Business
Why Nigerians Should Embrace Paying Taxes, By Chukwudi Enekwechi
In all societies – both ancient and modern, paying taxes has remained a means through which citizens reciprocate the government’s social services to them.
Of course governments all over the world exist to render services to the people by providing social services such as infrastructure and other developmental projects for the use of citizens, but at the same time it behooves the citizens to reciprocate by paying their taxes as at when due.
In fact one of the requirements for a citizen to aspire for a public office in Nigeria and indeed in other climes is to show a proof of being a responsible citizen by paying his or her taxes, and failure to adhere to this rule will deny the citizen the right to aspire to a public office. I recall that in the second republic, the late nationalist and First Republic President, Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was dragged to court by his political opponents on the allegation that he failed to pay his taxes. However after the court adjudicated on the matter it was discovered that Dr. Azikiwe, as a responsible citizen had paid his taxes as at when due, and he proceeded to contest for the coveted office of the President.
This is one historical example of how important it is to pay taxes. Furthermore, when citizens pay their taxes government will be in a position to adequately discharge its responsibilities to the citizens. Such responsibilities include provision of social amenities like hospitals, roads and bridges, water, healthcare, sanitation, schools, care for the aged and vulnerable groups, markets among others.
It is in this regard that the Nigerian apex tax organisation—Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) under its Executive Chairman, Muhammad Nami has been applauded both within and outside Nigeria for its innovative steps towards increasing Nigeria’s revenue profile with its aggressive drive for payment of taxes by the citizens.
It is remarkable that since Muhammad Nami assumed office he has introduced several measures that have seen the Federal Inland Revenue Service being in the lead for the federal government’s source of revenue for development apart from the oil sector.
In most developed countries tax evasion is considered a very serious crime and can lead to severe repercussions against any offender, his or her status in the society notwithstanding.
In the light of the above Nigerians are enjoined to embrace the culture of paying taxes as it is a demonstration of one’s faith in his country, as well as an obligation on the part of every citizen and corporate organisation.
There are different types of taxes ranging from personal income tax, company income, tertiary education tax etc. There is no gainsaying the fact that a social contract is not only binding on the government but also the citizens. While the government is discharging its own responsibilities, the citizens on their part are obligated to reciprocate by paying their taxes promptly.
Gladly this is playing out well under the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration where the increase in tax revenues has translated into the provision of numerous social amenities that are impacting on the citizens positively.
The impact can be felt in the construction of roads, bridges, railway lines, funding of Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, building of water dams and power plants across the country among many others. Obviously all these life-changing social services would not have been possible if the Federal Inland Revenue Service did not live up to its constitutional responsibility.
Enekwechi, JP can be reached on : Kwechis19@yahoo.com
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has announced the appointment of a new eight -man Senior Management Team.
The appointment followed the recent announcement followed the appointment of the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) and Board of Directors.
Disclosing this in a statement on Friday, NNPCL Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, said the appointments all take immediate effect.
“Following the appointment of the Group Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has announced the appointment of a new 8-man Senior Management Team on Friday,” he stated.
“The team which will be headed by the GCEO, Mr Bashir Bayo Ojulari, has Rowland Ewubare as Group Chief Operating Officer; Adedapo Segun as Group Chief Financial Officer; and Olalekan Ogunleye as Executive Vice President Gas, Power & New Energy.
“Other members of the team are: Udy Ntia as Executive Vice President Upstream; Mumuni Dangazau as Executive Vice President Downstream; Sophia Mbakwe as Executive Vice President Business Services; and Adesua Dozie, as Company Secretary & Chief Legal Officer. All appointments are with immediate effect.”
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the director-generaI of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), says the recent tariffs announced by the United States (US) will have significant implications for global trade and economic growth prospects.
On April 2, President Donald Trump announced sweeping global tariffs on all imports into the US, imposing 14 percent on Nigeria.
In a statement on Thursday, Okonjo-Iweala said the WTO secretariat is closely monitoring and analysing the measures announced by the nation.
The WTO DG said many members have “reached out to us”, adding that the secretariat is actively engaging with them in response to their questions about the potential effect on their economies and the global trading system.
“The recent announcements will have substantial implications for global trade and economic growth prospects,” the economist said.
“While the situation is rapidly evolving, our initial estimates suggest that these measures, coupled with those introduced since the beginning of the year, could lead to an overall contraction of around 1% in global merchandise trade volumes this year, representing a downward revision of nearly four percentage points from previous projections.”
Okonjo-Iweala expressed concern over the decline and the potential for escalation into a tariff war with a cycle of retaliatory measures that could lead to further declines in trade.
“It is important to remember that, despite these new measures, the vast majority of global trade still flows under the WTO’s Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) terms,” she said.
“Our estimates now indicate that this share currently stands at 74%, down from around 80% at the beginning of the year. WTO members must stand together to safeguard these gains.”
According to the WTO DG, trade measures of this size have the potential to create significant trade diversion effects.
Therefore, she called on members to “manage the resulting pressures responsibly to prevent trade tensions from proliferating”.
“The WTO was established to serve precisely in moments like this — as a platform for dialogue, to prevent trade conflicts from escalating, and to support an open and predictable trading environment,” Okonjo-Iweala said.
She encouraged members to utilise the forum to engage constructively and seek cooperative solutions.
By Abubakar Yunusa
The Association of Labour Veteran and Trade Union Assembly has voiced its support for President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, claiming that food prices have significantly decreased across the country.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the union’s interim president, Comrade Isa Tijjani, acknowledged the initial economic hardship faced by Nigerians at the beginning of Tinubu’s administration but insisted that government efforts had led to tangible improvements.
“At the start of this administration, the cost of food soared, and the nation was filled with cries of hunger and complaints. People were urged to be patient as the government worked towards solutions,” Tijjani said.
“Now, the President and his aides have worked tirelessly, and prices have come down drastically. However, I have yet to hear words of appreciation for their efforts. Recognising their achievements will encourage them to do even more for the nation.”
Tijjani, a former national vice-president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, urged Nigerians to differentiate between constructive criticism and unwarranted opposition.
He emphasised that engaging with the government in a respectful and solution-oriented manner would yield better results than resorting to hostility.
“The President of this country today is Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Advising him in a humble and respectful manner will be more productive than adopting a confrontational stance. Constructive engagement achieves more than threats and name-calling,” he added.
Tijjani also condemned the recent act of violence in Edo State, describing it as a cowardly attempt to incite division and instability in Nigeria.
He welcomed the swift response of both the President and the Governor of Edo State in addressing the situation and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.
The labour leader further urged union members to participate in the upcoming General Executive Council meeting, where the union’s position on national issues will be formalised and disseminated at all levels of governance, from the state to the local and ward levels.
The Tinubu administration has faced criticism over the country’s economic challenges, including inflation and currency depreciation. However, government officials have maintained that their policies will yield long-term benefits for Nigeria’s economy.