News
Breaking: Anti-Open grazing, VAT bills scale second reading at Lagos Assembly
The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday committed the bill on open grazing to the committee on agriculture after it scaled second reading.
The House also read for the first and second time the state’s Value Added Tax bill and asked the committee on finance which is handling it to report back on Thursday.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa, described the ‘Prohibition of Open Cattle Grazing Bill’ as timely and one that would ensure harmonious relationships between herders and farmers and protect the environment of the state and the southwest zone.
The Speaker also suggested that the bill should make provision for the registration of herders and prepare them for ranching.
“Allocating percel of land is not enough but there should be training of those who would go into ranching,” he said noting that ranching is expensive and required adequate preparation.
Concerning the bill on VAT, Speaker Obasa said it would lead to “increase in revenue and increase in infrastructural development. This is in line with fiscal federalism that we have been talking about.”
Obasa said the VAT law when passed, would help the state meet challenges in its various sectors. He also urged the Lagos State government to do everything legally possible to ensure the judgement of a Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, is sustained even up to the Supreme Court.
He lamented a situation where about 500 billion is generated from Lagos State while 300 billion is generated from other southwest states and paltry amounts are disbursed to them in return.
“It is an opportunity for us to emphasise again on the need for the consideration of true federalism,” he said.
Speaking earlier on the bill on open grazing, Hon. Bisi Yusuff (Alimosho 1), lamented the havoc that herdsmen had caused in the southwestern zone.
According to him, farmers have continuously become afraid to visit their farms thus causing shortage of food. He also said many farmers had become indebted as they now find it difficult to pay back loans they secured.
He said it was lamentable that cattle roam the streets causing accidents and embarrassing people.
He advocated for stiffer penalties for herders caught carrying firearms.
His position was supported by Hon. Kehinde Joseph (Alimosho 2) who said open grazing in the 21st century is an aberration.
Joseph said the bill would ensure peaceful coexistence, reduce crime and help to guide the activities of herders.
On his part, Hon. Olumoh Saad Lukeman (Ajeromi-Ifelodun 1), suggested that the high court should be made to handle cases from the enforcement of the bill when passed or that the state should establish special courts for such purpose.
Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, in his contribution, described Lagos as a cosmopolitan state and, as such, having to see cattle in the streets is worrisome.
He expressed support for the bill because, according to him, it would give a level of security to the state and help reduce economic losses. He added that Lagos has 250 hectares of land in Ikorodu and another 750 hectares on Epe for ranching.
Hon. Tobun Abiodun (Epe 1) said it was common to see cattle going to school as if they want to learn while Hon. David Setonji (Badagry 2), recalled “a time we went on oversight function in a school here in Lagos. We were embarrassed by cattle. We had to wait for the herder to move the cattle before we embarked on our oversight function.”
Setonji suggested a collaboration between men of the Neighbourhood Safety Corps and the police in the implementation of the law when passed and assented to.
Other lawmakers who contributed during plenary include Hon. Adedamola Richard Kasunmu, Hon. Rasheed Makinde and Hon. Sanni Okanlawon.



Foreign
China Reaffirms Commitment to Supporting Nigeria’s Fight Against Terrorism
China has restated its readiness to continue supporting Nigeria in the ongoing fight against terrorism and efforts to maintain national stability.
Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, gave the assurance after a meeting with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on Thursday.
In a statement shared via X, the ambassador said China “firmly supports” the Nigerian government’s development strategies that align with the country’s realities and long-term goals.
Dunhai also emphasized that China remains opposed to any external interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs “under the pretext of religion and human rights.”
The meeting further strengthened diplomatic ties between both nations, with discussions centered on security collaboration and sustainable development.

Foreign
Tanzania Erupts in Protests Over Controversial Election as President Samia Faces Mounting Pressure
Tanzania has been plunged into chaos as citizens flood the streets to protest alleged irregularities in the country’s presidential election.
The unrest, which erupted shortly after the announcement of preliminary results, has spread rapidly across major cities. In Dar es Salaam — the nation’s commercial hub with a population exceeding seven million — the situation escalated as angry demonstrators set government offices and several public buildings on fire.
The tension comes amid heightened political scrutiny of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who became Tanzania’s first female president following the death of her predecessor, John Magufuli, in 2021. Many opposition supporters allege that the current election was manipulated to keep her in power, raising concerns about transparency and fairness in the democratic process.
In response to the violence, the police have imposed an overnight curfew in Dar es Salaam to restore order and prevent further destruction. Security forces have also been deployed across key areas of the city to contain the growing tension.
Authorities have urged citizens to remain calm while investigations into the alleged electoral misconduct continue. However, opposition figures and civil society groups are demanding accountability, insisting that the people’s mandate must be respected.
As the crisis deepens, many fear the situation could spiral into nationwide unrest if dialogue and swift action are not taken.



News
U.S. Revokes Wole Soyinka’s Visa, Restricting His Entry Into the Country
Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has disclosed that the United States government has revoked his visa, effectively barring him from entering the country for now.
Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island, Soyinka said he was notified of the development through an official letter from the U.S. Consulate dated October 23, 2025.
He explained that he decided to make the matter public to inform organizations and individuals expecting him in the U.S. not to proceed with any travel-related plans.
> “I have no visa; I am banned, obviously, from the United States. And if you want to see me, you know where to find me,” Soyinka said, expressing shock at the decision. “I don’t have any criminal record or even a misdemeanour that could warrant such an action. I keep asking myself—have I ever misbehaved toward the United States?”
According to Soyinka, the letter from the Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV) Section of the U.S. Consulate stated that the revocation was in accordance with U.S. Department of State regulations but gave no specific reason for the decision.
His revoked visa was a B1/B2 category, typically granted for business and tourism purposes.
Earlier in September, PM News reported that Soyinka had declined a request from the U.S. Consulate to attend a visa re-interview, saying he initially believed the notification letter was fake or a scam.
Despite the development, Soyinka emphasized that he bears no animosity toward U.S. authorities, adding that his previous interactions with American diplomats had always been cordial.
He concluded by noting that he would continue to seek clarification on the matter but does not regard the revocation as a personal attack.


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