The Governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has announced that his government will take over the running of Onitsha Main Market.

The governor had last Monday visited the market and also announced a one week closure over the continued adherence to sit at home protest by traders in the market.

The closure had generated a lot of tension, leading to protests by the traders, while the governor stuck to his gone, insisting that the market will remain closed for one week. He also held a meeting with the leaders of the market yesterday, where he presented them with two options.

Though it was a closed door meeting, which held at the Light House, Awka, a source in the meeting told THISDAY that the traders chose to open their shops on Monday, against an earlier option of demolishing and remodelling the market.

The source said: “The governor gave them two options. The first included; they will resume full trading activities on Mondays, mark attendance as required, while he regenerate and reorganise the market, demolish all illegal structures and plazas and create proper spaces and car parks. The second includes; To continue with Sit-at-Home on Mondays and risk the demolition of the market and use two-years for its reconstruction to restore it to its original master plan.

“The governor told them that restoring parking facilities in Main Market is an emergency, and any illegal structure erected at the park would be demolished soonest.”

It was gathered that the traders choose the first option, which will involve them opening on Monday, and giving the governor the go ahead to remove illegal structures to make way for wider roads in the market and restoring its packing space.

During the meeting, the governor told the traders that a committee will be set up to rectify all occupants of shops in the market, and that this will commence work soon, insisting that the government needs to know those who are trading in its market.

The governor was also said to have rejected a plea for the market to be opened on Saturday, insisting it can only be opened on Monday, when their compliance will again be re-accessed.

“The traders agreed to the terms, and will on Monday reopen the market to recommence business,” the source said.

Meanwhile, secessionist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has declared what it called Biafra-wide solidarity lockdown which is to hold on Monday in solidarity with Onitsha traders and to demand for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s immediate release.

A press release by the group’s publicity secretary, Mr Emma Powerful said the total shutdown across Biafraland is a direct, peaceful, and unified response to the shutting down of Onitsha Main Market for one week by Soludo.

The release said: “We remind Governor Soludo and his Abuja sponsors that the Monday sit-at-home originated as a peaceful protest demanding the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the very cause that has galvanized global attention to Biafra’s quest for self-determination.

“Attempts to twist this into “economic sabotage” or “criminality” will fail. The markets thrived during Christmas Mondays without incident, proving that voluntary compliance stems from genuine solidarity, not fear. Soludo’s escalation only exposes his desperation to provoke confrontation at a time when Biafra’s international profile is rising and diplomatic efforts are gaining traction.

“On Monday, February 2, 2026, we call on all Biafrans traders, transporters, banks, schools, civil servants, and every sector across Anambra, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, and beyond to observe this solidarity strike peacefully.

“Remain indoors, refrain from all commercial and public activities, and demonstrate to the world our disciplined resolve. This is not about disruption for its own sake; it is about standing with Onitsha traders who are being punished for demanding justice, and reaffirming that no governor can coerce free citizens into abandoning their rights or their solidarity.”

The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has reiterated the statutory deadline of 31st January 2026 for all employers of labour in Lagos State to fulfil their statutory obligation to file their annual tax returns for the 2025 financial year.

In a statement issued on Thursday, January 19, the Executive Chairman of LIRS, Dr Ayodele Subair, reminded employers that the obligation to file annual returns is in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025 (NTAA).

Dr Subair explained that employers are required to file detailed returns on emoluments and compensation paid to their employees, as well as payments made to their service providers, vendors and consultants, and to ensure that all applicable taxes due for the year 2025 are fully remitted. He emphasised that filing of annual returns is a mandatory legal obligation, and warned that failure to comply will result in statutory sanctions, including administrative penalties, as prescribed under the new tax law.

According to Section 14 of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025 (NTAA), employers are required to file detailed annual returns of all emoluments paid to employees, including taxes deducted and remitted to relevant tax authorities. Such returns must be filed and submitted not later than January 31 each year.

Dr Subair stated

“Employers must prioritise the timely filing of their annual income tax returns. Compliance should be part of our everyday business practice. Early and accurate filing not only ensures adherence to the law as required by the Nigerian Constitution, but also supports effective revenue tracking, which is important to Lagos State’s fiscal planning and sustainability.”

He further noted that in Lagos State, electronic filing via the LIRS eTax platform remains the only approved and acceptable mode of filing, as manual submissions have been completely phased out. This measure, he said, is aimed at simplifying and standardising tax administration processes in the State.

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi that would open duty-free access for thousands of Nigerian products into the Arab country.Nigerian Events Calendar

In a statement shared on his X handle on Tuesday, January 13, President Tinubu disclosed that the agreement was signed while attending Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week at the invitation of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

He stated that asides granting duty-free access for thousands of Nigerian products into the UAE market, the agreement will expand opportunities for exporters, manufacturers, and service providers, and provides clearer investment confidence for UAE investors in Nigeria’s productive economy.

The President described the agreement as part of Nigeria’s ongoing economic reform efforts and said it was aimed at delivering long-term benefits for both countries.

“This agreement is the result of sustained and disciplined work led by Minister Dr Jumoke Oduwole for Nigeria and by Minister Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi for the UAE. I commend both ministers and their teams for the seriousness and clarity that brought these negotiations to a conclusion.

For Nigerians, this agreement is not abstract. It opens duty-free access for thousands of Nigerian products into the UAE, expands opportunities for our exporters, manufacturers, and service providers, and gives UAE investors clearer confidence to back Nigeria’s productive economy. This comprehensive agreement also supports our industrialisation and diversification goals and strengthens Nigeria’s position as a gateway for trade and investment into Africa.

This is the work of economic reform, purposeful engagement, and measured partnerships. The outcomes will serve Nigeria’s long-term national interest.

May the renewed relationship between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates continue to yield sustained dividends for both nations and our peoples.”