WAFFI TV | Feature

FG Has No Immediate Plans To Implement 5% Fuel Tax~ Edun

The Federal Government says it has no immediate plan to enforce the five per cent fuel surcharge contained in the newly signed Tax Administration Act 2025. Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, made this known on Tuesday at a news conference in Abuja. He explained that the surcharge was not a new policy of President Bola Tinubu’s administration but a long-standing provision first introduced in 2007 under the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) Act. Its inclusion in the 2025 Act, he said, was simply to consolidate and harmonise existing laws for clarity and easier compliance. “It is important to make this distinction: the inclusion of the surcharge in the 2025 Nigeria Tax Administration Act does not translate to the automatic introduction of a new tax,” Edun said. “It doesn’t mean fresh taxation automatically.” The minister added that the new law would only take effect on January 1, 2026, and even then, the surcharge could only be implemented through a commencement order issued by the finance minister and published in an official gazette. “There is a whole formal process involved, and as of today, no order has been issued, none is being prepared and there is no plan. There is no immediate plan to implement any surcharge,” he stressed. Edun further explained that the administration’s broader tax reforms are aimed at overhauling Nigeria’s fragmented tax system. He noted that the Tax Administration Act is one of four new legislative instruments designed to improve transparency, ease compliance for businesses and individuals, and modernise revenue collection. The other laws, according to him, are the Revenue Service Bill, the Joint Revenue Board Bill, and the overarching Tax Reform Bill.

9/9/2025, 7:08:55 PM

PAP Denies Owing Fees For 5,000 Itsekiri Graduates

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has dismissed reports that it owes tuition fees for 5,000 Itsekiri graduates of Novena University, Ogume, Delta State, insisting that none of the students in question were ever beneficiaries of its scholarship scheme. Reacting to claims by Collins Oritsetimeyin Edema, who issued a statement on behalf of the Office of the Sole Representative of the Olu of Warri to NNPLC, PAP clarified that the students were not deployed under its programme. Edema had alleged that PAP’s “indebtedness” to Novena University forced the Olu’s Palace to announce an intervention to clear tuition and outstanding fees for the affected graduates. In a statement signed by Mr. Igoniko Oduma, Special Assistant on Media to PAP Administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, the agency stressed that it has no record linking the students to its scholarship scheme. “The management of PAP wishes to state unequivocally that it is not owing Novena University any tuition fees on account of the said Itsekiri graduates. Any claim to the contrary is totally false, baseless, and represents an attempt to stand truth on its head,” the statement read. PAP explained that an official inquiry by previous administrations into the matter revealed that the Itsekiri National Youth Council (INYC) submitted a list of 5,000 names to Novena University in 2017, purporting them to be PAP-sponsored students. Investigations showed that the list never emanated from the Amnesty Office, nor was it authorized. The agency noted that Novena University’s management, including its Vice Chancellor, failed to produce any documentation to show PAP’s approval of the purported students. Consequently, PAP informed the institution that it would not assume any financial responsibility, as doing so would amount to encouraging fraud. “All successive PAP administrations respected the findings of that inquiry, which made it clear that the affected students were never beneficiaries,” the statement emphasized. Oduma further noted that Dr. Otuaro has since expanded the PAP scholarship programme to widen access to education for ex-agitators and legitimate beneficiaries, while driving reforms aimed at bridging human capital gaps in the Niger Delta in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. L

9/9/2025, 3:02:36 PM

Gunmen Kidnap Nigerian Lt Colonel In Midnight Raid In Delta

Armed kidnappers invaded a lodge in Bomadi, Delta State, during a midnight operation and abducted an Army officer identified as Lt.-Col. Josiah. The officer, who had earlier attended a wedding ceremony in Kpakiama community, had just returned to his residence in Bomadi, headquarters of Bomadi Local Government Area, when the assailants struck. According to Vanguard, the abduction occurred between 2:00 a.m. and 2:30 a.m., sparking tension across the riverside town. In response, soldiers of the Joint Task Force (JTF) have stepped up patrols within Bomadi and surrounding communities. A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the operation as carefully executed. “The kidnappers came to the hotel about 2a.m. to 2.30a.m. They searched every room, took the phones at lodgers and forced the military officer outside. They even fired shots before zooming out of the hotel premises with the military officer in their vehicle. There was also blood on the ground after they had left the premises. "The following day, we heard that the JTF had found the vehicle in which they carried out the operation in neighbouring Tuomo community, which was abandoned by the side of the Tuomo-Ogbobagbene-Tamigbe-Torugbene-Ojobo road. The vehicle has already been brought to their base at Bomadi-Overside,” the source said.

