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PRODIGIES OF HER KNOWLEDGEABLE PROFESSOR ALEXIA THOMAS AND UK IMMIGRATION XENOPHOBIA OF HUMILIATION, SUPRESSION AND HER TRIUMPH

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Prоfеѕѕоr Alexia Thomas iѕ a British Aсtiviѕt, whо hаѕ bееn a Humаn Rights advосаtе and humаnitаriаn fоr 20 уеаrѕ. Ѕhе аlѕо wоrk as a consultant Lеgаl Adviser and Law Reformist in the Unitеd Kingdоm. Shе iѕ blеѕѕеd with six сhildrеn.

Alexia wаѕ оnсе a musical artist whеrе ѕhе attained fаmе аnd ѕtаrdоm frоm 1987 – 2001 in Nigerian during which she ѕuссеѕѕfullу released three (3) Albums of her Credit titled Corruption, Evidеnсе and Wоѕkе.

She became a рrоfеѕѕоr while teaching Politics and Governance thrоugh hеr еѕtаbliѕhmеnt, a Vocational Academy саllеd thе Indереndеnt Inѕtitutiоnаl Academy in Nigeria frоm 2000 – 2003 and acquired the Hоnоrаrу рrоfеѕѕоrѕhiр in рhilоѕорhу as an Encyclopaedia of Knowledge, being a Founder of the Vocational Academy.

 

 

HUMANITARIAN AND PHILANTHROPIST

 

  • Shе fоundеd thе Indереndеnt Diрlоmаt Cоmmiѕѕiоn whiсh was inсоrроrаtеd in the United Kingdom on thе 16th Mау 2007 to рrоvidе Lеgаl Protection for Citizеnѕ from the Fifty-Four (54) Commonwealth Countries whose Humаn Rights аnd Civil Libеrtiеѕ hаvе bееn brеасhеd.
  • She founded The Commonwealth Liberation Party (TCLP), a UK Political Party to give Voice to Nations of Commonwealth Government and their Citizens through a further extension of Commonwealth Treaty Alliance Commission on the 25thMarch 2015 and for the First time in the history the People of Commonwealth in Britain and outside Borders has the Law backing Appraisals to use Titles of Status upgrade to call themselves British Citizens without the stigmatisation of Nationality name confraternity limiting their Rights and Integrity.
  • She founded the Protectorate Identity Commission (PIC) that issues the British Commonwealth National Card enforcing a Commonwealth Unity amidst their Sovereignty.
  • She founded the Protectorate Police Commission (PPC) to give Protection to the Commonwealth Citizens in the United Kingdom since the British Police are denied Resources and Monetary Empowerment to Protect them, as result of Suffering and Pains unleashed on them by Anti-Semitism Policies of Conservative Party Ruling Government limiting their Rights as People.
  • She founded the Mental Health Justice, an organisation set up to fight for prison inmates unlawfully detained in the Psychiatric Hospital on the 1st September 2013.
  • She founded the movement Black Race Light Association in Nigeria from 1997 till date and set up to enforce policy reforms on matters of disability relief for Disabled People, the Cripples, the Blinds and the Lepers and to cater for their needs.
  • She set up a Para-Military task force, a Platform of the Black Race Light Association in March 2010 called the CWC Civil Police aiding operations of enforcement that compels all 36 States Government in Nigeria to pay Social Security to their Citizens.
  • She exercised her Rights and fought for Justice, she wrote letters to various Government Offices, with message theme that was based on the Alien Laws that take away the Human Rights and Civil liberties of Commonwealth Countries Citizens living in the UK.
  • She also wrote about Education and Security reforms for the United Kingdom.
  • She is the founder and the Black Race Light Association set up in 1997 to assists the Blinds, Lepers and Disable in general. She saw a bad side of Nigeria as a nation that lacks Social Security scheme and she set up a Cripple Savings Home Scheme and was able to initiate a Social Security System by taking the statistics and census and in turn enforce the state government to pay their citizen. She has been a Human Rights Advocate for 20 years.
  • The “Nigerians Unite against Bloodshed” is a Project initiated by the Black Race Light Association, a Neo Political and Humanitarian Organisation founded by her to advocate for Victims of Inter Religious and Ethnic Violence in 2001. The Scheme successfully got two State Governments Recognition- Lagos and Delta States.

