Business
Tinubu and the generation of Astyanax bimaculatus by Idowu Ajanaku
“Stab the body and it heals, but injure the heart and the wound lasts a lifetime.”
― Mineko Iwasaki
The grand conspiracy and recent desperate attempts to de-construct and indeed, de-mystify one of Africa’s most decorated political colossuses, who, incidentally remains an enduring metaphor for what true democratic culture represents in Nigeria smirks of gross ingratitude. The pain runs deep, considering the incontestable fact that the masterminds are some of the greatest beneficiaries of his patriotic struggles, at one time or the other over the past five decades.
One is talking about none other than Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the famed Jagaban, the one man who stood firm, like Zuma rock in the whirlwind of Nigeria’s politics, against the brutal and bruising boots of late Abacha’s dictatorship. Our subject was the guiding light of the struggle for the realization of June 12,1993 mandate as won by late Chief MKO Abiola. He was the former executive governor of Lagos State(1999-2007) and has remained the constant star in the firmament of Nigeria’s progressive political spectrum.
But for the commitment of this national Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), perhaps Nigeria’s then rudderless ship of state would long have capsized into the vast ocean of corruption under the clueless, Jonathan-led administration. That was then. But this is now, as he is being paid back in coins he never traded for the survival of democratic culture in his dear country, Nigeria.
So, it rankles; it shocks one to the marrow, more so because acts of sheer deception and bitter betrayal as reflected in some of William Shakespeare’s plays of the 16th century now play out in the 21st Century Nigeria, with uncanny semblances! And for what? All because of transient fame and fortunes. For instance, in the play Macbeth the lead character betrays King Duncan (to whom he has sworn allegiance) by killing him when he is a guest at his home. But why, one may ask? It is in an overtly ambitious attempt to gain the crown that Duncan wears. He also betrays his friend, Banquo, just to retain the power and position of being King. Thereafter, he murdered sleep!
But that is man for you; vacillating like the tropic weather. Today, he pretends to be the most loving and loyal friend or ally, only because he is in dire need of the other’s help, most likely to get out of a sticky situation. But tomorrow he turns coat at the drop of a hat, that is when the price is right. There are scruples but he has none. No binding philosophy of commitment to a cause. Greed for instant gains and an unquenchable desire to be seen as the man- of -the -moment are his propelling passion; his odious guiding credo.
Worse still, Tinubu’s traducers are going about it as if he is one desperate politician, who wants power at all costs and by all crooked means. Yet, nothing could be further from the truth. If memory serves, Tinubu’s political trajectory took off when he pitched tent with the Musa Yar’Adua’s political dynasty. That was the Social Democratic Party(SDP).Before long, he was championing the struggle for the actualization of the June 12, 1993 mandate, as freely given by the good people of Nigeria to Chief MKO Abiola(of blessed memory). He made a lot of sacrifices; of precious time, energy, finance, strategies, wise counsel and other incalculable resources in this noble cause.
And still sticking to his political guns, to forever remain on the side of the people through a democratic structure he, it was who warned Dapo Sarumi, who was then the patriarch of the Primrose Group not to jump ship into the IBB contraption of an Interim National Government. Back then, the group was the most dominant in Lagos politics in 1992-93. Tinubu vowed to break rank with Sarumi should he not heed his piece of patriotic advice. But the other was far too gone in his quest for political relevance under the military government to heed it. That singular wrong choice led to Sarumi’ political oblivion, till this day.
If Tinubu was desperate he would have joined the bandwagon as one of the infamous carpet baggers. It would also be recalled that when he, Tinubu was the Chairman, House Committee on Finance at the Senate he was offered the juicy post as the Minister of Finance by the Abacha-led military government but he rejected it out rightly out of sheer national interest. Yet, that was not all.
