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LAGOS REDUCES LAND USE CHARGE RATES, WAIVES PENALTY FOR LATE PAYMEN …Grants 50% Reduction On Commercial Charges, 25% For Owner-Occupier, Manufacturing Concerns … Gives Tax Credit For Payment Already Made, Introduces Instalment Payment Plan

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LAGOS REDUCES LAND USE CHARGE RATES, WAIVES PENALTY FOR LATE PAYMEN
…Grants 50% Reduction On Commercial Charges, 25% For Owner-Occupier, Manufacturing Concerns
… Gives Tax Credit For Payment Already Made, Introduces Instalment Payment Plan

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Following extensive deliberations with stakeholders on the new rates payable by property owners under the Lagos State Land Use Charge (LUC) Law, the State Government on Thursday announced a major reduction in the rates and as well waived the penalty for late payments across board.

The State’s Commissioner for Finance, Mr Akinyemi Ashade, who disclosed this while addressing a press briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa on the outcome of dialogue with stakeholders, said the rates payable on commercial properties have been reduced by 50 per cent in response to the demands of the people.

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He said the government has also reduced the charges for Owner-occupier with third party including industries and manufacturing concerns by 25 per cent, while tax credits has been given for LUC charges already paid in addition to introduction of instalment payment system.

Ashade, who addressed the briefing alongside dozens of Executive Council members and top government functionaries, said the decision to reduce the rates was taken at the weekly Council Meeting held on Wednesday and Chaired by the State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode.

He said: “The Lagos State Government, in its desire to build world class infrastructure and improve the well-being of its citizens reviewed the Land Use Charges payable by all property owners. This exercise was received with mixed feelings by various interest groups who expressed serious concerns.

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“In line with this administration’s tradition of inclusive governance and civic engagement, and as a Government that is committed to the welfare of its citizens and understands the importance of continuously engaging the populace, we undertook extensive dialogue with various stakeholders on the Land Use Charge (“LUC”) revised Law and its implementation.

“Consequently, we received a wide range of responses from our dialogue with various stakeholders on the amended LUC Law 2018. The stakeholders included the Organised Private Sector, Nigeria Bar Association, Real estate investors & developers, Landlord & Resident Associations, Community Development Associations, Civil Society Organisations, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industries (LCCI), Nigeria Institute of Estate Surveyors &Valuers and several other professional groups.”

Giving a breakdown of the reduction, Ashade said for commercial property owners who were mostly affected by the amended law, a property valued at N20million for instance which was earlier billed N91,200 will now pay N45,600 per annum as a result of the 50 per cent discount, while property occupied by owner, third party and property used for industrial and manufacturing purposes will now pay N23,040 per annum on a property valued at N20million as against the earlier N30,720 based on the 25 per cent discount.

On owner-occupied property, the Commissioner explained that for a property valued at N20million, only N7,752 will now be paid per annum as against N9,120 earlier demanded based on 15 per cent discount.

He added: “Other rates and reliefs, apart from the ones stated above, will remain unchanged and will be implemented as stipulated by the Law. These include 40% general relief, 10% for 70 years and above, 10% for properties owned by persons living with disability and 10% for properties that are 25 years old and so on and so forth. Owners of Property across all categories will now be allowed to make payments by instalments. This will help to reduce the burden of taxation on our citizens.

“We appreciate and commend property owners of all categories who have performed their civic duties faithfully by paying the LUC. Consequently, as a result of these new measures, those who have paid the original amount will be awarded tax credits to the extent of the excess amount paid and carried forward to next year,” Ashade said.

He added that in a bid to create a framework to empower property owners with self-assessment, the executive would forward a regulation to the House of Assembly for review of applicable rates and regime of reliefs on categories of properties pursuant to LUC Law.

While appreciating stakeholders for trusting the current administration with the responsibility of investing the revenue from LUC in infrastructure renewal and overall development of the State, Ashade urged them to endeavor to participate effectively in the legislative proceedings going forward.

Besides, the Commissioner said the reduction would be implemented immediately as there were provisions within the LUC law which empowered the government to carry out necessary adjustment to cushion the effect of implementation.

Also, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem said under the amended law, there is provision for establishment of five tribunals out of which one has been created in Ikeja and now operational, while the remaining four would be established in other administrative divisions of the State in Epe, Badagry, Ikorodu and Lagos Island.

He said the law also makes provision for aggrieved tax payers to ventilate their grievances within forty-five days through a mediation process, adding that so far over 80 cases have been resolved through mediation.

