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Establish AI Commission To Tackle Revenue Leakages, PAAC Advises Tinubu
The Chairman, Pan African American Chamber of Commerce, Prof. Olatokunbo Onabanjo, has advised President Bola Tinubu to establish Artificial Intelligence Commission(AI) to address revenue leakages in the country.
Onabanjo, in an interview with The Tide’s source, in Lagos, yesterday, said establishing Artificial Intelligence Commission(AI) would turn around Nigeria’s education, health, housing, trade and tourism sectors among others.
“With the establishment of Artificial Intelligence Commission, and by integrating AI algorithms into the government’s financial systems, suspicious transactions and patterns can be automatically flagged for further investigation.
“AI can analyse large volumes of data in real-time, identify anomalies, and detect potential cases of fraud or revenue leakage,” he said.
Onabanjo, who was the Director of Computer Services during Tinubu’s administration as governor of Lagos State, called for enhanced Data Analytics Capabilities through utilisation of Enterprises Resources Planning(Oracle ERP) system to gather data from various government departments and agencies.
“By leveraging on AI-powered analytics tools, the government can gain valuable insights into revenue collection, expenditure patterns, and identify areas where leakages are occurring.
“This data-driven approach will help to identify loopholes and develop strategies to plug them,” he said.
Onabanjo, a seasoned project manager and member of Certified Project Management Professionals, said that the use of AI would also strengthen tax compliance and revenue collection by government.
“AI can be employed to automate the tax collection process, ensuring accurate and efficient assessment, billing, and collection of taxes.
“AI algorithms will analyse tax data, identify potential tax evaders, and facilitate targeted enforcement actions. This can help increase tax compliance and revenue generation.
“ERP systems will also be utilised to streamline and automate procurement processes.
“AI-powered analytics will help identify discrepancies, detect fraud, and ensure transparency in procurement transactions. This can minimise leakage and corruption in procurement activities.
“AI will assist in identifying potential risks and vulnerabilities in revenue collection processes.
“By analysing historical data and patterns, AI algorithms can predict potential areas of revenue leakage and enable proactive measures to mitigate risks,” he said.
Onabanjo said that implementing ERP systems would facilitate data sharing and collaboration among different government agencies involved in revenue collection and management.
According to him, this will enable real-time data exchange, improve coordination, and enhance visibility into revenue-related activities, making it easier to identify and address leakages.
The PAAC chairman called on the government to also invest in capacity building.
“To effectively leverage AI and ERP resources, it is essential to invest in training government personnel to use these technologies.
“Building a skilled workforce that can handle data analysis, AI algorithms, and ERP systems will ensure the successful implementation and utilization of these resources.
“It’s important to note that addressing revenue leakages requires a holistic approach, including policy reforms, enforcement mechanisms, and transparency initiatives.
“AI and ERP resources can complement these efforts by providing advanced tools and insights to identify and tackle revenue leakages effectively,” he stated.
He was of the view that Oracle ERP implementation could streamline government processes, improve data management, and promote transparency in financial transactions.
According to him, this will help the government in making informed decisions, reducing inefficiencies, and minimising corruption.
Onabanjo said: “ERP systems can consolidate and automate various administrative functions, leading to cost savings in areas such as procurement, inventory management, and payroll.
“This can free up resources that can be redirected towards other developmental initiatives.
“With an efficient ERP system in place, government departments can provide better services to citizens.
“Streamlined processes and improved data management can result in faster response times, reduced bureaucracy, and enhanced service quality.”
According to him, ERP systems generate vast amounts of data, which can be analysed to gain insights and support evidence-based decision making.
He said that it could help the government to identify trends, evaluate policy effectiveness, and allocate resources more effectively.
“In addition to ERP implementation, the integration of AI technologies can further benefit the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“AI has the potential to automate repetitive tasks, enhance data analysis capabilities, and improve decision-making processes,” he disclosed.
He listed few the ways AI could help to include Intelligent Automation, Data Analysis and Predictive Modelling, Fraud Detection and Cybersecurity among others.
“AI-powered automation can streamline processes across various government departments, increasing efficiency, and reducing human error. This can lead to improved service delivery and cost savings,” he stated.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for an official State visit at the invitation of the Prime Minister, Dr. Abiy Ahmed.
Upon arrival yesterday, Shettima was received at the airport by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Dr. Gedion Timothewos, and other members of the Ethiopian and Nigerian diplomatic corps.
Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communication, Stanley Nkwocha, revealed this in a statement he signed yesterday, titled: “VP Shettima arrives in Ethiopia for official state visit.”
During the visit, Vice President Shettima will participate in the official launch of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Programme, a flagship environmental initiative.
The programme designed to combat deforestation, enhance biodiversity, and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change targets the planting of 20 billion tree seedlings over a four-year period.
In line with strengthening bilateral ties in agriculture and industrial development, the Vice President will also embark on a strategic tour of key industrial zones and integrated agricultural facilities across selected regions of Ethiopia.
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RSG Tasks Farmers On N4bn Agric Loan ….As RAAMP Takes Sensitization Campaign To Four LGs In Rivers
The Rivers State Government has called on the people of the state especially farmers to access the ?4billion agricultural loans made available by the State and domiciled in the Bank of Industry.
This is as the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) of Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), a World Bank project, took its sensitization campaign to Opobo/Nkoro, Andoni, Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor local government areas.
