By John Michael Ojo

President Bola Tinubu on Monday night, maintained that there is no going back on the current tax reform bill which is before the National Assembly for consideration.

The former Lagos State Governor, stated this in a nationwide broadcast while addressing Nigerians during his first presidential media chat monitored by NEW TIMES.

Despite the misfeeling being expressed by national leaders particularly those from the Northern part of the country over the bill, President Tinubu maintained that the reform was in accordance with his RENEWED HOPE mantra which seeks to favour the poor.

He added that the responsibility of a true leader is doing what is necessary at the right time.

According to President Tinubu, “The tax reforms are here to stay. The reform is pro-poor and it is to widen the tax net, so we can have more people paying.

“The hallmark of a good leader is the ability to do what you have to do at the time it ought to be done.”

He said, “We are spending our future. We are spending our generation’s fortunes. We are not investing. We are just deceiving ourselves.

“Why should you have expenditures when you don’t have revenues?”

The President also disclosed that despite the economic hardship being faced by Nigerians as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy, he has no regrets over his actions.

Tinubu said his actions became mandatory in order to save the nation from impending doom.

“I don’t have any regret in removing the fuel subsidy. We cannot spend our generation’s investment.

”We have no choice. Otherwise, we are headed for the slippery slope… financial disaster, not just for us but our children.”

While addressing the recent palliative stampedes in Oyo, Anambra and Abuja which claimed nearly 50 lives with several others sustaining various levels of injury, Tinubu blamed the organizers of the events for poor management.

Tinubu said, “It is very sad that people are not well organised. We just have to be disciplined. My condolences to those who lost their family members,” he said.

By John Michael Ojo

Ahead of this year’s Christmas celebration, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will on Monday address Nigerians in a media chat.

This was made known in a statement by the spokesperson to the president, Bayo Onanuga, who disclosed that the media chat will hold by 9pm.

Onanuga added that this will be the first presidential media chat since Tinubu assumed office in 2023.

“The first presidential media chat with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be broadcast at 9 pm on Monday, December 23, on the Nigerian Television Authority and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria.

“All television and radio stations are requested to hook up to the broadcast,” he stated.

By John Michael Ojo

No less than ten individuals have been confirmed dead following a stampede which took place in an event organized by Holy Trinity Catholic Church, situated in the Maitama area of Abuja on Saturday morning.

It was stated that the church had intended to distribute rice as palliative to the people during the event before the tragedic incident took place.

While confirming the development, in a statement signed by the Abuja Police Command Force Spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, the Command said ten individuals died, while eight others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

The statement reads: “This tragic event, which happened at about 6:30 am, led to a stampede that claimed the lives of ten (10) individuals, including four (4) children, and left eight (8) others with varying degrees of injuries. Four (4) of the injured have been treated and discharged, while the remaining victims are receiving medical care.

‘’To prevent such unfortunate incidents in the future, the Command hereby directs that all organizations, religious bodies, groups, or individuals planning any public event, charitable activity, or large gathering in the FCT must notify the Police Command in advance. This will allow the deployment of adequate security measures to ensure public safety and prevent avoidable tragedies.

“Failure to comply with this directive will result in the organizers being held liable for any incident or loss of life resulting from their negligence.

’The FCT Police Command remains committed to safeguarding lives and property in the Territory. Members of the public are encouraged to collaborate with the Police by adhering to these guidelines and promptly reporting emergencies through the FCT Control Room via 0803 200 3913 or 0806 032 1234”

In a similar vein, an unspecified number of people mostly woman have reportedly lost their lives in Okija community of Anambra state in a stampede.

New Times gathered that the stampede was said to have occurred on Saturday morning during an event for the distribution of rice organized by Obi Jackson Foundation.

Saturday’s stampede comes barely 72 hours after a similar occurrence took place in a funfair event organized by a former queen of Ooni of Ife in Ibadan, Oyo State capital where nearly 40 children have been confirmed dead by the state authorities.

The repeated stampede is a testament to the current economic hardship being faced by the masses as a result of the economic policies of President Tinubu in recent times.