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Gombe is safe, hospitable, Gov. Yahaya assures corps members
Gombe is safe, hospitable, Gov. Yahaya assures corps members
Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has assured the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members posted to the state of their safety, saying that the state is hospitable to all Nigerians.
Yahaya gave the assurance on Tuesday at the closing ceremony of the orientation course for the 2023 Batch B Stream II corps members, at the NYSC temporary orientation camp, Amada, Akko Local Government Area.
Represented by the acting Head of Service, Mr Ahmed Abdullahi, the governor said the corps members had nothing to be afraid of as their security was guaranteed.
He said that his administration was concerned about the welfare of all corps members serving in the state, adding, “as such will continue to offer his support towards ensuring that they enjoy their stay while serving their fatherland.
“I wish to assure you of the hospitality of the people of Gombe State and reiterate our commitment to your safety, welfare and good health condition throughout your stay here.
“I urge you to step into the next phase of the service year with clear focus, sound character, dynamism and commitment to the transformation of our urban and rural communities.
“I implore you to accept your posting to any establishment or community with good faith as rejection negates the objectives and principles of the national service.”
Yahaya said that his administration recognises hard-work and supports people-oriented initiatives by the corps members.
He, therefore, called on them to initiate projects that would help improve on the well-being of their hosts communities.
The governor urged: “I enjoin you to respect the abiding principles, respect the culture and core values in your respective places of primary assignment.”
Speaking earlier, Mr Dawut Jidda, the State NYSC Coordinator, congratulated the corps members on the successful completion of the orientation exercise.
Jidda urged them to make positive change in the lives of members of their host communities and contribute towards the progress and development of the state and the nation.
He advised the corps members to take their postings to their places of primary assignment in good faith, because “NYSC is not meant for only urban areas hence, you will be posted to the nooks and crannies of the State.
“I advice you to get to the hinterlands and remote villages where your impact will be most felt.”
Jidda commended the present administration in the state for its support to the scheme, while also acknowledging the support of security agencies and other critical stakeholders who made the service year a successful one for corps members.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 1,569 2023 Batch “B” Stream II corps members have been posted to various communities in the state for their primary assignments.(NAN)
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Edo 2024: NPFL Reschedules Insurance, Shooting Stars Match
The Nigerian Football Premier League (NPFL) has rescheduled the Day 3 Match of the league between Bendel Insurance FC of Benin and Shooting Stars FC of Ibadan to Oct 2.
The announcement is contained in a letter addressed to the chairmen and general managers of the clubs by the Chief Operating Officer of the league, Davidson Owumi.
The Benin Arsenal were to host the Oluyole Boys as the two clubs are fondly called by their fans, on Sunday.
The match, however, clashed with 2024 off-cycle governorship election in Edo, when vehicular movement is usually restricted. (NAN)
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Tax Evasion: BIRS Shutdown Ortom’s Company over N93.5m
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Benue Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) has shutdown Oracle Business Ltd, belonging to former Governor Samuel Ortom for allegedly owing taxes to the tune of N93.5m.
The premises of Jagshu and Ubgechi Filling Stations were also shutdown over alleged N2.
1m and N2.1m tax defaults respectively in Makurdi.The tax defaulters operation was carried out at the weekend by the Acting Executive Chairman of Benue Internal Revenue Service, Sunday Odagba in company of the Board’s Secretary/Legal Adviser, Ushahemba Dekaa
The action followed an order from a State High Court sitting in Makurdi which mandated the Board to enforce the consequences of the default.
The BIRS Legal Adviser, Ushahemba Dekaa told journalists after sealing the premises of Oracle Business Ltd that the company defaulted in its obligations for payment of taxes for six years, hence the clamp down.
According to him, the board has been monitoring the tax of the company all these while and the company keep on going back and forth in relation to payment which they failed to do.
He said the board equally organized several meetings and engagements with the companies, yet no compliance even when BIRS were using soft approach to ensure that they paid their taxes and levies but all to no avail.
On his part, the Group Managing Director of Oracle Business, Chris Omiyi argued that the company got letters of tax evaluation totalling N138m. “We sent our tax consultant to them and the liability dropped to N38million.
“Even that amount was spurious but because we are peace-loving we agreed to pay the N38million. But there is still a dispute of N15million which we are to resolve in the office. They fixed a date for the resolution, we got there the people we deal with were not on seat.
“The issue is that you said a company owes tax and we have started paying what you said we owe. Whatever that is in dispute we bring it forward and if it is overruled then we pay that which is in dispute because we have paid all others.”
In his remark the BIRS Acting Chairman, Sunday Odangba stated Oracle Business and other affected companies failed in their obligations.
He explained that the board on several occasions served them demand notices which they did not object and they did not pay.
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Unijos Constructs 10-lane Swimming Pool for NUGA Games Hosting
The Management of the University of Jos has commenced the construction of a 10-lane Olympic Size Swimming Pool ahead of the upcoming National Universities Games Association (NUGA).
Prof. Tanko Ishaya, the Vice Chancellor of the University disclosed this on Monday while handing over the project site to Kaplan Consults Ltd.
and Caniyota Ltd. , the firms handling the project.The NUGA games, to be hosted by the university, is scheduled to hold between April and May 2025.
Ishaya, who explained that the project was being funded with Internally Generated Revenue, said that the swimming pool is one of the key facilities needed toward a successful NUGA games.
“Once this project is completed, all the necessary sporting facilities required for us to host the best NUGA games will be in place.
“I am calling on the contractors to carry out this job within the 16-week specified period; we need a quality job as well.
“We will expect briefing on weekly basis on the progress of work because we want this facility to be ready at least three months before the competition,” he said.
Earlier, Mrs Halima Auta, the university’s Director of Physical Facilities, explained that the swimming pool, a view pavilion and changing rooms would be handled by Kaplan Consult Ltd., while the training pool, all procurement and installations would be done by Caniyota Ltd.
Responding on behalf of the Contractors, Mr Kinsley Nathaniel of Kaplan Consults Ltd., promised to deploy the expertise needed to execute the project to an international standard. (NAN)