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The Nigerian government has recently introduced new taxes on imported vehicles, alcoholic beverages and single use plastics, and has also updated the list of items banned from being imported into the country. The new tax regime is set to come into effect on June 1, 2023, according to a circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

Under the new tax regime, imported vehicles with engine sizes ranging from 2000cc to 3999cc will pay a two per cent Import Adjustment Tax (IAT) levy on the value of the vehicle, while vehicles with engine sizes of 4000cc and above will attract a four per cent IAT levy. This is in addition to the existing 35% import duty and 35% levy paid by importers of vehicles. However, vehicles below 2000cc, mass transit buses, electric vehicles, and locally manufactured vehicles are exempt from the IAT levy.

In addition to the new tax on imported vehicles, the Nigerian government will charge N75 per litre of beer, stout and wine imported into the country in 2023 and N100 per litre in 2024. Prior to the new tax regime, imported alcoholic beverages were taxed ad valorem, meaning the tax or customs duties were proportional to the estimated value of the goods or transaction concerned.

The government has also updated the import prohibition list to include used motor vehicles above 12 years from the year of manufacture, paracetamol tablets and syrups, cotrimoxazole tablets and syrups, metronidazole tablets and syrups, chloroquine tablets and syrups, folic acid tablets, vitamin B complex tablets (except modified release formulations), multivitamin tablets, capsules and syrups (except special formulations), aspirin tablets (except modified release formulations and soluble aspirin), magnesium trisilicate tablets and suspensions, piperazine tablets and syrups, levamisole tablets and syrups, ointments penicillin/gentamycin, pyrantel pamoate tablets and syrups, intravenous fluids (dextrose, normal saline, etc.), waste pharmaceuticals and mineral or chemical fertilisers containing the three fertilising elements – nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

Lastly, the government has introduced a green tax in the form of an excise duty on single use plastics, including plastic containers, films, and bags at a rate of 10%. The new taxes and import bans have been put in place to promote locally manufactured goods and protect the environment.

The drug problem in Nigeria is a growing concern, with the street value of seized drugs exceeding half a billion naira in just 12 months. Shockingly, more than two-thirds of drugs are going undetected, leaving Nigeria in a drug dungeon. The country is walking a tightrope of national drug addiction and terrible damage, without declaring an emergency on illicit drugs and marshalling a collective effort to strengthen the war against drug cartels, traffickers, and ignorant users.

Nigeria has become a haven for retailers of illicit drugs. These substances are now available across the streets of major cities and are popular among the youths. They are often cheaper than an average soft drink and used as bait for the uninitiated. The substances include Diazepam, Rohypnol, marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, Colorado, codeine, opioids, tramadol, their synthetic variants, and other psychotropic substances. Street names for the drugs appear in different pseudonyms like molly or X, roofies, banku, white, Thailand, Ice, schoolboy/little C, upper speed, special k, Acid, loud, Arizona, Gegemu, Eskay, kush, skushies, among others.

The supply chain for these drugs is occupied by drug barons, cartels, and traffickers with footprints nationwide and on traditional international drug routes. Despite the revamped efforts of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), which seized over 1.4 million worth of drugs in 2022, stakeholders are unanimous that the war against drugs must be intentional, retooled, and all-embracing if the country must pull back from the looming national drug addiction.

Security agencies have recently arrested a 34-year-old South American from Suriname, Dadda Lorenzo Harvy Albert, at Port Harcourt International Airport (PHIA), Rivers State, for importing into Nigeria 117 parcels of cocaine concealed in extra-large latex condoms factory packed inside bottles of 100ml body spray. The suspect claimed he departed his country, Suriname, located in the North Eastern coast of South America on April 2, for São Paulo, Brazil, and from Sao Paulo to Nigeria on Friday, April 7, 2023, on board a Qatar Airways flight in search of his long-lost Nigerian father, whom he called ‘Omini.’

The National Population Commission (NPC) has announced that the 2023 census exercise has been postponed to enable the incoming administration's adequate participation. 