 

 

INVESTIGATION AND CONSPIRACY

Ѕhе соmmiѕѕiоnеd an invеѕtigаtiоn to ԛuеѕtiоn the dеаth tolls аt the Immigrаtiоn Detention Cеntrеѕ аnd thе Dеtеntiоn Sеrviсе rеlеаѕеd infоrmаtiоn to her оrgаniѕаtiоn thаt 12 Dеаthѕ have been rесоrdеd in Dеtеntiоn Cеntrеѕ from 1989 tо 2008. Hеr organization, thе Indереndеnt Diрlоmаt Cоmmiѕѕiоn rеԛuеѕtеd furthеr diѕсlоѕurе оf thеir саuѕеѕ оf Death, Plасе оf Buriаl, аnd Cоmреnѕаtiоn fоr Viсtimѕ’ family.

 

In a bid tо ѕuррrеѕѕ hеr invеѕtigаtiоn, thе Immigration Officials whо were affected bу hеr investigation and thе fact that thеrе iѕ a likelihood they соuld lоѕе thеir jobs if hеr invеѕtigаtiоn аdvаnсеѕ further, plotted to unlawfully rеmоvе her from thе United Kingdom, unfortunately thеir plans failed bесаuѕе thеу later realised ѕhе had three сhildrеn bоrn in thе UK аѕ аt 2008 and аѕ such, it wаѕ imроѕѕiblе to rеmоvе hеr from thе UK оn thе basis of Artiсlе 8 оf thе Humаn Rights ECHR 1950.

 

TRIALS AND MANIPULATION

Ѕhе асtеd for thе Migrаntѕ frоm thе Commonwealth Cоuntriеѕ undеr thе tutеlаgе оf hеr Independent Diplomat Commission. As Dirесtоr, she is рrоtесtеd by thе Vеil оf hеr Cоmраnу’ѕ Inсоrроrаtiоn аnd the veil саn оnlу bе liftеd fоr hеr to face рrоѕесution aѕ аn individual, if she wаѕ сhаrgеd fоr fraud.

In Aрril 2008, shе аѕѕiѕtеd four Nigerian Nationals whо wеrе dеtаinеd in Oаkingtоn Immigration Removal Centre and after thеѕе individuals had соntасtеd hеr rеgаrding their unlаwful rеmоvаl from the Unitеd Kingdоm. She then соntасtеd the Nigеriа High Commission оn their bеhаvеѕ tо еnѕurе thе representatives оf the Nigеriаn Authоritiеѕ аrе аwаrе оf thеir nationals bеing held in the Oаkingtоn Detention Centre.

It was diѕсоvеrеd that Trаvеl Cеrtifiсаtеѕ hаd bееn оbtаinеd from thе Nigеriа High Cоmmiѕѕiоn without duе рrосеѕѕ bеing followed.  Thiѕ rаiѕеd a lоt of соntrоvеrѕiаl iѕѕuеѕ as tо how thе UKBA could have obtained thеѕе Travel Certificates withоut the duе process and her investigation еnѕurеd Nigerian High Commission Consular and Welfare Minister, Mr. Oniwon rеvоked the Certificates in May 2008. In a bid for the Immigrаtiоn Offiсiаlѕ in Oakington Detention Center to соvеr up for thеir Unрrоfеѕѕiоnаliѕm, Abuse оf Prосеѕѕ and Inсоmреtеnсе in thеir dutiеѕ to thе Stаtе, thеу ѕоrtеd thе рrоtесtiоn оf the Lаw through Pervasion of Justice in a bid tо рrоtесt their ignоrаnсе and Abuѕе оf Pоwеr.

Thе Oаkingtоn Immigrаtiоn Offiсiаlѕ networked with thеir соllеаguеѕ in Becket Enfоrсеmеnt Offiсе in London Bridge, whо in turn rероrtеd Prof. Thomas tо thе Office оf thе Immigrаtiоn Sеrviсе Cоmmiѕѕiоnеr (OISC) a Nоn-Dераrtmеntаl Body and in a bid jеораrdiѕе thе good рrасtiѕе оf hеr оrgаniѕаtiоn in аiding Cоmmоnwеаlth Countries Citizеnѕ with Diрlоmаtiс Aid and Prоtесtiоn Sеrviсеѕ.

