Metro
CITN Commends FCT-IRS over Revenue Generation
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The Chattered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) has commended the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) over the huge revenue it generated in 2021.
In a statement issued by FCT-IRS at the weekend, and signed by Mustapha Sumaila, Head, Corporate, Communications, FCT-IRS, in Abuja said the President of the Institute, Mr Adesina Adedayo made the commendation when he led a team of tax experts consisting of two former presidents of the institute, executives and members for a courtesy visit to the Acting Executive Chairman of FCT-IRS, Mr Haruna Abdullahi on Friday.
He said the visit was to formally inform and seek for support of the Service on the forthcoming 40th anniversary of the institute as well as the 24th annual Tax Conference scheduled to take place in Abuja and Lagos, on 1st and 5th February, 2022.
Adedayo who expressed joy on the achievement recorded by FCT-IRS said it was commendable that the Service surpassed its target of N109Bn by 108 per cent as at the end of November 2021, which according to him, is a laudable feat to attain in spite the COVID-19 and economic challenges posed on business and revenue generation in the country.
The President whose visit coincided with the last day of a four day week long Tax Drive activities organised by FCT-IRS to create awareness, applauded the strategic approach deployed by the Service for the sensitisation campaign with a road show, as an enlightenment strategy which is meant to awaken and increase the tax paying culture from both individuals and organizations.
Adedayo also stated that he would be looking forward for more collaboration with FCT-IRS in fostering a better working relationship. He said he would put in place a joint technical committee for the purpose of advancing the revenue performance of the FCT-IRS through peer review and strategy session as well as consultative briefings.
In his remark, former President of the Institute and also the former Executive Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service, Dr. JK Naiyeju also commended the leadership of the FCT-IRS for providing a conducive environment for the tax payers adding that such environment would excite those coming around to pay their taxes.
“I was excited when I came in to the premises because of how beautiful and well organised it is. Every taxpayer that walks into this building will be happy to have business with FCT-IRS”
Responding, the Acting Executive Chairman, FCT-IRS, Mr. Haruna Abullahi reiterated the service’ commitment in partnering with CITN and other relevant organisations to empower the personnel for effective service delivery.
Abdullahi added that he would always welcome any form of partnership that would help to build the capacity of his staff with a view to attain improved performance in the Service.
According to him, FCT-IRS gives much priority to training and he always be willing and welcome any organisation, institute or individual that will collaborate in building the skills and capacities of his personnel.
On the institute’s 40th anniversary and Tax Conference, Abdullahi pledged to give necessary support and also mobilise the staff of the Service to participate in the historical events.
He expressed happiness over the visit of the CITN delegation led by its president, saying that FCT-IRS has been in partnership with the institute and would continue to work to sustain such collaboration for the betterment of FCT and the country in general.
Meanwhile, the Acting Executive Chairman described Naiyeju as a mentor, teacher and expert as far as field of taxation is concerned pointing out that being part of the delegation was a big motivation for him and indeed the Service.
Metro
Jos School Collapse: CWON Holds Trauma Healing Session for Parents, Survivors
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
The Catholic Women Organization of Nigeria (CWON) has organized a trauma healing session for survivors of the Jos Saint Academy School collapse alongside parents who lost their children in the unfortunate incident.The National President of the organization, Dame Mary Gonzum noted that the effort was part of their psychosocial support and counseling services for victims of the school building collapse as a follow-up to the assessment of the condition of the victims during their visit.
Gonzum speaking during a one day trauma session held at the Secretariat of the Justice Development and Peace/Caritas Commission (JDPC) of the Catholic Archdiocese located along Zaria Road in Jos the Plateau State capital said the trauma healing session was in continuation of their intervention to students who experienced the building collapsed.”Today, a trauma healing session was flagged off with a seminar on how to go about handling the trauma that victims of the Saint Academy School Busa Buji in Jos are passing through.”We will later select those that are so traumatic and need help to continue with the process of healing because it is not something that will end in a day or two but will need sometime.”The surviving students who experienced the building collapsed, parents of the students are all here because some parents are so traumatic, we have one other woman that lost two children”This trauma became necessary because when we went visiting in the hospitals, we observed that some of them are really traumatic. Like the other boy, his mother said up till today he kept telling his mother that he is seeing dead bodies, and anybody he sees he will say is his classmate.”Some of the affected parents while sharing their encounters after the incident said they hardly sleep in the day or night time. Some manage to sleep for two hours and they’re awake, and from the little lectures we received today it is clear that there is a problem,” She noted.The President calls on the government to ensure that those saddled with the responsibility of approving, inspecting and supervising structures are meant to do their job with all diligence to avert future happenings again.Some of the affected parents including; Hasana Suleman Sale who lost two of her children recalled with pains the unfortunate development that claimed the lives of her two children. She expressed gratitude for the trauma healing session which she said came as a means of consolation and strength for her to overcome the trauma she is passing through.Metro
Catholic Church Welcomes New Apostolic Nuncio
The Catholic Church in Nigeria has welcomed the newly-appointed Apostolic to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty.
Crotty, an Irish, was appointed by the Vatican.
He will oversee the propagation of the gospel of Jesus Christ through the church in Nigeria.
The position, an ambassadorial status, advances cohesion in the body of Christ.
In his welcome message for Crotty on Tuesday, the President of Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, said that the Church was glad to receive him.
The CBCN president, who is also the Archbishop of Owerri Catholic Archdiocese, said,” With joy and gratitude to God, I extend a hearty welcome to Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty on behalf of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, clergy, religious and lay faithful in Nigeria.
“We are thankful to His Holiness, Pope Francis, for appointing Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty as the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria to build on the good works of his predecessor, Archbishop Antonio Filipazzi.
“His appointment is a testament to the strong spiritual bond between our countries,” he said.
He said that although Crotty was the first Apostolic Nuncio from Ireland to serve in Nigeria, many Irish missionaries had played significant roles in spreading the gospel in Nigeria.
“We appreciate Archbishop Crotty’s acceptance of serving in Nigeria and assure him of our full support and cooperation.
“We pray for a fruitful mission and a blessed tenure for our excellency,” he added. (NAN)
Metro
Boundary Commission to Provide Infrastructure Along Disputed Boundary Areas
The National Boundary Commission (NBC), says it has concluded plans to provide infrastructure in flash locations along interstate boundaries to encourage integration and cooperation.
The Director-General of the commission, Mr Adamu Adaji, stated this in an interview in Abuja on Wednesday.
Adaji said that the commission would look at flash point areas and provide infrastructures that would encourage cooperation and integration among border communities.
He said that the goal was to see how the commission could bring people in border communities together to share from a common facility.
This, according to him, will douse tension and bring some kind of understanding among border communities.
“The bounder communities will share the facilities, which in the long run will bring the people together and eventually reduce tension and boundary conflicts.
“This is a way of encouraging integration and cooperation by encouraging people to come together, relate with one another and engage in beneficial commercial activities.”
Adaji said that a similar initiative was test runed with a borehole, constructed boundary corridor in Ado Local Government Area of Benue state, where it shared boundary with Ebonyi.
“We have also been able to construct some market stalls in the Ebonyi sector of the boundary between Ebonyi and Cross River,” he added.
“So, our appeal is for people to appreciate, cooperate and understand that boundaries are not barriers.
“The boundary line will not stop somebody from owning properties across and that is what we want to partner with the states to educate people along by the boundary corridors. (NAN)