
News
Soludo’s tax policies choking, contrary to his campaign promises – Schools, traders protest
The tax policies of the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has come under intense focus again.
There was pandemonium at Kings Planet International School as gun wielding security operatives invaded the school, on the pretext of enforcing tax payment, according to reports.
Also, foodstuff traders in Awka have protested the high tax imposed on them, threatening to stop operations in Anambra if the practice was not stopped.
The management of Kingsplanet International School, Awka, on Tuesday protested the action of the security operatives, alleging that its staff and pupils were bullied, while others were traumatised.
The incident occurred last Friday, as an enforcement team from the Anambra State Signage Agency (ANSAA) in the company of gun wielding security men invaded the school to enforce the payment of N100,000 for signages belonging to the school.

Some staff of the school, which runs a creche, nursery and primary arm, confirmed the incident, saying that the school was in session last weekend, when the team arrived.
“Because they were carrying guns, we decided to close the doors of the classrooms, to avoid the children seeing gun-wielding security men barging into the school premises, but the security men forced the classroom rooms open and commanded all the children to leave, saying that they have orders to shut the school.
“All the children were crying and running helter-skelter, including the creche section, which consists of very tender kids, but they showed no mercy at all.
“In the process of the pandemonium in the school, there was power outage, but we tried to put on the generator, so we can use the CCTV in the school to monitor the movement of the children, but the security men refused,” said Modesta Odu, a teaching staff of the school.
The assistant manager of the school, Mr Emmanuel Emeka, lamented the level of trauma experienced by the pupils as a result of the incident.
“We begged them not to go ahead with their action as it will traumatise the kids, but they refused. You needed to be here to see how security men overran this place.
“Most parents who heard of it moved in to withdraw their children. Up till this moment, some of the children still feel bad when we have visitors in the school. We had to reach out to some parents to beg them to bring back their children.
“We are really disappointed if this is how the Soludo government intends to go about tax. The team were in our school earlier to demand payment of N100,000 for four signboards. We told them we didn’t have up to that number of signboards, so they left, saying they will verify and get back, and the next thing we saw was the security men.”
The school management called on the Anambra State Governor to rein in the excesses of some of his aides.
When contacted, the Managing Director of ANSAA, Mr Tony Ujubuonu, insisted that the enforcement was as a result of a court order obtained against the school.
He alleged that the proprietor of the school has been maligning the agency on social media over the enforcement, but insisted that the Anambra State government will not relent in ensuring that the right thing was done.
Meanwhile, foodstuff dealers in Anambra State on Thursday protested heavy taxation imposed on them by the State government.
The traders threatened to stop supply of goods to the State if the government continued with the tax regime.
They alleged that the State government had been imposing heavy taxes on them for bringing in foodstuff to the State from the north.
The Chairman of Eke Awka Foodstuff Dealers Association, Mr Chukwuemeka Onyemechi, during a peaceful protest on Thursday said some hoodlums allegedly working with government’s agents came to the market and stopped them from off-loading their goods unless they paid N30,000 per truck as against N8,000.
“They also insisted that we pay N20,000 for a truck with six tyres as against N5,000 and the sum of N6,000 for a Datsun truck as against N500 per truck. After the off-loading of goods, smaller trucks were forced to pay N3,000 as against N300 before the goods would be allowed to leave the market,” he lamented.
The traders would not be the first to complain about the tax policies of the State government.
A lawyer, Mr Jude Eze who spoke on the perceived excessive tax said: “I do not think this is the best thing for the governor to do. Nigerians are not so exposed to taxes, so they need to be pampered and not this kind of chastisement we see everyday in the State.
“Soludo must realise that the economy is very hard, so he cannot be billing the people for waste, business premises, and several others, just because he needs money, which he told us he can get from relevant agencies, during his governorship campaigns.” (Daily Post)
News
BREAKING: EFCC freezes Osun govt bank account days to election
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has reportedly placed a “Post No Debit” restriction on an Osun State Government account with First Bank, barely 10 days before the state’s governorship election.