Specifically in 2003, when as the Lagos state governor he became the last man standing at a time OBJ’s rigging machinery raged through the South West geo-political zone Tinubu’s commitment, dedication, determination and personal sacrifice re-engineered the progressive community to retrieve the zone from the conservative People’s Democratic Party, PDP. The eventual emergence of Kayode Fayemi and Rauf Aregbesola as the governors of Ekiti and Osun states respectively became the turning point for the progressives’ relevance.
Another remarkable and in fact, epochal moment in the South West politics came in 2007.When the market din swirled in Lagos over the emergence of Babatunde Raji Fashola -then a political neophyte-as the governorship candidate of the AC it was Tinubu who made another sacrifice of his Senatorial ambition, giving the ticket to Ganiyu Solomon.
It was Fashola’s victory at the polls in 2011 that empowered, emboldened and paved the way for the subsequent victories of the progressives in Oyo and Ogun states in 2011.And it was also in the spirit of Asiwaju’s sacrifice that made it possible for Ibikunle Amosun, well-known then as a diehard conservative politician to clinch the coveted governorship seat in Ogun State, in spite of the array of other progressive politicians on ground.
Ditto for Abiola Ajimobi in Oyo sate who had earlier abandoned Alliance for Democracy, AD for ANPP. Ordinarily, if Asiwaju was one desperate politician, as being insinuated such politicians would not have ridden to political prominence on the back of the Jagaban. Worthy of note too, is that it was the sacrifice made by Tinubu out of love for his country that led to the historic merger amongst the ACN,CPC,ANPP and a faction of APGA to form APC. And for the first time in the political evolution in Nigeria the party was able to dislodge the incumbent greed-driven PDP-led administration.
Were he one selfish politician he would have been contented being a king in his South West enclave. But no. Even when the then presidential flag-bearer, Muhammadu Buhari offered him the post of his running mate in the presence of Chief Bisi Akande, who was the Interim Chairman of the party Tinubu declined the offer. He nominated Professor Yemi Osibanjo instead. This is an incontrovertible fact. It was borne out of his patriotic zeal, taking cognizance that the PDP had then polarized Nigeria along ethnic and religious lines. Unfortunately, one John Baden, a total stranger to Nigeria’s political evolution has stood logic on its head by claiming otherwise in his recently launched biography of Mister President.
Having achieved such political feats, out of a rare sense of patriotism it is a crying shame that some lucky individuals who rode on his back to fame are now hands-in-glove with the Hausa/Fulani hegemony to attempt to rubbish his good image which he has built over the decades. What is their aim? To gain entrance into the hearts of the new generation of Yorubas.
But they must learn from the unfailing hands of history that the Akintolas, Omoboriowos and Babatopes who had travelled such ignoble paths have been consigned into the dustbins of political history. No Yoruba man who has jettisoned the collective interest of their people ever survived their ill-fated journeys. More instructively, they may have to read the accounts of Shakespeare characters in Julius Caesar. For instance, the wily one named Antony betrays his commitment to Cleopatra by marrying Octavia. Conversely, Mena betrays Antony, Lepidus, and Caesar by suggesting that Pompey should kill the trio. On the other hand, Ahenobarbus betrays Antony by deserting Antony when the latter is at his most vulnerable point in life. As if to literally turn tables, Cleopatra herself endures betrayal from both Caesar as well as her own treasurer. This deception, coming from among one’s closest servants, constitutes great betrayal. Instructively, they all ended on the sad side of history.
It would therefore, do the Yoruba political traitors in Abuja, who, like the Astyanax fish species betray their own , are now hell-bent on doing Tinubu in to have some moment of sober reflection. Even Ayodele Fayose, Ekiti State governor in his characteristic blunt manner has warned of the dire consequences for those so involved. They should remember that in the market square of life, it is always honourable and rewarding to be grateful to those who lift us up, instead of turning round to spit on their faces. God, who created us all is watching. As the only one to who vengeance belongs He will surely take recompense. For, anybody who abuses grace will soon have nothing to eat but grass.
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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