About 200 houses and huts were swept away today in Makurdi, the Benue state capital, following over four hours of torrential downpour. Many valuables worth millions of naira were also submerged in the flood.
The latest incident which has taken its toll on residents was the second major flood disaster in the state capital, in the last four weeks.
The hardest hit areas included the Wurukum roundabout and railway crossing, Wurukum market, Judges quarters on Gboko road, Logo and Angwa Jukum which were completely taken over by flood water
Also affected was the personal residence of the Second Republic Governor of the state, late Aper Aku, Benue State University (BSU), Living Faith and Dunamis churches, Steam fast and houses on Daniel Amokachi avenue were all submerged in water.
Shops and stalls at the popular Wurukum market were also not spared as most of them were filled with water, while traders battled hard to save whatever they could from the flood.
Reacting to the development, the state Commissioner of Water Resources and Environment, Nicholas Wende, lamented that the state would need about N100 billion to stem the flood menace in the state.
He said the state government had submitted a request to the federal government for intervention adding that the government was expecting the federal government to also assist in dredging River Benue as a permanent solution.
Wende explained that the state government had constituted a committee to identify flood prone areas with a view to taking measures to control the disaster. [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari may still be angry with the authorities of the Nigerian Immigration Service over the issuance of visa to Ahmad Al-Assir who is a globally wanted Lebanese national purportedly linked to ISIS, and has therefore ordered the suspension of the immigration’s Comptroller General, David Parradang.
According to reports, Parradang has been asked to proceed on suspension with effect from today, August 21, even as his second-in-command, Martin Abeshi, has been asked to take over.
It would also be recalled that the immigration service under the leadership of Parradang, sparked national outrage in 2014 after nearly 20 job applicants died in a stampede during an immigration recruitment test. [myad]
An Abia state lawmaker, representing Aba North Constituency, Emeka Nnamani is in trouble over alleged forgery of University of Port Harcourt’s Degree. The University has openly disowned him. Nnamani, who is alleged to be a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in his home State, Enugu, contested the election on the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia State where he resides. His opponent, Dr. Mrs. Blessing Nwagba of the PDP who is challenging his victory at the tribunal, made the submission of the alleged forgery, saying that he does not have a university certificate as claimed. She told the National and State Assembly Election Tribunal sitting in Umuahia that Emeka Nnamani, representing Aba North Constituency, allegedly forged a University of Port Harcourt certificate, which he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the April 2015 elections. Following the allegation, the institution has, through its Registrar, disowned the lawmaker, saying he did not graduate from the institution. The tribunal, headed by Justice S. Yahuza, admitted in evidence, a letter from the Registrar of the University of Port Harcourt, disowning Nnamani as a graduate of the University. [myad]
The Enugu State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has asked the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Okey Ezea to pay the sum of N150,000 for what it called frivolous case that lacked merit and which was an abuse of court process. This was even as the Tribunal upheld the election of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in the April 11, 2015 governorship election which the APC challenged. In dismissing the petition filed Okey Ezea, the Tribunal held that several paragraphs of Ezea’s petition were earlier struck out for being imprecise and vague. The chairman of the tribunal, Justice Kwajafa Hildad, who delivered the judgment that lasted over three hours, said that the petition equally contained criminal allegations against people who were not made parties to the case. According to him, the petitioner’s allegations of over-voting and non-accreditation, through the manipulation of the card reader machine by the Independent National Electoral Commission and other respondents, were not sufficiently proved as it was only the voters register that could determine the number of people that voted in an election. He maintained that the petitioner failed to provide the voter registers to prove his case. The tribunal also noted that the petitioner only provided six witnesses drawn from only six polling units out of the 2,958 polling units in the state, a figure which was seen as insufficient. The tribunal held that the six witnesses admitted that the governorship election was free, fair and peaceful “with minor irregularities, which were not sufficient enough to cancel the election.” [myad]