The Commission's Director of Public Affairs Department, Dr Isiaka Yahaya, revealed this in an interview with Sunday Tribune in Abuja. Dr Yahaya emphasized that it is crucial for the new administration to be familiar with the processes used in collecting census data, and this informed the decision to postpone the exercise.

He further explained that the census's primary objective is not just to collect data but also to ensure that it is utilized for planning purposes. Therefore, it is essential that the incoming administration is involved in the data collection process to have confidence in the data's accuracy. Dr Yahaya noted that it would not be wise to simply hand over the data to the new administration at a later stage without their participation in the collection process, as this could affect their trust in the data.

However, since the preparations for the census exercise are at an advanced stage, it presents an opportunity for the incoming administration to participate in the collection process and understand how the census will be conducted. Dr Yahaya believes that this will increase their faith in using the data, making it a crucial reason for the postponement. He added that it is beneficial for the administration at both the national and state levels to understand the census's procedures to ensure optimal utilization of the data.

The Director of Public Affairs Department at the National Population Commission (NPC), Dr Isiaka Yahaya, has dismissed claims that the postponement of the 2023 census exercise was due to inadequate preparation and funding. Dr Yahaya clarified that the federal government had provided all the necessary funds required to carry out the census exercise, and the decision to postpone was not sudden.

Dr Yahaya explained that the NPC had anticipated the postponement and had made all necessary preparations. He added that the government had already started providing the required funds, and the NPC had no doubts that the funds for the main exercise would be made available. However, certain considerations came into play, making the postponement necessary.

The federal government had earlier postponed the census exercise indefinitely, which was initially scheduled to commence on May 3, 2023. The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, announced in a statement issued on Saturday that the exercise would now hold on a date to be determined by the incoming administration. This decision was made after the President's approval, following his meeting with some members of the Federal Executive Council and the Chairman of the National Population Commission and his team at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday.

The spokesperson for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, Daniel Bwala, has suggested why the incoming administration of President-elect, Bola Tinubu, may be at odds with the government of President Muhammadu Buhari. Bwala stated that Tinubu's manifesto indicates that he might fight Buhari's policies.

In a tweet, Bwala recounted how Buhari has been blaming the PDP administration for the country's challenges. He noted that it would be interesting to hear the excuses that would emerge from Tinubu's government.

Bwala further stated that during the outgoing administration of Buhari, the government blamed their failures on the PDP. He wondered who Tinubu would point to since his manifesto is geared towards fighting his predecessor.

The statement by Atiku's spokesperson comes at a time when Nigerians are anticipating the government of President-elect, Bola Tinubu, who will be taking over from President Muhammadu Buhari after the 2023 general elections. It remains to be seen how the new administration will address the issues confronting the country.

Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate in Adamawa State, has withdrawn her lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Governor Ahmadu Fintiri. Her suit was filed in a Federal High Court in Abuja to prevent INEC from announcing any other results of the governorship election in the state.

According to Sen. Ahmed, she had been declared the Governor-Elect by INEC and, as such, the results could not be voided. However, on April 25th, 2023, she filed a notice of discontinuance through her counsel, Hussaini Zakariyau (SAN).

Zakariyau confirmed that his client had withdrawn the suit by way of a Notice of Discontinuance, which effectively ended the case. The defendants in the case were INEC, PDP, and Governor Ahmadu Fintiri.

No reason was given for the withdrawal of the lawsuit. However, this development has put an end to the legal battle that could have further dragged on the process of governance in Adamawa State.

People prepare to board a bus departing from Khartoum in the Sudanese capital’s south on April 24, 2023, as battles rage in the city between the army and paramilitaries. (Photo by – / AFP)

The Nigerian Federal Government has revealed that it spent $1.2 million to deploy 40 buses to evacuate at least 2,400 stranded Nigerians out of Sudan. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, made the disclosure to State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari. According to Onyeama, the high cost of the evacuation was necessary to provide security cover for the eight-hour journey from Luxor to Cairo and the eleven-hour trip from Aswan to Cairo, Egypt.