9/9/2025, 10:55:53 AM

Niger Delta Advocate Demands Bridges, Roads To Unlock Coastal Development

Peace and environmental rights campaigner, Comrade (Dr.) Mulade Sheriff, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to prioritise the construction of landmark road and bridge projects that would connect remote Niger Delta coastal communities with urban centers, thereby opening them up for large-scale infrastructure and economic growth. Mulade made this appeal shortly after the Federal Government, through Works Minister Engr. David Umahi, announced a N3.8 trillion investment for the rehabilitation of Lagos’ Third Mainland Bridge, one of Nigeria’s busiest routes. The huge sum is intended to resolve major structural concerns that threaten the bridge’s safety and long-term use. It comes just months after the Federal Government spent N21 billion on emergency repairs on the same bridge. Similarly, reports indicate that Lagos’ Carter Bridge—another critical structure—has been assessed by Julius Berger to be beyond repair, with replacement costs estimated at N359 billion. According to Mulade, *"While I commend the President Tinubu government for undertaking landmark projects including the recent allocation of N3.8 trillion to the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, why considering that, a significant project that will give sense of belonging to the people of the Niger Delta coastal areas, who continue to bear the brunt of oil and gas exploration and exploitation activities, should also be considered.* He further explained that building strategic links such as the Warri–Gbaramatu–Escravos Bridge, the Forcados–Ogulagha Bridge, and extending the Ayakoroma Bridge to Burutu Forcados Terminal would transform access for communities like Odimodi, Izon-Burutu, Age, and Obotobo, spurring both infrastructure and business opportunities. Mulade, who is the Ibe Serimowei of the Ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, lamented that while most of the N3.8 trillion earmarked for the Third Mainland Bridge will come from oil revenue generated in the Niger Delta, the coastal areas that host the oil and gas sector remain neglected. He stressed, \*"If this amount can be thrown into that project, then what is the fate of the people of the Niger Delta, where the oil and gas is being flared on a daily basis to generate not less than 80 percent of the amount that will go into that project? "We agree Lagos has IGR that can run itself to a reasonable extent, but 80 percent of the fund will come from the oil revenue, of course, from the FEC, to construct that bridge. "And we have been clamoring for a single road to even connect Escravos Terminal in Gbaramatu Kingdom area Delta State, which is an economically viable end, because of the Escravos Terminal, but nothing has been done. We also clamoured for Burutu hosting the Forcados Terminal and one of Nigeria first seaports, still none. Even Brass, it is the Bayelsa State government that took the bull by the horn to construct that bridge, and we pray that he will be able to complete it,"\* he added. He went on to accuse some state governors in the region of deliberately sidelining Ijaw-dominated coastal communities in favor of upland areas, thereby leaving them underdeveloped and in hardship. *"I feel the non-Ijaw governors in the region are deliberately depriving us of significant developmental projects which is our rights in Nigeria but they refusal to execute people oriented and impactful projects in the coastal areas with life transforming development as they plan to lure investors to do business in their own areas (upland) while leaving our people shortchanged, forcing them to migrate to upland for education, health, business and development."* Mulade urged President Tinubu to reverse this pattern of neglect by initiating transformative projects that would attract investors, create jobs, and unlock the vast economic potential of the Niger Delta’s coastal belt, which he said has been stifled for decades due to poor transport links.