Kaduna state government has warned the state Teachers’ Service Board to stop collecting N1,000 from each of the candidates who have applied to be engaged in the state civil service as teachers. The government has therefore asked the candidates not to pay money into any bank account as directed by the Board or any other agent. Applicants for jobs which were advertised by the state government have earlier been directed by the teachers’ board to pay N1,000 in a designated account with Skye Bank which the state government described as illegal and advised candidates not to comply. The instruction came from the state government after hundreds of candidates had already paid the money. In a statement today, the secretary to the state government, Balarabe Abubakar, asked applicants not to pay money to any bank account as such directive was not from the government. The statement read: “Further to its advertisements inviting applications from members of the public willing to work as Teachers or Traffic and Environmental Enforcement Officers, the Kaduna State Government reiterates the following: “As clearly stated in the adverts, applications by those seeking Teaching jobs should be addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education. “Applicants for Traffic and Environmental Enforcement Officer positions should submit their applications to their Local Government Council Chairman. “Applicants are not required to pay any fees or submit any forms, other than their application letters and relevant documents. “Any requests for money or acts amounting to obstructing or hindering citizens from smooth submission of their applications is illegal. Applicants should report such acts to info@kdsg.gov.ng or to 08184444644 and 08184444744. “Candidates whose applications meet the required standards will be shortlisted and contacted for the next stage of the recruitment process. “In view of the need to make the application process more user-friendly, the deadline for submission of KASTELEA applications is extended to 31st August 2015. Applicants for teaching positions now have up to 8th September 2015 to submit their applications.” [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has delegated former President Olusegun Obasanjo on a peace mission to the troubled Guinea Bissau which has been engulfed by political crisis following the dismissal of the Prime Minister, Mr Domingos Pereira, and his cabinet by President Jose Mario Vaz. A statement by special adviser to President Buhari on media and publicity, Femi Adesina said that the President is worried over the unfolding political situation in that country and had sent Obasanjo as his Special Envoy to mediate and help find a solution to the crisis in that country. Adesina said that President Buhari’s peace mission is in demonstration of true African solidarity and brotherhood. He said that Obasanjo had embarked on the first leg of his mission by consulting with the current Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Macky Sall of Senegal in Dakar on yesterday. “It is regrettable that while Chief Obasanjo was still consulting with President Sall, President Jose Mario Vaz of Guinea Bissau proceeded to appoint and swear-in a new Prime Minister in the person of Mr. Baciro Dja, a development that has worsened the political situation in his country.’’ Buhari appealed for calm and called on the leadership in Guinea Bissau to exercise utmost restraint and ensure the maintenance of law and order as efforts continue to resolve the current crisis. [myad]
Two Nigerian soldiers fighting Boko Haram in Borno state have lost their lives and two others were critically injured due to the landmine explosion even as the soldiers continued with their advance and pursuit of the terrorists to their enclaves in the Sambisa forest. The two soldiers, who were said to have been killed while they were advancing towards Dikwa, Borno State today, are from the 5 Brigade Explosive Devices Ordinance Unit. According to the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman in a statement today, the soldiers ran into the landmines buried by the insurgents between old Marte and Kerenoa junction in Guzamala Local Government Area of the state. He said the bodies of the deceased soldiers had been evacuated while those who were wounded were being treated in a military hospital. Usman explained that the Brigade lost a Mowag armoured personnel carrier to the mines explosion, saying the troops had continued their advance to the Sambisa Forest in pursuit of the fleeing terrorists with determination in spite of the sad occurrence. He announced that troops of the 7 Brigade, Maiduguri, have liberated Gudumbali town in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State and that the operatives killed a large number of the insurgents and destroyed their weapons during a battle and had commenced “a clearance operation in the general area”. He recalled that the fighter pilots of the Nigerian Air Force routed the camps of the insurgents in the mission area on Monday, adding: “as part of the offensive against the Boko Haram terrorists, troops of 7 Brigade have today(Friday) entered and cleared Gudumbali town in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State. “During the operation, quite a number of the terrorists were killed and their weapons and equipment destroyed. The troops are currently doing clearance operations in the general area.” [myad]
The Nigerian tax system has faced several challenges in recent times. Under current Nigerian law, taxation is enforced by the 3 tiers of government, i.e. federal, state, and local governments, with each having its sphere clearly spelt out in the Taxes and Levies (approved list for Collection) Decree, 1998. Several contentious issues have plagued taxation in Nigeria in recent years, among them is the issue of the appropriate tax authority to administer several taxes, also there is the issue of multiple taxes administered by all the three tiers of government which sometimes imposes welfare cost. Furthermore, the issue of the paucity of a data base, which contributes to tax avoidance in the country. The issue of corruption is still a perennial issue in the country; this reduces the confidence and trust of the taxpayers in discharging their civic duty. The issue of infrastructural development is also a crucial issue, in Nigeria, the level of infrastructural facilities is in a deplorable state, most of the facilities are often privately