Month: August 2023

The Republic of Ireland on Monday promised to promote and sustain its bilateral relations with Nigeria through people-to-people engagements.

Mr Shane Rice, the Deputy Head of Mission for the Irish Embassy in Nigeria, made this pledge at a news conference to announce the Irish-Nigerian Partnership for Development and Growth Business conference.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference scheduled to take place in Dublin from Oct. 27 to Oct. 29 is being organised by leading industry professionals and policy makers.

It aims at strengthening economic ties between Republic of Ireland and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The conference will be a hybrid event with fellowship from participants connecting around the world, especially Nigerian-Irish citizens.

Rice said: “the essence of this upcoming conference is to prosper both nations through business engagements.

“We have been in Nigeria for quite a while, and this is our first embassy in the continent of Africa, and we plan to be here for a long time working to deepen the already existing relations.

“And really to find ways for us to enhance each other’s culture and to promote people-to-people relationship, because when one partner prospers, all will prosper, and that is the essence of the conference in Dublin.

“We are really looking forward to supporting the conveners and building our relationships, even after the investment conference that will be holding in Dublin later this year.

“And for reference, Irish people have been coming to Nigeria as priest, nuns, teachers for a long time. They come to educate and work as priests. We will see this through the upcoming conference, especially with our colleagues joining us online.

“We will also see the contributions that Nigerians are making in Ireland as students, healthcare workers, entrepreneurs among others. So, we will use this conference to take stock of that and see how we can strengthen our partnership.

Also speaking, Mrs Edizemi Onilenla a.k.a Mamashee in Ireland, who is the Executive Convener of INGA, said that the three-day conference would focus on bringing entrepreneurs, captains of industries and government agencies together.

Onilenla, who is also the CEO Mansions Foods, said that the conference would present these professionals with the opportunity to initiate conversations on short, medium and long-term trade investment opportunities for Nigerians and the Irish people.

“The conference will target areas such as Aviation, Education, Technology, Agriculture and Resilient Infrastructure. It will awaken the age-long historical ties between both countries and promote the quality of these relationships.

“The conference is not a one-off event but a partnership engagement between both countries, and one of many interactions that we hoped to achieve in coming years.

“We appreciate the current Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Peter Ryan, who is actively in support of this initiative, and who aims at bridging the gap between the two countries by creating an enabling environment for both communities to thrive.

“I humbly, and eagerly invite business organisations, chief executive officers, federal and state government ministries, departments, agencies and parastatals to be part of the conference.

“To register, go to www.inga.ie where you will find details and packages,” Onilenla said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) has taken steps to correct errors in tax remittances by individuals and businesses in the capital city, Abuja.

The acting Executive Chairman, FCT-IRS, Mr Haruna Abdullahi, stated this at a workshop in Abuja on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was on Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GFMIS) platforms.

Abdullahi frowned at wrongful remittances of taxes meant for FCT-IRS to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and payment of personal income tax to other states of the federation.

He blamed the anomalies on inaccurate data entries on the platforms, which distorts financial records and deprives the rightful states of their due resources.

“We have discovered that on the IPPIS, most persons come with tax clearance not reflecting the Federal Capital Territory.

“It appears that some desk officers believe that the FCT-IRS is not present on the GIFMIS platform.

“As a result, they automatically remit the taxes due to the FCT-IRS to the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

“I would like to clarify that the FCT-IRS is indeed on the GIFMIS platform, and our code is 100419,” he said.

He called on individuals to file their taxes in the appropriate places and remit to the appropriate tax authority.

He also encouraged all desk officers to ensure that subsequent tax remittances for the FCT were accurately made to the FCT-IRS, not the FIRS.

According to him, the errors, if not corrected, will deny the rightful tax authority their genuine resources.

He, therefore, appealed to desk officers to be meticulous in their duties -double-check every data entered, every form filled, and every tax remittance made to ensure it goes to the right authority.

He said that the workshop was organised to correct the misallocations of past tax remittances.

“I would like to stress that the FCT-IRS exists to serve the people of the FCT, just as the FIRS exists to serve the entire nation.

“We are not competitors, but rather collaborators in the larger scheme of national development.

“To the FIRS, we say, let fairness and justice prevail. We believe in your institution’s dedication to just and fair practices.

“We request that you join us in this crucial endeavor to correct these past mistakes and ensure that the FCT-IRS receives what is rightfully due to it,”, he appealed.

Abdullahi also stressed the need for individuals and civil servants to pay their taxes to the appropriate authorities, adding that tax clearance must be taken more seriously by individuals.

He noted that FCT-IRS, as a revenue generating agency in the nation’s capital, Abuja, has a duty to enlighten the people on issues related to tax clearance, considering its importance.

In his remarks, Dr Kennedy Iwundu, Chairman, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), FCT chapter, said that governments at all levels must comply with the provisions of tax laws to avoid lapses.