The evacuation was initially planned for Tuesday but failed due to logistical challenges. The new travel plans were, however, finalized on Tuesday night, according to the Chairperson of the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa. She confirmed that more buses arrived on Wednesday morning, and the stranded students would depart on the same day.

Notably, the evacuation was triggered by the recent conflict in Sudan. Although the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces had agreed to halt hostilities at midnight on Monday, local media reported that fighting had resumed even as a hospital was shelled on Wednesday. Thankfully, no Nigerian lost their life in the conflict. However, Onyeama stated that there were no talks about alternative plans for continued education for the evacuees, most of whom are students of the University of Khartoum.

In summary, the Nigerian government spent $1.2 million to evacuate its citizens from Sudan due to the conflict in the country. Although the evacuation faced logistical challenges, the government finalized new travel plans on Tuesday night and successfully evacuated the stranded students on Wednesday.

(Photo by ANDREAS SOLARO / AFP)

One factor driving the growth of renewable energy is cost. The cost of renewables, particularly solar and wind, has plummeted in recent years, making them more competitive with fossil fuels. In some regions, renewables are now cheaper than fossil fuels, even without subsidies. This has led to a surge in investment, particularly in solar and wind projects.

Another driver of renewable energy growth is policy. Many countries have introduced policies and regulations that incentivize the development of renewable energy. Examples include feed-in tariffs, which guarantee a fixed price for renewable energy, and renewable portfolio standards, which require utilities to generate a certain percentage of their electricity from renewables.

Investment in renewable energy has been growing steadily for years and is expected to continue to grow. The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that renewable energy will account for 90% of the global power sector's growth by 2025. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on renewable energy investment in the short term, but many experts believe that it will not significantly slow the long-term growth of renewables.

While there are challenges to the continued growth of renewable energy, such as the need for more investment in storage technology and grid infrastructure, the overall trend is positive. As more and more countries commit to transitioning to renewables, it becomes increasingly likely that a future powered entirely by clean, sustainable energy is within reach.

The president-elect, Bola Tinubu, has returned to Nigeria to a warm reception from hundreds of his supporters and well-wishers across the country ahead of the May 29, 2023 handover. Tinubu arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, the federal capital territory (FCT), in his private jet at exactly 4:30 pm.

Tinubu, who had been away for over a month, was received by top party officials, including Nuhu Ribadu, a former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). His arrival was met with cheers from party faithful who had gathered to welcome him back.

After his arrival, Tinubu headed straight to his vehicle and was believed to be heading to the Defence House, the official residence reserved for President Elects since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

His return has put an end to speculations by a section of members of the opposition political parties and his adversaries that he may not be able to take over power after the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure on May 29 due to ill-health.

Tinubu's return has generated a lot of excitement among his supporters and has further intensified political activities in the country ahead of the handover. The Nigerian people are eagerly anticipating the next steps from the president-elect and his team as they prepare to take over the reins of power in the country.

In a shocking turn of events, a five-storey building located in GRA Apapa, Lagos has collapsed. This unfortunate incident comes barely 24 hours after the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, ordered the demolition of some buildings within Banana Island due to infractions.

This is not the first building collapse to occur in Lagos in recent times. Just two weeks prior, a seven-storey building on Banana Island caved in, resulting in the death of one worker and leaving several others with injuries.

The five-storey building that collapsed in GRA Apapa was still under construction at the time of the incident. It is reported that the collapse was caused by a thunder strike that hit the building, causing it to crumble down like a pack of cards.

This is a tragic event that highlights the need for proper construction and safety measures to be put in place in Nigeria. It is important that authorities and construction companies take adequate steps to ensure that incidents like this do not occur in the future. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this terrible tragedy. We will provide more details as they become available.

Former Governor of Enugu State, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, has made a public appeal to the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, to withdraw his petition against the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He urged Obi to join him in the task of making a new nation and align with the ebullience and conviviality of welcoming Tinubu's victory to the Office of the President of the greatest black nation on earth.