sourced, thus a number of people wonder what the taxes collected are used for, hence the tendency to evade tax payment. Furthermore, the problem of the tax language that is legally codified makes it difficult for an average Nigerian to understand. A tax collector is a person who collects unpaid taxes from other people or corporations. Tax collectors are often portrayed in fiction as being fierce and cruel people who collect taxes by all means, but in the real sense, most people do not like to pay taxes, others need a fierce and cruel tax collector who will compel them to do their civic responsibility. For many people living in Lagos, the name Tunde Fowler sends jitters through the spines of individuals and corporate concerns in the State. But a closer look reveals that Mr Fowler is disarmingly harmless, unassuming and charming. A sharp contrast to the fiercesome look, usually the trademark of tax collectors by the way. However, you will let down your guard at your own peril if you underrate him. Mr. William Babatunde Fowler who was the Tax Collector- in- Chief for Lagos State Government was on on Thursday, August 20, 2015, appointed by President Buhari as the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). Mr. Fowler was the Chief Executive Officer/Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue from 2005 to 2014. Fowler is taking over as chairman with an enviable Resume. Under his leadership, the Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue reportedly achieved a sharp increase in internally generated revenue from an average of N3.6. billion per month in January 2006, to an average of about N20.5 billion per month in 2013. An average Nigerians does not believe in taxation, he/she thinks the government will not put their money to good use, so they find it difficult to part with their money in the name of taxes. But with the Lagos example, Fowler changed the game, Lagosians have since seen what their taxes have delivered in terms of development and are more encouraged to pay taxes. Lagos State have also gotten to the point whereby even the pepper seller or bus conductor paying taxes understand and see what the taxes are doing for them, through the several infrastructural developments under the Fashola administration. Lagos State currently receives an average of N8billion from the Federation Account on a monthly basis. Out of this, N6billion is spent on the payment of salaries, After salaries are paid, Lagos State will be left with only N2billion, but through Fowler Lagos state was able to generate an average of N20.5 billion per month, just imagine what Lagos will be without these taxes. Imagine the recent Ebola outbreak in Lagos and the way the Lagos State Government sucessfully dealt with it. Imagine a Lagos State without the financial might to curtail the virus? Imagine a Lagos state being listed among the states that owed salaries of workers? Imagine the effect it will have on the socio-economic development of Lagos. Lagos State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N384.25 billion in 2013 exceeded the total sum generated by 19 states put together, analysis of data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has shown. A recent updated data released by the NBS on IGR at State level showed that a total of 20 states generated about N671.32 billion in 2013 out of which Lagos State had the lion’s share. The analysis showed that the total IGRs of Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Ondo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara states was N287.07 billion. Lagos is about N97.18 billion ahead of the total IGRs of the19 States combined, followed at a distance by Rivers States with a total of N87.91 billion. Further analysis showed that Lagos generated a total of N722.62 billion from 2008 to 2011. Comparatively, Kano generated a total of N23.11 billion over the same period. So, every government needs funds through taxes, the fall of oil prices is affecting the economy of Nigeria, so, the only way to sustain development is to depend on taxation, which the government can plan with. Fowler was able to serve Lagos state by generating revenue for the state and empowering the government as the Chief Executive Officer/Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue from 2005 to 2014. Considering the fact that many people don’t want to pay taxes, Fowler developed a tough skin and no friends and tormented the ‘Big Men’ in Lagos by making sure they paid their taxes. He was despised by many, just like many tax collectors, but it was indeed very rare to see a tax man being liked by so many people. Infact, if a tax man is well liked then it means there is something wrong somewhere. Today, Lagos is held up as a model in tax administration, Fowler indeed changed the game. In these trying times for Nigeria, when the fall in world oil prices has reduced Nigeria to a broke nation, we therefore need to look inwards and generate revenue. With the success from The Lagos Internal Revenue Service, Babatunde Fowler is no doubt the most experienced man for the job. Fowler will also ensure mutual cooperation among different government agencies and parastatals, this collaboration should enhance exchange of information, and reduce the incidence of tax evasion as well as fraudulent tax practices. To elicit voluntary compliance, the government should be more responsive to the welfare needs of the citizens. The Nigerian tax system can effectively generate more revenue when the citizens have trust and confidence in the authority. Lagos state under Fowler generated huge revenue due to the fact that many corporate bodies and individuals feel that they can visibly feel the development impact of their contributions. In most developed countries, tax payment is considered a moral and civic