The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has accepted to be the Royal Father of the Day at the New Telegraph Awards Night/ Dinner holding at the Grand Ballroom of the Oriental Hotels, Lagos this Friday.

That is as veteran Elder journalist and former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, has also accepted to be the Chairman of the event.

The New Telegraph Awards Night/Dinner is a high octane event, where governors, captains of industry, banking and financial institutions and executives as well as public, private sector players and sports personalities would be honoured.

Nine state governors from across the country have confirmed their attendance at the event, with other awardees expressing delight and anticipation towards the event.

In a letter conveying his choice as the Royal Father of the Day, the Management of Daily Telegraph Publishing Company, publishers of the New Telegraph, Saturday and Sunday Telegraph titles informed the paramount ruler and the number one Yoruba king that his choice was borne out of his dedication to excellence and public good in his 10-year reign as the Paramount Ruler of the Yoruba Nation.

“Your Highness, it is important to let you know that you were chosen because of your position as not only the Paramount Ruler of one of the largest and homogenous nations in Nigeria, but also because of your dedication to service, excellence, reward and honesty in your over 10-year reign on the throne of your ancestors.

The letter was delivered to him personally by the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper, Mr Ayodele Aminu. Similarly, Aremo Osoba, a former Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Times and Grand Patron of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, was chosen because of his close association with his profession, several years after serving as governor.

Osoba is ever present in the activities of journalists and editors, despite being a leading political figure in the country.

According to Aminu, Osoba reflects the dream of not only journalists but every profession because he did not forget his roots and easily identifies with his colleagues, no matter the gap in age and experience.

In recent weeks, digital-banking customers and social media, especially on Twitter have raised concerns about deductions labelled as “VAT” on transfers and other charges. Some dangerously false narratives, which when you take a critical look, you’ll clearly see that they have been orchestrated and sponsored by malicious elements, have given the impression that the 7.5% Value Added Tax (VAT) is a new or arbitrary charge introduced by fintechs, or that it applies to the amounts customers send. These claims are misleading and deserve careful clarification which is the purpose of this piece.

First, it’s important to understand how VAT works in Nigeria’s financial sector today. VAT on fees and charges for financial services has long been part of Nigeria’s tax system. The then Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) had issued information circulars on March 31, 2021 where it stated that VAT on Financial Services (Circular No. 2021/04) that most fees, commissions, and charges by financial institutions (banks, insurance companies, brokers) are subject to 7.5% VAT. This justifies a recent advertorial the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) which stated unequivocally that VAT was not newly introduced on banking service charges by recent tax reforms, and that it did not impose a new tax obligation on customers in that regard.

However what was left unsaid in that publication was that on the 12th of December, the tax agency had written to all financial institutions and payment gateways based on past meetings with operators that following from the new Tax Act, they were reminded of their mandatory obligations to collect, deduct and remit VAT at the prescribed rate. The Agency then gave an 18- day grace period to all players to configure and align their systems while directing full compliance with the directive with effect from January 19, 2026. And so, some fintechs sent messages to their customers in the spirit of clarity and transparency.

It must be said that what has changed is that in a bid to widen the tax net, microfinance banks and fintechs who were not obligated to deduct and remit said VAT before now, have now become compelled to do so. The enforcement and standardised collection of VAT across banks and fintech platforms including mobile transfers, USSD transaction fees, and card issuance fees with compliance deadlines issued by tax authorities. So why anyone would vilify any financial institution obeying the laws of the land beats my imagination.

For those who have raised questions around transparency and wrongly suggesting that fintechs are suddenly imposing new, unexplained costs on users – as it has been explained above, this is a matter of regulatory compliance, not a lack of transparency or customer exploitation. These VAT deductions are not new fees created by the companies themselves, and providers are not arbitrarily raising their prices.

In closing, two things that everyone must bear in mind as we move forward in this new tax climate – all stakeholders including fintech platforms and regulators must communicate better and clearly. Nigerians must refrain from peddling unsubstantiated claims and malicious narratives, it has no benefits for anyone and erodes trust in systems.

