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Friday 18 May 2018

Nothing has changed at Ikoyi marriage registry, despite court ruling

Lagos Government gets order stopping Ikoyi Registry from holding marriages

In case you somehow missed it; the Lagos State Government announced yesterday, May 17 2018, that it has obtained a court order stopping the Ikoyi Registry from conducting marriages.

To obtain the ruling, the state government argued before the court that it is the legal right of the registries in the Local Government and Local Council Development Areas to carry out the function, and not that of a federal-government-owned registry like the one in Ikoyi.
The ruling that bars the Ikoyi registry from holding weddings is said to have taken effect on April 30, 2018 but as at today, May 19, when Pulse visited, activities at the registry were in full swing with couples getting married.You’d find it difficult to believe that any ruling had been passed against the federal establishment as activities have not even slowed down a tiny bit.
Newly married couples and excited families posed for photos, others were seated in the waiting space with eagerness in their eyes to be hitched to their sweethearts and a full house of guests were milling around the registry compound like every other business day.
Two couples we approached were absolutely, blissfully unaware that any ruling has been passed.
This is understandable, given that the ruling has just been announced yesterday, May 17, by the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Muslim Folami, and the sensitization planned for the populace by the state government has not yet begun.
We are going to use the five divisions across the state to sensitize our people and inform them about this latest development.
“From Epe to Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja and Lagos Island. The sensitization walk which we embarked on today is also a way of creating awareness and letting the people know of this latest development,

Will anything change at the Ikoyi registry soon?

This is not the first time that Lagos state has gotten this kind of order against the Federal marriage registry.
The President of Marriage Registrars in all LGs/LCDAs in Lagos state, Deji Sokeye confirms this yesterday, March 17, that a similar judgement was indeed given by a court in 2004, but it was ignored by the Federal Government.
And if what we saw and heard at the registry today is anything to go by, it appears nothing will change even now.
One of the officials there who agreed to speak to Pulse anonymously says the state government of Lagos is just being “greedy” and that there was no way activities at the Ikoyi registry would slow down or stop until a directive is sent to them from their “ogas.”Asked if any of such directives has been sent to them as at the time of asking [few hours before this publication], her answer was an emphatic “No.”
This official obviously belongs to the group of people who believe that the state government is trying to bar the federal registry from registering marriages simply because they want all the revenues generated from weddings in the state to come into their Purse, and not to the federal government’s.

President says he’s satisfied with US-Nigeria relationship


US-NIGERIA RELATIONSHIP

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed satisfaction with the current level of relationship between Nigeria and the United States.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a statement, said Buhari expressed the sentiment when he received a telephone call from the United States Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, on Thursday.
President Buhari, who congratulated the new Secretary of State on his appointment, recalled his past meeting with Pompeo, then as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and thanked him for the enormous support the US has extended to the Nigerian security and intelligence services.
He again used the occasion to thank President Donald Trump for the warm reception he was given in the course of his recent visit to the White House.
Pompeo assured President Buhari that with him in the Department of State, relations between both countries would get even better.
He reiterated the desire of the US to continue to pursue, side by side with Nigeria, matters of common interest on the African continent, including the fight against terrorism and corruption, trade and development.
President Buhari was last month in Washington DC on a bilateral meeting with President Trump.
Both leaders discussed strategic partnership for peace and security, conflict resolution, as well as the global fight against terrorism.
They also discussed trade, governance, human rights and humanitarian crises.

Royal wedding 2018: Prince Charles to walk Meghan down the aisle

Royal wedding
BBC Prince Charles will walk Meghan Markle down the aisle on Saturday when she marries Prince Harry, Kensington Palace has said. Ms Markle’s father, Thomas, is unable to attend the wedding, after undergoing heart surgery. 

Sunday 13 May 2018

180 firms participated in first phase of ERGP Focus Labs, says Udoma


UDOMA - ERGP FOCUS LABS
Minister of Budget and National Planning Senator Udoma Udo Udoma says that over 180 firms took part in the first phase of the Economic and Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP) Focus Labs, which covered a six week period in Abuja from March 12th to April 22nd.

