Headlines from major mainstream newspapers today, Friday, March 2, are focused on the continuing saga of the Dapchigirls abduction, the disclosure by the minister of finance about what the federal government intends to start doing to tax evaders and the National Assembly’s move to rejig the nation’s audit structure as regards the anti-corruption fight.
The Nation is reporting that a member of the House of Representatives, Goni Bukar, said the abducted Dapchigirls were still within Yobe state.
Bukar, who represents the Bursari/Yunusari/Gaidam federal constituency, reportedly stated that the girls are in Bulabulin, Yunusari local government area.
In his words: “The girls are within Yobe. We have an idea that they are in Bulabulin, Yunusari local government.
“The military is aware that Boko Haram has been in that place for over four years. They live in that place like their own city.”
He continued: “I cannot blame the military because I am speaking with those that are carrying out the operation. We have been speaking and they are telling me everything that they are doing; so, I cannot say I will blame anybody in the military.
“They are doing everything but I think they need to improve in their search so as to rescue those girls.”
Front page of The Nation, Friday, March 2 (Photo credit: NAIJ.com)
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Still on the issue of the abducted schoolgirls, Vanguard is reporting that the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has called on the federal government to do everything possible to rescue the girls and all others in Boko Haram captivity.
In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Dr Khalid Aliyu, which was released on Thursday, March 1, the JNI also chided the army and police for passing the buck on the issue, and insisted that heads must roll in the security agencies.
The group stated: “An example must be set; heads must roll for this negligence. The inquiry is not the only way to go.
“In fact, a serious government would have, by now, put in jail and suspended all negligent security and political chiefs who could and should have protected these innocent children, rather than the rigmarole setting up of an investigative panel.”
Front page of Vanguard, Friday, March 2 (Photo credit: NAIJ.com)
Punch is however focused on the disclosure made by the federal government about how it intends to tackle tax evaders from now on.
The publication reports that the minister of finance, Kemi Adeosun, disclosed that the federal government would name, shame and prosecute tax evaders who fail to take advantage of the amnesty provided by the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme to regularise their tax profiles.
She made the disclosure on Thursday, March 1, at a VAIDS stakeholders’ symposium held in Kaduna state.
Adeosun also said that the federal government would strictly adhere to the confidentiality clause in the Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information in tax matters.
Front page of Punch, Friday, March 2 (Photo credit: NAIJ.com)
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On its part, The Guardian is focused on the move by the National Assembly to rejig the nation’s audit structure as regards the anti-corruption fight.
To this effect, the publication reports that the nation’s legislative arm on Thursday, March 1, passed the Federal Audit Services Bill, which grants autonomy to the auditor general of the federation.
The move was described as a “landmark achievement in the fight against corruption,” by the Senate president, Bukola Saraki.
Saraki stated that it would give the office of the auditor general unfettered access to the books of agencies and parastatals.
In his words: “This law will bring accountability and probity in the finances of the government and the fight against corruption.”
Front page of The Guardian, Friday, March 2 (Photo credit: NAIJ.com)
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Source: Naija.ng