Iwundu explained that the tax law provides that business names should be administered by the state’s Internal Revenue Service, and in the case of Abuja, by the FCT-IRS.

He added that companies were to be administered by the Federal Internal Revenue Service (FIRS), representing the Federal Government.

“When MDAs are giving out contracts to companies, they are obligated to remit the revenue to FIRS.

“However, if the contract is in a business name, the withholding tax is to go to the FCT-IRS, where the business name is residence,” he said.

Iwundu stated that the mistake of wrong remittances caused challenges in the system and must not be allowed to continue. (NAN)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Government says it is working on plans to develop quality care older persons in Nigeria.

Dr Emem Omokaro, the Director-General, National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) saidd this on Tuesday during a 2-day workshop on development of policy guidelines and regulatory framework on quality care assurance for older persons.

”We are engaging with relevant stakeholders to develop Quality Assurance Systems and Regulatory Framework for Training, Classification, Recognition and Certification of Geriatric Social Care Skills.

”We will also assess training centres and training providers for accreditation of Geriatric Care givers and its agencies,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was organised in partnership with the United Nations Development of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) in Abuja.

Omokaro said that the two-day engagement was to ensure quality care for older persons in Nigeria.

He also said that the engagement was expected to consolidate on frameworks and standard operational procedures to ensure improvement in quality care and wellbeing of older persons and their care givers in Nigeria.

”As well as opening up enormous job opportunities and the care industry sub-sector in Nigeria.

”Because, care of older persons is competence based which needed training and skills assessments at both the training centre and work place.

”Persons who desire to acquire skills and certification for employment as care givers to older persons need learning opportunities to enhance their capacities and employability,” she said.

Omokaro said that the training would ensure that care providers met the needed standards for accreditation for quality care assurance.

”In terms of assessments that will guarantee international recognition for national qualification of geriatric social care givers,” he said.

In his remark, the UN Resident and Coordinator Humanitarian in Nigeria, Mr Matthias Schmale said that one of the targets of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was to ensure that no one was left behind.

‘’It is unfortunate that one group that is neglected in the UN programme is the older persons.

”I do realise that as we develop our sustainable development framework, one group we neglected is older people, I’m really sorry for that, but it’s never too late.

”So, one commitment I have is one of the taglines of our sustainable development framework is leave no one behind.

”The older people are clearly a group that should not be left behind, So that’s a commitment I made to you on behalf of the United Nations,” he said.

He assured of the United Nations determination to ensure that older persons were adequately captured in UN programme.

”And again, we overlook that there is a substantial number of older people that should be part of what we do and consider as UN and it’s not just from a caregiving and vulnerability perspective, being a senior citizen myself.

”I believe that we have a lot to offer to senior citizens,” he said.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Dr Sani Gwarzo, said that the event was apt.

Gwarzo, represented by the Director, Humanitarian Services Mr Ali Grema, commended the doggedness, courage and commitment of the NSCC boss toward driving necessary innovations that would ensure quality and sustainable care for older persons in the country.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Niger Delta Integrity Group (NDIG) has alerted the Federal Government of some unqualified individuals trying secure jobs at the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) at all costs.

The Convener of the group, Dr Boma Horsfall said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

‘’These individuals are responsible for spreading falsehood against the leadership of the programme.

“The allegations of massive fraud in the PAP as reported by some sections of the media; are unsubstantiated and are inconsiderately geared toward bringing the image of the Interim Administrator to disrepute.

“There is a criminal conspiracy of PAP beneficiaries who were delisted because of stipends payment Bank Verification Number (BVN) fraud, to blackmail the Interim Administrator, Retired Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu with falsehoods.

“A misleading allegation and urging anti-graft agencies to investigate the PAP over alleged fraud is a mischievous attempt to smear the leadership and management of the programme,’’ he said.

He added: “Also, the unfounded allegation that some members of staff in the office are receiving huge amounts for welfare running into millions of naira monthly is a fictitious imagination.’’

He appealed to the federal government to engage the service of credible multinational service networks to conduct examination for people seeking for the PAP job.

Horsfall said that if done, the government would be shocked to see that such persons would run back into their holes, adding that they lack the intellectual capacity to head such a sensitive office.

‘’It is shameful that our country has found itself in such a situation that miscreants and illiterates will be aspiring for sensitive public service jobs.

“The pedigree and capacity of Ndiomu, a seasoned retired General, is scarce in the region.

“Hence, the need for positive minded people to rally round him and give him the much needed support to reposition the PAP and bring the needed growth to our youths.

“As a group, the NDIG wishes to reiterate that it is the trademark culture and tradition of our people to blackmail each other for selfish reasons and gains,’’ he said.

He added: “The NDIG urges relevant security agencies to go after those spreading falsehood and inciting the public negatively.

“We also urge the Interim Administrator to not be deterred in his noble quest to change the negative narrative of the Amnesty Programme for the benefit of the entire Niger Delta.’’

Source: News Agency of Nigeria