Why Nigerians shouldn’t be afraid of new tax reform — Ondo revenue chair
The Chairman of the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service, Mr Adebayo Rojugbokan, has called on Nigerians to support the new tax reform of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The financial expert said the policy would be beneficial to Nigeria’s economic development, urging Nigerians not to entertain fears about the reform. Rojugbokan spoke at an end-of-year get-together organised by the Akure Bankers’ Committee, held in Akure, the state capital, on Sunday. He said, “Tax reform is just a way of modernising our taxation. He also lauded security agencies and other stakeholders for their continued support in safeguarding financial institutions in the state.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2025 17:54 UTC
Alleged alterations: Presidency kicks as Atiku, Obi fight tax laws
The Presidency has dismissed claims that it secretly altered some provisions of the newly enacted tax reform laws, insisting that no changes were made outside the established legal and legislative process. President Bola Tinubu signed the four tax reform bills into laws, marking what the government has described as the most significant overhaul of the country’s tax system in decades. He warned that if not addressed, the alleged alterations could render the new tax laws legally vulnerable, as they lacked legislative approval. Alleged alterationsThe gazetted tax laws allegedly contained several alterations, making them different from the versions passed by both chambers of the National Assembly. This tax reform seeks to exploit about 90 per cent of the population,” he said.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2025 17:24 UTC
Police mourn death of former DIG Theophillus Akeredolu
The Nigeria Police Force has announced the death of a former Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Theophillus Akeredolu, describing him as a distinguished officer who served the nation with dedication and integrity. Akeredolu, who was honoured with the Commander of the Order of the Niger, died on December 9, 2025. “The Nigeria Police Force announces with deep sorrow the passing of a distinguished senior retired police officer and elder statesman, Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Chief Theophillus Adetunji Akeredolu,” the statement read. “He was promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspector-General of Police on January 1, 2001, where he served as DIG in charge of the Operations Department until his retirement on March 14, 2002,” NPF stated. Beyond his policing career, the Police said Akeredolu was a respected traditional and religious leader and served as the Chief Aremo of Afao, Ikere-Ekiti.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2025 15:42 UTC
Heirs Energy secures $750m Afreximbank facility to boost oil output
Nigeria’s indigenous energy firm, Heirs Energy, has secured a $750m financing facility from the African Export-Import Bank to scale up its oil and gas operations. The President of Afreximbank, Dr George Elombi, said the bank’s support for Heirs Energy aligned with its broader commitment to strengthening Africa’s energy sector, which he described as critical to economic stability across the continent. Providing details of the facility, the Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer of Heirs Energy, Samuel Nwanze, said the financing was designed to consolidate recent gains and unlock the next phase of growth. He disclosed that when the company acquired OML 17 from Shell, Total and Eni, it raised about $1.1bn, most of which had been repaid after nearly four years of operations. PUNCH Online reported that the NNPC/Heirs Energies OML 17 Joint Venture signed Gas Flare Commercialisation Agreements under the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme and approved Non-NGFCP frameworks.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2025 15:37 UTC
Recalled Indomie Noodles Not in Nigerian Market, Says NAFDAC
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has clarified that the recalled Indomie Noodles Vegetable Flavour by the French authority, Rappel Conso of France, due to the presence of undeclared allergens, specifically milk and eggs, did not originate from Nigeria. Recall that in 2023, Indomie Special Chicken Flavour was also implicated in an international food safety alert following concerns raised by health authorities in Taiwan and Malaysia. At the time, NAFDAC ordered investigations and assured the public that all noodles produced in Nigeria were safe for consumption. “In light of this development, NAFDAC has undertaken some proactive measures as a responsive regulator by ensuring increased vigilance actions to guard against the possible entry of the recalled product into Nigeria. “The public is hereby informed that the Indomie Noodles Vegetable Flavour in question is not registered with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for sale in Nigeria.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2025 15:32 UTC
Soldiers Kill 21 in Boko Haram Ambush in Borno State
Troops of the Nigerian Army operating under Operation HADIN KAI have ambushed a Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province logistics convoy in Borno State, neutralising 21 terrorists during operations in Sojiri and Kayamla communities. “Acting on this intelligence, troops, working in close synergy with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and local vigilantes, swiftly mobilised to intercept the terrorists. “Subsequent aggressive exploitation deep into the forest confirmed the neutralisation of 21 terrorists, with several others believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds,” the statement added. It added that the operation highlighted the effectiveness of intelligence-driven joint security efforts in degrading terrorist networks and disrupting their logistics and sustainment capabilities. PUNCH Online reported on Saturday that the troops of Operation Hadin Kai also uncovered an improvised explosive device planted along the Damboa–Komala road and arrested two suspected logistics suppliers to Boko Haram terrorists operating around Kirawa in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2025 15:30 UTC
NASA’s PUNCH Watches Comet Lemmon Respond to the Sun’s Powerful Influence
As Comet Lemmon brightened while swooping through the Sun's neighborhood in late 2025, images recorded by NASA's PUNCH mission revealed rare views of how solar forces shape a comet moments before it is pulled apart. From orbit around Earth, the mission witnessed as the comet traversed its vast field of view, providing a moving waypost of solar wind activity. More solar activity on November 1 and November 4, stronger solar activity appeared to disrupt the tail, which later regrew as conditions settled. PUNCH Tracks Comet Lemmon as Solar Wind Actively Reshapes Its Fading TailPUNCH's four small spacecraft continuously observe the region where the Sun's outer atmosphere transitions into the solar wind. Though still visible in PUNCH data, Comet Lemmon is fading and is expected to leave the spacecraft's view by mid-January 2026.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2025 15:09 UTC
One-Punch Man Season 3 Aims for Redemption With Special Climax Trailer
One-Punch Man Season 3, one of the most highly anticipated anime of the year, is now heading toward its conclusion. To celebrate the climax of the current arc in the final two episodes, a new trailer has been released to build excitement. These final episodes will depict the climax of the current arc, and the anime has highlighted this by releasing a recap trailer. One-Punch Man Season 3 Prepares For ClimaxPlay videoThis season of One-Punch Man has focused on the heroes confronting the monsters who plan to take over the human world. This makes the final two episodes the last chance for even a small redemption of an otherwise poorly produced season.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2025 14:07 UTC
No democracy in a vote-buying system -Obi
He said that expectation was dashed when the House declined to address inducements at the level of party primaries. The House of Representatives recently considered relatedals linked to electoral reforms, including pregardingelating to party primaries and campaign conduct. Party primaries, which determine candidates for general elections, are largely regulated internally by political parties, though monitored by INEC. Obi said the refusal to criminalise inducements at the primary stage amounted to protecting what he described as a broken system. The 2023 general elections were marked by allegations of inducement at polling units in several states, with security agencies confirming arrests in isolated cases.