Udoma added that the Focus Labs produced 67,200 man-hours of effort.
In a statement made available to Daily Sun, Special Adviser on media to the Minister, Akpandem James, further stated that “six core sectors: Agriculture and ransportation, Power and Gas, Manufacturing and Processing (including solid minerals) actively participated.“Twenty (20) syndication meetings with subject matter experts including senior Government officials, corporates and entrepreneurs were also held during the Labs.
“Focus Labs are designed as a workshop-style closed-door investment fora between private sector and senior government officials, and serve as a forum for detailed discussions and interactions to address some of the bottlenecks and inhibitors of additional business investments in the country,” he added.

Kidnappers kill former Delta councillor after collecting N.5m ransom

FORMER DELTA COUNCILLOR KIDNAPPED KILLED AFTER RANSOM PAID
The decomposing corpse of a former councillor in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, Mr Onoakpoma Onose, was over the weekend recovered at a rubber plantation in Okurekpo community in the locality.
Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the state police command who recovered the corpse deposited at the Eku Baptist Hospital.A source in the community told our correspondent that a search party was mobilised shortly after the victim’s kidnap, searching for for five consecutive days without results.
The source, who described the arrested gang members as terrors in the community, said they have been involved in several robbery operations, dispossessing persons along the Eku/Warri road before the late ex-councillor ran into their hands.
The victim, according to our source, had served in the Ethiope East legislative arm, where he represented one of the Abraka wards.
Our correspondent also gathered that two other members of the gang are still at large, while one of their wives is in police custody helping with the investigations.

Saturday 12 May 2018

Police arrest 4 suspects over forgery, theft of Imo APC wards, LG electoral materials

The Nigeria Police have arrested four suspects who were alleged to have forged, stole and were in possession unlawfully of APC wards and local government electoral materials meant for the aborted APC ward congress election of 5th May, in Imo state. The name of the suspect are Engr. Ikpamezie Innocent ‘39Yrs’ – Principal Suspect from Mbaitoli LGA of Imo State (Special Adviser on Electoral matters to Senator Hope Uzodimma representing Orlu Senatorial District of Imo State), Lawrence Archibong ‘34Yrs’ from Akpabuyo LGA of Cross Rivers State, Kelechi Affonne ‘27Yrs’ from Isialagwa North LGA of Abia State and Joseph Martins ‘28Yrs’ from Ivo LGA of Ebonyi State

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/05/988821/



The Nigeria Police in a statement said it is determined to ensure violence free and credible elections across the country in the forth coming 2019 General Election. The police said the  ‘Force has therefore, put in adequate security arrangement to guarantee free and fair elections from primary elections of all political parties to period of nomination and campaigns and the election proper throughout the Thirty Six States and the FCT. ‘The Inspector General of Police has directed all Commissioners of Police and their supervising Assistant Inspector General of Police to ensure adequate security and should not hesitate to deal decisively with any individual or group whose conduct or action might resort to disruption of the Electoral process anywhere in the country regardless of status or position in the society. They are to implement security strategies and measures to forestall any action that may mar or truncate the electoral process before, during and after the 2019 General Elections in the Country. ‘At about 1400hrs of today being 12th May, 2018, operatives of the IGP Special Tactical Squad on a tip-off trailed and arrested the above mentioned suspects in SEREDIB HOTEL AT WUSE II, ABUJA while in the act in hideout in the hotel, manipulating and entering data into result sheets of the Imo State APC Ward Election Result Sheets. In their possession were recovered the above listed exhibits of Ward and Local Government Electoral Materials of Six (6) Local Governments in Imo State, namely; (i) Ikeduru (ii) Ahiazu Mbaise (iii) Ngor-Okpala (iv) Owerri West (v) Owerri Municipal (vi) Mbaitoli 

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/05/988821/

NiMet predicts nationwide rains, thunderstorms on Sunday ON MAY 12, 20188:34 PMIN NEWSCOMMENTS Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/05/nimet-predicts-nationwide-rains-thunderstorms-on-sunday/

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted morning rains over the central states of the country on Sunday especially places like Abuja, parts of Benue, Nassarawa, Kogi, Kwara, Plateau, Taraba and Yola.

Marvin Ugorji Music Album Titled MOTIVATION is out.download because you will love every beat of it.



Marvin Ugorji Music Album Titled MOTIVATION is out.download because you will love every beat of it.

