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Sad Passage of High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi

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                         By Prof Mike Ozekhome, SAN, CON, OFR, Ph.

I am a very sad man as I write this.I am  completely devastated by the ugly news of the rather sudden death of my elder brother, friend, kinsman,soul mate and confidant,HIGH CHIEF RAYMOND ALEOGHO AYAOGHENA DOKPESI.

Dokpesi had called me on WHATSAPP at about 1.

30am THIS MORNING [ 9th May, 2023 ). He called me to discuss friendship, brotherhood and take advice on sundry legal matters. He exuded his usual happiness, vibrancy, and gusto,notwithstanding that he has had  some health challenges for some time.His voice was quite rich,steady and filled with laughter,as we taunted and bantered with each other,as we were want to do whenever we encountered 

each other.

We exchanged chats and spoke up to about 1.50am this morning. So when Chief Tony Akiotu  ( GMD, DAAR Communication) and Senator Francis Alimhikhena called me to break the sad news of his death from the very hospital where he was said to have been rushed to, I could not believe my ears.It took another communication from his first son, Raymond Dokpesi,Jnr to melt my lethargic world of disbelief. Was the Ezomo of Weppa Wanno Kingdom’s call to me a FAREWELL from him? Did he have the premonition of his imminent death? I  do not 

know.Gosh!!! One thing is clear to me as I grieve:Weppa- Wanno, Etsako,Afenmailand,Edo State,Nigeria, Africa,the black race,and indeed the whole world, has lost an unforgettable and uncommon shining star and gem. At a mere 71, Dokpesi lived a life of nobility; a life wholly dedicated to the service of God and humanity.

He impacted the most vulnerable through his many philanthropic works. In the maritime world,he stood tall and resplendent,earning a Ph.D in Maritime Engineering. He was to become the nullus secondus of the media world where he became a Czar, the Ted Turner of African broadcasting. Dokpesi indeed pioneered and blazed private independent broadcasting of television and radio in Nigeria and Africa, establishing Raypower and the African Independent Television ( AIT ).

It was unheard of that a single individual could challenge and break decades of government’s dominance and monopoly of information through radio and television. But,the Araba of Oshoroland and Oghierumhoa of Weppa Wanno Kingdom did just that. In politics, Dokpesi was a master strategist and iconic tactician.

His name vibrated and revibrated across Nigeria for decades in Nigeria’s political firmament. He epitomized the soul and spirit of DAAR.Not many Nigerians know that DAAR is actually a reversed acronym of his name- RAYMOND ALEOGHO AYAOGHENA DOKPESI ( RAAD ).The Ezomo came.He saw. He conquered.He ran a good race. He finished well.May God grant this legend and collosus eternal repose of his great soul until we meet to part no more.tseee, Itseee lagi Itseee

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Kogi Journalists Partner KGIRS On Tax Administration Enlightenment

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From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

Practicing Journalists in Kogi state have expressed readiness to partner with the State Internal Revenue Service on tax administration enlightenment and adequate publicity of its activities.

Chairman, Correspondents’ Chapel, Kogi State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Segun Salami, gave the indication when he led his members on a visit to the Executive Chairman of KGIRS, Alhaji Salihu Sule Enehe.

Salami promised a robust collaboration with the agency in creation of public awareness on the need for all taxable citizens to embrace prompt payment of their personal income taxes.

“Our task as journalists is to assist the agency in meeting up with its target of revenue generation for Kogi government through our social responsibility duty of enlightening the people to key into regular and prompt payment of their taxes as when due

“Journalists also owe it as a duty to alert citizens on the need to contribute their quota towards the development of their state and the nation in general by meeting up with their financial commitment on prompt tax payment”

Salami advocated for quarterly media interaction with the agency as part of the partnership move in publicising  its activities.

He commended the Executive Chairman and his management team for the resouding success so far recorded in generating more revenue for the state government to provide the needed democracy dividends to the people.

Responding, the Executive Chairman of the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service, Alhaji Salihu Sule Enehe, expressed delight over the prevailing cordial relationship between his angency and practicing Journalists in Kogi since assumption of office.

He promised to sustain the feat in the interest of both parties geared towards achieving accelerated transformation of Kogi.

Enehe also  gave an assurance that he would live above board under the partnership agreement which according to him would go a long way in improving the agency’s services of mobilizing resources for the development of the state.

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Nami, Ex-FIRS Chairman Receives Top10 Magazine ‘Man of the Year 2023’ Award

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The immediate past Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Alhaji Mohammad Nami has revealed the secret behind the success story of his four-year tenure at the Revenue House.

He spoke on Sunday, while receiving his ‘Man of the Year 2023’ Award at an impressive ceremony organized by the Management of The Top10 Magazine at the Rockview Hotel in Abuja.

The Top10 Magazine Man of the Year 2023 award was given to Nami in recognition of his record-breaking feat in revenue generation by the FIRS under his Chairmanship, and for his commitment and excellent service which rendered to the nation while in office.He deployed a tax reform programme built on a four-pronged approach of stakeholder relations, customer centricity, data & technology and institutional restructuring, Nami spurred an astronomical rise in non-oil revenues in the three years following the COVID-19 pandemic.Receiving the award,

Nami revealed that his achievements as the head of the FIRS were due to his commitment and determination to give his all to the job.He therefore advised Nigerians to give their 100% whenever they have the opportunity to serve the nation in any given capacity, insisting that 80% commitment was not enough, not even 90%.In his words: “Ever since I took up the mandate of the FIRS, I made up my mind to give my all to the task before me and, ladies and gentlemen, you could bear me witness that I did just that.“For every day I was in the office, I was committed to the delivery of the mandate of the FIRS. 