The affected account is said to be one of the government’s salary accounts, a development that has heightened political tension ahead of the August 15 poll.
The action came shortly after Governor Ademola Adeleke raised the alarm over what he described as an alleged plan by the anti-graft agency to freeze the state’s accounts as well as those belonging to key government officials.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor condemned the reported move, describing it as an attempt to disrupt government operations in the build-up to the election.
Adeleke argued that the EFCC lacked the legal authority to freeze the state’s accounts, insisting that there was no lawful basis for such action.

A government source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly, confirmed that the account had already been restricted.
“The account has been frozen by the EFCC. This is no longer speculation. The governor will brief the public shortly on the development,” the source said.
As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC had yet to issue an official statement explaining the action, while the reason for the restriction remained unclear. (Vanguard)
News
Enugu Air partners Jands Travel Business School to showcase Enugu tourism, aviation potentials
Enugu State Government-owned Airline, Enugu Air, on Tuesday – 4th August, 2026, signed a pact with Jands Travel Business School, JTBS, an Enugu based private travel, leisure and hospitality training institution to showcase Enugu’s potentials as a destination for leisure, business, investment and innovation.
The signing of the pact which took place
at Ifennia Court, Independence Layout, Enugu, is ahead of the hosting of the 2026 edition of the Domestic Tourism Festival, DTF, being organised by Jands Travel Business School to be held at Amadeo Event Centre, Enugu from September 4 – 6, 2026.
The forthcoming event with a theme: “Innovation and Technology for Peaceful Domestic Tourism,” is expected to draw about 2,000 delegates which includes 300 travel agencies from across Nigeria, alongside tourism boards, airlines, hospitality operators, investors and international guests, will feature tourism exhibition, business networking, cultural display and performances, among others.
In a remark at the occasion which was witnessed by Enugu Air representatives led by the Chief Operating Officer and Jands Travel Business School Board of Trustee members, the Chairman – Chief Ben Etiaba, said that it was an honour that they were partnering with Enugu Air to promote tourism and aviation in Enugu State.
“It is both an honour and a privilege to join you on this historic occasion as we witness the signing of a strategic partnership between Jands Travel Business School and Enugu Air.

“Today is about more than a Memorandum of Understanding. It is about a shared vision. It is about institutions coming together to build bridges between education and industry, between tourism and aviation, and between aspiration and opportunity.
“Tourism has become one of the world’s fastest growing economic sectors. It creates jobs, stimulates entrepreneurship, preserves culture, strengthens national identity, and contributes significantly to economic growth. Yet, for tourism to thrive, it requires reliable transportation, skilled professionals, innovative partnerships, and visionary leadership,” Etiaba said.
Etiaba explained the essence of the forthcoming three-day festival. “The forthcoming Jands Travel Business School’s Domestic Tourism Festival presents a unique opportunity to celebrate Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage while showcasing Enugu State as a destination for leisure, business, investment, and innovation.
“It is therefore fitting that Enugu Air, our state’s proudly emerging airline, is partnering with Jands Travel Business School, an institution committed to developing excellence in travel, tourism, hospitality, and aviation education.
“This collaboration demonstrates what can be achieved when government initiatives and private sector institutions work hand in hand. It aligns perfectly with the vision of transforming Enugu into a leading destination for commerce, tourism, investment, and ease of doing business. The remarkable improvements in infrastructure, security, and connectivity across the state provide a solid foundation upon which partnerships such as this can flourish.
“I particularly applaud the management of Enugu Air for embracing this collaboration at this formative stage of the airline’s journey. Your willingness to support initiatives that promote tourism and human capital development speaks volumes about your corporate vision and your commitment to the development of Enugu State and Nigeria,” he said, adding that, “I am confident that this partnership will become a model of successful collaboration and will contribute meaningfully to the growth of tourism, aviation, and economic development in our state and our nation.”
