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NYSC Seeks More Support From States, Others For Corps Members

Published

4 years ago

April 7, 2021

Joel Ajayi

The National Youth Service Corps NYSC has urged all the states government and local government areas in the country to keep on supporting corps members through provision of security, infrastructure and other welfares that will enable them serve their fatherland effectively and efficiently.

The Director General of the Scheme, Brig. Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, stated this at the meeting of NYSC top management with representatives of states government held on Wednesday, in Abuja, with the theme: “Strengthening stakeholders’ support grassroots development initiatives for greater impact.”

In his opening remark, the NYSC Boss expressed that, the meeting is aimed at further strengthening the relationship with states government, the FCT Administration and local governments, whose roles remain critical to the smooth operations of the scheme.

According to him, this forum will review the decisions made at the previous meeting, and provide feedbacks on implementation by all participants and further strategies on the way forward.

“I am pleased to report that since the last meeting, a number of states have shown greater commitment to the statutory obligations of NYSC.

“We have witnessed increased interventions in the area such as, the upgrade of facilities in Orientation Camps, establishment of NYSC state governing board and local government agencies committee as well as payment of state allowances to corps members, amongst others.

“Therefore, I use this opportunity to express gratitude to the affected states for their support with the hope that they will maintain the tempo.

“On the other hand, there are states and LG whose performance leave much to be desired. Problems such as lack of permanent orientation camps, obsolete or inadequate facilities in the camps, lack of the shortage of Corpers’ lodges, inadequate office accommodation and non-release of the stator state subvention to the NYSC secretariat are being faced in such states. I appeal to those in this category to show more commitment to providing the enabling environment for smooth conduct of our operations.”

He added that: “One of the major issues this meeting will focus on is reinvigoration of NYSC grassroots development activities. Those familiar with our operations will attest to the fact that successive batches of corps members have always worked with host communities to address their needs through execution of projects that have now dotted the entire landscape of the country.

“The intervention of NYSC in community development is deliberate designed to be participatory in nature, with the Corps Members identifying felt needs, proffering solutions and mobilizing the community to provide resources for execution of planned projects.

“The essence of community participation is to instill in the people the culture of self-help as well as development of sense ownership of social amenities provided for them.”

He lamented dwindling level of support given to the corps members; “however the level of support for development activities of the scheme is dwindling; hence need to reawaken the consciousness of stakeholders on the need to give them the desire support.”

Declaring the event open, the FCT Minister Mallam Musa Bello, who was represented by Acting Secretary Area Council Secretariat, Mrs. Olanipekun Omolola said, the meeting is timely and appropriate because NYSC plays a prominent role in uplifting the living standard of Nigerians through its various programs.

“Indeed, it is always heartwarming to see the high rate of intervention by corps members who work with communities especially in the rural areas, to execute various development projects. However, ii understand that the level of public support for such development activities is warning thereby raising concern among stakeholders in the scheme.

“Therefore, I commend the NYSC management to table this as one of the key issues to be discussed at this meeting.”

Bello also, commended the NYSC contribution towards the fight against COVID-19 “the scheme contribution to the effort to contain COVID-19 pandemic is still fresh in our memory.

“We in FCT, like communities in other parts of country benefited from items such as face mask, hand sanitizer, liquid soap, automated and foot-operated water, sanitizer dispensers, and disinfection chambers produced and donated by corps members, amongst other interventions.

He expressed that FCT Administration will not relent in in discharging the statutory responsibilities to the scheme, especially through upgrade of facilities in the NYSC orientation camp as well as security and other welfare provisions for corps members.

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Tax Reform Bills: Extricating Nigeria From Economic Cesspit

Published

5 days ago

April 8, 2025

The Gleamer

By Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi

On March 13, 2025, the House of Representatives passed the Tax Reform Bills. The Senate is expected to debate the bills after its current recess, resuming plenary on April 29, 2025. Once the Senate passes them, they will be sent to the President for assent. This is the final stretch.

What comes to mind when you hear the word reform? What do you think of when you hear Tax Reform Bill? After all this time, many Nigerians now have a clearer understanding of what is happening. But when you think of it, who do you envision? There is no other person than the man of the people: Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

After taking office in May 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inherited a situation that required urgent action. Our tax system had been plagued by inefficiencies, low compliance rates, and inadequate coverage. The country also faced challenges like the need for more transparency, improved coordination between federal and state tax authorities, and the lack of a clear, modernized tax framework to support long-term economic growth.

President Tinubu was fully aware of these shortcomings before and after assuming office. The one thing he could do was put a capable man in charge: the Tax Boss. The government made tax reform a priority in its broader economic agenda, and Dr. Zacch has demonstrated commitment in ensuring these reforms are efficiently implemented.

The Tax Boss knew that no matter how brilliant the reform looked on paper, it had to work in practice. Under his leadership, FIRS accelerated internal reforms, digitized processes, automated over 80 percent of returns processing, and integrated new modules into the TaxProMax system to make compliance easier and smarter. This is what Nigerians needed: we are not waiting for change; we are making it happen.

By the end of 2024, four draft bills emerged: the Nigeria Revenue Service Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Taxation (Consolidation) Bill, and the Joint Tax Board Bill. Each was designed to streamline laws, harmonize tax administration, and expand the tax base without overburdening taxpayers. The National Assembly opened its doors to scrutiny with public hearings, tough questions, governors’ perspectives, and expert feedback. Some proposals were revised, such as the decision to retain the current VAT rate.

But let’s not forget how we got here. It took presidential will, expert input, and above all, Dr. Zacch, the Tax Boss himself. The Tax Boss has not only championed this process; he has owned it with clarity, purpose, and results. With continued execution and the right structures in place, the tax reforms will build a stronger system for everyone, from government to everyday Nigerians.

Tax Reform Bill is not just another trend. It’s the change we have been asking for. Most importantly, it is here to stay.

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

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