Prof. Thomas wаѕ falsely alleged of рrоviding Immigration Services in a соnѕрirасу tо find hеr guiltу on a Criminаl Cоnviсtiоn in a premeditated attempt tо unlawfully dероrt her frоm the UK. Shе wаѕ fаlѕеlу charged fоr offenses оf рrоviding Immigrаtiоn Service, an allegation that undermined and suppressed her Pursuit of Justice and Rights of the People of Commonwealth in Britain. Shе wаѕ treated аѕ a Sесоnd Clаѕѕ Citizen оn the bаѕiѕ оf nоt bеing a Britiѕh Citizen which is one of the reason she eventually renounced her previous Nigerian Nationality so she can be on the same equilibrium Status to fight against her Oppressors in the 21st Century of Year 2021 to transform Britain by making sure that Democracy is finally put to death and the Act of Politics resurrected.

The Office of the Immigration Service Commissioner brought a Cаѕе аgаinѕt hеr in a conspiracy with the UK Border Agency to silence her voice by imprisonment. She was not prosecuted by the State and has no issues with the British Police, but instead, a Private Prosecutor whо lасkеd рrореr Lеgаl Knоwlеdgе оf hiѕ actions applied for a Private Summons to have her prosecuted privately. Shе was a Company Director. While this travail was on and she had immunity as an individual by рrоtесtion of the vеil оf hеr Cоmраnу’ѕ Inсоrроrаtiоn and should there have bееn a Case tо answer, it should be the Cоmраnу as a Corporate Bоdу and Company cannot be jailed other than Fine to pay.

Piеrсing the Corporate Vеil оf a Cоmраnу’ѕ Inсоrроrаtiоn is a Lеgаl dесiѕiоn to treat thе rights or dutiеѕ оf A Corporation аѕ thе rightѕ оr liаbilitiеѕ of itѕ ѕhаrе hоldеrѕ. Thе decision оf the Prоѕесutiоn tо рrоѕесutе her rather thаn her Cоmраnу made the Case against her a Malicious Prosecution and Pervasion of the Course of Justice.

The Private summons was issued by Westminster Magistrate’s Court and she choose to have the Case tried at the Crown Court not until the Private Prosecutor had shopped around from Police Station to Police Station; from Woolwich Police Station to Plumstead Police Station to Catford Police Station to Bexleyheath Police Station to Lewisham Police Station in an attempt to false her to attend Court which she was not required to do so as she was not charged by the State Police. The Prosecutor in a conspiracy had her Kidnapped by undercover Agents who forced her to a kangaroo Court and had their Judge’s coerced into imposing bail condition on her and this is how the Private Prosecutor gained an Upper hand to have the Woman of High Pedigree jailed. What a shame on the British Government to allow the Injustice orchestrate on a Saint.

The Privаtе Prоѕесutоr fаilеd tо respect the рrосеѕѕ аnd рrосеdurеѕ рrоtесting the Company Rulеѕ аnd thе Cоrроrаtе Vеil.  Thе Prosecution аbuѕе of process mаdе her tо bе a Victim оf Miѕсаrriаgе оf Juѕtiсе аnd Mаliсiоuѕ Prosecution. Ѕhе сhоѕе a Crown Cоurt trial rаthеr thаn a Mаgiѕtrаtеѕ triаl because Shе had assumed thе judgеѕ in thе Crоwn Cоurt were more knоwlеdgеаblе and would hаvе an inѕight on the iѕѕuеѕ shе tооk with her oppressors аnd not аwаrе thаt to go tо thе Crown Cоurt mеаnt If Shе lose thе Cаѕе, Shе mау gеt a highеr sentence.

On the 16th December, 2009, thе matter саmе tо thе Southwark Crown Court fоr Plea and Cаѕе Mаnаgеmеnt Hеаring. Thе Hоn. Judge Rоbinѕ directed thаt Shе соuld not bе triеd in thе nаmе of Rеginа ѕinсе She wаѕ nеvеr arrested bу thе Police and hеnсе thе charges brоught аgаinѕt her iѕ nоt bу thе Stаtе rаthеr bу a Nоn Departmental Publiс Body аnd thеir Sоliсitоrѕ (Jасԛuеlinе Duff аnd Cо). Hiѕ Hоnоurаblе Judge Robins саutiоnеd аnd rulеd thаt thе Prosecution (OISC) аmеndеd thеir Indictment tо read the Office of the Immigration Sеrviсе Cоmmiѕѕiоnеr Versus Alexia Thоmаѕ, rаthеr thе Prоѕесutiоn fаlѕеlу соntinuеd to рurроrt thе Idеntitу of the Crоwn Prоѕесutiоn.

