Aso Villa Reads for Fri. 27/11/2020
Every day, we bring you the best stories that the Media is reporting about the Government of Nigeria
The Federal Government generated N416.01 billion as Company Income Tax (CIT), the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says. The bureau said this in its “Company Income Tax by Sectors 2015 — Quarter Three (Q3 2020)’’ obtained from its website on Thursday in Abuja. The bureau said that professional services including telecoms generated the highest amount of CIT with N55.52 billion generated and closely followed by other manufacturing which generated N42.03 billion. This was followed by banks and financial institutions which generated N24.05 billion, while mining generated the least with N120.93 million and closely followed by textile and garment industry with N167.51 million and Local Government Councils with N321.72 million. [Guardian]
The Defence Headquarters says the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji has again, eliminated scores of bandits in air raids on their camps at Birnin Kogo and Dunya forests in Katsina State. Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, in a statement on Friday said the air attacks were launched on Nov. 23 and Nov. 24. Enenche said the air raids were conducted on the heels of impeccable intelligence reports indicating that the locations were being used by the terrorists-affiliated bandits to store their sophisticated weapons and plan attacks. [Guardian]
The Kingdom of Netherlands on Thursday officially presented a smuggled Ife Terracotta antiquity dated to be at least 600 years old to Nigeria. The repatriated antiquity was presented to the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed at a ceremony held in Abuja. [Guardian]
Twelve public universities have been given N12 billion by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund TETFund, to undertake researches. The amount which according to TETFund, would be shared equally among the universities, is to enable them to carry out research and development programmes that would contribute to national growth. Among the universities picked included University of Abuja, University of Benin, University of Ibadan, University of Maiduguri, Bayero University Kano, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Akwa, University of Uyo, Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, University of Jos, University of Lagos, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University and Uthman Danfodio University, Sokoto. [Vanguard]
The idea of a partnership between the Federal Government and technology companies to develop an eco-system of competent Nigerians working in the service sector and even outsourcing their expertise abroad is a welcome development and a step in the right direction in job creation. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, stated this during a virtual courtesy call from Huawei Nigeria, led by its new CEO, Trevor Liu on Thursday. According to the Vice President, “I think that Huawei and the Federal Government should work as partners, not just a business relationship, but a relationship that also takes employment into account, especially with our young population.” [Vanguard]
Aside from the main goal of ending open defecation across the country, the Buhari administration is prioritizing the Clean Nigeria Campaign as its success contributes to key initiatives including, enhancing social inclusion; poverty reduction; business growth, and entrepreneurship; greater access to quality education and affordable healthcare, among others. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, stated this in his remarks delivered virtually at a ceremony organized to mark the first anniversary of Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign, today. [Vanguard]
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced that commercial activities will begin on the Lagos-Ibadan Railway on December 7. This was disclosed when the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, visited for his monthly inspection of the ongoing work. The Minister was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Magdalene Ajani and Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Fidet Okhiria. He also debunked media reports which suggested that the government is requesting an additional $650million for the completion of the project. [Vanguard]
