Business
Danger of hatred of ‘the other story’: Story of Yewande Oyediran By Felix Aina
There is always the flipside of every narrative. It is called ‘the other story’. The other story is very unpopular, very turgid, very unassuming and lacks the currency and obstinate recurrence of ‘the story’, its twin sibling. The other story is ancient and as old as man. All over the world and since ancient times, the other story has always suffered acute discrimination and condemnation. The moment the world hears ‘the story’, it pushes the other story to the background, holding on to the story as a writ, the gospel truth. In many instances, however, the world has suffered greatly by its alienation of ‘the other story’ as it turns around to be the dominant narrative of the world, the compass that navigates global phenomena and even practices. One very peculiar thing about the other story is that, the moment it survives the onslaught of discrimination, ostracism and deliberate conspiratorial bottling, it lives for ages, quickly dethrones the story and transforms into becoming the real and enduring narrative. The other story has survived till this moment of modernity.
Take for instance the story of Galileo, Italian astronomer, physicist, engineer, philosopher, and mathematician who was reputed to have played a major role in the scientific revolution of the Renaissance. During his period, Rome was the centre of the world and Catholicism ruled the globe. The dominant story of educated people of the world or ‘the story’ at this time was tilted towards the Aristotelian geocentric view of the earth being at the center of the universe with all heavenly bodies revolving around the Earth. Beefed up by biblical exegeses which state that “the world is firmly established, it cannot be moved” and Psalm 104:5 which says, “the Lord set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved” as well as Ecclesiastes 1:5 which states that “And the sun rises and sets and returns to its place,” the world held on rigidly to its view. By 1615, Galileo championed heliocentrism and piqued by his affront, his writing was submitted to the Roman Inquisition by Father Niccolo Lorini and the charge was that Galileo and his followers were seeking to reinterpret the Bible. This was a crime that presented as a violation of the Council of Trent. Galileo was tried by the Inquisition and found “vehemently suspect of heresy.” He was forced to recant his view and throughout the rest of his life, he was under house arrest. Galileo’s other story was later to shape the world and geography till today. He was preceded by Renaissance mathematician and astronomer, Nicolaus Copernicus.
Or the birth of twins among the Efik and Arochukwu of current South and South-east Nigeria. The dominant story was that that this strange pair of babies was an evil curse and taboo to be sired. In the belief of the natives which lasted for generations, the father of one of the twins must have been an evil spirit and the mother, guilty of a humongous sin. In a dilemma as to the determination of who out of the twins was fathered by the evil spirit, Efik and Arochukwu people gave the twins scalding treatment of abandoning them in the evil forest to die. Then came Aberdeen, Scotland-born Mary Mitchell Slessor on missionary journey to Nigeria. Mary, daughter of a shoe maker who lived in the slums of Dundee, arrived Calabar in September of 1876. Riled by this dominant story of the evilness of twins, Slessor adopted every child she found in the forest abandoned. She was harangued and called eccentric. She even sent out her missioners to scan the forests for these babies whom she protected and cared for at the Mission House which soon stared brimming with babies. She lived in Okoyong, among the Efik, for 15 years. She learned to speak Efik and when she died, Efik gave her an equivalent of a state funeral, transporting her body down the Cross River to Duke Town and a Union Jack shrouding her coffin. She was also honoured by Clydesdale bank at the World Heritage Series, as well as the Famous Scots Series, even featuring her on the back of the bank’s £10 note. Her other story is the dominant narrative today.
Or even the story of the hundreds of years of the thriving slave trade. The history of slavery spans virtually every culture, nationality and religion. It was the dominant story from ancient times, even though relics of it have survived till present time. Indeed, the Code of Hammurabi (c. 1760 BC) made reference to slave trading as an established institution. It was the dominant story in virtually every civilization. The Byzantine-Ottoman wars, as well as the Ottoman wars in Europe, came to bear as a result of the capturing of a large number of Christian slaves. Though it is yet to apologize to the rest of humanity, Britain was a major player in the Atlantic slave trade, especially after 1600. In almost all the thirteen colonies of America and Canada, the dominant story was that slavery was a legal institution. When the other story aside the thriving story of slave trade began, it was spearheaded by Denmark which became the first European country to ban the trade and the rest of the world took a cue. Today, the western world, kingpins of the earlier story of slavery, claims to be riled by the fact that it once partook of slavery.