The campaign was aimed at enlightening community dwellers and other stakeholders in the various local government areas on the RAAMP project implementation and programme activities.
The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Maurice Ogolo, said this at Opobo town, Ngo, Port Harcourt City and Rumuodumanya, headquarters of the four local government areas respectively, during the sensitization campaign.
Ogolo said apart from the ?4billion, the government has also made available fertilizers and other farm inputs to farmers in the various local government areas.
The Permanent Secretary who is the Chairman, State Steering Committee for the project, said RAAMP will construct roads that will connect farms to markets to enable farmers and fishermen sell their farms produce and fishes.
He also said rural roads would be constructed to farms and fishing settlements, and warned against any act that will lead to the cancellation of the projects in the four local government areas.
According to him, the World Bank and Federal Government which are the financiers of the programme will not condone such acts like kidnapping, marching ground and other acts inimical to the successful implementation of the projects in their respective areas.
At PHALGA, Ogolo asserted that the city will benefit in the areas of roads and bridge construction.
He noted that RAAMP was thriving in both the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; Lagos and other states in the country, stressing that the project should also be given the seriousness it deserves in Rivers State.
Speaking at Opobo town, the headquarters of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, the project coordinator, RAAMP, Mr.Joshua Kpakol, said the programme would reduce poverty in the state.
According to him, both fishermen and farmers will maximally benefit from the programme.
At Ngo which is the headquarters of Andoni Local Government Area, Kpakol said roads will be constructed to all remote fishing settlements.
He said Rivers State is lucky to be among the states implementing the project, and stressed the need for the people to embrace it.
Meanwhile, Kpakol said at PHALGA that RAAMP is a project that will transform the lives of farmers, traders and other stakeholders in the area.
He urged the stakeholders to spread the information to their various communities.
However, some of the stakeholders at Opobo town complained about the destruction of their farms by bulls allegedly owed by traditional rulers in the area, as well as incessant stealing of their canoes at waterfronts.
At Ngo, Archbishop Elkanah Hanson, founder of El-Shaddai Church, commended the World Bank and the Federal Government for bringing the projects to Andoni.
He stressed the need for the construction of roads to fishing settlements in the area.
Also, a former Commissioner for Agriculture in the state and Okan Ama of Ekede, HRH King Gad Harry, noted that storage facilities have become necessary for a successful agricultural programme.
Harry also stressed the need for the programme to be made sustainable.
In their separate speeches, the administrators of Andoni and Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Areas, pledged their readiness to support the programme.
At Port Harcourt City, the Administrator, Dr Arthur Kalagbor, represented by the Head of Local Government Administration, Port Harcourt City, Mr Clifford Paul, said the city would support the implementation of the programme in the area.
Also, the administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter, represented by Mr Michael Elenwo, pledged to support the programme in his local government area.
Among dignitaries at the Obio/Akpor stakeholders engagement is the chairman, Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council and paramount ruler of Apara Kingdom, HRM Eze Chike Wodo, amongst others.
John Bibor
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the commencement of personnel audit and skill gap analysis across all cadres of federal civil servants.
The president gave this directive in Abuja, yesterday, while speaking at the International Civil Service Conference, reaffirming his resolve to achieve efficiency and professional service delivery in the civil service.
“I have authorized the comprehensive personnel audit and skill gap analysis across the federal civil service to deepen capacity. I urge all responsible stakeholders to prioritize timely completion of this critical exercise, to begin implementing targeted reforms, to realize the full benefit of a more agile, competent and responsive civil service,” the president announced.
Tinubu further directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), to prioritise data integrity and sovereignty in national interest.
He called for the capture, protection and strategic publication of public sector data in line with the Nigeria Data Protection Act of 2023.
“We must let our data speak for us. We must publish verified data assets within Nigeria and share them internationally recognized as fruitful. This will allow global benchmarking organisation to track our progress in real time and help us strengthen our position on the world stage. This will preserve privacy and uphold data sovereignty,” Tinubu added.
President Tinubu hailed the federal civil service as the “engine” driving his Renewed Hope Agenda, and the vehicle for delivering sustainable national development.
He submitted that the roles of civil servants remain indispensable in modern governance, declaring that in the face of a fast-evolving digital and economic landscape, the civil service must remain agile, future-ready, and results-driven.
“This maiden conference is a bold step toward redefining governance in an era of rapid transformation. An innovative Civil Service ensures we meet today’s needs and overcome tomorrow’s challenges.
“It captures our collective ambition to reimagine and reposition the civil service. In today’s rapid, evolving world of technology, innovation remains critical in ensuring that the civil service is dynamic, digital” the President said.
Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack in her welcome address told the President that his presence and strong words of commendation at the conference has renewed the morale and mandate of public servants across the country.
Walson-Jack described Tinubu as the backbone of driving transformation in the Nigerian civil service, and noted that the takeaways from past study tours undertaken to understudy the civil service in Singapore, the UK and US under her leadership, is already yielding multiplier effects.
Walson-Jack assured Tinubu that her office, in collaboration with reform-minded stakeholders, will not relent in accelerating the implementation of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan, FCSSIP 25.
She affirmed that digitalisation, performance management, and continuous learning remain key pillars in strengthening accountability, transparency, and service delivery across MDAs.
Walson-Jack reaffirmed that the civil service is determined to exceed expectations by embedding a culture of innovation, ethical leadership, and citizen-centred governance in the heart of public administration.