responsibility, thus tax avoidance is frowned upon. This implies that once the new government starts to give citizens dividends of democracy, they will in-turn demonstrate patriotism through timely payment of their taxes and discharging other civic duties. In Nigeria, most of the citizens are religious and faithful people. Thus, with religious provisions that explicitly support fulfilling religious obligations, tax payment could be enhanced. For instance, the Biblical saying of “Give unto Caesar, what is for Caesar and to God what is for God” is apt and relevant to the Christians while the Qur’an calls on the Muslims thus: “O you who believe, fulfil all obligations” (Q5:1). Not many people know that there is much more to the new Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Babatunde Fowler‘s life or daily activities beyond tax or revenue collection. Fowler divulges the secret that stands him out amongst others as a unique being in a recent interview to a Christian-based magazine, Harp Applause. Fowler spent 21 years in the banking profession, holding various managerial post before leaving the banking hall as a general manager to take up the challenge being thrust at his feet by former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to drive the tax revenue of the state, having being a specialist in revenue generation. The silent philanthropist does not embark on any mission or accept any challenges without consulting and hearing from God. It is his believe according to his words “The truth is that when God changes your direction, he changes it for a purpose. I have found myself in the position where I could directly impact positively into the lives of people, because when you collect revenue for government, you are empowering the government to do more for the people. Today, I can tell you that I am fulfilled in what I am doing. I can feel and see the impact of what I am doing in the lives of the people than when I was a banker. The once upon a time wannabe teenage chorister, who later became an usher at the Redeemed Christian Church of God before being ordained pastor, traced the secret of his success to a special request he made for the wisdom of Solomon. Not only did God grant his request while still a boy in the secondary school, he has remained his Consultant. He did it for Lagos, he can do it again…
Daramola Babalola writes from Lagos, Nigeria. [myad]
A Rivers State High Court, presided over by Justice Simeon Amadi, has dismissed the suit filed by former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi challenging the constitution of the Justice Odedeji – led Judicial Commission of Inquiry by Governor Nyesom Wike to probe the sale of state assets by the immediate past administration.
Delivering judgment on Suit Number PHC/187/15 filed by Former Governor Amaechi today, Justice Amadi declared that the Judicial Commission of Inquiry was not established to investigate the personal activities of the former governor, but set up to investigate previous actions of government as they affect the people of Rivers State.
He ruled that Governor Nyesom Wike by the provisions of the law is empowered to establish the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate previous actions of government.
According to him, there is no law preventing a state government from finding out how her resources were expended.
He declared that former Governor Rotimi Amaechi cannot disburse and expend funds of the Rivers State Government and turn around to claim that such powers belong to the National Assembly.
On the claim by former Governor Amaechi that the 30 – day set aside for the sitting of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry will deny him fair hearing, the court held the days set aside has not breached Amaechi’s right to fair hearing.
The court noted that the former governor has not filed a Memorandum before the Commission and has not appeared before it, hence he cannot complain that he was not given fair hearing.
Justice Amadi said that the 30 – days set aside is not sacrosanct, hence it could be extended.
The court further held that the suit by Former Governor Amaechi is speculative as he failed to prove the injuries that he has suffered because of the setting up of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry.
Justice Amadi held that contrary to Amaechi’s claims, the terms of reference of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry did not accuse the former governor of crime, neither is the former governor on trial.
Justice Amadi declared: “The Judiciary is not only the last hope of the common man, but it is also the last hope of the mighty and movers and shakers of democracy.
“Those who by the benevolence of the Judiciary got to power should resist the temptation to emasculate the Judiciary”.
Commenting on the judgment, Rivers State Attorney General, Emmanuel Aguma said the commission of inquiry can now sit, pointing out that it will be fair to all parties.
Counsel to Governor Nyesom Wike said that the ruling of the court has proved that a claimant cannot jump to court to stop the legitimate business of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry.
In her remarks, Counsel to Rotimi Amaechi, Former Governor of Rivers State, Mrs Winifred Enyinnaya said that Amaechi will appeal against the judgment.
It will be recalled that Governor Nyesom Wike upon assumption of duty set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the sale of key state Assets by the previous administration. Former Governor Amaechi approached the court to stop the inquiry. [myad]
The United States of America has expressed dissatisfaction with the inauguration of Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza for a controversial third term, even as it accusing the ruling party of ignoring the people’s will.