Not to talk of the story of Egyptian civilization and its encounter with religion. Tagged as cradle of civilization, Egypt, divided into Upper and Lower, came into contact with religion as a result of practical reality. River Nile had become a huge cross to carry for Egyptians of the time. Seasonally, it overflew its banks and killed hundreds of Egyptians, swept away their homes, livestock and crops. Their survival was largely threatened. The dominant speculative belief was that the gods and goddesses were angry with the people. Egyptians thus veered into totenism as a panacea to their problems and worship of gods which however failed to ameliorate their problems. Gradually, they encountered Babylonian astrologers who told them that whenever the Sirius star shone, the next moment, there would be heavy rain and that no god was responsible for their fatalities. They were then able to construct a big basin which they perforated and were able to divide the day into 24 hours, the day and night, using the sun and moon to measure time. They created embankments against flood and thus moved from the speculative story of the anger of the gods into science, alchemy and mummification of bodies, all leading to the great civilization that Egypt later became.
Down here in Nigeria, there are a thousand and one dominant stories that had to gradually vacate the scene for ‘the other story’. The most readily available is the political story of a man who later became the political and cultural avatar of the Yoruba people. After leaving the Western Region as Premier, with the strings of developmental firsts he brought the way of the west and his mental investments in the future of mankind, like the writing of the Pathway which he wrote after examining virtually all constitutions of the world, Obafemi Awolowo thereafter leapt into political witch-hunting and heavy adversarial machinations. He was jailed in 1962 and hundreds of his loyalists left him. Indeed, his adversaries made jest of him and claimed that he had effectively entered his political darkness. The then dominant story of power was SLA Akintola, the Premier, which was told by his coterie of loyalists who had become the reigning avatars of the time. Shortly after, ‘the other story’ overtook the story. Awolowo’s innocence of all the charges from his enemies became the other story; he became Nigeria’s Military Government’s Federal Executive Council Vice President and by the time he died in 1987 and till today, he had become a recent ancestor of the Yoruba people, worshipped in veneration and reference. Many of those whose forefathers tried to smother ‘the other story’ of his messianism are today converts of his ‘the other story.’
What the above stories point at is that the world had always regretted its rigid abidance by the centrality and unimpeached nature of the dominant story. The lesson it teaches is that there is always the other story to the story and it would be akin to self immolation not to listen to it. Thank goodness that modernity has sharpened the critical nature of the human brain, it would be difficult to sell to the world an ‘another story’ that is devoid of logic and common sense. Thus, using logic, both inductive and deductive, man is able to critically examine both ‘the story’ and its twin, ‘the other story’ and to come to conclusion of the truth for all seasons that it must underscore.
Which brings this writer to the story of the tragic spousal violence that trended a couple of months ago in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The hero and heroine of that story are a couple called Lowo and Yewande Oyediran. The Lowo, the story has it, got killed by his wife while brawling over a child sired by the former out of wedlock. It has been amplified by the media, contours created, variants moulded out of the story and sold to a thirsty audience. Just like the feminine advocacy that world history was written from the perspective of man, with several matriarchal ingenuities and developments shrouded from global view. Now, women want to get world history to be her-story, from woman perspective and not strictly his story.
If we would not be committing the same fallacy that our forefathers committed by holding on tenaciously to ‘the story’, shutting their minds from ‘the other story’, we should begin to ask questions and critically appraise and interrogate this tragic spousal brawl story that we have heard. For instance, two people witnessed the death of Lowo that fateful morning – Yewande and Lowo himself. One is deceased and the other, alive. Granted that Yewande may want to tilt the story to favour her, would it be wrong to listen to her story? Isn’t there the possibility that the world has been fed half-truths by its belief that Yewande, said to be a brilliant, incorruptible Director of Public Prosecution in the Oyo State Ministry of Justice, was the aggressor and the murderer? Has the world listened to her version of the story of a 2-year matrimony that was riveted by in-laws’ acute hatred, alcoholism, on and off love and hatred by a man she swore to live with till death did them part? Did she really kill her husband?
While not asking for an abandonment of the story the world has, can it please listen to the other story and make its judgment? The danger of holding on rigidly to our verdict of Yewwande Oyediran being guilty-as-charged, is evident. The 35-year old lady could as well be our daughter, our sister, our cousin, our wife. By refraining from hearing ‘the other story’ on the dawn of February 2, 2016, we would be no better than Father Niccolo Lorini of the Inquisition who stampeded the author of ‘the other story’ of world geography and astronomy, Galileo, to his death.
*Aina is a Lagos-based attorney and human rights activist.
Deadline of Compliance: Nigeria’s Urgent Call for Tax Return Filing
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
“Shift or Structural Demand? A Declaration of Civic Duty in a Nation at a Fiscal Crossroads.”