Oyebamiji says a ₦14.6bn boat procurement programme will strengthen safety architecture and unlock economic potential on inland waterways

Beyond infrastructure spending, the ₦14.6bn boat procurement targets safer navigation and increased trade along inland routes

Nigeria’s inland waterways may be set for a safety and trade boost as ₦14.6bn is committed to modern boat procurement

The planned ₦14.6bn investment in boats underscores a renewed focus on maritime safety and inland waterway commerce, Oyebamiji has said

₦14.6bn On Boats? Here’s How This Single Move Could Change Safety And Business On Nigeria’s Inland Waterways Forever

From safer rivers to smoother trade — Oyebamiji breaks down why the ₦14.6bn boat investment is a game-changer

What does ₦14.6bn worth of boats really mean for traders, commuters, and river communities? The answer might surprise trade

With a ₦14.6bn boat procurement plan, government targets safer navigation and expanded trade on inland waterways

Stakeholders project major safety and economic gains as ₦14.6bn is committed to inland waterways transport

A new ₦14.6bn boat acquisition programme is positioned to strengthen waterway safety and boost inland trade

Officials say a ₦14.6bn investment in boats will unlock the economic potential of Nigeria’s inland waterways

Former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, has disclosed that the Federal Government approved about ₦14.6 billion for the procurement of modern boats and ferries to strengthen safety, trade and passenger transportation across Nigeria’s inland waterways.

Oyebamiji made this known in Osun State on Thursday while receiving a delegation of a Coalition of Maritime Journalists on a courtesy visit, where he was formally presented with a letter of nomination as the “Most Friendly Maritime CEO.”

He explained that inland water transportation in many hinterland states had been constrained for years by obsolete wooden boats and unsafe operational practices, which often resulted in avoidable mishaps.

“I presented a paper to the Federal Government through the Honourable Minister, and about ₦14.6 billion was approved for the procurement of standard boats and ferries capable of carrying agricultural products and passengers safely on our inland waters,” Oyebamiji said.

According to him, the vessels are targeted at riverine states such as Niger, Benue, Kogi, Kwara and Kebbi, where waterways remain critical transport links for local communities and commercial activities.

He noted that the initiative would reduce reliance on unsafe craft and improve food supply chains by ensuring faster and cheaper movement of farm produce from rural communities to urban markets.

Oyebamiji added that while wooden boats account for about 20 to 25 per cent of challenges on inland waters, human factors contribute nearly 70 per cent of accidents, stressing that safety reforms must combine infrastructure, training and discipline.

“There was a time I organised training and discovered some operators came under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Safety is not only about vessels, it is also about behaviour. With better boats, supervision and sensitisation, we can change that culture,” he stated.

Reflecting on NIWA’s transformation, Oyebamiji said the agency was once largely associated with boat mishaps until his administration prioritised staff welfare, motivation and stakeholder engagement.

“When I came into NIWA, we listened to the workers and engaged journalists as part of management by objective. Without employing new staff, the same workforce delivered about 75 to 80 per cent improvement,” he said.

Beyond maritime matters, Oyebamiji, now the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate in Osun State, used the forum to seek the continued support of the maritime media as he transitions into politics.

He told the journalists that transparency, accountability and people-focused leadership, which defined his tenure at NIWA, would also guide his political ambition, adding that the media remains central to public enlightenment and governance.

“I believe in engaging the media, listening to criticism and improving. As I move forward, I still count on your professionalism and partnership,” Oyebamiji said.

Earlier, Chairman of the Coalition of Maritime Journalists, Mr. Frank Meke, thanked Oyebamiji for his accessibility, encouragement and welfare support to journalists during his tenure at NIWA.

Meke said Oyebamiji’s openness strengthened maritime reporting and helped project reforms in the inland waterways sector.

“Your support and concern for the welfare of maritime journalists strengthened our work and the industry. This nomination is our way of appreciating your people-centred leadership,” Meke said while officially presenting the letter of nomination as “Most Friendly Maritime CEO.”

Receiving the honour, Oyebamiji described the recognition as symbolic of accountability and cooperation between regulators and the media.

He pledged continued support for maritime journalism and inland waterways development, stressing that the ₦14.6bn boat procurement initiative remains one of the most strategic interventions aimed at improving safety, productivity and confidence on Nigeria’s inland waters.