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By our correspondent, Lafia
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), has tasked residents of Nasarawa State to be serious and committed to tax payments in order to boost the economy of the state.
The federal government establishment also appealed to media practitioners to make efforts towards informing and educating the masses on their obligations and responsibilities under the tax laws which is also targeted at ensuring growth for the nation.
Addressing participants in Karu Local Government Area of the state on Thursday at a one-day sensitisation workshop on the ‘Nigerian Tax Administration’ organized- for Media practitioners in the state, the Managing Partner, Shehu Mohammed & Co, Mallam Shehu Mohammed, narrated that Journalists have a great function to play in educating the public on the need for them to be committed to tax payments.
His words, “Tax is any compulsory payment to the government, imposed by law with direct benefit or return of value or service. Tax is not just a civic responsibility but also a legal responsibility of the citizens and it contributes immensely to revenue generation of the government as well as development of the nation.
“And the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) plays a pivotal role in the developmental progression of the country. We would be glad if Journalists from across the country would join us in education the people on the need to pay their taxes.”
“A lot is being done in the FIRS to improve the country’s revenue under the present Chairman, Mr. Muhammad Nami, and it is all for the growth of the nation,” he concluded.
In his presentation on the Reforms and Innovations in the FIRS, a Partner with Shehu Mohammed & Co, Ibraheem Ajibola, said the present administration of Nami, brought new innovations in the administration of taxes in the country.
Ajibola further narrated that the new innovations had led to the rise in the revenues generated by the agency.
“FIRS is the agency responsible for assessing, collecting and accounting for tax and other revenues accuring to the federal government.
“With this workshop, we believe that the media is now well equipped with the terms, roles and moves of the FIRS for the good of all Nigerians and Nigeria as a nation. “he added.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer ( CEO) of Afropolitan Media Limited, Hajiya A’isha Umar Halilu, explained that the workshop organized by the FIRS in conjunction with her organisation was to equip media professionals in Nasarawa State with the right information to enable them educate the public on the need to pay their taxes.
She, however, admonished the participants to make judicious use of the training programme, and gain the required knowledge on issues concerning tax payments in the country.
One of the participants who spoke on behalf of the others, Comrade Salihu Alkali, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Nasarawa State, appreciated the organisers of the programme for the opportunity to learn, and promised to educate the masses on the need to pay their taxes.