In the unfolding narrative of national development and economic reform, few instruments are as defining as tax compliance. For Nigeria, a nation perpetually grappling with revenue shortfalls, structural dependency on a single export commodity, and entrenched informal economic behaviour, the Federal Government’s recent clarification on tax return deadlines is not mere bureaucratic noise. It is a deliberate and inescapable declaration: the social contract between citizen and state must be honoured through transparent, lawful and timely tax reporting.
At its core, the government’s pronouncement is stark in its simplicity and radical in its implications. Federal authorities, speaking through the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, have made it unequivocally clear that every Nigerian, whether employer or individual taxpayer, must file annual tax returns under the law. This encompasses self-assessment filings by individuals that too many assumed ended once employers deducted pay-as-you-earn taxes from their salaries.
This is not an optional civic suggestion, it is mandatory, backed by statute, and tied to a broader vision of national fiscal responsibility. Citizens can no longer hide behind ignorance, apathy, or false assumptions. “Many people assume that if their employer deducts tax from their salaries, their obligations end there. That is wrong,” Oyedele warned, emphasizing that the obligation to file remains with the individual under both existing and newly reformed tax laws.
The Deadlines and the Reality They Reveal.
Across the federation, state and federal revenue authorities have reaffirmed statutory deadlines in pursuit of compliance. The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, for instance, moved to extend its filing date for employer returns by a narrow window, reflecting the reality that compliance often lags behind legal timelines. The extension was intended not as leniency, but as a pragmatic effort to allow accurate and complete submissions, underscoring that true compliance rises above mere mechanical ticking of a box.
At the federal level, Oyedele’s intervention was even more fundamental. He reminded Nigerians that annual tax returns for the preceding year must be filed in good faith, with integrity and in respect of the law. This applies regardless of income level including low-income earners who have historically believed that they are outside the tax net. “All of us must file our returns, including those earning low income,” he stated.
Herein lies one of the most challenging truths of contemporary Nigerian governance: widespread tax non-compliance is not just a technical breach of law, it is a deep cultural and structural issue that reflects decades of mistrust between citizens and the state.
The Root of the Problem: Non-Compliance as a Symptom.
Nigeria’s tax culture has long been under scrutiny. Public discourse and economic analysis consistently show that a significant majority of eligible taxpayers do not file annual returns. Oyedele highlighted that even in states widely regarded as tax administration leaders, compliance remains strikingly low, often below five percent.
This widespread non-compliance stems from multiple sources:
A long history of weak tax administration systems, where enforcement was inconsistent and penalties were rarely applied.
A perception that public services do not reflect the taxes collected, eroding the citizenry’s belief in reciprocity.
An informal economy where income often goes unrecorded, making filing seem irrelevant or impossible to many.
Lack of awareness, with many Nigerians genuinely believing that tax liability ends with employer deductions.
The government’s renewed push for compliance directly challenges these perceptions. It signals a shift from voluntary or lax compliance to structured accountability, a stance that aligns with best practices in modern public finance.
Why This Matters: Beyond Deadlines.
At its most profound level, the insistence on tax return filings is about nation-building and shared responsibility.
Scholars of public finance universally agree that a robust tax system is the backbone of sustainable development. As the eminent economist Dr. Joseph E. Stiglitz has observed, “A society that cannot mobilize its own resources through fair taxation undermines both its government’s legitimacy and its capacity to provide for its people.” Filing tax returns is not a mere administrative task, it is a declaration of participation in the collective project of national advancement.
In Nigeria’s context, this declaration carries weight. With the enactment of comprehensive tax reforms in recent years (including unified frameworks for tax administration and enforcement) authorities now possess broader statutory tools to ensure compliance and accountability. These measures, which include electronic filing platforms and stronger enforcement powers, have been framed as fair and equitable, targeting efficiency rather than arbitrariness.
Yet the success of these reforms depends heavily on citizens embracing their civic duties with sincerity. And this depends on mutual trust, the belief that paying taxes yields tangible benefits in infrastructure, education, healthcare, security and social services.
Voices From Experts: Fiscal Responsibility as a Public Ethic.
Tax law experts and economists, reflecting on the compliance push, have underscored a universal theme: taxation without transparency is inequity, but taxation with accountability is empowerment. When managed with fairness, a functional tax system can reduce dependency on volatile revenue sources, stabilise national budgets, and support long-term investment in human capital.
Professor Aisha Bello, a respected authority in fiscal policy, notes that “Tax compliance is not a burden; it is the foundation upon which social contracts are built. A citizen who honours tax obligations affirms the legitimacy of governance and demands better performance in return.”
Similarly, a leading tax scholar, Dr. Emeka Okon, argues that “The era when Nigerians could evade broader tax responsibilities simply because automatic deductions occur at source must end. For a modern economy, every eligible citizen must be part of the formal tax fold not as victims, but as stakeholders.”