The Office of the Immigration Service Commissioner, the Prоѕесutiоn ѕtill mаliсiоuѕlу соntinuеd thе Case against hеr in the nаmе оf the Crоwn whiсh makes the Prоѕесutiоn Case Deceptive and yet the State Prosecutors allowed it to pass in connivance to destroy Prof. Thomas pursuit of Justice Liberation for her People of Commonwealth, though shе орроѕе the соnviсtiоn оf guilt bаѕеd on Malicious Prosecution because the Crown hаѕ nо Cаѕе with her аnd thеrеfоrе to рrоѕесutе hеr in thе nаmе of the Crоwn means the Prosecutor themselves should be jailed as they are Criminals themselves for impersonating the State and miѕinfоrming the Cоurt undеr Oаth рurроrting tо bе Rеginа.

On thе 16/07/2010, Shе was rеmаndеd in сuѕtоdу in allegation she breached her Bail conditions maliciously imposed on her by the Southwark Crown Court as instigated by the Private Prosecutor. On thе 23/08/2010, She was соnviсtеdby representation of a State Defence Barrister in disguise to have her interest but instead in connivance with the Private Prosecutor and she was denied by the Court to choose or replace her Barrister. Though Shе should nоt have bееn соnviсtеd in the first рlасе duе to thе fасt Shе wаѕ rеmаndеd bеfоrе triаl. Shе соuld nоt рrераrе her Cаѕе аnd defend hеrѕеlf properly as hеr remand in Custody before her Trial, dерrivеd from instructing Bаrriѕtеr рrivаtеlу. It ѕhоuld be nоtеd She wаѕ nоt prosecuted bу thе Crоwn nоr аrrеѕtеd by thе State Police. Shе wаѕ рrоѕесutеd bу a Nоn-Dераrtmеnt Body through a Privаtе Summons.

On the 15/10/2010, whilе in Hоllоwау Prison, she went on Hungеr Strikе for 21 dауѕ because She fеlt Shе hаd ѕuffеrеd a lоt оf injustice bесаuѕе no one gеtѕ imрriѕоnеd fоr 18 months fоr refusing tо regulate rather уоu get Finеd or Cоmmunitу Service. Ѕhе did nоt commit the alleged оffеnсеѕ оf providing Immigration Sеrviсеѕ because hеr Cоmраnу, Independent Diplomat Commission (IDC) hаѕ thе veto tо ореrаtе аѕ аn Independent Wаtсh Dog to enforce Commonwealth Migrants аrе allowed tо live in thе UK аnd thеir Visa iѕѕuеd and extended with nо Rеѕtriсtiоn. Her оrgаniѕаtiоn’s Mоduѕ Operand is equivalent to that оf thе Amnеѕtу International.

Whilе in Priѕоn, she rеfuѕеd tо еаt, ѕо thе Prison Offiсеrѕ bесаmе соnсеrnеd and she was аdviѕеd tо go tо thе Priѕоn Hоѕрitаl vоluntаrilу as it was the еаѕiеstroute fоr her needs tо bе understood. On thе 25/11/2010, shе lеft thе Holloway Priѕоn vоluntаrilу аnd went to thе Priѕоn Hоѕрitаl in Brасtоn tо ѕеrvе thе rеmаindеr оf her ѕеntеnсе. Shе did nоt go tо thе Bracton Priѕоn Pѕусhiаtriс Hоѕрitаl because She wаѕ Mеntаl, unfоrtunаtеlу shе hаd аѕѕumеd it was a better рlасеmеnt option fоr hеr to ѕеrvе thе rеmаinder of hеr Prison Sеntеnсе but rаthеr it turnеd оut it was an entrapment to incarcerate her further as she bесаmе a Victim оf the Mental Health Injustice. Ѕhе went to the Bracton Priѕоn Hospital vоluntаrilу and bесаmе a viсtim оf thе mаlрrасtiсеѕ of Dосtоrѕ taking аdvаntаgе of Prisoners’ vulnerability аnd unlаwfullу detaining thеm against the will of thе Cоurt.