Obi had filed a petition to challenge the victory of Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress in the 25 February election. Obi, who came third in the election, alleged that the election was characterized by various irregularities, including the non-qualification of Tinubu and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, to contest the election. Obi also stated that Tinubu failed to win the majority of the lawful votes cast in the election and just as he could not secure one-quarter of the legal votes cast in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

In response to Obi's petition, Nnamani said that Obi knows he has neither the spread nor national appeal to win the Presidential election, and what he is doing with the petition is "bad belle, petulance and demarketing." Nnamani believes that Obi's petition is ego-driven and a joke carried too far. His attempt to highlight non-electoral issues is trying to embarrass the President-elect.

Nnamani advised Obi to come down from his high horse to allow sedate minds to negotiate on behalf of the Igbo and South East for a safe landing to include their stake in the national Palavar and share of the accruals of the commonwealth. He believes that it's time for the Igbo to confront reality and align themselves with the mainstream to participate in making a new Nigeria. They cannot afford to be consigned to the backwoods of history.

Above all, Nnamani's public appeal to Obi to withdraw his petition against the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is a call for unity and national development. He believes that the Igbo and South East can only bargain for their share of the accruals of the commonwealth by aligning themselves with the mainstream and participating in making a new Nigeria. It's time for the Igbo to confront reality and join the task of making a new nation.

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has accused certain politicians of using politics to create discord among Nigerians. During a visit to Onitsha to celebrate the Sallah holiday with the Muslim community, Obi donated food and beverages to them while praying to Allah to accept their fasting and sacrifices and grant them a good life. He reiterated that Nigerians are one and that divisive politicians who want to reap where they did not sow try to divide citizens along tribal and religious lines.

Obi emphasized that the only thing that divides Nigerians is politics, as some politicians engage in divisive campaigns to secure votes during elections. He noted that he has never discriminated against anyone on the basis of religion and will never do so, citing his business that is run by a northerner from Kano who is doing well. He called for unity and brotherhood among all Nigerians, irrespective of tribe or religion, and urged politicians to avoid using politics to divide the people.

Obi, who served as the governor of Anambra State, recounted how he rebuilt a mosque that was demolished at some point during his tenure and assured members of the Muslim community that they are part of the state and that no one can stop them from living there and carrying out their businesses. He added that he lives in Onitsha and is available to help in the areas of healthcare and education, which he is passionate about.

The Chief Imam of Onitsha Central Mosque, Alhaji Abdulraman Imam, commended Obi for being the only governor in the state who visited members of the Muslim community at every celebration to felicitate with them. He highlighted Obi's commitment to rebuilding the mosque and sponsoring many members of the community to Mecca, even though he is a Christian. The secretary and spokesperson of the Hausa community in Onitsha, Barr Mahmud Imam, also conveyed the community's support for Obi, stating that they voted for him in the past and would continue to pray for his success because his capacity to lead is not in doubt.

Peter Obi's visit to the Muslim community in Onitsha to celebrate the Sallah holiday underscores the need for unity and brotherhood among Nigerians. His call for politicians to avoid using politics to sow seeds of discord and his commitment to promoting education and healthcare are vital for the growth and development of the country. Obi's past actions, such as rebuilding the mosque and sponsoring members of the Muslim community to Mecca, show that he is a leader who is committed to the well-being of all Nigerians, irrespective of tribe or religion.

In recent years, Nigeria has increased its agricultural produce exports to Europe, America, Asia and other African countries. Exporting agricultural products now accounts for almost 80% of Nigeria's total exports, with a total of N598.2bn worth of agricultural products exported in 2022 alone. This figure accounts for an 18.5% increase compared to 2021. 

Europe has become a particularly important market for Nigerian exporters. In Q4 2022, Spain, The Netherlands, India, France and Indonesia were the major export markets. The federal government's efforts to encourage both production and exports have contributed to the surge in shipments to the developed world. 

