WHALEXTRA

The West African Tax Administration Forum (WATAF) has called for closer cooperation between the media and tax authorities across Africa. Press freedom the organisation said remains vital to improving tax compliance, strengthening transparency and supporting sustainable development on the continent. In a statement issued to commemorate World Press Freedom Day, the Executive Secretary of WATAF, Jules Tapsoba, said a free and independent media plays a major role in building accountable tax systems and increasing public trust in government institutions. According to him, accurate and responsible journalism helps citizens understand tax policies and public finance issues, while also ensuring that institutions remain accountable to the people. “A free and responsible press is indispensable to transparent tax systems. By informing citizens and holding institutions accountable, the media strengthens trust, improves compliance, and supports sustainable domestic revenue mobilisation,” Tapsoba sa...

  The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, says  President Bola Tinub u is committed to repositioning the   Nigeria Police Force   through strengthened education and training institutions. Alausa said this on Monday in Abuja when the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Tunji Disu, led senior police officers on a courtesy visit to his office. He said discussions focused on the establishment of a southern campus of the Police Academy in Erije, Abeokuta, Ogun, in line with the President’s agenda to improve professionalism and security delivery. “This meeting is in continuation of President Bola Tinubu’s agenda to reposition the police to deliver on its core mandate and improve security across the country,” he said. Alausa added that the proposed campus was expected to admit its first set of students between September and November 2026, following expedited resource verification by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Terrorists stormed Ungwar Bala village in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State , killing an elderly man and abducting an ECWA pastor, his wife and two children. The assailants invaded the community in the early hours of Sunday. A source, who spoke to DAILY POST, said, “The assailants came to the village and went straight to the elderly man’s house and ordered him to open the house for them. The assailants forcefully entered the house and shot him in two different parts of his body.” He added that it was after they killed the man that they went to the pastor’s residence and abducted him, his wife and two children, saying that the terrorists also went to another house and abducted a man and his wife. According to the source, “The assailants shot sporadically to scare the people away, and without the intervention of security personnel, they successfully carried out their evil act and went away with their abductees.”  

  The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has declared  Halimat Adenike Tejuosho , a women leader of the City Boys Movement, wanted. A notice issued by the EFCC on Monday via X said Tejuosho has been declared wanted over an alleged case of obtaining money by false pretence. The notice was signed by Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity for the EFCC. The anti-graft agency called on members of the public with useful information about her whereabouts to contact any of its offices nationwide. he Commission also urged the members of the public to reach out via its official phone lines or email, or report to the nearest police station or other security agencies.

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has shared N2.036 trillion among the federal government, states and the local government councils (LGCs). The revenue was shared at the April meeting of FAAC in Abuja. The N2.036 trillion total distributable revenue comprised statutory revenue of N1.320 trillion, Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N515.391 billion and augmentation of N200 billion. A communiqué issued by FAAC indicated that total gross revenue of N2.364 trillion was available in the month of March. It said that the total deduction for the cost of collection was N81.084 billion, while total transfers, refunds and savings were N246.872 billion and an augmentation of N200 billion.

  The Greek-owned container ship Epaminondas has been attacked near the Strait of Hormuz but it's unclear whether it was detained by Iran, according to Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis. “I can confirm that there was an attack against the Greek cargo ship, but I cannot confirm that this has been seized by the Iranians," Gerapetritis told CNN. He said it was attacked and has faced "extensive damage". Greek media is reporting that the shipping ministry denies that it has been detained. Earlier, the IRGC said that the ship, along with the MSC Francesca, was  "seized" and directed towards the Iranian coast , Iranian media reported. The UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre said it was approached by an IRGC gunboat, which opened fire and caused significant damage to the bridge.

The   Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)   and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday inaugurated a Joint Committee on Telecoms Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS) Portal to tackle the menace of subscriber identity module (SIM)-enabled fraudulent practices in the country, a development they averred threatened the digital economy ambition of the Federal Government. The TIRMS will aggregate data on churned (recycled) phone numbers, as well as numbers flagged within the financial sector; the Financial Services Industry will now have enhanced visibility into the status of phone numbers, one of the most widely utilized resources in the financial services sector. The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NCC, Dr Aminu Maida said the MoU provides a structured framework for cooperation in critical areas including payment system integrity, fraud mitigation, digital inclusion, and the protection of consumers, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, wh...

  House of Representatives member and Coordinator of the Justice Forum, James Faleke, spoke with Deputy Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU and News Editor BUNMI OGUNMODEDE on preparations of the Lagos State  All Progressives Congress  (APC) for next year’s polls What are your expectations about 2027 concerning Lagos? Well, thank you very much. As an individual, my expectation is for God’s blessings that He keeps us alive and gives us the opportunity to continue serving and showcasing ourselves. Regarding the 2027 elections, I expect that negotiations and mobilisations will translate into massive votes. I anticipate strong support for Bola Tinubu and for the APC in Lagos, including the next governor of the state. I believe the outcome will be more positive than what we saw in 2023. Lagos has evolved, and I strongly believe that things will be better and more successful in 2027. First, I expect loyalty, someone who is committed to the party and understands its structure. The person sh...