In a statement today, Washington warned that the crisis in the central African nation was not over and that political dialogue and international efforts to mediate it were key to bringing it “back from the precipice.”
Nkurunziza, an ex-rebel turned born-again Christian who believes he is in power by divine choice, was inaugurated earlier today after he won elections that the United Nations said were neither free nor fair.
“Today’s inauguration in Burundi demonstrates the ruling party’s intent to ignore the voices of its people in pursuit of its own political agenda,” State Department spokesman John Kirby said.
“An inauguration — without a government that represents the population’s many political voices and without a comprehensive and inclusive dialogue — will not resolve the political and security crisis in Burundi.”
Nkurunziza’s third term has been condemned as unconstitutional by the opposition and provoked months of protests. There has been a string of killings since his re-election, including the assassination of his top security chief in a rocket attack last month.
“An inclusive and comprehensive political dialogue is the only credible route to re-establish stability in Burundi and forge a peaceful and consensus path forward,” Kirby said.
Washington, heavily involved diplomatically in Burundi’s crisis for months, has repeatedly condemned Nkurunziza’s third mandate.
Last month, President Barack Obama singled him out as an example of the dangers of trying to stay put as he condemned African leaders who refuse to give up power.
US diplomats with area expertise are especially concerned about the risk of a resurgence in violence in this tiny country in the heart of the troubled Great Lakes region.
Nkurunziza was a Hutu rebel leader during the 1993-2006 civil war, when at least 300,000 people were killed. That war pitted rebels from the majority Hutu people against an army dominated by the minority Tutsi. [myad]
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Why Babatunde Fowler Will Change The Face Of Taxation In Nigeria,By Daramola Babalola
The Nigerian tax system has faced several challenges in recent times. Under current Nigerian law, taxation is enforced by the 3 tiers of government, i.e. federal, state, and local governments, with each having its sphere clearly spelt out in the Taxes and Levies (approved list for Collection) Decree, 1998.
Several contentious issues have plagued taxation in Nigeria in recent years, among them is the issue of the appropriate tax authority to administer several taxes, also there is the issue of multiple taxes administered by all the three tiers of government which sometimes imposes welfare cost.
Furthermore, the issue of the paucity of a data base, which contributes to tax avoidance in the country. The issue of corruption is still a perennial issue in the country; this reduces the confidence and trust of the taxpayers in discharging their civic duty. The issue of infrastructural development is also a crucial issue, in Nigeria, the level of infrastructural facilities is in a deplorable state, most of the facilities are often privately sourced, thus a number of people wonder what the taxes collected are used for, hence the tendency to evade tax payment. Furthermore, the problem of the tax language that is legally codified makes it difficult for an average Nigerian to understand.
A tax collector is a person who collects unpaid taxes from other people or corporations. Tax collectors are often portrayed in fiction as being fierce and cruel people who collect taxes by all means, but in the real sense, most people do not like to pay taxes, others need a fierce and cruel tax collector who will compel them to do their civic responsibility.
For many people living in Lagos, the name Tunde Fowler sends jitters through the spines of individuals and corporate concerns in the State.
But a closer look reveals that Mr Fowler is disarmingly harmless, unassuming and charming. A sharp contrast to the fiercesome look, usually the trademark of tax collectors by the way.
However, you will let down your guard at your own peril if you underrate him.
Mr. William Babatunde Fowler who was the Tax Collector- in- Chief for Lagos State Government was on on Thursday, August 20, 2015, appointed by President Buhari as the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
Mr. Fowler was the Chief Executive Officer/Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue from 2005 to 2014.
Fowler is taking over as chairman with an enviable Resume. Under his leadership, the Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue reportedly achieved a sharp increase in internally generated revenue from an average of N3.6. billion per month in January 2006, to an average of about N20.5 billion per month in 2013.
An average Nigerians does not believe in taxation, he/she thinks the government will not put their money to good use, so they find it difficult to part with their money in the name of taxes.
But with the Lagos example, Fowler changed the game, Lagosians have since seen what their taxes have delivered in terms of development and are more encouraged to pay taxes.
Lagos State have also gotten to the point whereby even the pepper seller or bus conductor paying taxes understand and see what the taxes are doing for them, through the several infrastructural developments under the Fashola administration.
Lagos State currently receives an average of N8billion from the Federation Account on a monthly basis. Out of this, N6billion is spent on the payment of salaries, After salaries are paid, Lagos State will be left with only N2billion, but through Fowler Lagos state was able to generate an average of N20.5 billion per month, just imagine what Lagos will be without these taxes.
