From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) Bayelsa Chapter led by their Chairman, Engr. Dr. Amalate Ann-Jonathan Obuebite FNSE, visited St. Judes Girls Secondary School, Yenagoa in commemoration of the 2026 International Day of Women and Girls in Science, donates laboratory equipment.

The donation, which includes pH meters, weighing scales, measuring cylinders, viscometers, volumetric and conical flasks, beakers, and pipettes is meant to support and encourage the study of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses.

Presenting the items to the principal, Mrs. Josephine Imbiakpa, Dr. Obuebite emphasized APWEN’s commitment to promoting STEM education among girls.

Mrs. Imbiakpa expressed immense gratitude to APWEN BAYELSA for the donation, stating that it would motivate students to pursue STEM careers.

The event aimed to inspire girls to explore STEM fields and bridge the gender gap in these areas in line with the theme for this year.

NRS chair, Adedej

The Executive Chairman of the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS), Zacch Adedeji, has described technology as a crucial factor in the implementation of the new tax laws in the country.

Adedeji stated this on Wednesday while delivering the maiden convocation lecture of the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, Ogo-Oluwa Local Government Area of Oyo State.

In a statement by his Technical Assistant on Print Media, Sikiru Akinola, Adedeji listed some of the most fundamental challenges confronting taxation to include infrastructure, skills, trust and resistance.

In the lecture entitled ‘The Role of Technology in Implementing Nigeria’s New Tax Laws: Challenges, Prospects, and Implications for National Development,’ the NRS chairman said each of these challenges would be addressed with the imminent upgrading of the country’s tax system for a digital environment.

“Nigeria has recently enacted a new set of tax laws, representing the most significant restructuring of our nation’s fiscal legislation in 50 years. While public conversation often frames these changes as legal reforms, and that is true, it is also an incomplete picture.

“These laws are not merely changing rates, definitions, or administrative powers. They are quietly redefining how authority operates within the tax system. This is a complete structural overhaul, signaling the end of tax collection as a manual task and the beginning of tax intelligence.

“If you read the new laws carefully, you will notice a subtle but profound assumption woven throughout their fabric. They presuppose the existence of reliable taxpayer identification, integrated data across institutions, traceable transactions, automated processes, and scalable enforcement.

“In other words, these laws are built for a digital environment. They cannot function properly in a manual, fragmented, paper-based system. The implication is clear: without technology, the laws remain aspirational. With technology, they become operational.

“This transition is central to the mandate of the Nigeria Revenue Service as we implement this new legal framework. Historically, tax administration relied heavily on human discretion over who is registered, who is assessed, who is audited, and who is penalized.

“While discretion is not inherently evil, excessive discretion creates inconsistency, which in turn breeds mistrust and drives non-compliance,” Adedeji said.

Speaking further, he noted that when infrastructure improves, capacity grows, trust is protected, and resistance is managed just as technology begins to do what policy alone cannot.

“One of the most important prospects of a technology-driven tax administration is the ability to expand the tax base without increasing tax rates. This matters deeply in a society where citizens already feel overburdened.

“By improving visibility and bringing previously unseen economic activity into view, technology levels the playing field. When compliance broadens, the pressure on the existing base reduces,

fairness improves, and legitimacy grows. This is how modern tax systems grow revenue sustainably,’ he added.

In his remark, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass, encouraged the graduating students to be good ambassadors of the institution.

Represented by AbdulFatai Buhari, senator representing Oyo North, Abass charged them not to relent in their bid to acquire more knowledge.

He also commended the tax boss for leading the change in tax administration in the country.

The institution’s governing council chair, Yakubu Datti commended Adedeji for leading the re-engineering of Nigeria’s tax architecture.

The Rector of the institution, Dr. Taofeek Adekunle Abdul-Hameed, charged the graduating students to emulate Adedeji who, he said, began his journey from a polytechnic.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), on Tuesday inaugurated an ultra-modern digital ICT park donated by the commission to the University of Ibadan(UI).

NCC’s Executive Vice-Chairman, Dr Aminu Maida, in his remarks at the inauguration and handover ceremony in Ibadan, said that the park was an integral part of NCC’s broader agenda to foster innovation.

Maida noted that the park was one out of six NCC flagship digital infrastructure projects, strategically established in selected institutions to strengthen research capacity.

Represented by the NCC’s Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Mr Abraham Oshadami, Maida noted that the park would also accelerate development of Nigeria’s digital economy.

“In today’s world, technology stands as one of the most powerful drivers of economic and social transformation. For Nigeria’s evolving economy, it represents our greatest opportunity for inclusive growth.

“The ICT Park concept is a manifestation of our vision to cultivate innovation and digital entrepreneurship, while supporting research and development that translates ideas into commercially viable, real-world solutions.

“This is why our ICT Parks—aptly named “One Roof, All Possibilities” are purpose-built as multidisciplinary innovation hubs.

“Each park brings together cutting-edge infrastructure under one roof, including high-capacity computer laboratories, simulation rooms, intelligent networking systems, collaborative workspaces, and multipurpose halls.

“Their establishment aligns directly with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, as well as the Strategic Vision of the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani,”he said.

Speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, said that the park stood as a testament to NCC’s dedication to bridging digital divide and fostering a knowledge-based economy.

He noted that the world was currently undergoing fourth industrial revolution, driven by digital technologies.

Adebowale further said that nations that would thrive in current revolution remained those that invest strategically in digital infrastructure, nurture digital skills and foster innovations.

“The University of Ibadan, as Nigeria’s premier university, recognises its critical role in preparing the next generation of leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers equipped to navigate and shape this digital future.

“The NCC Digital ICT Park arrived at a pivotal moment, perfectly aligning with our strategic vision to become a world-class institution for research, innovation, and digital excellence, “he said.

The ICT Park featured a 100-seat main hall, five dedicated ICT hub halls, a 24-seater lounge with eight dual-computer workstations, multiple shared workspaces, and administrative offices.(NAN)