These authoritative voices point to an unassailable truth: filing tax returns is both a legal requirement and a moral responsibility, an expression of citizenship in its fullest sense.
Challenges on the Ground: Compliance and Capacity.
While the rhetoric of compliance is compelling, the reality on the ground demands nuanced understanding. Many taxpayers (especially in the informal sector) lack meaningful access to digital platforms and resources for filing returns. For others, the fear of bureaucratic complexity and perceived punitive enforcement deters participation.
The government, for its part, has responded by promoting online systems and pledging greater taxpayer support. Tax authorities are increasingly engaging stakeholders to demystify filing processes, explain requirements and offer assistance. This mix of enforcement and facilitation is essential. As one seasoned revenue specialist observed: “The state cannot compel compliance through force alone; it must earn it through education, simplicity and fairness.”
The Broader Implication: A New Social Compact.
Ultimately, Nigeria’s renewed emphasis on tax return filing transcends administrative deadlines. It is an unequivocal declaration that national development is a shared responsibility, that citizens and state must engage in a transparent, accountable, and reciprocal relationship.
Tax compliance, therefore, becomes far more than a legal act; it becomes a moral claim on the nation’s future.
When citizens file their returns honestly, they affirm their stake in the nation’s destiny. When the government collects taxes transparently and deploys them effectively, it strengthens not only public services but civic trust itself.
In this sense, the deadlines proclaimed by Nigeria’s fiscal authorities mark not an end but a beginning; the beginning of a civic epoch in which accountability replaces apathy, participation replaces indifference and national purpose triumphs over fragmentation.
The road ahead will not be easy. But in demanding compliance, Nigeria is demanding more than tax returns. It is demanding commitment and that, ultimately, is the foundation on which nations are built.
BUA Foods Records 91% Surge in Profit After Tax, Hits ₦508bn in 2025
By femi Oyewale
Business
Adron Homes Unveils “Love for Love” Valentine Promo with Exciting Discounts, Luxury Gifts, and Travel Rewards
Adron Homes Unveils “Love for Love” Valentine Promo with Exciting Discounts, Luxury Gifts, and Travel Rewards
In celebration of the season of love, Adron Homes and Properties has announced the launch of its special Valentine campaign, “Love for Love” Promo, a customer-centric initiative designed to reward Nigerians who choose to express love through smart, lasting real estate investments.
The Love for Love Promo offers clients attractive discounts, flexible payment options, and an array of exclusive gift items, reinforcing Adron Homes’ commitment to making property ownership both rewarding and accessible. The campaign runs throughout the Valentine season and applies to the company’s wide portfolio of estates and housing projects strategically located across Nigeria.
Speaking on the promo, the company’s Managing Director, Mrs Adenike Ajobo, stated that the initiative is aimed at encouraging individuals and families to move beyond conventional Valentine gifts by investing in assets that secure their future. According to the company, love is best demonstrated through stability, legacy, and long-term value—principles that real estate ownership represents.
Under the promo structure, clients who make a payment of ₦100,000 receive cake, chocolates, and a bottle of wine, while those who pay ₦200,000 are rewarded with a Love Hamper. Payments of ₦500,000 attract a Love Hamper plus cake, and clients who pay ₦1,000,000 enjoy a choice of a Samsung phone or a Love Hamper with cake.
The rewards become increasingly premium as commitment grows. Clients who pay ₦5,000,000 receive either an iPad or an all-expenses-paid romantic getaway for a couple at one of Nigeria’s finest hotels, which includes two nights’ accommodation, special treats, and a Love Hamper. A payment of ₦10,000,000 comes with a choice of a Samsung Z Fold 7, three nights at a top-tier resort in Nigeria, or a full solar power installation.
For high-value investors, the Love for Love Promo delivers exceptional lifestyle experiences. Clients who pay ₦30,000,000 on land are rewarded with a three-night couple’s trip to Doha, Qatar, or South Africa, while purchasers of any Adron Homes house valued at ₦50,000,000 receive a double-door refrigerator.
The promo covers Adron Homes’ estates located in Lagos, Shimawa, Sagamu, Atan–Ota, Papalanto, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Osun, Ekiti, Abuja, Nasarawa, and Niger States, offering clients the opportunity to invest in fast-growing, strategically positioned communities nationwide.
Adron Homes reiterated that beyond the incentives, the campaign underscores the company’s strong reputation for secure land titles, affordable pricing, strategic locations, and a proven legacy in real estate development.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, Adron Homes encourages Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to take advantage of the Love for Love Promo to enjoy exceptional value, exclusive rewards, and the opportunity to build a future rooted in love, security, and prosperity.
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