News
TETFUND Commends FIRS Over Increase In Education Tax
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund(TETFUND) has commended the management of Federal Inland Revenue Services(FIRS) for its increase in education tax collection.
The Executive Secretary, TETFUND, Sonny Echono, made the commendation at the TETFUND/FIRS Annual Interactive Forum held in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.
Represented by the Director, Strategic Planning and Development, Erivwo Irene, Echono said that the 2022 interactive forum with the them, ‘Boosting Education Tax Collection for the Growth and Advancement of Tertiary Education in Nigeria is a noble cause between the agencies that have fostered the cause of tertiary education.
Echono said “TETFUND duly recognises the immense contribution of your mandate as the foremost and critical Revenue Service of the Federal Government from which we as a funding agency of the same government derive our intervention and operational funds”.
Echono who pledged to be committed to the mandate of the agency assured transparency and accountability to the government, citizens and stakeholders with FIRS as top on the scale of stakeholders.
“We will therefore continue to encourage this annual interactive forum with the FIRS which has been a veritable platform to discuss issues that are pertinent to the Education Tax (EDT) collection and also showcase the activities and impact of the EDT collection in the tertiary education landscape of the nation.
“Indeed,the need to boost “Education Tax (EDT) collection”, especially at this economically challenging period can never be overemphasized.
“This is in view of the pivotal role it plays in the nation’s educational system as deployed by the Fund and is one of the many vital reasons this Interactive Forum is highly
essential in the general operations of the fund,”Echono said.
He noted that tax collections have direct correlation to earnings and subsequently, the growth of any functional economic system adding that the growth of education tax which forms the bedrock of TETFund’s vision and mission in the nation’s education was one that was consistently on the front burner.
“This explains my earlier excitement and hope of an
improved revenue generation ultimately attaining a 500 billion naira yearly EDT collection.
“This optimism can be situated in the consistent position of President Muhammadu Buhari when he stated that, “we do not have a debt sustainability problem, but a revenue challenge which we are determined to tackle to ensure
our debts remain sustainable,”he said.
In his remark,the Executive Chairman, FIRS, Muhammad Nami, commended the efforts of the Board of Trustees and Management of TETFund for being steadfast in the organisation of the annual forum.
Represented by the FIRS Coordinator for Rivers, Delta and Edo, Hamisu Mohammed, Nami stated that FIRS had continued to make progress in revenue mobilization despite the economic headwinds from the negative consequences of covid 19, rising insecurity and effects of the Russia-Ukraine war on the global economy.
According to him, between January and September 2022, FIRS has collected N7.5trillion which is a significant improvement on the total collection of N6.4trillion for the entire 2021.
“Non-oil taxes accounted for N4.3trillion while Petroleum Profits Tax accounted for N3.1trillion, It is clear that the reforms undertaken since 2020 have started yield
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
-
News1 day ago
Obuah’s Victory Excites Former Lawmaker as APC Primaries Conclude in Rivers West
-
Politics3 days agoAPC PRIMARIES: FUBARA’S WITHDRAWAL, HISTORIC SACRIFICE FOR NATIONAL STABILITY ……. GROUP
-
News3 days agoCourt Sentences Seven To Death Over Murder Of Cleric In Rivers
-
News1 day ago
105 Nigerians Killed In S/Africa In Seven Years
-
Sports3 days agoPH Arsenal Community Set For Streets Procession, Saturday
-
Politics3 days agoIPAC Flays INEC Over Election Guidelines Judgement
-
Politics3 days agoNDC To Adopt Electronic Voting For Future Primaries
-
Niger Delta1 day agoRoyal Father Endorses PH Arsenal Community, Pledges To Support