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2.Marvin Ugorji Feat. Xten.................http://www.naijapals.com/music/ODOGWU_BY_WAVES_OR_MARVIN_UGORJI_FEAT_XTEN_BABA_WAVES_FEAT__XTEN_BABA-50438

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11.Still the one by Marvin Ugorji.........................www.reverbnation.com/marvinugorji

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Causes of tax evasion in Nigeria and effects on the economy

Recent findings have revealed that the economy of Nigeria has not been stable, and as a result, the economy is not moving towards positive direction.Just like how well-meaning Nigerians suggested for a sort of research with a view to discourage tax evasion and avoidance, as well as boost the economy of Nigeria, I will suggest that research work should be carried out regularly for the purpose of finding out what could be the causes of the unstable Nigeria’s economy, and to also make suggestion on the possible ways of boosting the economy of Nigeria.

DEFINITION OF TAX AVOIDANCE

Tax avoidance is simply a situation, where citizens attempted to reduce part of their tax liability in such a way that it does not seems as if he or she is breaking the tax law.
Nevertheless, even though tax avoidance is contrary to the provision of the actual tax law, it has however, contributed to the law effects tax savings, as the tax payers obliged to pay at least less than what they suppose to pay in actual sense. Therefore, the act of avoiding paying of tax on the part of the Nigerian citizens is unpatriotic and anti social.

DEFINITION OF TAX EVASION

Tax evasion is another way by which, the tax payers violated the tax law.  Tax evasion is the deliberate attempt whereby, the tax payers willfully violated tax law by way of escaping their civic responsibility of tax payment.
It is a practice considered to be illegal way to deduce citizens’ tax liability. There is no gainsaying that people are reluctant, when it comes to paying tax, but the problem lies on fact that, government has not living up to their expectations, at least, by educating the general public particularly, those who are living in the rural areas, because people will not be willing to do anything, except they understand the purpose and the reason for doing so.

CAUSES OF TAX EVASION AND AVOIDANCE IN NIGERIA

Research has revealed the causes and effects of tax evasion and avoidance to the overall development of Nigeria. Going by the revelations gotten so far, many reasons have been uncovered as to what causes tax evasion and avoidance, and their effects in Nigeria.
And in this article, I am going to explain some of those causes of tax evasion and avoidance and their effects to Nigerian Nation.

1. LACK OF PATRIOTISM CAUSES TAX EVASION AND AVOIDANCE IN NIGERIA

One of the causes of tax evasion and avoidance in Nigeria is lack of patriotism. That is a situation, where the citizens exhibited unpatriotic attitudes in carrying out their civic responsibilities.

2. LACK OF BENEFITS TO BE RECEIVED BY THE CITIZENS CAUSES TAX EVASION AND AVOIDANCE

Sometimes, when the government failed in living up to its responsibility, it discouraged citizens to pay their taxes.
When the people sensed cheated by the government, such as being unsatisfied with programmes undertaken by the government, where there is no basic amenities, when the social welfareprovided is inadequate among other things, there bound to be encouragement for tax evasion and avoidance.

3. PROBLEMS OF ADMINISTRATION MACHINERY CAUSES TAX EVASION AND AVOIDANCE

Problems within the tax administration machinery is one of the causes of tax evasion and avoidance in Nigeria, such problems arises from the loopholes found in the provision of tax law, and sometimes such problems ranged from tax law, untrained man power, transportation issues and corrupt practices endulged by taxpayers.