9/8/2025, 6:52:03 AM

No Going Back On Monday’s Strike~ NUPENG Vows

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has reaffirmed its decision to embark on an indefinite strike starting Monday, insisting there would be no retreat from the planned action. The strike, according to the union, is in protest against the refusal of the management of Dangote Refinery to allow drivers of its imported Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks to join any trade union. In a joint statement signed by President Williams Akporeha and General Secretary Afolabi Olawale on Sunday, NUPENG directed its Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch to suspend lifting petroleum products from depots nationwide. The union also disowned a statement credited to Enoch Kanawa, President of the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA), who claimed NUPENG had no authority to speak for tanker drivers and urged Nigerians to disregard the strike. Clarifying its position, NUPENG described the DTCDA as a creation of Dangote Refinery, accusing the company of using the association as a tool to resist workers’ right to unionize. The statement noted that Kanawa, a lawyer and not a tanker driver, was handpicked to front the group. It further alleged that the Direct Trucking Company Limited, linked to Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata and Alhaji Aliko Dangote, was specifically formed to recruit drivers for the 10,000 CNG trucks being imported by the refinery. NUPENG maintained that there is no division within its ranks or the PTD Branch, vowing not to yield to what it described as “slavish conditions” being imposed on workers in the oil sector by the Dangote Refinery. The statement read in part:”The attention of the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has been drawn to a news report on ARISE Television on Saturday night 6th September, 2025 and in some daily newspapers of some unidentified persons and group of people calling themselves Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA) asking Nigerians to disregard our alert on the withdrawal of services by Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of NUPENG. “We ask our members, members of the public and independent minded objective segments of the media to disregard (DTCDA) and its statements. “For the information of the public, the DTCDA is the Association which Dangote Group of Companies has formed for the drivers to join compulsorily rather than allowing drivers to join NUPENG which is the only statutorily recognized union authorized to unionize Petroleum Tanker Drivers. “The signatory to the statement of DTCDA, one Enoch Kanawa, is a lawyer, not a tanker driver. “Barrister Enoch Kanawa signed the Statement as President of DTCDA. The media should ask Kanawa when DTCDA was formed and when his election as President took place. “As a matter of fact, Barrister Kanawa was formerly the Executive Secretary of National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) from 2001 to 2012, left NARTO to become Legal Adviser to MRS Energy Limited of Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata and in 2019 came back to contest for the position of the President of National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) under the sponsorship of Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata but was defeated by Alh Yusuf Othman, the current President of NARTO. “These facts are to show without doubt and beyond controversy that the DTCDA is a management-inspired Association and the news was created by the agents of Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata to create confusion and misinformation, there is no division in our ranks and file, our Solidarity remains Constant! “DTCDA is the association formed by Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata, the owner of MRS. The Direct Trucking Company Limited is the recruiting company that was formed by him and Alhaji Aliko Dangote for the 10,000 CNG Trucks they are importing. “DTCDA was originally meant to be Dangote Transport Company. Its registered office is at 2, Tincan Island Port Road, Apapa, Lagos. “The address of DTCDA is the same official address of MRS Energy Limited. “We want the general public to know that Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata is the founder and Funder of Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA) and he is housing this Association in his official company headquarters. “Slavery ended centuries ago but some unscrupulous Capitalists are making efforts to bring it back. Any worker who cannot exercise the right of association is no better than a slave. “Ordinary Nigerians should neither encourage nor support slavish working conditions.”

9/7/2025, 6:53:31 PM

N70,000 Minimum Wage No Longer Sustainable~ NLC

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and federal civil servants have called for an urgent upward review of the national minimum wage, arguing that the current N70,000 is no longer sustainable. Their demand comes on the heels of bold moves by some states to raise workers’ pay above the N70,000 benchmark in response to the country’s worsening economic situation. In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), labour unions and workers stressed that with inflation soaring and the cost of food, housing, transportation, and other essentials rising daily, the N70,000 minimum wage can no longer meet their needs. It will be recalled that President Bola Tinubu, in July 2024, signed the National Minimum Wage Bill into law, raising the minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 for workers in the federal, state, local government, and private sectors. However, on August 27, 2025, the Imo State government announced a new minimum wage of N104,000, alongside a general salary review for civil servants in the state. Speaking to NAN on Sunday in Abuja, the NLC’s Acting General Secretary, Mr. Benson Upah, said galloping inflation has eroded the value of the current wage, leaving many workers struggling to survive “The truth is that N70,000 is not sustainable under the present economic situation. “Workers are under immense pressure, and unless the government responds quickly, the crisis of survival will only worsen. “We have since engaged the Federal Government on this matter at different times and fora,” he said.