On her part, Mrs Chioma Obi, Director, Jands Travel Business School, expressed gratitude at the partnership they are striking with Enugu Air to drive tourism, aviation and the hospitality industry.
“It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the official announcement of the strategic partnership between Jands Travel Business School and Enugu Air for the Domestic Tourism Festival (DTF) 2026.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to promoting tourism, improving connectivity, and positioning Enugu as a preferred destination for tourism, business, and investment.
“The Domestic Tourism Festival, now in its third edition, has become a growing national platform for tourism development, bringing together government, the private sector, travel professionals, investors, academia, and development partners to advance meaningful conversations and collaborations,” she said.
She explained that the last edition of the festival was great but expressed optimism that 2026 edition would surpass.
“Last year’s edition welcomed 1,287 participants, and this year we expect over 2,000 delegates, including more than 300 travel agencies from across Nigeria, alongside tourism boards, airlines, hospitality operators, investors, media organizations, and international guests.
“Enugu Air is more than an airline—it is a gateway to our destination. By becoming the Official Destination Airline Partner of DTF 2026, Enugu Air will help make travel to Enugu easier while connecting directly with hundreds of travel professionals, tourism stakeholders, corporate organizations, and decision-makers from across the country.
“For Jands Travel Business School and the Domestic Tourism Festival, this partnership strengthens our mission of showcasing Enugu’s tourism potential, attracting investment, and creating new opportunities for businesses within the tourism value chain,” she said.
In his own remarks, the
Chief Operating Officer of Enugu Air, Ugonna Agubuokwu, expressed joy with the collaboration with Jands Travel Business School for their efforts in promoting the tourism industry, and promised to ensure that the September Festival will be a huge success.
“As an Airline, we are honoured to be at this event. We all know what tourism brings to our economy. It promotes growth and development. It tells story of who we are and above all, it generates revenue.
“On the strength of this event, we shall use this event as a gate way to showcase our routes and our domestic destinations, that is why we are happy to be a part of this great event. Having said this, I promise that come September 4 to 6, 2026, it will be a very big occasion for both the organisers of the event, Jands Travel Business School and above all, Enugu Air.”
Faith
RCCG Founder’s Daughter speaks on viral statement criticising church leadership
Pastor Titilayo Adewale, the daughter of the late Rev. Josiah Olufemi Akindayomi, the founder of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has firmly denied viral media reports claiming she criticized the church’s leadership or demanded public monuments to preserve her father’s legacy.
The viral post claimed Adewale criticised senior RCCG pastors for allegedly sidelining her late father’s legacy
Adewale described the claims as false and urged those circulating them to stop spreading misinformation.
She debunked the circulating stories and clarified her stance in a statement shared on Facebook page on Monday.
She said the statement attributed to her did not originate from her “either implicitly or explicitly,” stressing that her father’s greatest legacy was not tied to buildings or monuments but the lives he transformed.

“For the record, Baba’s image or lack thereof on any edifice on earth is nothing compared to making Heaven and his face being recognized there,” she wrote.
She explained that her father never encouraged the pursuit of material possessions or earthly recognition, recalling that he was reluctant even to own a personal residence because he did not place value on material acquisitions.
“My father consistently believed in building people rather than merely constructing buildings.
“He never believed in acquiring wealth or earthly possessions,” she said, adding that it would be inconsistent to suggest that he desired his name or image to be prominently associated with buildings or institutions.
According to her, the reports were aimed at creating unnecessary controversy and division within the church rather than promoting the memory of its founder.
“In my opinion, this report and similar ones are not about me, my father, or even the leadership of the RCCG. Instead, they are intended to create unnecessary arguments and division.
“Their purpose is to divert attention from the divine work currently being carried out and sow discord among us,” she stated.
She warned those responsible for circulating the reports to desist from what she described as “mischievous acts of misinformation.
Adewale also reaffirmed her support for the leadership of the church, praying for continued wisdom and strength for the General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, and his family.
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