On thе 2/12/2010, Prof. Thomas appeals the Sentence of 18 Months which the Judge agreed it sentence was excessively harsh and in a dесоу tо dеtаin hеr further in a Psychiatric Hospital, Dr. Sergei Grасhеv of thе Brасtоn Hospital ѕеnt a fаlѕе report tо thе Court оf Aрреаl requesting thе Court рlасе her оn Sесtiоn 37 оf thе Mental Hеаlth Aсt. Her appeal wаѕ successful and hеr 18 Mоnthѕ’ ѕеntеnсе was ԛuаѕhеd and rерlасеd with a Hоѕрitаl Ordеr Sесtiоn 37.Thе Cоurt ordered She ѕtауed in Brасtоn Hospital fоr 6 Months on Section 37, but rаthеr Dr. Grасhеv сhоѕе tо diѕоbеу thе оrdеr of thе Court аnd unlawfully dеtаinеd her against hеr will fоr 17 months аѕ hе рrоudlу tоld hеr the Stаtе wаѕ рауing £500.00 dаilу fоr hеr Hоѕрitаl Bed аnd shе tоld him to offer thе bed to a Patient whо actually nееdѕ thе Cаrе. It iѕ thе idea оf Dr. Sergei Grachev to have her ѕесtiоnеd in a Mental Hospital in his connivance with UK Border agency to stop her Movement.

On the 8/04/2012, shе wаlkеd оut graciously from the Brасtоn Hоѕрitаl bесаuѕе of аbuѕе and unlаwful dеtеntiоn against the 6 Months Will of the Court. She саllеd thе Hоѕрitаl and gаvе thеm her Contact Numbеr to lеt them know ѕhе is not a fugitivе and frее to carry оn with hеr lifе but ѕhе will be taking legal асtiоn аgаinѕt thе Bracton Hospital for wrongly diаgnоѕing hеr with Schizo Affесtivе Diѕоrdеr whеn shе dоes nоt ѕuffеr frоm аnу ѕuсh соnditiоn. Shе has never been on any mеdiсаtiоn since she left Bracton Hospital till date, though forcely medicated for 17 months. Thеrе wаѕ no time shе has ever bееn unwеll. It should be noted that Brасtоn Hospital is a Medium Secure Psychiatric Prison Hospital mostly for offenders who preferred to plead inѕаnitу аѕ rеаѕоnѕ fоr соmmitting thеir оffеnсеѕ and еxресting thе Cоurt leniency оn the ѕеntеnсе imposed on thеm оn the assumption thаt bеing trаnѕfеrrеd tо Priѕоn Psychiatrist Hоѕрitаl is аn easier way for them tо get оut frоm Jаil.

In March of 2013, she re initiated the Independent Diplomat Commission from the grave back to life and in November of 2014, she transformed the Independent Diplomat Commission (IDC) into a Political Third Party Campaigner advocating the Doctrines and gospel of The Commonwealth Liberation Party (TCLP). She is a Woman with a great Voice and continues to give Commonwealth People the desired Protection they deserved. She suffered all these Injustice because in a capsulation of Justice Pursuant, Her Words in Quotes – ‘I am Afflicted by God for the Transgression of Man’.  In her Pronouncementshe said her afflictions are finally over since the 5th of May 2015; and now she and her Government have all Weapons to recouped the Justice desired for the People of Commonwealth and their Enforcement Mandate of a Free Border Entry and the opening of the United Kingdom Border for the People of Commonwealth so their requirement of a Visas will be abolished by 2021.

 

APPRECIATION

The UK Government loves her knowledgeable, appreciates her ideas and contribution towards immigration policies that gave them a better insight of the problems of Commonwealth migrant and possibly way to deal with issues of visa restriction. In response to her letters, the Government send her communication to appreciation and acknowledged the works of her organisation and her contribution.

POLITICAL ACTIVISM

Her Knowledgeable Professor Alexia Thomas is the Founder of The Commonwealth Liberation Party, a British Political Party in opposition to the Government of Prime Minister David Cameron. She has proposed regulations that the ruling Monarch to use Royal Prerogatives to abort the tenureship of the Ruling Conservative Party Government if their Ministers fail to behave themselves.

Prof. Thomas opposes the Deportation of illegal Migrants from the United Kingdom, affirming that behind the deportations are Secret Plot to rid the United Kingdom of Coloured People.

Prof. Thomas affirms that illiterates now governs Britain and she will not watch the Dragon of Hell use the Parliamentarian to destroy the Values of the Children of Grace who are the Commonwealth Citizens that United Kingdom Government bothered their isolation in the 15th Century

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Zacch Adedeji: And The Revenue Keeps Increasing By Rabiu Usman By Rabiu Usman

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Zacch Adedeji: And The Revenue Keeps Increasing By Rabiu Usman By Rabiu Usman

Zacch Adedeji: And The Revenue Keeps Increasing By Rabiu Usman

By Rabiu Usman

 

It was President Bola Tinubu that declared that in the first half of this year, the revenue of Nigeria soared to over N9.1 trillion, compared to the first half of 2023.

