Good day and welcome! In as we speak’s trending information tales;
1. The Presidency refuted claims on Monday, December 2, that the proposed tax reform payments would hurt the North, emphasizing their objective to streamline tax administration and promote equitable growth nationwide. The payments handed their second studying within the Senate and are actually on the committee stage, with public hearings scheduled. Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga clarified that the reforms wouldn’t dissolve key businesses like NASENI, TETFUND, and NITDA. As a substitute, they goal to consolidate taxes right into a single levy to scale back the burden on companies and foster a extra aggressive financial setting. Onanuga inspired stakeholders to offer constructive enter throughout the public hearings. On the identical day, Senator Seriake Dickson and Yakubu Dogara advocated for the reforms. Dickson highlighted the necessity to rectify tax allocation anomalies, whereas Dogara urged the North to embrace the payments, citing their potential to boost financial self-reliance. Dogara additionally praised President Bola Tinubu’s creation of a Livestock Ministry, launched earlier this yr, as a transformative initiative for the North’s financial progress. In distinction, the Kano State Home of Meeting rejected the payments throughout its plenary session on December 2, 2024, expressing issues over their influence on VAT allocation. They argued that the reforms favor states like Lagos whereas probably impoverishing northern states. The Meeting urged northern lawmakers and the Convention of Audio system to dam the payments, warning them of elevated hardship and monetary instability within the area if handed.
2. Osun State staff celebrated Governor Ademola Adeleke’s approval of a ₦75,000 minimal wage with a carnival-like rally on the state secretariat in Abere on Monday. Tons of of staff gathered to bop, sing, and reward the governor’s pro-labor insurance policies, inflicting vital human and visitors congestion. The rally, led by labor leaders together with NLC State Chairman Comrade Abayomi Arapasopo and TUC State Chairman Comrade Bimbo Fasasi, praised Adeleke’s unprecedented dedication to staff’ welfare. Each unions declared their assist for his second-term bid, stating he had set a brand new normal for governance in Osun. They formally pledged to endorse him throughout the 2025 Might Day rally. In response, Governor Adeleke expressed gratitude for the endorsement and reiterated his dedication to staff’ welfare, calling it a precedence in his administration’s five-point agenda. He promised to proceed implementing pro-labor insurance policies and driving the state’s growth with staff’ assist.
3. The Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC) has secured the ultimate forfeiture of an enormous Abuja property measuring 150,500 sq. meters and comprising 753 duplexes and residences. That is the EFCC’s largest single-asset restoration since its inception in 2003. The forfeiture was ordered by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the FCT Excessive Courtroom following an interim order granted on November 1, 2024. The property is linked to a former high-ranking authorities official below investigation by the EFCC. The anti-graft company relied on authorized provisions, together with the Advance Payment Fraud Act and the Nigerian Structure, to argue its case. The courtroom dominated that the respondent did not justify retaining the property. EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede emphasised that asset restoration is crucial in combating corruption and financial crimes.
4. The Central Financial institution of Nigeria (CBN) plans to retire round 1,000 workers as a part of a workforce realignment below Governor Olayemi Cardoso. A severance package deal exceeding ₦50 billion has been allotted for this voluntary Early Exit Package deal (EEP). Functions for the EEP, open to all workers besides these with lower than one yr of service, will shut on December 7, 2024, with exits efficient December 31, 2024. Over 860 workers members have already utilized for this system, which gives monetary incentives primarily based on remaining service years. Senior supervisors to deputy managers can obtain as much as 60 months of gross annual funds, whereas managers and different cadres obtain 36 months and 18 months, respectively. The initiative has precipitated vital stress amongst workers, with many expressing concern in regards to the implications of the retirement train. Regardless of the uproar, the financial institution has emphasised that submitted functions are remaining. Makes an attempt to get feedback from the CBN’s Director of Company Communication have been unsuccessful.
5. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has condemned Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru’s risk to sack staff in a strike over implementing the ₦70,000 minimal wage, calling it irresponsible and counterproductive. Employees in Ebonyi commenced the strike on December 2 in compliance with the NLC’s directive to implement the brand new wage regulation. NLC President Joe Ajaero criticized the governor’s strategy, highlighting that the strike adopted failed negotiations and notices to the federal government. He emphasised that hanging is a lawful means for staff to demand their rights and urged labor leaders to keep up their stance till the minimal wage is carried out. In Kwara State, staff in tertiary establishments declared a three-day warning strike from December 4–6 over the non-payment of the minimal wage. Whereas the state authorities claimed salaries have been being paid, the employees insisted on their calls for, citing unresolved registration points with the Kwara State Resident Registration Company (KWSRRA). Ajaero reaffirmed the NLC’s dedication to totally implementing the 2024 minimal wage as a brand new social contract to alleviate employee poverty.
6. Former President Donald Trump responded to President Joe Biden’s latest pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, by linking it to his intentions to probably pardon January 6 defendants if re-elected. On Reality Social, Trump criticized the justice system, questioning if Biden’s pardon for Hunter would prolong to the “J-6 Hostages” imprisoned for years. Trump has beforehand expressed curiosity in pardoning many January 6 individuals, although he has averted specifics, notably for these concerned in violent acts. The Hunter Biden pardon, introduced Sunday, was described by President Biden as addressing “selective” and “unfair” prosecution. Trump and his group criticized the justice system as weaponized by Democrats however didn’t explicitly oppose Hunter’s pardon. Trump’s incoming communications director framed the pardon as a symptom of a damaged justice system that wants reform. Greater than 1,200 folks have confronted expenses associated to January 6, with offenses starting from violent assaults on officers to interfering with Congress. Trump has steered that pardoning a good portion of those defendants can be an early precedence in a second time period. On the identical time, his decide for FBI management, Kash Patel, has additionally supported their trigger.
