Opinion

STRATEGIES OF SHEHU DIKKO IN SPORTS

Published

9 months ago

January 17, 2025

Felly Mammah

Chairman, National Sports Commission Alh. Shehu Dikkos says that everybodys positive impute in sports will place the sector in an enviable platform that will make it a reference point globally more so, as the country has energetic and vibrant boys that are the dream of most African countries and the admiration of the world.

The scripture asked a rhetorical question that “can two work together accept they agree”? This question seems to have been answered by the body language and gestures of both the Chairman of the Sports Commission Alh.Shehu Dikko and the Director General Mr Bukola Olapade. The subtle smile on their faces in every gathering shows compatibility expected to put same smiles on faces of Nigerians who have long desired workable transformation in the sports sector. The ease in the gesture of these sports administrators speaks volume that with togetherness a goal can be scored either through penalty shootout, from corner, from free kick or directly.

Their visit to President Bola Tinubu led by the Chairman recently, eulogizes the truth that the President maintains his stand and commitment for Alh Shehu Dikko to saddle the mantle of leadership in the sports sector. Pictures taken during their visit to the President captured a right choice made by him to have selected Shehu Dikko to manage Sports Commission going by his statement ‘Shehu, I am happy with u and see u on the Television’. This statement further explains his expectation for making the right choice and choosing the right persons with like minds to effect changes in sports sector.

Both the Chairman and the Director General have verse experience in sports as an added advantage that will enable them manage their shortcomings. Part of the reason for their presidential visit led by the Chairman, was to present both their strategical and action Road map plan to the President, which includes the plan to create a sports economy, infrastructure development and the National Sports Festival.

Among their desirous plea was for the President to respectfully, declare Sports as a National assets to be backed by necessary legislative frame work for proper development.
Alh. Dikko explained that part of his major challenge as expected by Nigerians is to turn sports around completely from what it use to be, to new world of competition likend to global expectation. He also, wants to xtray the possibility of achieving three Rs which includes resetting peoples thinking, refocus and redirect ideas for sports to be seen not only as medication to highblood pressure and entertainment industry, but now a money making industry that will be profitale to both the government, athletes, viewers and the business entreprenuers.

Shehu Dikkos active participation in sporting activities lives him with a drawn plan on how the minds of viewers particularly the management will be drifted from sports qualifications, participation and summer tourism to sports development and production to ensure that the eco system works accordingly.

This visit to the President since their assumption of duty, was a grate opportunity for them to let Nigerians understand their defined vision of what the sector should offer the general sports world. Serious focus according to the Chairman, will also, be to have very close synergy and as well, merge the experiences of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Major Stakeholders and strictly select credible coaches, serving and experienced retired sports administrators that will help change the face of sporting activities.

The Chairman Shehu Dikko was promising as he has assured Nigerians befor the President that the remaining 6 matches to be played for qualification for the World Cup and other significant matches that involve both male and female will be strictly monitored befor March 2025. The different sports fedrations especially the NFF according to him, will be more promising and as well, regain its lost wide audience.

However, The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Exco members led by their Abuja Chairman, Mr Chidoka and his National Secretary Mr Ikenna Okonkwo shortly visited the Sports Commission Chairman to pledge their commitment in di- eminating sports news in a manner that will not paint the country with a negative image. The SWAN chairman on behalf of others was emphatic as he assured Shehu Dikko that it is observed that negative representation through thier coverages is tantamount to presenting the image of sports in the country to a liken stage of deformation. Chidoka said that the country has both deligent and intelligent correspondence that can be reckoned with.

Surprisingly, Shehu Dikko himself is a writer with pedigree and have published books that are educative. He is seen as a man with vast knowledge possibly the reason he is flexible in communication and public relation. Some people no doubt have qualifications in criticism but this natural gift of thiers can be converted to workable eco system in line with Shehu Dikkos idea to raise the GDP of our country. Shehu Dikko has opened his doors to dialouges for better understanding of his three Rs to the general public especially those with goodwill of motivations

Felly Mammah
Press Officer.

Share on Facebook

Featured

No Need For Separate TIN To Operate Bank Accounts FIRS Official

Published

3 weeks ago

September 15, 2025

The Gleamer

By Aderonke Atoyebi

In recent debates about Nigeria’s tax reforms, a widespread misconception has emerged: that citizens without a Tax Identification Number are unable to own or operate a bank account. This view, while popular in some quarters, is inaccurate.

The reality is that Nigeria’s tax system has evolved to integrate seamlessly with existing national registries, ensuring that every eligible individual or entity is automatically identifiable for tax purposes.

This article clarifies how the new framework works, drawing from the Federal Inland Revenue Service’s implementation of the National Taxpayer Directory under the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (2025).

The Tax Identification Number is a 13-digit unique identifier for all taxable persons and entities in Nigeria. It encodes details such as issuance year, registry source (NIN for individuals, RC for corporates), state of registration, and a cryptographic fragment for security, concluding with a check digit.

The TIN is not a standalone requirement imposed on citizens. Instead, it is a statutory tool that ensures every taxpayer, whether an individual, a registered business, or an association, can be uniquely verified within the national tax system.

Tax ID and the National Identity Management Commission: For individuals, the TIN is automatically linked to their National Identification Number issued by the National Identity Management Commission.

When an individual provides their NIN, such as during bank account opening or Know Your Customer processes, the system cross-checks the NIN in the national database. As part of this verification, the TIN is automatically retrieved and attached to the person’s records.

This means citizens do not need to manually apply for or present a tax ID before opening a bank account. The system handles the integration in real time.

Tax ID and the Corporate Affairs Commission: For businesses, the TIN is tied directly to the RC Number issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission. Likewise, for cooperatives, partnerships, professional bodies, and other legal entities, the TIN is connected to their respective recognised registries

This linkage ensures that corporate entities can be transparently identified for both tax and compliance purposes. Just as with individuals, banks and regulators do not require extra documentation beyond the foundational registry numbers to confirm tax status.

Exploring the benefits of a tax ID: Seamless Banking Access: Individuals and businesses can open and operate bank accounts using their NIN or RC Number, with the TIN automatically integrated behind the scenes.

Fraud reduction: The system eliminates duplicate or false identities by ensuring every taxpayer is tied to a verifiable registry.

Regulatory compliance: Banks and financial institutions can rely on a single, consent-driven source of truth for onboarding, reporting, and KYC compliance.

Inclusivity: Beyond companies, the framework extends coverage to associations, professional bodies, and trustees

Global compatibility: Nigeria’s tax system can securely interact with international systems for trade, finance, and compliance.

The misconception that Nigerians cannot own or operate a bank account without a tax ID overlooks the integrated design of the new TIN system. By linking TINs to existing foundational identifiers such as the NIN and RC Number, the system ensures automatic compliance without creating unnecessary barriers for citizens.

In practice, this means a Nigerian walking into a bank with their NIN is already tax compliant. The bank simply retrieves its TIN as part of its onboarding process. Far from being a hurdle, the TIN framework is a gateway to financial inclusion, regulatory transparency, and global interoperability in Nigeria’s evolving digital economy.

Aderonke Atoyebi is the technical assistant on broadcast media to the executive chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service

Share on Facebook