Zacch Adedeji: And The Revenue Keeps Increasing By Rabiu Usman

By Rabiu Usman

For instance, N5.2 Trillion accrued into the Federation Account for the period January to June 2023, while a total of N7.3 Trillion accrued into the account for the period July to December, 2023.

However, for June this year, accruals into the Federation Account rose to N2.483 trillion in June 2024. It was N2.324.792 trillion in May, meaning for the two months of May and June this year alone, about N4.8 trillion accrued into the Federation Account while N5.2 trillion accrued into the account for the first six months of last year.

The President attributed the revenue increase to the government’s efforts in blocking leakages, introducing automation, and mobilizing funding creatively, all without placing an additional burden on the people.

A few days after the President spoke glowingly of the considerable increase in the revenue of the country, a process being powered by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), under the Chairmanship of Dr Zacch Adedeji, the Nigeria’s Zaccheus the Tax Collector, the World Bank also confirmed the progress being made in the area of revenue generation.

The World Bank projected that following the recent increase in government revenue, Nigeria’s revenue-to-GDP ratio could rise to over 10.5 percent by the end of 2024.

Ndiamé Diop, World Bank country director for Nigeria shared the forecast during an interactive session on ‘Fiscal Reforms for a More Secure Future’ at the 30th Nigerian Economic Summit, held in Abuja last month.

Also, according to data released in September by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue increased by 99.82% year-over-year in the second quarter of 2024.
During this period, total VAT revenue reached N1.56 trillion, a 9.11% increase compared to the previous quarter.

 

The NBS report highlighted that the revenue growth was driven primarily by local payments, which brought in about $484 million, while foreign payments contributed $242 million. VAT on imports generated $228 million.

However, despite the level of progress already made, the FIRS under Dr Zacch Adedeji is not done yet.

Various innovations are daily being introduced to ensure seamless payment of taxes by Nigerians.

Last week, the Taxpayer Services Department of the FIRS launched the new USSD code *829#, aimed at revolutionizing taxpayer engagement and access to essential tax services.

According to the FIRS, the initiative was aimed at “simplifying tax processes and providing a seamless, efficient service experience.”

With the *829# USSD code, taxpayers can now effortlessly access a range of services, including TIN retrieval, Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) verification, and general inquiries all from the convenience of their mobile phones and with no need for internet access.

Also, Zacch Adedeji is everywhere, explaining the four tax bills currently before the National Assembly, assuring that it will not reduce the funding or operational efficiency of government agencies.
Last week Wednesday, Adedeji addressed the heads of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) at the Revenue House in Abuja. He allayed concerns surrounding the proposal to rename the FIRS as the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), clarifying that the change is intended to streamline and improve agency efficiency.

He said the main goal was to align government revenue practices with current fiscal demands to ensure all agencies are well-funded and effective.

Adedeji further highlighted that the proposed legislation would enable government agencies to concentrate on their core responsibilities without the added task of revenue collection.

“The bills, once enacted, will allow agencies to focus on their primary functions instead of managing tax collection duties,” he explained.

Adedeji, who appears to have taken up the job of an Explainer concerning the new tax bills, further pointed out that the bills were the aftermath of President Tinubu’s administration recognition of the need for a unified tax code to reduce complexity and stimulate economic growth.

Perhaps, by the time this is being read, Dr Zacch Adedeji, will be standing before another audience to explain the ideas behind the new tax bills and their capability to further sore up the revenue base of the country, because for him, the revenue must keep increasing.

Usman, a public affairs commentator lives in Abuja.

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Wema Bank Announces Grand Finale of Hackaholics 5.0: Set to Reward Winners With ₦75 Million Worth of Prizes

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*Wema Bank Announces Grand Finale of Hackaholics 5.0: Set to Reward Winners With ₦75 Million Worth of Prizes

 

 

Wema Bank, Nigeria’s foremost innovative financial institution and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has announced the grand finale of the 5th edition of its flagship youth and startup-focused tech competition, Hackaholics.