SIGNED
HABIB ARUNA
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
MARCH 15, 2018

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Nigerians must support President Tinubu as he addresses Nigeria’s many challenges – Sola Adeyemo

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Nigerians must support President Tinubu as he addresses Nigeria’s many challenges - Sola Adeyemo

Nigerians must support President Tinubu as he addresses Nigeria’s many challenges – Sola Adeyemo

 

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A socio-commentator and public affairs analyst, Mr Sola Adeyemo has called on Nigerians to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his efforts and commitment to turn the country around.

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Nigerians must support President Tinubu as he addresses Nigeria’s many challenges - Sola Adeyemo

 

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Adeyemo made the call Saturday morning in Lagos fielding questions from jounalists who paid him a courtesy visit on the sideline of the GTCO Food And Drink Festival organised and hosted by one of Nigeria’s biggest banks, Guaranty Trust Bank in Lagos.

 

“We must continue to support Mr President and remain united behind his policies as he works to bring the country out of the woods.

The Publisher and Editor-In-Chief of CityNews Newspaper said Nigerians must also shun actions capable of breaching peace in our society.

 

He added, “As an opinion leader in the country, I’m in total support of Mr President in his determination to around Nigeria’s economy and other challenges bedevilling our country.

 

 

 

Adeyemo who is also the President of Special Committe On BAT(Bola Ahmed Tinubu) for online journalists called on Nigerians in all walks of life to support the present administration as Nigeria is occupying a very important position in the scheme of things globally at this particulat point in time…because of the ‘resoucefulness,ingenuity and positive energy of its people’.

 

 

 

GTCO Food & Drink Festival is an annual food exhibition and sales event that projects the diverse angles of the food industry by connecting various businesses involved in the production and sale of food-related items to a cosmopolitan audience of food enthusiasts.

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Lagos To Ikere Ekiti: Primate Ayodele’s Homecoming with Charity and Salvation -by Folorunsho Hamsat

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Lagos To Ikere Ekiti: Primate Ayodele’s Homecoming with Charity and Salvation -by Folorunsho Hamsat

Lagos To Ikere Ekiti:
Primate Ayodele’s Homecoming with Charity and Salvation
-by Folorunsho Hamsat

Encouragement can seem like a good, but small thing to us. But encouragement is massive. Popular prophet, Elijah Babatunde Ayodele, understands in his dealings that encouragement is such an important element of church life that, like the Bible commands, he makes it his regular routine to encourage others, particularly, the downtrodden, to value life. For 30 years, Primate Ayodele has applied his Holy Spirit empowered ability not just to preach and prophesy, but to also encourage by giving.

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Lagos To Ikere Ekiti:
Primate Ayodele’s Homecoming with Charity and Salvation
-by Folorunsho Hamsat

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A typical village boy that he loves to call himself, the famous seer from the agricultural and mine Southwest town, Ikere Ekiti in Ekiti State, had profound spiritual insight to understand the mysteries of God early enough. Thus, when he escaped to Lagos in the mid-80s after suffering the disappointments of not realizing his childhood dream of studying Mass Communication or becoming a soldier, the zeal to excel in whatever he chose to do afterwards stole his attention.

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The task to forgive and love whomever he might have already had a strained relationship with back in his town of birth was first. He needed to move on and shine. Ayodele did not have a church when he became known for prophesying. Six years before he established the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, he had been noted as a possible replacement for one of the then globally known prophets, Primate Theophilus Olabayo. His prophecies rang through all corners of the globe. And his journey to attain leadership began in earnest.

 

Something occupied his thoughts; how to get to the top of the Mission and impact others. He said he then realized that the secret to the pinnacle of God’s assigned task is giving. Ayodele says that sharing does not only affect the receivers in positive ways, it also transforms the life of the giver in great ways. “I give out more than a half of what God has blessed me with, and I don’t expect any reward for this other than to be acknowledged as a man who shares from the little he has,” the servant of God declared while addressing journalists at his last birthday celebration in Lagos.

 

Ayodele’s passion to encourage and empower the oppressed, help those with lost hope to dream and hope again, blossomed. His prophecy aided by heart for charity, announced him to the world as unique among his contemporaries in God’s vineyard. On Thursday, 25th of April, 2024, Primate Ayodele returned to Ikere Ekiti, in a large entourage, wonderfully overwhelmed by the welcoming warmth by his kit and kin.

 

What a joy it was for the God’s servant to see a packed venue of Ikere Ekiti young and old folks, including the king and political leaders pouring their hearts out in prayer for him as he laid the foundation of the town’s branch of INRI Ministry the next day, Friday 26th of April, 2024.

 

Typically, the day witnessed both empowerment and spiritual relief. Essential items were made available at ridiculously affordable prices, scholarships were provided for indigent brilliant students while the servant of God spoke into people’s life for transformative power of faith, healing and breakthrough.

