The tax authorities in Osun and Delta states have fined Google Nigeria and Meta Platforms, Inc, $150 mllion and $200 million respectively for alleged non-remittance of Withholding Tax. The fine is specifically for the Withholding Tax allegedly deducted from content creators and entertainers in the two states from 2020 till date. This is contained in separate letters signed by Messrs Sola Adewunmi, and Solomon Ighrakpata, Executive Chairmen, Osun and Delta States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) respectively. The letters, also signed by Ademola Odetunde, Chief Operating Officer, LafriquePromedia Ltd., the revenue collection agent for the states, were made available to the…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
Michele Sumilas, Assistant to the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has addressed the G20 Development Ministerial Meeting, emphasizing the United States’ dedication to fighting global inequalities and promoting trilateral cooperation. Sumilas applauded Brazil for its leadership during the G20 presidency and endorsed the “Leaving no one behind: G20 Development Ministerial Declaration,” the first such declaration in three years. She also welcomed the African Union as a permanent G20 member, marking a significant milestone in global cooperation. Addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change, pandemics, and conflicts, Sumilas highlighted the need for sustainable, inclusive growth…
The Department of State Services (DSS) has issued a cautionary statement regarding upcoming protests in various parts of Nigeria. According to the DSS, while peaceful protests are a democratic right, there is credible intelligence suggesting that some individuals and groups intend to hijack these demonstrations to incite chaos and violence. The DSS revealed that these planned protests, which are politically motivated, aim to destabilize the federal and sub-national governments, ultimately seeking a regime change. The Service said they have identified the funding sources, sponsors, and collaborators behind the plot but prefers non-violent means to address the issue. The DSS has…
The Biden-Harris administration has unveiled a comprehensive set of measures to detect and reduce climate super pollutants, addressing a crucial aspect of climate change mitigation. Super pollutants, including methane, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and nitrous oxide (N2O), contribute to half of today’s climate change and are significantly more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2). Reducing emissions of these super pollutants is the quickest way to combat climate change, while simultaneously creating good-paying clean energy jobs, preventing respiratory illnesses, and boosting food security. Since taking office, President Biden has prioritized the reduction of super pollutant emissions. Domestically, the administration has implemented the U.S. Methane…
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, has asserted that the electoral body is fully capable of conducting local government elections across Nigeria if provided with the necessary resources. Speaking on Thursday before the National Assembly Joint Committee on INEC and Electoral Committees, Prof. Yakubu addressed the commission’s capacity and the potential unbundling of INEC. Responding to questions from the committee regarding the Supreme Court’s verdict on financial autonomy for local governments, Yakubu acknowledged discussions about creating a new federal agency for council polls but firmly stated that INEC has the necessary competence, human resources,…
In a recent development concerning the implementation of Nigeria’s new minimum wage, certain categories of organizations have been exempted from the mandatory payment of N70,000 per month to their workers. This decision follows an agreement reached between Organised Labour and the Federal Government, aiming to establish a fair pay system across the country. A 10-member sub-committee of the tripartite committee has outlined specific criteria for exemptions, targeting businesses that fall under various categories. These include nano businesses, which are operated by 1-3 individuals with capital below N50,000, and micro enterprises employing 10 or fewer staff members. Additionally, newly established…
Democrats are making concerted efforts to project Vice President Kamala Harris’s foreign policy acumen, seeking to counter Republican criticisms and reassure voters of her capabilities in managing global challenges. This comes ahead of Harris’s critical diplomatic engagement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a significant test of her foreign policy credentials. Secretary of State Antony Blinken lauded Harris as a “leading voice” in high-stakes discussions, emphasizing her probing questions during Situation Room deliberations. In a show of support, former senior officials released a letter asserting Harris’s readiness to lead without “on-the-job training.” “Over the past three and a half years,…
US President Joe Biden will give what could be his final Oval Office speech to explain why he dropped out of November’s election and deny that he will spend six months as a lame duck. With the world’s eyes already on a looming clash between Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, Biden will insist that he still has work to do, despite his historic decision to bow out. The 81-year-old Democrat said on X he would discuss “what lies ahead, and how I will finish the job for the American people” in the primetime televised event at 8:00 pm…
British telecommunications regulator Ofcom said Wednesday it had handed video sharing platform TikTok a £1.9 million ($2.4 million) fine for failing to timely make available safety data. Ofcom criticised the platform, which is owned by Chinese group ByteDance, saying it communicated inaccurate information last year and failed swiftly to address that. “Ofcom has today fined TikTok £1.875 million for failing to accurately respond to a formal request for information about its parental controls safety feature,” the regulator said in a statement. In a statement to AFP, TikTok recognised it had furnished Ofcom with inaccurate…
Thousands of demonstrators angry over the war in Gaza marched on the US Capitol on Wednesday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked US lawmakers for steady support as his forces fight Hamas. Scuffles with police broke out as officers tried to keep protesters away from the seat of the US Congress — the scene of a violent insurrection by supporters of Donald Trump on January 6, 2021. Crowds carrying Palestinian flags and signs ranging from left-wing slogans to verses from the Bible gathered near the Capitol calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and the arrest of Netanyahu, as prosecutors…
Tesla reported a hefty drop in second-quarter profits Tuesday due to the effect of price cuts while spending aggressively on autonomous driving and other technology. Elon Musk’s electric vehicle company reported profits of $1.5 billion, down 45 per cent, on revenues of $25.5 billion, which were up two per cent behind an increase in its energy generation and storage business. Tesla’s earnings per share missed analyst expectations, while revenues exceeded them. The results are the latest in a rough patch for Musk’s EV titan as it contends with rising competitive pressures that prompted a string of price…
The 20-year-old gunman who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump at a campaign rally flew a drone over the area about two hours before the former US president began to speak, the FBI director said Wednesday. FBI chief Christopher Wray, testifying before a congressional committee, also said the investigation into the July 13 shooting had not yet revealed a motive for the gunman. Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire on Trump with an AR-style assault rifle shortly after 6:00 pm as the Republican White House candidate was addressing a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania. Crooks, who was perched on the roof of…