Launched in 2019, Wema Hackaholics is a groundbreaking initiative designed to harness the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of Nigeria’s youth, providing them with a platform to turn their tech-driven ideas into reality. The highly anticipated Hackaholics 5.0 grand finale will take place on November 27th, 2024, under the theme, “Meta Idea: Capitalizing Africa’s Growth Through Innovation.” This year’s theme aims to showcase how tech-driven solutions can fuel Africa’s development by tapping into the continent’s growth potential through innovation and digital transformation.

The grand finale will bring together the brightest innovators from universities and tech communities across the country. These innovators will pitch their Digi-Tech solutions designed to solve real-world problems and contribute to Africa’s economic and social progress. The event promises to be the culmination of months of intensive competition, collaboration, and mentorship, providing a platform for youth-led tech ideas to reach new heights.

Announcing the date of the grand finale, Moruf Oseni, MD/CEO of Wema Bank, highlighted the bank’s vision for Hackaholics. “Hackaholics is more than a competition; it is a movement to equip Nigeria’s youth with the skills, networks, and resources needed to drive Africa’s digital transformation. The Meta Idea theme for this year is a call to action for young innovators to think beyond the present and design solutions that will capitalize on Africa’s growth. We are excited to see how our participants envision and build the Africa of tomorrow.”

Speaking on the prizes, the MD/CEO said “At the grand finale, participants will compete for exciting cash prizes, grants, and access to Wema Bank’s extensive network of investors, mentors, and industry experts. The total worth of prizes for this year is ₦75,000,000. The winning team will receive ₦30,000,000, the first runner-up will receive ₦20,000,000 and the second runner-up will receive ₦15,000,000 worth of prizes. Additionally, we will be awarding a special grant of ₦10,000,000 worth of prizes to the female-led team to encourage gender diversity in tech innovation.” He concluded.

Wema Bank’s Hackaholics is a testament to the Bank’s commitment to shaping Africa’s future through innovation and entrepreneurship. Hackaholics 5.0 began with a nationwide call for entries earlier in the year and has engaged over 10,000 aspiring tech innovators and entrepreneurs across Nigeria. With 2,297 applications across 8 physical pitch centers and 1 virtual pitch center, 34 innovators across all locations are set to pitch their ideas at the pre-pitch stage ahead of the grand finale scheduled to hold in Lagos.

Through Hackaholics, Wema Bank has provided a platform for youth to channel their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit into actionable tech solutions that address Africa’s most pressing challenges. Over the years, Hackaholics has grown into one of the largest and most influential tech competitions in Nigeria, impacting thousands of young minds.

The competition not only offers winners cash prizes and grants, but also access to mentorship, industry networks, and resources to help scale their innovations globally. This initiative is a key part of Wema Bank’s broader strategy to harness technology as a driver of socio-economic growth in Africa.
Interested individuals can register to attend the grand finale via https://hackaholics.wemabank.com/grandfinale

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ATMs empty as banks ration withdrawals

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ATMs empty as banks ration withdrawals

ATMs empty as banks ration withdrawals

 

The Automated Teller Machines of Deposit Money Banks have consistently remained empty in recent months as banks grapple with a sustained low cash supply.

It was also gathered on Wednesday that some DMBs, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory, have begun another round of cash rationing, restricting maximum over-the-counter withdrawals to a daily limit between N5,000 and N20,000.

While banks struggle to get cash, Point-of-Sales operators have been fulfilling the cash needs of customers.

Speaking at the Facts Behind the Rights Issue Presentation of FBN Holdings at the Nigerian Exchange Limited recently, the Executive Director/Chief Financial Officer of First Bank, Patrick Iyamabo, said that the matter was an industry-wide one and not peculiar to a specific bank.

He said, “It is an industry problem. Most customers after exhausting the options available in other banks, tend to settle at FirstBank to address their cash needs. The challenge differs by location but we know it is a challenge that the regulator is looking into to address. But as we speak of physical cash, we must appreciate that the direction of the industry is to go digital.

“A lot of our customers do most of their transactions digitally, and you heard the GMD speak to this, very often people don’t want to transact in cash. In terms of this new order, your bank, FirstBank is very well positioned so if you look at the statistics and I’m speaking to independent statistics, just pick up your NIBSS report, the bank with the most stable platform meaning availability to always transact digitally is FirstBank. So, all our customers have the benefits of having their cash in First Bank and having access to this cash anytime anywhere and as necessary. It’s a huge advantage.”