Imagine the recent Ebola outbreak in Lagos and the way the Lagos State Government sucessfully dealt with it. Imagine a Lagos State without the financial might to curtail the virus?
Imagine a Lagos state being listed among the states that owed salaries of workers?
Imagine the effect it will have on the socio-economic development of Lagos.
Lagos State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N384.25 billion in 2013 exceeded the total sum generated by 19 states put together, analysis of data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has shown.
A recent updated data released by the NBS on IGR at State level showed that a total of 20 states generated about N671.32 billion in 2013 out of which Lagos State had the lion’s share.
The analysis showed that the total IGRs of Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Ondo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara states was N287.07 billion. Lagos is about N97.18 billion ahead of the total IGRs of the19 States combined, followed at a distance by Rivers States with a total of N87.91 billion.
Further analysis showed that Lagos generated a total of N722.62 billion from 2008 to 2011. Comparatively, Kano generated a total of N23.11 billion over the same period.
So, every government needs funds through taxes, the fall of oil prices is affecting the economy of Nigeria, so, the only way to sustain development is to depend on taxation, which the government can plan with.
Fowler was able to serve Lagos state by generating revenue for the state and empowering the government as the Chief Executive Officer/Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue from 2005 to 2014.
Considering the fact that many people don’t want to pay taxes, Fowler developed a tough skin and no friends and tormented the ‘Big Men’ in Lagos by making sure they paid their taxes.
He was despised by many, just like many tax collectors, but it was indeed very rare to see a tax man being liked by so many people.
Infact, if a tax man is well liked then it means there is something wrong somewhere.
Today, Lagos is held up as a model in tax administration, Fowler indeed changed the game.
In these trying times for Nigeria, when the fall in world oil prices has reduced Nigeria to a broke nation, we therefore need to look inwards and generate revenue.
With the success from The Lagos Internal Revenue Service, Babatunde Fowler is no doubt the most experienced man for the job.
Fowler will also ensure mutual cooperation among different government agencies and parastatals, this collaboration should enhance exchange of information, and reduce the incidence of tax evasion as well as fraudulent tax practices.
To elicit voluntary compliance, the government should be more responsive to the welfare needs of the citizens. The Nigerian tax system can effectively generate more revenue when the citizens have trust and confidence in the authority. Lagos state under Fowler generated huge revenue due to the fact that many corporate bodies and individuals feel that they can visibly feel the development impact of their contributions.
In most developed countries, tax payment is considered a moral and civic responsibility, thus tax avoidance is frowned upon. This implies that once the new government starts to give citizens dividends of democracy, they will in-turn demonstrate patriotism through timely payment of their taxes and discharging other civic duties.
In Nigeria, most of the citizens are religious and faithful people. Thus, with religious provisions that explicitly support fulfilling religious obligations, tax payment could be enhanced. For instance, the Biblical saying of “Give unto Caesar, what is for Caesar and to God what is for God” is apt and relevant to the Christians while the Qur’an calls on the Muslims thus: “O you who believe, fulfil all obligations” (Q5:1).
Not many people know that there is much more to the new Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Babatunde Fowler‘s life or daily activities beyond tax or revenue collection.
Fowler divulges the secret that stands him out amongst others as a unique being in a recent interview to a Christian-based magazine, Harp Applause.
Fowler spent 21 years in the banking profession, holding various managerial post before leaving the banking hall as a general manager to take up the challenge being thrust at his feet by former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to drive the tax revenue of the state, having being a specialist in revenue generation.
The silent philanthropist does not embark on any mission or accept any challenges without consulting and hearing from God. It is his believe according to his words “The truth is that when God changes your direction, he changes it for a purpose. I have found myself in the position where I could directly impact positively into the lives of people, because when you collect revenue for government, you are empowering the government to do more for the people. Today, I can tell you that I am fulfilled in what I am doing. I can feel and see the impact of what I am doing in the lives of the people than when I was a banker.
The once upon a time wannabe teenage chorister, who later became an usher at the Redeemed Christian Church of God before being ordained pastor, traced the secret of his success to a special request he made for the wisdom of Solomon. Not only did God grant his request while still a boy in the secondary school, he has remained his Consultant.
He did it for Lagos, he can do it again…
Daramola Babalola writes from Lagos, Nigeria. [myad]