The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has asked the federal government to reverse the petrol price hike.

On Wednesday, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited increased the price of petrol across its retail outlets.

In a statement, Joe Ajaero, president of the NLC, said the labour union is “dismayed” by the petrol hike without commensurate financial capacity of Nigerians.

Ajaero said the latest petrol price hike has “grossly altered the calculation” of Nigerians, who are still trying to adjust to the current economic realities.

“We challenge the government to go to the drawing board and present us with a blueprint for inclusive economic growth and national development instead of this spasmodic ad hocism and palliative policy,” the statement reads.

“It needs no stating the fact that the latest wave of increase has grossly altered the calculations of Nigerians once again at a time they were reluctantly coming to terms with their new realities.

“It will further deepen poverty as production capacities dip and more jobs are lost with multidimensional negative effects.

“In light of this, we urge the government to immediately reverse this rate hike as previous increases did not produce any good results. People only got poorer.

“But more fundamentally, the government should be bold enough to tell Nigerians in advance the destination it wants to take the country.”

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has launched an unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) code designed to simplify tax processes and “improve taxpayers’ satisfaction”.

The code, *829#, was unveiled on Wednesday by Zacch Adedeji, the FIRS chairman, at the revenue house in Abuja during the celebration of the 2024 customer service week.

Speaking at the launch, Adedeji said the initiative makes Nigeria the sixth African country to deploy USSD code to simplify tax payment processes.

He said taxpayers on any mobile telecommunication network in the country can now get real-time access to the FIRS on tax-related issues.

The taxman said the instant messaging protocol demonstrates the agency’s commitment to simplifying tax administration, ensuring that “all taxpayers—whether in bustling cities or remote areas can engage with FIRS seamlessly”.

He encouraged taxpayers to take full advantage of the benefits provided by the USSD for all their inquiries.

“With the *829# USSD code, taxpayers now have the power to: retrieve their taxpayer identification number (TIN), verify their tax clearance certificate (TCC), access information on tax types and rates, locate the nearest FIRS office, and get answers to general tax-related inquiries,” Adedeji said.

“Without the need for internet access, all of these services are now available with a simple mobile phone.

“This technological leap reflects our dedication to creating a tax system that is efficient, transparent, and responsive to the needs of taxpayers.”

‘CUSTOMER GUIDE WILL DRIVE OUR INTERACTIONS WITH TAXPAYERS’

Meanwhile, the FIRS also launched its customer-centric guide, a handbook detailing the agency’s policies, processes and procedures aimed at maintaining taxpayers’ status as “kings” in its service approach.

The guide reaffirms FIRS’s commitment to treating taxpayers as valued partners in nation-building, the agency said in a statement on Wednesday.

“This guide embodies our commitment to putting taxpayers at the centre of our service delivery,” the statement reads.

“It outlines the principles and values that will drive our interactions with taxpayers by ensuring that every engagement is defined by respect, professionalism, and efficiency.

“The guide serves as a reminder to us all that the taxpayer is not just a client, but a valued partner in nation-building.

“Through the combination of the *829# USSD code and the customer centricity guide, we are reinforcing a culture of service excellence and making tax compliance not just a duty but an experience that fosters trust and voluntary participation.

“As we celebrate this achievement, I encourage everyone to make full use of the *829# service and embrace the customer centricity guide. Your feedback will be crucial as we continue to enhance these services and meet the evolving needs of our taxpayers.”

On his part, Nnenna Akajemeli, national coordinator of Servicom, praised the FIRS for its continuous efforts to enhance taxpayer satisfaction.

She commended the introduction of the USSD code and the handbook, noting their role in simplifying tax processes and improving service quality.

The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) has elected Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu as its president for the 2024-2026 term.

In a statement on Tuesday, the union also announced the election of a new 14-member board of directors.

The election was conducted during the UICC general assembly held virtually on October 8, 2024.

Full member organisations of UICC from across the globe participated in the election.

Shinkafi-Bagudu, a Nigerian and ex-first lady of Kebbi state, is the first African to be elected to the position.

She is a consultant pediatrician and founder of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation. She is a member of the Nigerian Cancer Society and the American Society for Clinical Oncology.

She expressed appreciation for the election and assured that she would be an interactive leader “who will lean on your experiences, insights and energies to guide the UICC in the years to come”.

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Shinkafi-Bagudu. He said her election is of historic significance as the “first African and fifth woman to lead the global cancer control organisation”.

According to a statement on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president, Tinubu hailed her competence and character, affirming “the enormous talents that abound in Nigeria”.

The president described Shinkafi-Bagudu’s rise as “a landmark achievement and a testament to Nigeria’s growing influence in global health leadership”.

“President Tinubu recalls Dr Shinkafi-Bagudu’s invaluable services to Kebbi state and the country, for which Nigeria is deeply grateful,” the statement reads.

“He lauds her stewardship as Chairperson of the First Ladies Cancer Initiative and her contributions to establishing the Kebbi State Strategic Plan for Cancer Control during her tenure as the First Lady of Kebbi State.

“President Tinubu expresses confidence in Dr. Shinkafi-Bagudu’s ability to use her new office and leadership to improve cancer control and global health.

“The Geneva-based UICC was founded in 1933 and has more than 1100 member organisations in over 170 countries and territories.”