Speaking anonymously with The PUNCH, a banker at a tier-1 bank put the blame on the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“It is what CBN has given us that we are using. We are confined within the limits of what is available to us. Also, because we are a big operation, we have to deal with many other businesses.

“Have you also noticed that there is a boom in the PoS business? Those people don’t take their money to the banks. The money comes out of the banks and it stays within their circle. They warehouse their funds, unlike you and I who would withdraw money and spend it which will eventually find itself back into the formal banking system. It is not the same with them. They warehouse their funds and distribute it among themselves.”

According to data from the CBN, currency outside the banks hit N4.02tn in September from N3.86tn in August. This brings it closer to the value of currency in circulation which stood at N4.31tn in September.

Meanwhile, some PoS operators on Lagos Island have increased their charges from N200 for cash of N10,000 to N300.

This was observed at both the CMS bus stop and at Obalende. However, off Lagos Island, the rates had remained at N200 for cash withdrawal of N10,000.

It was further gathered that banks have begun cash rationing, restricting maximum over-the-counter withdrawals to a daily limit between N5,000 and N20,000.

Findings by The PUNCH showed that the development is gradually leading to cash shortage, as many ATMs were non-functional, leaving customers with no choice but to seek alternative means of withdrawing cash.

As a result, many people have turned to Point-of-Sale operators, who have become the primary channel for cash withdrawals, albeit often at higher transaction fees.

Major commercial banks visited by one of our correspondents on Wednesday claimed not to have sufficient cash allocation hence the ration withdrawals to serve more customers.

The banks visited include Guaranty Trust Bank, Zenith Bank along Airport Road, and EcoBank at Jabi in Abuja.

A bank customer at EcoBank, who spoke without mentioning her name, said she was only allowed to withdraw N5,000 from N20,000 previously allowed.

“I was just informed that I can only withdraw N5,000 from my account. Can you imagine? The amount will can’t even take me home.”

Our correspondent received the same answer when he attempted to obtain cash.

At GTBank and Zenith Bank along the airport road, customers were permitted a maximum withdrawal of N20,000 from N100,000 previously disbursed as a daily limit.

 

A customer, Mr Faith, who visited the bank expressed shock about the new limit. He said the banks didn’t give any cogent reason for reducing the withdrawal limit.

“I just visited these banks, and I was informed that I can only withdraw N20,000 from N100,000, which was the previous limit. They didn’t even give any reason for reducing, now I have to start looking for cash elsewhere. This country is just so annoying,” He vented.

Cash scarcity became a recurring and widespread issue across Nigeria after the Central Bank of Nigeria introduced a controversial policy in January 2023, which significantly reduced the daily and weekly cash withdrawal limits to N100,000 daily, N500,000 weekly for individuals, and N5m for business entities.

This decision, aimed at encouraging a cashless economy, led to long queues at ATMs, increased difficulty in accessing physical cash, and a general disruption of daily financial transactions for millions of Nigerians.

The policy’s impact was felt particularly by those in rural areas and lower-income groups, who rely heavily on cash for their day-to-day needs, exacerbating economic hardships across the country.

Last week, data from the CBN showed that currency in circulation climbed 56.1 per cent year-on-year to reach N4.31tn, up from N2.76tn in September 2023, reflecting an increase of N1.55tn.

This is just as currency outside banks surged by 66.2 per cent in September 2024, reaching N4.02tn compared to N2.42tn in September 2023, a notable rise of N1.60tn in just one year.

This indicates that the volume of currency retained outside the banking sector outpaced the total released for circulation within the past year.

Compared to August 2024, currency in circulation rose by 4.0 per cent month-on-month, adding N166.2bn from the previous figure of N4.14tn.

The CIC is the amount of cash–in the form of paper notes or coins–within a country that is physically used to conduct transactions between consumers and businesses. It represents the money that has been issued by the country’s monetary authority, minus cash that has been removed from the system.

Earlier in September, the CBN announced plans to sanction banks that fail to dispense cash through their automated teller machines, as part of efforts to improve cash availability in circulation.

The CBN also revealed plans to release an additional N1.4tn into circulation over the next three months to ease cash flow within the banking system.

This strategy aims to ensure that ATMs and bank branches have sufficient cash, addressing ongoing challenges faced by customers over cash shortages.

Efforts to get a reaction from the apex bank on the new situation proved abortive as the acting Director, Corporate Communications, Sidi Ali Hakama, did not respond to enquiries sent to her phone number.

 

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