Nigeria Times

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has denied reports suggesting she is organizing a national prayer event alongside National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. According to a statement released by her Senior Special Adviser on Media, Busola Kukoyi, the circulating claims are “unfounded and misleading.”

The statement clarified that while Senator Tinubu, a strong advocate for prayer, believes in praying for Nigeria, any prayer for the nation should be voluntary and come from all Nigerians, regardless of background. The public is urged to verify any news about the First Lady through official channels.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) recently conducted targeted air strikes in Borno State, resulting in the deaths of 70 terrorists in Kwallaram and Arianna Ciki islands, according to Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations. The strikes, carried out on November 6, were part of a nationwide security operation that also led to the elimination of 169 terrorists and the arrest of 641 criminal suspects in the past week.

Additionally, the operation saw troops recover large quantities of weaponry and ammunition, including AK-47 rifles and RPGs. In the Niger Delta region, security forces destroyed 83 illegal refining sites, arrested 40 oil thieves, and seized over 900,000 liters of stolen crude oil, diesel, and petrol. General Buba affirmed the Armed Forces’ ongoing efforts to combat insecurity and protect Nigeria’s economy from sabotage.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has confirmed Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the only candidate for the Director-General role, paving the way for her reappointment as her first term nears its end. Okonjo-Iweala, who announced her willingness to serve another four-year term on September 16, faces no competition after the November 8 nomination deadline passed without any other contenders.

WTO General Council Chair Petter Olberg formally communicated this, noting that the organization will soon outline the remaining steps in the appointment process. Okonjo-Iweala’s current term, ending on August 31, 2025, marked a historic milestone as she became the WTO’s first female and African leader in 2021.

Today’s Nigerian newspaper headlines cover significant developments across the nation. The PUNCH reports on Dangote Refinery’s upcoming fuel exports to South Africa, Angola, and Namibia. The Nation discusses the ongoing efforts to stabilize the national electricity grid, which has faced multiple collapses this week alone. Meanwhile, Daily Trust highlights the recent release of protesters detained after the August #EndBadGovernance protests, sparking debates on the treatment of detainees.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proposed tax reforms have led to a split among northern governors and lawmakers, with a coalition from the North-West, North-East, and parts of the North-Central regions mobilizing against the initiatives. Governors from seven North-West states, six from the North-East, and two from the North-Central region are leading the opposition, pushing back on the tax bills currently in the National Assembly.

Despite this opposition, four northern governors—three from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and one from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)—have voiced support for Tinubu’s tax measures. Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on two key northern National Assembly officers, with influential leaders urging them to oppose the bills. Former Senate Leader Mohammed Ali Ndume, a vocal critic, has argued that the tax reforms will harm the middle class and further strain Nigerians financially.

While Tinubu has maintained his commitment to the tax reforms, he has shown openness to adjusting the proposals based on legislative input. The reform package includes several bills aimed at reducing redundant taxes, standardizing tax processes, restructuring the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and establishing a unified tax management board.