 

Speaking on the essence of giving, Primate Ayodele averred that the Lord provides us with one incredibly encouraging reason to excel in the grace of generous giving: to prove our love for others. This, he said, he has satisfactorily done establishing his ministry in his place of birth, thus physically empowering his people and bringing them closer to salvation.

 

-Folorunsho Hamsat is a Lagos based journalist

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Primate Ayodele Crashes Price Of Rice To N15,000, Awards Scholarship, Plants New Church In Ekiti

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Primate Ayodele Crashes Price Of Rice To N15,000, Awards Scholarship, Plants New Church In Ekiti

 

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The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele has extended his benevolence to his hometown, Ikere-Ekiti in Ekiti state.

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In an event held yesterday Friday, 26th Of April 2024, Primate Ayodele commemorated the planting of a new church in his hometown with another edition of his palliative market which has been held twice in his Lagos headquarters.

The unprecedented programme which started with a rally on Thursday, 25th of April 2024 witnessed thousands of Ikere-Ekiti indigenes in attendance including very important personalities like the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti,Oba Adejimi Alagbado, His chiefs, Ikere LG chairman, Hon Olu Adamolekun Egbejoda, nd Chairman lkere West LCDA, Hon Rufus Olorunfemi.

As it has always been done in his Lagos church where the man of God sold food items at ridiculous prices, Ikere-Ekiti also experienced the reality of Primate Ayodele’s palliative market as several people got a bag of rice for N15,000, beverages for N1,000, a carton of Indomie for N2,000, Groundnut oil for N3,000, Semovita for N3,000, Wheat for N3,000 and Beans for N3,000.

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In addition, scholarships were given to students, grinding machines, sewing machines, dryers, to mention a few were given out to women in Ikere-Ekiti for free.

While speaking about the reason behind the largesse, Primate Ayodele explained that it was a result of divine instructions since the politicians that are supposed to provide succor for the people have failed to carry out their responsibilities.

He also stated that wants to correct the notion that men of God use tithes to flaunt their expensive lifestyle when in reality, He uses tithes and offerings including his personal funds to take care of widows and the less privileged.

‘’I expect some of our politicians to be involved in things that will bring succor to the people but they don’t seem to be concerned with the well-being of those they are supposed to be serving. God has laid it upon my heart to embark on this project to support ordinary people and that’s why we are doing this.’’

‘’We also want to correct the narration that men of God use tithes to buy exotic cars and flaunt their lifestyle. If there are clerics involved in such a shameless act, we are different. We make use of our tithes and offerings to take care of widows and less privileged without regard for their religion.’’

Furthermore, Primate Ayodele hailed the Ogaga of Ikere-Ekiti for gracing the programme with his presence while urging the local government chairmen to speak to the state government to develop Ikere-Ekiti.

‘’I have never seen any king like the Ogaga of Ikere-Ekiti. He is a monarch that exudes class; He is factual, honest, vibrant, and intelligent. We have never seen a king like Oba Adejimi Alagbado, Ikere-Ekiti is indeed blessed to have him.’’

‘’I also want to appeal to our local government chairman to speak to the governor to develop Ikere-Ekiti. We expect the government to love the people; they need to work on our roads and security. While we were young, we used to leave our doors open without any fear of theft but nowadays, it’s impossible. These are basic things the government should provide for the people.’’

In his speech, Oba Adejimi Alagbadon appreciated Primate Ayodele for remembering Ikere-Ekiti despite the fact that his ministry has taken him far and wide globally. He described the prophet as someone who has made his father proud.

The monarch marveled at the amount of money the prophet spent for the programme which was majorly for charity purposes. He further called on the people of Ikere-Ekiti to support the new church in a way to show gratitude to Primate Ayodele for his magnanimity towards them.

‘’We appreciate God for empowering Primate Elijah Ayodele and I want to congratulate the people of Ikere-Ekiti for a day like this. This is the beginning of a good thing in our town and we appreciate the son of the soil, Primate Ayodele who has also made his father proud on this day. We knew his father to be a good man and I congratulate myself on this feat.’’

‘’As I was seated here, I tried to calculate the amount of money this man of God has spent on feeding, scholarship, palliatives, and logistics; I can only pray that God continues to uplift him. He has become a cornerstone in the prophetic, he speaks to nations but he remembered his home town, Ikere-Ekiti, he remembered the widows and the needy, I pray God continues to elevate him.’’

‘’We were in Lagos in February to commission his church building and today, he has brought a church to Ikere-Ekiti too. I want the people of Ikere-Ekiti to support him because this is our church. He has done well for us and we should show gratitude by supporting him too.’’

 

Primate Ayodele Crashes Price Of Rice To N15,000, Awards Scholarship, Plants New Church In Ekiti

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