senator representing Adamawa Central, Sen. Aishatu Binani, and members of the House of Representatives, representing Yola/Yola South and Gombi, Ja’afaru Ribadu and Yusuf Buba, accordingly.

Others were the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammad Bello; Senior Special Assistants to the President, Sarki Abba and Garba Shehu, and a Special Assistant in the Presidency, Ibrahin Bapetel.

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Anambra Traditional Rulers Confer ‘Dike Si Mba’ Title On Tinubu

Published

3 days ago

May 8, 2025

News Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

President Tinubu crowned ‘Dike Si Mba’ of Anambra by Anambra State Traditional Rulers

Traditional rulers in Anambra State on Thursday conferred a chieftaincy title of ‘Dike Si Mba’ of Anambra on President Bola Tinubu.

The Traditional rulers led by the Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Chidubem Iweka of Obosi, gave the President the title in Awka during his official visit to the state.

‘Dike Si Mba’ loosely translates to ‘Hero from another land’, was given to President Tinubu by the traditional rulers representing all the communities in Anambra State.

Tinubu, who is in Anambra State on official visit, arrived at the Chinua Achebe International Airport in Umueri around 12:15pm, and was received by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, his deputy, Onyeka Ibezim and other government officials.

Tinubu inaugurated Anambra State’s first-ever Government House on Thursday, marking a historic milestone more than 30 years after the state’s creation.

Tinubu also inaugurated several other projects done by the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

It is the President’s second visit to the South-East this year after visiting Enugu State in January.

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Nigerian Senate Passes 2 Tax Reform Bills

Published

3 days ago

May 8, 2025

News Editor

Senate in Session

The Nigerian Senate has passed two out of the four Tax Reform Bills which are expected to overhaul Nigeria’s tax laws.

The lawmakers approved the bills following the consideration and adoption of the recommendations of the Senate Committee chairman Senator Sani Musa during the committee of the whole

The four key bills are the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill, 2025, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2025, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, and the Nigeria Tax Bill.

But out of the four, only the Bill to Repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and enact the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2025 was approved

The second approved bill is the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill which is an Act to provide for the assessment, collection of and accounting for revenue accruing to the federation, federal, states and local governments.

“Prescribe the powers and functions of tax authorities and for related matters”.

Presenting the report, Sani said that the bills sought to reform Nigeria’s tax framework, strengthen institutions and enhance accountability and compliance.

Contributing, Deputy Senate President of Jibrin Barau congratulated the entire Senate and in particular, the Committee on Finance and the Elders Committee for the wisdom and leadership that has been shown in the passage of the bills.

“Initially, there were in disagreements and there were rancors here and there.

“But the Senate, standing on its position as the highest assembly in the land, decided to establish this committee, the Committee of Elders (Special Committee).

“To look at all those areas of contention and hear the views of religious leaders, regional organisations and other stakeholders.”

In his remarks President of the Senate, Godswill disclosed that the remaining two bills will be considered in plenary on Thursday.

He commended the committee on Finance and senators for a thorough job.

“He also expressed gratitude to the group of “elder senators” who collated and deliberated on areas of contention in the Tax Bill through meetings and consultation with dissenting voices.

Akpabio expressed optimism that the tax laws would revolutionalise and optimise tax collection across the country.

He expressed satisfaction that the passage of the bills have dispelled rumours that they were meant to serve the interests of a part of the country, adding that all Nigerians will benefit from them.

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Senate Sets Up Committee To Oversee Rivers Administrator

Published

5 days ago

May 6, 2025

News Editor

Senate in Session

The Nigerian Senate has constituted an 18-member committee tasked with overseeing the activities of the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.).

This, it said, was in a bid to strengthen transparency and accountability in the state’s governance.

Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, was named as chairman of the committee.

The announcement was made on Tuesday by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, during the resumption of plenary.

Akpabio highlighted the importance of the committee’s mandate, stating that its role was critical in ensuring effective legislative oversight in Rivers State.

Akpabio also hinted that the composition of the committee might be subject to review following further consultations.

Other members of the committee include Senators Adamu Aliero, Osita Izunaso, Osita Ngwu, Kaka Shehu, Aminu Abass, Tokunbo Abiru, Adeniyi Adebire, Sani Musa, Simon Lalong, Asuquo Ekpeyong, Adams Oshiomhole, Ireti Kingibe, Onyekachi, Idiat Adebule, Ide Dafinone, and Mohammed, alongside the Clerk of the Senate.

The Senate President charged the committee to commence its oversight duties without delay, stressing the urgency of their assignment.

He also reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment to upholding democratic processes in Rivers State.