News
Nigerian Technical Aid Corps to Partner Federal Inland Revenue Service for Enhanced Service Delivery
Joel Ajayi
The Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) have agreed to constitute an Ad Hoc joint Committee to work out modalities on how the both federal agencies will interface for a greater service delivery of their both mandates for the benefits of recipient countries of the Technical Aid Corps scheme.
This was the high point of a meeting held, Wednesday,in Abuja when the Director,Inter-Governmental Relations Department of the FIRS,Dr.Umaru Idris Ahmed led a delegation of the Service to a courtesy call on the Director General of NTAC,Rt.Hon.Yusuf Buba Yakub.
Speaking during the visit,Rt.Hon. Buba informed his guests that the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps was established in 1987 with a mandate to drive the Technical Aid Corps scheme as an instrument of soft power diplomacy for the promotion of the nation’s foreign policy goals in African, Caribbean and the Pacific nations.
He added that in the past 37 years of driving the mandate NTAC has deployed over 10,000 highly trained professionals in diverse fields of endeavour to 40 countries across the world and has showcased Nigeria as a friend to those countries in the spirit of the United Nations’ South-South Co-operation.
“Today,as we speak,the Scheme is not limited to just interventions in the Health and Education sectors,but also in Engineering,in the Judiciary and even Artisanship.
“For instance,today,we have Nigerian High Court Judges and many Legal Draftsmen serving in The Gambia as part of the Technical Aid Corps scheme.Nigerian Professors are also currently heading the prestigious University of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology in that country.There are so many cases like those across the world so that today going forward we are thinking,with the necessary amendments to our statues here,of attracting the needed foreign exchange from the services of some of these professionals we send out to share our abundant human resources with our sister countries of the ACP Region,”the DG informed.
Earlier speaking,the Director of the IGRD and leader of the Federal Inland Revenue Service delegation,Dr.Ahmed told their hosts that the delegation was at the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps to advance the building of new relationships with MDAs in line with the mandate of the newly established Inter-Governmental Relations Department of FIRS.
He also informed that the Department,which was established at the FIRS in March this year, had the sole mandate of fostering relationships between the Agency,the MDAs of Government and the private sector. The above he said was in order to further project the image of the Service in good light in relation to its role collecting tax for Government and facilitating tax reforms for national development in the Tinubu Administration.
Dr. Ahmed further informed that,being a member of both the African Tax Forum(ATAF) and the West African Tax Forum(WTAF),he would strive to liaise with those professional bodies to ascertain how NTAC could assist some ACP countries with the competencies of some Nigerian tax experts.
Among those present at the meeting on the side of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps were the Director of Administration at the Agency,Amb.Yakubu Abdullahi Ahmed;the Director of Programmes,Amb.Zakari Usman as well as the Deputy Director of Administration,Amb.Saidu D
Muhammed and Mr.Saidu Idris Yusuf,a Deputy Director in the Accounts Department.
Officers from the FIRS include the following:Mrs.Shehu Ganiyah,Ashu A.S,Mr.Silas Onweydu as well as Mr.Okim Thomas.While others were Mr.Usman Ibrahim and Amina Abdullahi.
News
Boundary Commission Rolls Out 2025 Strategic Plan For Boundaries Resolution For Economic Prosperity
Joel Ajayi
National Boundary Commission NBC has outlined its strategic priorities for disputed areas in 2025, focusing more on boundary resolution that it believes will bring economic prosperity and promote peaceful coexistence, as well as to drive sustainable development across Nigeria’s boundary regions.
The plan includes deployments of drones, advanced geospatial technologies, Expand Public Awareness Campaigns, Strengthen Grassroots Conflict Resolution Mechanisms mapping tools to improve accuracy and efficiency in boundary management in the country for the coming year.
The Director-General of the commission, Mr Adamu Adaji, who was represented by Dr the Director of Internal Boundaries Dr Bulus Emmanuel, at the 2024 end of year media briefing in Abuja, said that the commission had partnered with key organisations to enhance technology integration in boundary management.
He stated that boundaries are instruments of unity, growth, and development to build bridges of cooperation, ensuring peaceful coexistence, as well as means of unlocking the full potential of nation and region.
While rolling out vision for the year ahead, Adaji expressed; “As we look forward to the future, the NBC is committed to expanding its impact and ensuring sustainable management of Nigeria’s boundaries. Our strategic goals for 2025 include:
“Accelerate the Resolution of Boundary Disputes: Strengthen collaborations with state governments, traditional rulers, and community stakeholders to expedite dispute resolution and foster lasting peace.
“Expand Public Awareness Campaigns: Roll out nationwide sensitization programs to educate citizens on the importance of boundaries in fostering unity and national development.
“Strengthen Grassroots Conflict Resolution Mechanisms: Equip local leaders and boundary communities with tools for resolving conflicts amicably and sustainably.
“Enhance Technological Integration: Invest in advanced geospatial technologies, drones, and mapping tools to improve accuracy and efficiency.
“Promote Regional and International Cooperation: Advance cross-border agreements to enhance security, stimulate trade, and foster regional integration under the AfCFTA.
“Bolster Capacity Building Initiatives: Organize specialized training sessions on maritime law, conflict resolution, and boundary management.
“Operationalize the Extended Continental Shelf: Develop a roadmap for sustainable exploitation of maritime resources in compliance with international laws.
“Strengthen Data Management Systems: Collaborate with NASRDARMFAC (REVENUE MODEL) and other agencies for a harmonized geospatial database amongst others.
He used the occasion to reflect on NBCs achievements; ” The National Boundary Commission (NBC) remains steadfast in its mandate to resolve boundary disputes, promote peaceful coexistence, and drive sustainable development across Nigeria’s boundary regions.
“The resolution of interstate boundary disputes remained a top priority for the NBC and in 2024, we made significant strides in the following areas: Interstate Boundary Department: Boundary Delimitation and Demarcation,
“The Anambra/Enugu Boundary disputes saw the introduction of an innovative and dynamic approach otherwise known as the “Anambra/Enugu Home grown Formula,” being introduced to resolve the interstate dispute between the sister states leveraging local engagement and political will to advance the demarcation process.
“Benue/Nasarawa Boundary: We successfully revived stalled pillar emplacement projects by harmonizing historical records and facilitating renewed dialogue between stakeholders.
“Kebbi/Niger Boundary: Technical committees were established to evaluate historical documents and execute boundary tracing setting the stage for peaceful resolutions.
“Field and Technical Exercises: Our team conducted extensive verification and alignment exercises on boundaries including Gombe/Taraba, FCT/Nasarawa, the Enugu/Kogi and determination of the Ekiti/Ondo/Osun tripartite point.
“These efforts demonstrate our commitment to ensuring accuracy, fairness, and peaceful coexistence along Nigeria’s interstate boundaries.
NBC also recorded successes in International Boundaries resolution as the Nigeria-Benin International Boundary, Nigeria-Niger International Boundary, Nigeria-Cameroon International Boundary and Community Resettlement Projects were carried out with great success.
Speaking on the Challenges Adaji said, despite these successes, challenges such as limited resources, insecurity in certain regions, and stakeholder resistance continues to pose huddles.
He commended the Federal Government, State governments, traditional rulers, development partners, and our border communities for their unwavering support as well as the Media for their unwavering support and for playing a critical role in disseminating accurate information and fostering.
He assured that, the NBC remains steadfast in its mandate to resolve boundary disputes, promote peaceful coexistence, and drive sustainable development across Nigeria’s boundary regions
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