News on the Go: 5 things that should matter to you today

• Presidency mounts defence as 36 governors reject proposal
• FG offers nine-month amnesty for illegal dollar holdings
• Immigration Service launches renewal of contactless passports for Nigerians in diaspora

We have highlighted the five most important developments in the news today, Friday, November 1, and present them below.

5 issues in the news that should matter to you today

1. Presidency mounts defence as 36 governors reject proposal: The 36 state governors of the federation had demanded the immediate withdrawal of the National Tax Reforms Bill, delivering a significant strategic blow to the comprehensive efforts undertaken by the Taiwo Oyedele-led Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms committee.

However, the Presidency said that contrary to job loss fears and perceived marginalisation of the North, Tinubu’s tax reforms would benefit all states and harmonise the country’s tax laws for greater efficiency.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, argued this in a statement titled, ‘Explainer: Proposed tax reform bills not against the north; they will benefit all states’ on October 31.

2. Reps move to ban sale of alcohol and hard drugs in motor parks: On October 30, the House of Representatives took significant steps to ban the sale of alcohol and psychoactive drugs in and around motor parks in Nigeria.

This followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by the member representing Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East Federal Constituency, Oyo State, Mr Abbas Adigun, during Thursday’s plenary.

3. Immigration Service launches renewal of contactless passports for Nigerians in Diaspora: Nigerians in the diaspora are to enjoy the renewal of their passports without contacting Immigration officials, as the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) announced the launch of digital Passport acquisition beginning on November 1.

The  NIS said digital passport acquisition would begin in Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and other countries worldwide following a comprehensive reform of its system. 

4. FG offers nine-month amnesty for illegal dollar holdings: On October 31, the Federal Government announced a nine-month programme allowing individuals to deposit dollar bills outside the formal banking system without scrutiny. It said the new initiative aims to address the rising costs of commodities influenced by the foreign exchange rate, driven by demand and supply dynamics.

Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, revealed this after the 144th meeting of the National Economic Council, the country’s highest economic advisory body, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the State House, Abuja.

5. Reps advance bill to raise retirement age for health workers: On October 31, the House of Representatives passed for second reading a bill seeking to increase the retirement age of health workers in the country from 60 to 65 and 35 to 40 years in service.

Leading a debate on the bill at plenary, its sponsor, Dr Wale Hammed (APC, Lagos), said the law would encourage experienced medical professionals to contribute to developing the health sector while training the younger ones.