9/7/2025, 1:51:16 PM

FG Rakes In N20.59trn From Non Oil Revenue In 8 Months

The Presidency on Wednesday announced that the non-oil sector of the economy generated ₦20.59 trillion in eight months, surpassing the federal government’s 2025 revenue target. It further revealed that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recorded ₦3.68 trillion in the first quarter of the year, exceeding its target by ₦390 billion and achieving 56 percent of its annual goal. In a statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, titled: “Nigeria’s non-oil revenues power strongest fiscal performance in recent history”, the Presidency said the revenue generation has increased what is shared at the Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC for the three tiers of government. The statement partly read: “The Presidency welcomes the latest revenue figures for January–August 2025, showing that Nigeria is achieving unprecedented growth in non-oil collections, a direct result of reforms to improve the government’s fiscal position, strengthen compliance, and digitise tax administration. “President Bola Tinubu made a pointed reference to this positive growth trajectory in non-oil revenue mobilisation yesterday while addressing a delegation of the Buhari Organisation led by Senator Tanko Al-Makura, which a section of the media has reported out of context. “The President highlighted the significant growth in non-oil revenues accruing to the Federation, federal, state, and local governments. From January to August 2025, total collections reached N20.59 trillion, a 40.5% increase from N14.6 trillion recorded in 2024. This strong performance aligns with projections, placing the government firmly on course to achieve its annual non-oil revenue target. “The President also said that the Federal Government is no longer borrowing from local banks to buttress the strong fiscal performance since the start of the year. “The President commented on tax revenues, which do not include dollar oil receipts, where targets are not being met because of the slump in the crude oil market.” It further stated that as part of this administration’s inclusive growth policy, resources are being directed closer to the people. “Therefore, increased revenues have translated into record FAAC disbursements. For the first time in history, monthly allocations to states and local governments crossed ₦2 trillion in July 2025, providing subnational governments with greater fiscal space to fund food security, infrastructure, and social services,” it said. According to the statement, notwithstanding, the increases in revenues do not yet match the President’s ambitions for expenditures on education, health, and infrastructure, adding that all efforts are being made to address these gaps. Commenting on the figures, the presidential spokesman, Onanuga, stated, “Nigeria’s fiscal foundations are being reshaped. For the first time in decades, oil is no longer the dominant driver of government revenue. “The combination of reforms, compliance, and digitisation powers a more resilient economy. The task ahead is to ensure that these gains are felt in the lives of our citizens and in better schools, hospitals, roads, and jobs.” The statement said the ₦20.59 trillion the country mobilised in eight months was “the most substantial collection in recent history.” It said non-oil is has become the engine: with ₦15.69 trillion collected, noting, “non-oil revenues account for three out of every four naira, showing a fundamental shift away from oil dependence.” Beyond inflation, it said: “While inflation and FX revaluation contributed, the uplift is primarily reform-driven — digitised filings, Customs automation, tighter enforcement, and broadened compliance. “Customs Overperformance: ₦3.68 trillion was collected in H1, ₦390 billion above target, and already 56% of the full-year goal. This reflects systemic changes, not one-off windfalls. “States’ Fiscal Space Expanded: FAAC allocations reached ₦2 trillion in July for the first time, giving states resources to strengthen local development. “On track, not overclaiming: The government affirms collections are ahead of pro-rata expectations, with final validation to be published by the Budget Office at the end of the year. “Revenues are rising, the base is broadening, and reforms are working. The priority is translating these numbers into real relief for citizens by putting food on the table, creating jobs for young people, and investing in roads, schools, and hospitals.”

9/4/2025, 8:41:19 AM

Oborevwori’s Six Lane Waterfront Project To Ease Housing Pressure In Asaba~ Izeze

Delta State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, has assured that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s six-lane Asaba Waterfront City project will reshape the capital’s landscape while helping to reduce the burden of rising rents. During an inspection of the project on Tuesday, Izeze explained that the road, being executed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the Delta State Government and North China Construction Company, will open up the Waterfront City and expand housing opportunities in Asaba. “With projects like this, simple economics will come into play as supply increases, demand pressure will ease, and rents will crash. We believe this will solve the problem of outrageous house rents in Asaba,” the Commissioner stated. He added that the development would also ease congestion in the city centre and eliminate the spread of illegal and temporary structures that once dominated the area. “This place, about four years ago, was already turning into a shanty where all kinds of characters were putting up illegal structures. With this project, we are creating a completely new city that will ease the pressure on Asaba,” Izeze said. On the progress of work, the Commissioner expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of construction, noting that although the project was first awarded by the previous administration, it gained real momentum under Governor Oborevwori. “I have inspected this road about four times now, and I can say the quality of the structural work is reasonably good. Now that they are at the asphalting stage, I expect them to strictly adhere to the Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation, particularly with the thickness and quality of asphalt applied,” he noted. He further commended the visual appeal of the project, describing it as “quite attractive to the eyes,” and urged the contractors to take advantage of the dry season to complete both the binder and friction courses so the road can be delivered for use.

