Aisha Buhari returns to the UK to visit Husband

The wife of the President Aisha Buhari will once again fly to the United Kingdom to visit President Muhammadu Buhari who is on medical vacation.

In a statement released by  Suleiman Haruna, the Director of Information to the Wife of the President, Aisha Buhari will stop over at Addis Ababa, to appear at the meeting of the Organization of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA), before flying to London to visit the President.

“Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari left for London, United Kingdom on Sunday, July 2, 2017, to visit her husband who is on medical vacation. She will convey to the President the best wishes of Nigerians and their fervent prayers for his quick recovery.

“She is expected to stop over at Addis Ababa, to make a symbolic appearance at the meeting of the Organization of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) on Monday 3rd July, 2017. She will join other members to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the organization, and use the opportunity to reiterate the voting rights of Nigeria in the upcoming elections of the organization.

“She will continue her journey to the United Kingdom on Tuesday, 3rd July, 2017,” the statement said.

Aisha Buhari had visited the President in May, saying he was recuperating fast and would be home soon when she returned.

The President left for London on the 7th of May for follow-up medical consultation with his doctors.

New Music: Nosa feat. Nathaniel Bassey – Most High

After taking a break from the music scene since his award-winning album “Open Doors“, Chocolate City Music artist Nosa returns with a new sensational worship single, “Most High”, featuring Nathaniel Bassey. The single clearly depicts appreciation of God in the Christian faith. It was clearly in Nosa’s plan to usher in the remaining half of the year in a spirit of thanksgiving. He says:

This is the first song of my forth coming worship project and it falls right in the season where God has just opened the doors and windows of heaven and there is so much praise in the air. I am excited to have Nathaniel Bassey on it as much as he too is excited to be a part of it. This song is just for us to open up our hearts and praise God for who he is.

“Most High” was written and self-produced by Nosa himself.

Listen below:

FG begins crackdown on Tax Evaders with exotic properties

VAIDS

The federal government of Nigeria has launched Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) where Nigerians are given a grace period of 6 months to declare their assets and pay all necessary taxes without interest, penalty or investigation.

Nigerians whose tax records are not consistent with their property must complete form VA1, clarify sources of income and also pay the outstanding taxes between July 1, 2017 and March 31, 2017.

Also, the government is said to have reviewed land ownership, exotic cars, yachts and private jets among other luxurious properties to know how to be able to correlate the assets of these persons to their taxes.

The penalty for persons who do not take advantage of the VAIDS scheme includes the risk of up to five years imprisonment, up to 100% of the outstanding tax due, a compounded 21% per annum and a forfeiture of the assets.

The plan:

• One-off opportunity for evaders to avoid the full force of the law – Between 1 July and 31 December 2017 – evaders can regularise their tax status in exchange for immunity from prosecution of tax offences and a tax audit, and be absolved from penalty charges and interest.
• Less forgiveness for evaders who delay – Evaders who delay participation past 31 December 2017 will be liable for interest on overdue tax balances.
• Provision for installmental payment has been built into the scheme.
• Experts in place to assist the Federal Government – Expert, international asset tracers and investigative specialists have been appointed to assist the Federal Government in tracing assets held by Nigerians.
• In line with other proven, international schemes – Recent, similar schemes in 2016 have been implemented successfully in India, Indonesia and South Africa. VAIDS will bring Nigeria in line with international best practice and contribute to worldwide efforts to tackle corruption.
• Much needed funds will be generated and transparently invested – Anticipated funds to be raised are at least US$1 billion, which will reduce Nigeria’s borrowing needs, allow investment in vital infrastructure and spur development.

U.S Consul generals visit Bayelsa State

Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa state has reiterated his calls on the United States and others to invest in Bayelsa growing economy and assured them of his administration's support,  especially in the provision of conducive environment. 

The governor made the call on Tuesday, when he received in his office top officials of the United States Consulate General in Nigeria led by its Political and Economic section  Chief ,Thomas Hines and Maria Davydeko. 

While thanking the US diplomats for their visit,  Governor Dickson expressed his administration's readiness to collaborate with local and foreign investors to grow the state economy. 

According to him,  it is only through such investments that job opportunities and wealth creation will be achieved to consolidate on the peace and stability of the state and the Niger Delta region. 

The present administration, according to the governor has committed huge amounts of its revenue to infrastructural development and other sectors of the economy. 

Governor Dickson disclosed that the state has been adjudged by local and foreign observers as one of the safest states in the Country, and,  therefore, called on the international community to take advantage of this. 

He,  also called on the United States Embassy and others to review their travel advisories and encourage their entrepreneurs to invest in the state. 

On the newly introduced Bayelsa State Health Insurance scheme,  the governor disclosed that all public servants will contribute two percent of their salaries while political appointees will contribute more to the scheme with effect from June,  2017.

The governor who described the health facilities in the state as second ti none solicited support from all stakeholders to make the programme sustainable to bring into fruition his administration 's vision of building a healthy workforce.

His words,  'government alone cant do everything and so we need support,  those who are in a position to donate facilities should do so.  We are building hospital facilities never before.  Every local government area has one and we are even going beyond that. 

'I have said that by December,  every political ward must have a functional health centre with accommodation facilities for doctors and midvives'

Earlier in his remarks,  the Political and Economic Chief and Officer,  US Embassy,. Mr.  Thomas Hines described the Ijaw National Academy and African University as impressive investments that would stand the test of time.

Mr.  Hines applauded the state government on its free compulsory education for the boarding students at the Ijaw National Academy. 

He added that the security situation in the state and the Niger Delta as a whole has improved significantly.