One factor that has played a significant role in increasing Nigeria's export earnings is the establishment of the Nigeria Customs Export Processing Command in Ijora, Lagos, which has become a one-stop-shop for agro-export. Within three months of operation, the command processed non-oil exports with a total tonnage of 118,184.96. It processed export goods worth N86.426bn, including cocoa beans, cashew nuts, sesame seeds, hibiscus flower, soya beans and ginger. 

Nigeria's quest to increase its export earnings received a significant boost in the fourth quarter of 2022 with the role of the new export terminal. The Lilypond Export Command, despite being a new command, recorded some major achievements, including a drastic reduction in delay in export processing, which has made the business of export effective and efficient. It has also reduced congestion along the access roads to the port and inside the port terminals, giving space for import containers, which has led to a reduced cost of export business. It has also reduced the issue of contract cancellation and the issue of pilfering of cargo has been eliminated.

Cocoa beans top the list on the export chart, followed by cashew nuts, sesame seeds, hibiscus flowers, soya beans and ginger. There has been a growing demand for Nigeria-made cosmetics and furniture by countries in the West Africa sub-region. The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) provided the data on export to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which shows that Nigeria exported N5.76tn worth of items in 2021, which increased by 23.13% in the first quarter of 2022, while imports declined by 0.67%.

This surge in Nigeria's agro-produce exports is a welcome development for the country, as it could be a significant boost to the country's economic growth. The government's efforts to encourage both production and exports should continue to support the sector, and initiatives like the new export terminal should be encouraged to drive the continued growth of Nigeria's agro-produce exports. 

The Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, has announced the temporary closure of the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, following the collapse of a floodlight mast. Dare disclosed this in a statement after inspecting the affected floodlight mast. He had earlier visited the stadium on Friday and promised to give his verdict after a thorough assessment. However, after touring the stadium and assessing the situation, the Minister ordered the temporary closure of the stadium to forestall any unforeseen circumstances.

Dare expressed his gratitude that there were no casualties from the collapse of the floodlight mast. He also inspected the other three floodlight masts and discovered that age and weather elements had weakened them, making them potential hazards after 51 years of use. He stated that, based on his assessment and expert advice, the stadium and surrounding facilities would be temporarily closed to ensure public safety, and proper assessment and necessary action would be taken soon.

Furthermore, the Federal Government will expedite the concession process towards fully privatising the Surulere stadium that began last year. This will lead to a comprehensive rehabilitation and upgrade of the 51-year-old edifice. The Minister noted that the decision to impose extensive restrictions around the stadium was made to be on the side of caution, and he appealed to Nigerians to bear with the inconvenience that the decision may cause.

In conclusion, the temporary closure of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, due to the collapse of a floodlight mast, is a necessary step to ensure public safety. The Federal Government's commitment to fully privatising the stadium and rehabilitating it will not only enhance its aesthetics but also promote the development of sports in Nigeria.

In a recent interview with ABC News, Nigerian singer Ahmed Oloade, popularly known as Asake, revealed that poverty led him to consider a career in music. Although he originally started as a dancer, he found that dancing couldn't provide him with enough money to support himself. As a result, he turned to singing, which ultimately led him to his successful music career.

Asake, who is 24 years old, explained that his parents played classical music when he was growing up, which helped him develop an interest in singing. His father was particularly passionate about music, often starting his day with a cigarette and loud music. Asake said that his exposure to music, combined with his dancing skills, led him to explore a career in music.

Initially, Asake only wanted to be a dancer. He loved the feeling of dancing and everything that came with it. However, as he began to think about his financial future, he realized that dancing alone might not provide him with the money he needed to support himself. This realization led him to add singing to his repertoire, which ultimately led to his success as a musician.

Asake's story is a testament to the power of following your passions, even when it may not seem like the most practical choice. By combining his love of dancing with singing and music, he was able to create a career that not only fulfilled him creatively but also provided him with the financial stability he needed.

