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We didn’t give N500m to any politician, says GTBank on viral social media post

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Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) has denied giving N500 million new notes to any presidential candidate in Saturday’s election.

A Twitter user, @ifygold21, had earlier tweeted that the bank gave the sum to a presidential candidate on Friday due to an order from President Muhammadu Buhari.

The post was retweeted 6,442 times with 14,500 likes.

But in a statement on Wednesday, GTBank described the claim as “completely false”.

The financial institution said the allegation was aimed at tarnishing the image of the bank and its officers.

‘The attention of Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd (the “Bank”) has been drawn to a spurious post on Twitter by @ifygold21 alleging that the bank gave the new naira notes in the total sum of ₦500 million to one of the leading presidential candidates in the ongoing general elections on the eve of the elections and at the order of a high-ranking government official,” the statement reads.

“The bank wishes to refute this claim in its entirety and state categorically that it is completely false and is designed to bring the image of the bank and its officers to disrepute.

“The fact that the post refers to Segun Agbaje as managing director of the bank further exposes the sponsors of the content as uninformed and malicious. Accordingly, we would like to clarify that Miriam Olusanya is the managing director of the bank and has been at the helm of affairs of the bank in that capacity since her appointment in August 2021.

“Our preliminary findings show that the post was made using a faceless bot account evidently operated by unscrupulous persons intent on propagating falsehood and inciting well-meaning Nigerians to their malicious ends.

“This is clearly unwarranted and poses a serious threat to our continuing operations, with incalculable risks to lives and property.”

GTB said that the post has been brought to the attention of all concerned parties including Twitter, for the identification of the owner of the fake account and consequent legal action.

It urged its customers to disregard the unsubstantiated claim in its entirety.

“Guaranty Trust Bank hereby restates its commitment to being a responsible, non-partisan corporate citizen with strict adherence to the highest standards of global best practice as well as sound corporate governance in all aspects of our business operations,” the bank added.

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Tax reform bills will not be withdrawn from national assembly, says Tinubu

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President Bola Tinubu says the tax reform bills will not be withdrawn from the national assembly as recommended by the national economic council (NEC).

In a statement on Friday, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said Tinubu received NEC’s recommendation, however, the president said the legislative process should continue.

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FIRS seeks tax officers as recruitment begins today

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The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) says its application portal for the recruitment of tax officers will officially open on November 2.

The FIRS, on its official account on Friday, announced that it is inviting interested candidates to apply for officer II and officer I positions in eight states, including Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Ekiti, Lagos, and Oyo.

According to the service, eligible candidates must be 27 years old or below by December 31, 2024, and must have completed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme by no later than December 31, 2021.

“Applicants must possess a Bachelor’s Degree (or HND) in First Class/Second Class Upper Division in any of the following disciplines: Accounting, Actuarial Science, Business Information Systems, Computer Engineering, Computer Programming, Computer Science, Digital/Electronic Marketing, Economics, Engineering, Financial Management, Graphic Arts, Graphic Design, Law, Management/Business Administration, Market Research, Mathematics, Statistics, Taxation, Visual Arts,” the FIRS said.

“Note: Relevant master’s degrees and professional affiliations (e.g., ICAN, ACCA, ANAN, COREN, NSE, etc) will be an added advantage.

“Interested candidates should submit their applications via the official FIRS recruitment portal: www.firs.gov.ng/careers.

“Candidates must apply to only one of the specified locations. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Be cautious of fraudulent recruitment activities; only use the official FIRS website for applications. Regardless of the positions advertised, successful candidates must be prepared to work in any of FIRS’s business locations.”

The FIRS said only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessments, which may include aptitude tests, interviews, and medical examinations.

The service said the application deadline is November 14, 2024.

The tax agency reiterated its commitment to promoting equal opportunities for all eligible candidates, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or background.

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FG launches amnesty scheme to allow deposits of foreign currencies outside banking system

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The federal government has launched an amnesty initiative that allows individuals to deposit foreign currencies into banks without penalties or taxes — provided the funds are not proceeds of crime.

Announcing the initiative in a statement on Thursday, the ministry of finance said the programme is called the ‘Disclosure Scheme’.

Mohammed Manga, the ministry’s director of information and public relations, said the scheme, starting October, is for nine months.

He said by facilitating the voluntary disclosure, depositing, repatriation, and investment of internationally tradable foreign currency held by Nigerians, both within and outside the country, “the scheme aims to integrate these legitimate foreign currency assets into the formal economy”.

“The federal government of Nigeria is pleased to announce the commencement of the foreign currency voluntary disclosure, depositing, repatriation, and investment scheme, known as the disclosure scheme, in pursuance of Executive Order No. 15 of 2023 titled ‘Disclosure, Depositing, Repatriation, and Investment of Eligible Foreign Exchange Assets and Related Matters Order, 2023’ and the ‘Foreign Currency Disclosure, Deposit, Repatriation, and Investment Scheme Guidelines, 2024’, issued by the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, on October 25th, 2024,” the statement reads.

“Key objectives of the disclosure scheme: enhance financial transparency: Promote transparency in the financial sector by formalising legitimate foreign currency assets held outside the Nigerian banking system by Nigerians within or outside of Nigeria.

“Bolstering AML and CFT capabilities: The scheme specifically targets weaknesses in the existing framework by promoting cashless and legitimate transactions within the formal financial system.

“This strengthens regulatory enforcement while also encouraging financial practices that reduce the likelihood of illicit cash transactions.”

‘FUNDS WILL INCREASE RESERVES’

Speaking on the scheme, Wale Edun, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, said the initiative would enhance financial security and contribute positively to the economy by increasing reserves and stabilising exchange rates.

“The disclosure scheme is a bold initiative aimed at integrating foreign currency outside the formal financial system into the formal economy,” Edun said.

“It strengthens transparency and economic resilience, setting us on a path to rapid economic growth.

“The scheme offers a secure, confidential channel for people to reintegrate their legitimate foreign currency funds, promoting stability and growth for our nation.

“Guided by President Tinubu’s leadership and supported by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Ministry of Justice, we are building a transparent and inclusive economy, aligned with best practices in anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism.”

Edun encouraged Nigerians holding legitimately earned foreign currency to participate.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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