Source:The Guardian
December 21, 2025 12:07 UTC
US, Nigeria Sign $2.1bn Health Agreement for Faith-Based Car
The United States has signed a five-year bilateral health agreement with Nigeria aimed at strengthening the country’s health system, with a focus on expanding faith-based healthcare services. Nigeria is also expected to increase its domestic health spending by nearly $3 billion over the life of the agreement. The agreement was announced by Principal Deputy Spokesperson, Thomas Pigott, and is part of the America First Global Health Strategy. Nigeria currently has about 900 faith-based clinics and hospitals, which the State Department said serve more than 30 per cent of the population. US officials said investment in these facilities is intended to complement public healthcare services and improve the country’s overall health infrastructure.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2025 12:02 UTC
Anglican Bishop urges govt action to improve rural welfare, curb urban migration
The Bishop of the Anglican Missionary Diocese of Oyo South, Rt. Revd Olufemi Familoni has urged governments at all levels to prioritise the welfare of rural dwellers, warning that continued neglect of rural communities could intensify urban migration and create wider social and humanitarian challenges. Outlining the direction of the new diocese, Familoni said its mission was to build a Christ-centred, Spirit-filled and mission-driven church committed to the proclamation of the gospel. Rural-urban migration is a widely recognised socio-economic challenge in Nigeria, driven largely by disparities in infrastructure, basic services and economic opportunity between rural and urban areas. Studies on migration in Nigeria have found that poverty, lack of social amenities, inadequate access to education and employment prospects in rural communities are major push factors prompting especially youths to relocate to urban centres in search of better conditions.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2025 11:09 UTC
The Dangote Refinery: A Monumental Challenge to Nigeria
I saw the Dangote Petroleum & Petrochemicals (The Dangote Refinery) plant in Ibeju-Lekki. My conclusion is that Aliko Dangote has built something even bigger than the refinery: he has built the Aliko Dangote Question. Your journey to the Lekki Free Trade Zone and the Dangote Refinery continues on the 37-kilometre Bola Ahmed Tinubu Road (formerly Dangote Refinery Access Road). I arrived at the Dangote Refinery armed with a general knowledge of its size and complexity. His Dangote Refinery has emerged at once as a masterpiece and a showpiece of the highest human standards, competitiveness and ambition.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2025 11:00 UTC
Troops uncover IED, arrest terror logistics suspects
Nigerian troops operating under Operation HADIN KAI have discovered and neutralised an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and arrested two suspected terrorist logistics suppliers during separate operations in Borno State, the army said on Saturday. In one incident, troops of the 25 Brigade discovered an IED while conducting a main supply route patrol along the Damboa–Komala axis on December 17. The device was secured and subsequently detonated by military personnel, the army said, preventing potential harm to troops and civilians using the route. The army said the suspects, along with the vehicle and recovered items, had been handed over to the appropriate military intelligence unit for further investigation and necessary action. Nigeria’s military high command commended the troops for the operations and urged them to sustain the current tempo, according to the statement.
Source:The Guardian
December 21, 2025 09:18 UTC
‘You’re barred!’: Labour’s battle with pubs promises a new year headache
But those hoping to pitch up at their local pub for a restorative pint with colleagues and constituents may find festive cheer is in short supply. The campaign means, for many Labour MPs, there is one less place to escape the bruising reality of their party’s unpopularity. “The local pub is where we used to go with the kids and just be a normal family. Whitbread, which owns pubs, restaurants and the Premier Inn hotel chain, says it will have to pay between £40m and £50m in tax as a result. “We’re protecting pubs, restaurants and cafes with the budget’s £4.3bn support package.
Source:The Guardian
December 21, 2025 09:01 UTC
Forest Guards Recruitment Stalled by Inter-Agency Rift
Bureaucratic hurdles and inter-agency disagreements may be slowing down the recruitment of forest guards approved by President Bola Tinubu, Sunday PUNCH has learnt. He directed each state to recruit between 2,000 and 5,000 forest guards. A senior official of the Nigeria Forest Security Service, who spoke on condition of anonymity, noted that the optimism generated by the presidential announcement had faded. Without trained forest guards on the ground, criminals continue to exploit these gaps.”The official also dismissed reports that recruitment had secretly commenced. He said the uncertainty had affected existing forest guards, hunters and other local security actors expected to be integrated into the scheme.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2025 07:19 UTC