Davido revealed that he was initially reluctant to complete his degree as he wanted to focus solely on his music career. However, his father convinced him to complete his degree program by making a deal with him. The deal was that his father would build him a world-class studio and provide him with funds to shoot music videos on weekends if he attended lectures from Mondays to Fridays.

The singer further disclosed that his father had a land not far from their home where he built the studio. He also provided him with the necessary funds to shoot some videos. According to Davido, his father's deal was too good to turn down, and it motivated him to complete his degree program.

Davido's story shows the importance of education and how it can be balanced with a passion for music. His father's approach also highlights the significance of providing support and incentives to children to complete their education. It is clear that his father's bribe was successful in motivating Davido to complete his degree program while still pursuing his music career.

Overall, Davido's story is an inspiring one that shows how hard work, dedication, and support can lead to success. His father's support and encouragement played a crucial role in his academic and music career, and it is evident that the bond between father and son is a strong one.

The Labour Party in Nigeria is facing a crisis as the National Executive Council (NEC) suspended the Acting National Chairman, Lamidi Apapa, and five other members on Tuesday. The reason for the suspension is alleged anti-party activities that were not specified. The other affected members are Alhaji Saleh Lawal, Rawland Daramola, Prince Reuben Favour, Samuel Akingbade, and Mohammed Akali.

The NEC also upheld the decision of the Akure convention, which expelled the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Comrade Arabambi Abayomi. Apapa and the five others took over the affairs of the party on April 6, 2023, following a Federal High Court ruling that restrained Julius Abure from parading himself as the chairman of the party. Seven members of the party's NEC announced Apapa as the acting chairman of the party, replacing the suspended chairman, Abure.

Apapa has recently been criticized and accused of being planted in the party by the ruling All Progressives Congress as a mole. In response, Apapa denied the accusations on Channels Television's Sunday Politics program and claimed that he was a founding member of the Labour Party and enjoyed the support of its supporters as the new leader. He maintained that he was not being sponsored by opponents to destroy the party and that he would not do such a thing as a foundational member of the LP.

According to Apapa, since a court has ordered four national officers of the party, including Abure, to stop parading themselves as such, his move is in the right direction. He refuted the allegations that he was being sponsored by opponents to destroy the party. He maintained that he would not run down the party, and nobody was sponsoring him.

The crisis in the Labour Party appears to have deepened with the suspension of Apapa and the five other members. It remains to be seen how the party will resolve the crisis and move forward. The NEC's decision to uphold the expulsion of Comrade Arabambi Abayomi indicates that the party is taking a strong stance against those who engage in anti-party activities. It is uncertain what the future holds for the Labour Party, but it is clear that the current situation is not conducive to its success.

Luciano Spalletti, the head coach of Napoli, is delighted with the return of Victor Osimhen, the team's prolific striker, to competitive action. Osimhen had missed Napoli's last three matches but partially trained with the rest of the group on Thursday. Previous reports suggested that he would be rested for the Italian Serie A match against Hellas Verona.

Despite this, Napoli included Osimhen in the squad for their Serie A fixture against Verona at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on Saturday, and he played as a substitute for 17 minutes. The Nigerian international replaced Giacomo Raspadori in the 73rd minute, making his return after a muscle injury suffered while on international duty with the Super Eagles against Guinea Bissau in March.

Osimhen, who is the Serie A's leading scorer with 21 goals, had the best chance of the game for Napoli but hit the crossbar minutes after his introduction, as Napoli and Verona drew 0-0. Spalletti spoke to Radio Kiss Kiss ahead of the Champions League encounter against Milan, giving his assessment of the team's chances and the return of Osimhen, who he counts on to make a difference.

Spalletti stated that Osimhen gave the burst of enthusiasm that the fans attribute to him and showed that he was in the game. He needed the 25 minutes of running to be ready to play on Tuesday. Spalletti added that Osimhen has physicality and speed, and can protect the ball, use his head or change pace. He has so many different alternatives and is a hero of the fans now.