I gave morning and night to the service of this nation with every piece of me. Occasionally, I hardly had quality sleep for a week; for some days, I would work for 20 hours. My family would ask for me, sometimes it will take two good weeks before we spend time together. For some of you who were surprised that why my wife was following me anywhere I was going to, that was the only opportunity I had to spend time with her.

This was the price I paid to attain the target that we achieved. It took a toll on me but I had no regret.“I took this job with a mindset to give it my all and I did just that. The result of that commitment, that dedication and that perseverance is what we are celebrating here today.

“Let me use this opportunity to share a brief word of advice to all of us.

“If you are giving any job, for you to succeed please give your all, not 80%, not 90% but 100% otherwise you will not succeed. It is on this note that I accept the award presented to me today, by the Top10 Magazine as the man of the year 2023.“I want to also use this medium to dedicate this award to my lovely wife standing here beside me, to my lovely children, to my extended family who have been pillars of support throughout this journey.

”The former chairman also commended the management and staff of the Top10 Magazine for honouring him and disclosed that from the day he was appointed to pilot the affairs of the FIRS, he decided to give his very best, which he maintained all through his stay in office.He said: “I am humbled to be here today and to be honoured as the Top10 Magazine Man of the year 2023 for what I will describe as my humble and modest efforts for the reforms we have done together at FIRS, he said.The Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of The Top10 Magazine, Mr. Tony Iji,

in his remark, said for the past 8 years, the team had remained focused on what they set out to achieve which, according to him, “is to celebrate excellence.”He said the selection of the former FIRS Boss was in recognition of the numerous records set by him and other accomplishments recorded by FIRS during his leadership of the Service.“For past 8 years, we have not had cause to be arrested by the law enforcement agencies.  That is to tell us how meticulous we are in the selection of our staff.

The award started since 2016 and so far, all the people we have selected we have not had any regret. “Unlike other years when there were many options, this year was only one man that was selected, and the person is Mohammad Nami. The man has accomplished so much, his record as Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) shall continue to remain.

“The excellence awards are complementary to the man of the year award. Going forward I think we will continue to do what we know to do best, which is to be more meticulous in identifying more credible Nigerians to be on the platform.”Mr. Iji congratulated all award winners, their friends and family who thronged the Rockview Hotel Royale venue of the ceremony to celebrate with awardeed.The famous news platform also honoured 20 extra-ordinary Nigerians with the “Excellence Awards” for having distinguished themselves in their various fields.The awardees include:

The Diaspora Nigerian of the Year awarded to Cyprian Uzoh; State Governor of the Year awarded to Prof. Chukwuma Soludo; Political Mobilizer of the Year (Chief Johnbosco Onunkwo); Legislator of the Year to (Hon. Terseer Ugbor); Integrity Business Person of the Year (Alh. Dr Aliyu Wammako); Security Icon of the Year (Dr. Kabir Adamu); CEO of the Year (Adeyemi Adeniyi); Young Inspirational Business Person of the Year (Omoha John); Public Service Official of the Year (Mohammed Shehu); Humanitarian Service Icon of the Year (Chief Maduburochukwu Attah); and Young Business Leader of the Year (Aliyu Garba) .Others are Entrepreneur of the Year awarded to Hon. Urlei Ezeh; Real Estate Rising Star of the Year (Adegoke Daniel); Diaspora Nigerian Business Icon of the Year (Emmanuel Asuquo); Talent Manager of the Year (Maurice Sokari); Local Government Administrator of the Year (Willie C.); Group Leader of the Year (Elvis Abuyere); Female Real Estate (Bukola Olatujoye); CEO Bogo Beverages (Godwin Oche); and the Business Person of the Year).Besides the awards ceremony,

The Top10 Magazine for the Year 2023 was  also unveiled and launched by the awardees and other dignitaries, who pledged their support to the development and sustainability of the platform.The Top10 Magazine is a monthly publication established eight years ago as a platform to celebrate excellence and people of excellence from all human endeavours. 

The Top10 Man of the Year award was instituted same year as an annual award by the magazine to recognize and honour one outstanding personality in a given year that has recorded landmark accomplishments in the Nigerian society.This year’s recipient, Mr. Nami, a tax administration leader, set many tax collection records at FIRS when he was in charge as the agency’s Executive Chairman.

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Health

ICRC Trains 25 Journalists on First Aid Treatment in Yola

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From Yagana Ali, Yola.

The International Committee of the Red Cross(ICRC) has organized a three -day training for 25 journalists on effective First Aid Treatment to prospective casualties.

The workshop, which took place in Yola drew the beneficiaries from different media houses across the state.

In a presentation, Communication Field Officer of the organization, Lemdi Edmond took the participants memory lane from its cradle to limelight.

 

He pointed out that ICRC intervenes basically in crises involving armed conflicts translating to man -made or unnatural disasters.

Edmond further explained that while the International Federation of the Red Cross intervenes in the area of natural disasters, like flood and earthquake, the National Red Cross Societies handles both natural and man – made situations.

The Communication Field Officer identified seven principles of the Committee to include humanity, impartiality,Neutrality and independence among others.

On their parts, First Aid and Pre-hospital Care Field Office Yola and Abuja respectively, Charity Maxwell and Daniel Ebodor jointly exposed the participants to the meaning, relevance and significance of the First Aid.

They maintained that First Aids basically aimed to save life, prevent condition from further deteriorating and promote speedy recovery.

They identified truthfulness, sympathy, resourcefulness, tolerance and empathy among others as qualities of a good First Aider.

The duo also enumerated and extensively explained Primary Survey variables relating to First Aid as Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing and chest compression.

Interestingly, the participants were vigorously engaged in practical First Aid treatment on various aspects having to do with Burns, Fainting, Fracture and bleeding among others.

Highlights of the training were questions and answers, presentation of certificate and First Aid Kits to the participants

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