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Ulama Forum faults Tax Reform Bills, backs northern governors
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Ulama Forum in Nigeria has expressed objection to the proposed tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly.
KANO FOCUS reports that the clerics, in a statement in Kano on Monday insisted that the new tax reform bills, especially the Nigeria Tax Bill 2014 and the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill 3024 would accentuate income inequality in Nigeria.
In the statement signed by their convener, Malam Aminu Inuwa Muhammad and their Secretary, Engr. Bashir Adamu Aliyu, they contended that the NTAB would transfer the largest share of Value Added Tax (VAT ) revenue from the point of consumption to the head offices of production entities.
They stated that this situation would violate the spirit of fairness and equity as production is worthless without consumption.
They further argued that VAT is a consumption tax adding that transferring the lion share of its revenue to the head offices of production entities would violate the main objective of fiscal equalisation and would promote wide income disparity with its inherent risk of social disharmony.
“Moreover, the Development Levy distribution formula proposed in the NTB 2024 seemed to be designed to phase out some agencies such as TETFUND and NITDA which provide critical infrastructure and services” they stated
The NTB proposes a gradual decrease in these agencies from 4 % of the accessible profits of the companies in 2025 and 2026 down to 2% in 2030 when they would be phased out leaving only the Student Education Loan Fund” they lamented.
The Ulama Forum therefore recommended that the Bills be subjected to greater and wider debate by stakeholders while urging state Governors to recruit experts to x-ray the bills and identify how it would affect their people.
They also tasked the members of the National Assembly to live to the oath of office and do not allow themselves to be stampeded into the passage of the bills.
Headlines
Kano business community thanks FG for N5bn Singer market relief
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday received a delegation from the Association of Kano Business Community at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a thank-you visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
KANO FOCUS reports that the delegation expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its support to traders and other victims affected by the recent fire incident that razed several sections of the popular Singer Market in Kano.

Speaking during the meeting, the Vice President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to collaborating with the Kano State Government and relevant agencies to prevent a recurrence of fire outbreaks in markets across the state.
He assured the delegation that President Tinubu has the interests of Kano people at heart, noting that the N5 billion approved as immediate relief for victims was based on the findings of a preliminary assessment of the damage caused by the inferno.

Shettima reiterated that the Federal Government would continue to support efforts aimed at restoring commercial activities and strengthening safety measures in markets to protect lives and property.
Headlines
Kano Govt inaugurates 23-member committee to disburse Singer market fire relief
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has inaugurated a 23-member committee to oversee the transparent and equitable distribution of financial assistance and relief materials to victims of the recent Singer Market fire disaster.
KANO FOCUS reports that the inauguration was carried out on behalf of the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Faruq Ibrahim, who chairs the committee. The event was presided over by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude.
According to the Attorney-General, the committee comprises representatives from key government agencies, security services, the Kano Emirate Council, religious leaders, and affected traders.
He said the panel’s mandate includes assessing the extent of losses, verifying genuine victims, ensuring timely distribution of support, and recommending measures to prevent future fire incidents.
The intervention follows support approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as contributions from the APC Governors Forum. It also comes in addition to earlier assistance provided by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting victims of the disaster and restoring commercial activities at Singer Market.
Headlines
Kano Govt announces March 1 for schools’ Ramadan break
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has announced Saturday, March 1, 2026, as the commencement date for the Eid-el-Fitr break for all public and private primary and post-primary schools in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the announcement, contained in the approved 2025/2026 academic calendar, applies to both day and boarding schools across the state.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Public Enlightenment, Musbahu Aminu Yakasai, parents and guardians of pupils and students in boarding schools are expected to convey their wards home by the early hours of Friday, February 28, 2026.
The statement further explained that boarding school students are to resume on Sunday, March 22, 2026, while day students are to resume on Monday, March 23, 2026.
It added that the second term will continue from Sunday, March 22, 2026, and end on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
The government directed all public and private schools in the state to comply strictly with the directive, warning that non-compliance would be treated as a breach of government instructions.
The Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna Abubakar Makoda, urged parents and guardians to ensure full compliance with the approved resumption dates.
He appreciated parents and residents of the state for their continued cooperation and support to the ministry, and wished pupils and students a successful completion of the Ramadan fast and hitch-free Sallah celebrations.