Spalletti also stated that these players are made of different stuff and have so many solutions to help the team, filling the box of delights with all their various characteristics. Osimhen will start against Milan on Tuesday, according to Spalletti. The influential Nigerian missed the 1-0 first-leg loss to Milan last Wednesday.

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has stated that he would not accept any offer to be part of Bola Tinubu’s Government of National Unity. Tinubu, the president-elect and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), have been dragged to court by Obi over the outcome of the February 25 election. The camp of the APC candidate had hinted that the former Lagos Governor would form an all-inclusive government to carry all his opponents along in his government.

Obi was asked what he would do if he was called upon to be a member of Tinubu’s Government of National Unity while featuring on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday. Obi responded by saying that he was still challenging the process of the election and the declaration. He added that the process of the election should be put right first before anyone could talk of the Government of National Unity.

According to him, the process of the election was more fundamental than what follows after the election. He stated that he was challenging the process and the declaration and that until things were done rightly, he could not encourage what should not be encouraged. Obi said that he would be shocked if the court upholds Tinubu’s election when asked whether he would accept the outcome if it was not in his favour.

Obi believes that the judiciary will do the right thing. The former Anambra State governor stated that issues about the election would be sorted out in court. He added that the country could not continue with the situation and that it would stand that it is a corporate criminalized country if the court upholds Tinubu’s election. He stated that people were talking about structure when they talked about fraud and criminality. He emphasized that the country needed to unbundle criminality for the sake of its children.

Obi concluded by stating that the first thing he wanted to see was that the process was right. He added that until they got it right, then they could talk about a government of national unity. Otherwise, they would be encouraging what they should not encourage. He stated that he was challenging the process and declaration, and that until they got it right, he could not talk about Tinubu’s Government of National Unity.

The Global Voice Group (GVG) has announced its plans to address the issue of global revenue loss to fraud in the telecom industry, which currently amounts to $39.89 billion. As a major provider of IT solutions to governments and regulatory authorities, GVG will discuss and offer actionable solutions to telecom companies at the 2023 RegTech Africa Conference. The conference has the theme, ‘Elevating National Policy on Financial Inclusion, Consumer Protection and Cybersecurity’ and is scheduled to hold between 24th – 26th May 2023 in Lagos-Nigeria.

According to a survey by the CFCA Global Telecommunications Fraud Loss in 2021, the total revenue loss due to fraud in the telecom industry was $39.89 billion, with an additional $28 billion lost globally in uncollected revenue. With razor-thin margins, fierce competition, and constant attempts by fraudsters to swindle companies, telecom operators cannot afford to lose more money on their billing. Billing discrepancies lead to disputes and possible customer churn.

Cyril Okoroigwe, the CEO of RegTech Media, explained that telecom billing is a complex process that involves interrelated technologies and processes working together to provide a seamless service. To ensure that telecom companies bill their clients as per the commercial agreement, GVG will share insights on revenue assurance in telecom at the conference. Regulatory technology (RegTech) is becoming a key consideration in many African countries, with benefits including fraud detection and transaction monitoring, as well as increasing telecom tax collections.

Operators that rely solely on lower rates to beat the competition may not survive in the long term. Those that invest in revenue assurance technology solutions will not only provide great service but also raise their revenue by plugging in the leaks. Given the rate of 5G adoption, telecom companies need to start modernizing their revenue assurance processes now, Okoroigwe said. Smart businesses must prepare their systems to automate every touchpoint, including billing, charging policies, and fraud detection.

Traditional revenue assurance systems are of little value because they alert when the damage is already done. With the sheer volume and velocity of data in 5G, there is a need to act in real-time. A unified fast data platform should address revenue assurance needs during the entire life cycle in one seamless motion. Telecom companies need to match their revenue assurance processes with the technologies of the future, such as 5G. Current 5G deployments are not widespread, and telecom operators can absorb any losses. However, as 5G adoption increases, telecom companies need to start preparing their systems to adapt to the new technology.