EFFECTS OF TAX AVOIDANCE AND EVASION IN NIGERIA

I will also love to explain briefly the effects of tax evasion and avoidance in this article too, but my emphasis would be on the tax payers.
* PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL PAINS:
For tax evader, by avoiding his or her civic responsibility, that is refusing to pay tax, he or she is directly inflicting pains on himself, and such pains are psychological pains and physical pains. The reason is obvious. It is because they have failed to oblige to their civic responsibilities.
*  ENCOURAGES BRIBERY AND WASTE OF RESOURCES:
One of the effects of tax evasion and avoidance is that, it discouraged bribery, corruption and waste of resources. And this practice has affected the Nigerian economy negatively. In most cases, when a citizen being apprehended by tax collectors, he will be forced to give bribe in order to be freed by the tax agents. This is considered as waste of resources by the tax payers because he will still more than what is expected of him to pay.
* WILL MAKE TAX PAYERS TO PAY MORE:
Another effect of tax evasion and tax avoidance is that it will make the tax payers to pay more than what they suppose to pay, because the likelihood is that he or she will have to seek for the services of experts to advise them on how can avoid paying their taxes. Therefore, when a tax payer avoid to pay his or her tax, he or she does that to his or her detriment.
* HAS AN ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE ECONOMY:
Tax evasion and tax avoidance in a sense do have an adverse consequence on the economy, it does hampered the growth and the overall development of the economy because of the fact that, the tax evaders and the tax agents are likely to involved in bribery. Therefore, this practices on the part of the tax payers and the tax agents indeed has an adverse effect on the economy.

CONCLUSION

I will suggest that research work should be carried out regularly for the purpose of finding out what could be the causes of the unstable Nigeria’s economy, and to also make suggestion on the possible ways of boosting the economy of Nigeria.

Thursday 3 May 2018

10 RICHEST PASTORS IN WORLD

10. CHRIS OKOTIE($10M)
chris okotie

9.JUANITA BYNUM($15M)

source

8. PAULA WHITE($20M)
Image result for paula white

7. CHRIS OYAKHILOME ($25M)
Image result for chris oyakhilome

6.CREFLO DOLLAR( $30M)



5.T. D JAKES ($35M)



4.JOEL OSTEEN ($40M)



2. DAVID OYEDAPO AND T.B JOSHUA($45M)



1. KENNETH COPELAND($50M)

UN seeks stability in Lake Chad

UN condemns targeting of CIVILIANS in Nigeria
The United Nations (UN) has said it is seeking practical approaches to address the violence in the Lake Chad Basin area and ensure stability of the region.
The UN, through its Development Programme (UNDP) in Maiduguri, yesterday, at a joint Press Conference with Borno State Government, said it is organising two days international forum of governors from the Lake Chad Basin Region, in Maiduguri, Borno State capital.
“International concern on addressing the regional dimension of the insurgency is growing. The UN Security Council Resolution 2349 (2017) on Boko Haram and Lake Chad Basin was adopted by the security council, at its 7911th meeting of March 2017, following the visit to the Lake Chad Regions,” UNDP Communication Analyst, Enoh Jonathan, said at the press conference.
She said the resolution of the UN Security Council gave birth to the formation of the Lake Chad Governors’ Forum, which involves governors of three northeast States of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, affected by insurgency. Other members, according to Jonathan, include governors of regions in Chad, Niger and Cameroon. “The forum will hold on May 8 and 9, 2018,” she disclosed.

Nigeria, EU trade volume hits €25.3b

The Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Ketil Karlsen, has pegged the trade volume between the EU and Nigeria at €25.3 billion.
Karlsen made the disclosure in Abuja at a press briefing in preparation for the forthcoming Europe Day celebration on May 9.
Karlsen said the figure was an increase of 27 percent over that of 2016, which was 19.9 billion euros.
About 50 percent of the 2017 trade volume, he added, came in favour of Nigeria.
“About 25.3 billion Euro was traded in 2017. There is clear significant surplus in the benefit of Nigeria. Of the trade volume, around 50 per cent more is actually benefitting Nigeria,”  Karlsen said.
He further said the EU remained the most significant trade partner of Nigeria, even as he said trade and investment was an integral part of Europe partnership with Nigeria.
Karlsen further said although about 30 percent of Nigeria’s external market is Europe, there is a renewed move to exploring ways to expand the trade ties.
The EU, he stated, is currently putting everything in place to provide an additional market access for Nigerian products in Europe and beyond.
This, Karlsen said,  is to boost job creation and job opportunities for the teeming population.
Karlsen also spoke on the EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which Nigeria is yet to sign.
He said the EU would continue engaging Nigerian government and other stakeholders on the benefits of the agreement.
“We are partnering with the Nigerian government, private businesses and other stakeholders to promote this and to continue the dialogue on the economic partnership agreement.
“What we want is to engage with everybody to stress the potential benefit that we consider in this kind of engagement in opening the market access, providing technical assistance.
”This is to make sure that it does not become hostile to industries and the opportunities for youth employment, but opportunities to develop industries through access to market,” Karlsen stated.
On EU’s developmental activities in the country, Karlsen said the EU supported water and sanitation projects in 14 states to the tune 353.5 million euro, reaching and benefitting more than four million people in the country.
He added that the EU was also expanding its humanitarian support in the northeast to include job creation for the displaced populations.“We need to think of the northeast in economic terms and job creation. This is part of our foreign policy.
“In the period of 2015 to 2017, we have provided 144.5 million euro in humanitarian aid, mainly in the north east. In 2018, we have set aside 34.5 million euros in provision of food aid.
“We are working in Borno state and currently in dialogue with Yobe state on how we can expand our support to the area.
“Altogether, we have set aside 257.5 million euro in our support not only for humanitarian,  but also in our long term development in that region,” Karlsen said.