9/3/2025, 2:22:58 PM

New Curriculum: Full List Of JSS, SS subjects

The complete list of subjects in the newly introduced school curriculum has emerged online after the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, shared it on Wednesday. In a post on his X handle, Olusegun uploaded an unsigned and unmarked image purportedly showing the subjects for both Junior and Senior Secondary Schools. “The new curriculum for Nigerian Schools which will commence from the next session in September 2025 has been released,” he said. The curriculum, which was unveiled by the Federal Government on Sunday, introduces compulsory digital literacy and basic entrepreneurship at the JSS level, while programming, artificial intelligence, and new languages feature prominently at the SSS level. Below is the full list of subjects for JSS and SSS as shared: JUNIOR SECONDARY (JSS 1–3) Mathematics & Measurement: Numbers, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, proportions, rates, geometry (angles, area, volume), algebra, statistics, graphs, measurement (km, m, cm, g, kg, ml, °C, time zones). English Language: Essay writing (narrative, descriptive), advanced grammar (clauses, idioms), comprehension, vocabulary, oral (debates, speeches, drama). Integrated Science: Physics (motion, forces, energy), chemistry (matter, mixtures, reactions), biology (cells, reproduction, ecology), earth science (climate, resources), technology, lab safety. Digital Literacy & Coding: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, internet research, coding (Python basics, Scratch advanced), robotics (basic kits). Social Studies: Nigerian and African history, geography, civics, economy (trade, money, entrepreneurship basics), global issues. Languages: Advanced mother tongue, conversational fluency in foreign language (French/Arabic). Creative Arts: Drawing, painting, crafts, drama, theatre, film basics, music. Physical & Health Education: Sports, fitness, nutrition, reproductive health, first aid, drug abuse awareness. SENIOR SECONDARY (SS 1–3) Mathematics & Advanced Applications: Algebra, trigonometry, calculus basics, probability, statistics, financial maths, applied maths. English & Communication: Advanced essays, academic writing, literary analysis, world literature, research skills, public speaking, journalism, fact-checking. Sciences: Physics (mechanics, waves, electricity, nuclear physics), chemistry (organic, inorganic, industrial, analytical), biology (genetics, ecology, biotechnology), environmental science. Technology & Innovation: Programming (Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS), data science basics, AI & robotics, digital entrepreneurship, cybersecurity. Social Sciences: Government & law, economics (micro, macro, trade), history (Africa, world revolutions), philosophy & ethics, entrepreneurship. Languages: Advanced mother tongue literature, fluency in international language (French/Arabic/Chinese optional). Creative Arts & Innovation: Fine arts, music, drama, film/media production. Physical & Health Education: Advanced sports, mental health, first aid & CPR, leadership. Research & Project Work: Final-year project, data collection, analysis, presentation & defense.

9/3/2025, 10:48:42 AM

Eid ul Mawlid: FG Declares Friday Public Holiday

The Federal Government has declared Friday, September 5, 2025, a public holiday in commemoration of Eid-ul-Mawlid, the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad. The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani. According to the statement, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, extended warm felicitations to Muslims in Nigeria and across the globe. He urged the Muslim Ummah to emulate the Prophet’s virtues of peace, love, humility, tolerance, and compassion, stressing that these values are essential for fostering unity and national progress. The minister further called on Nigerians of all faiths to use the occasion to pray for peace, security, and stability in the country while supporting government efforts toward harmony and sustainable development. “Eid-ul-Mawlid presents yet another opportunity to deepen the spirit of brotherhood, promote peaceful coexistence, and imbibe the Prophet’s teachings of mutual respect and selfless service to humanity,” the statement quoted Tunji-Ojo as saying. He also enjoined citizens to remain law-abiding, security-conscious, and supportive of government policies aimed at improving the welfare of all Nigerians, while wishing Muslims a joyous and peaceful Eid-ul-Mawlid celebration.

9/3/2025, 10:25:54 AM

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