World Press Freedom Day: Buhari pledges non-interference

TRUMP MISINFORMED
President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged an unfettered environment for the media to do its work.
President Buhari, in his message to the media to mark World Press Freedom Day, noted that responsibility was reciprocal, and urged journalists to be mindful of fairness, justice, and national interest at all time.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, in a statement said President Buhari, while reflecting on this year’s theme; Keeping Power In Check: Media, Justice and The Rule of Law, re-affirmed commitment to an atmosphere in which the media is free from harassment or any form of attack in the exercise of the profession, within the ambit of the law.
“The media can count on us to keep our words, but we also want to be fairly reported. The media should hold ethics of the noble profession sacrosanct, and be wary of those bent on causing disaffection in the country,” he said.President Buhari while stressing that a positively critical media is vital to national development, and the growth of our democracy, added that a media that engages in pettiness will only generate unwarranted tension in a plural society like ours.
“The world is in the throes of animosities generated by fake news and hate speech, often spawned by some media, particularly the digital variant called social media.
“On this World Press Freedom Day, those involved in the negative antics should reflect, and ponder on how some countries have been thrown into tailspin by irresponsible use of the media. We have no other country than Nigeria, and what we make of it is what we get,” he said.
The President also affirmed that, “As we approach general elections next year, let our journalists resolve to report the process fairly and without bias, irrespective of who is involved. That would be the very essence of World Press Freedom Day.”

Irish envoy advocates job creation to end human trafficking

JOB CREATION

The Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Sean Hoy, on Wednesday in Benin-City, said the only way to end human trafficking and irregular migration in the country was for its government to create jobs for its teeming youths.
Amb. Hoy said this shortly after he paid a courtesy call on the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II in his palace in Benin.
His words, “Last week I met with NAPTIP in Abuja and we are traveling round  to learn more about the situation but the real way to address human trafficking is to create good job in Nigeria so that people do not leave.”
The envoy also said Nigerians were very hardworking people and if given the chance can do excellently well wherever they find themselves.
He continued, “My impression about the people of Nigeria is that they are very hard working. Yesterday was a national holiday but where I went to people were working and I think this is one of the real blessing of Nigeria.

Imo APC stakeholders protest, drag Okorocha before NWC

APC OKOROCHA NWC
Romanus Ugwu, Abuja All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains from Imo State, on Wednesday, dragged Governor Rochas Okorocha before the party’s National  Working Committee (NWC) of the party. Their action was to protest what they called the ‘governor’s antics to hijack the process for this weekend’s state congress’. Speaking after several hours meeting with the NWC.

15 VILLAGERS KILLED IN ADAMAWA STATE BY CATTLE HERDSMEN



Billy Graham Abel, Yola Over fifteen people are feared dead as armed herdsmen numbering over 400 are said to have attacked and burnt down four villages of Bolki, Bang, Zumoso and Gon in Numan and Lamurde local governments of Adamawa State, local sources tell Daily Sun. According to locals, the herdsmen militia reportedly raided the

MUSIC TO PHILANTHROPIC,VIP KING DANIEL GIVES BACK TO THE SOCIETY

 MUSIC TO PHILANTHROPY, V.I.P KING DANIEL GIVES BACK TO THE SOCIETY. The fast rising Nigerian based afro beat artist popularly known as V.I....