Opinion
Time for Uncle JOE to Show Courage and Fight Corruption in Sports
By Sylvanus Ofekun
The groanings and the passionate appeals from sports stakeholders to the Sports Minister, Senator John Owan Enoh to act on the AFN’s audit committee to save image of Sports in Nigeria is gathering momentum.
The audit committee which was set up by the executive board of the federation pursuant to article 14.3.3 of the 2023 AFN constitution as amended, to probe the finances of the federation between January and September, 2023 recommended the redeployment of the Secretary General. The audit committee report revealed how the AFN Secretary General carried out expenditures on behalf of the federation without budgets and approvals which is a violation of article 24.1 of the 2023 AFN constitution as amended.
The report also recommended that the Secretary General should refund all monies she spent without approvals and evidence of payments following her refusal to furnish the committee with the necessary documents relating to the expenditures. On AFN President,Tonobok Okowa, the report recommended he should return to the AFN the N40m he took from the sponsorship fee paid by Premium Trust Bank.
Unfortunately, the Minister has maintained a taciturn posture, signaling an endorsement to the reckless adventures by those indicted in the audit report.The Nigeria Sports Minister, Senator John Owan Enoh, must show courage in fighting corruption in sports for several compelling reasons.
Firstly, corruption in sports undermines the integrity and fairness of the game. It erodes public trust and confidence in the sports sector and hampers the development of talented athletes. By taking a firm stance against corruption, Senator John Owan Enoh can restore faith in Nigerian sports and ensure that athletes have equal opportunities to excel based on their skills and hard work.
Secondly, corruption in sports diverts valuable resources that could be used for infrastructure development, athlete training, and grassroots programs. Funds meant for the improvement of sports facilities and the development of young talents are often siphoned off by corrupt individuals, leaving Nigerian sports in a state of neglect and underinvestment. Senator Enoh’s commitment to fighting corruption will ensure that these resources are utilized properly, leading to improved facilities, better training programs, and increased sporting achievements.
Furthermore, corruption in sports perpetuates a culture of dishonesty and unethical behavior. It sets a bad example for young athletes who may think that success can be achieved through deceit and cheating. By cracking down on corruption, Senator Enoh can instill a culture of integrity and fair play within the sports community, providing a positive role model for aspiring athletes and fostering a more ethical sports environment.
Additionally, corruption in sports has negative implications for Nigeria’s international reputation. The country’s sporting achievements are often marred by scandals and allegations of corruption, which diminishes its standing in the global sports community. By actively combating corruption, Senator Enoh can restore Nigeria’s credibility and enhance its image as a nation committed to upholding integrity in sports.
Lastly, corruption in sports impacts the livelihoods of athletes and sports professionals. Unscrupulous practices such as match-fixing, bribery, and embezzlement can deprive athletes of the opportunities and rewards they rightfully deserve. Senator Enoh’s efforts to fight corruption will ensure that athletes are fairly compensated for their hard work, talent, and dedication, creating a more equitable and sustainable sports system in Nigeria.
In conclusion, Senator John Owan Enoh must exhibit courage in fighting corruption in sports for the sake of integrity, fairness, development, reputation, and the well-being of athletes. By taking a strong stand against corruption, he can restore public trust, allocate resources effectively, create a culture of integrity, enhance Nigeria’s international standing, and protect the rights of athletes.
It is imperative that Senator Enoh demonstrates the necessary determination and resolve to tackle corruption head-on and usher in a new era of transparency and accountability in Nigerian sports.
sleekysly5@gmail.com .
Featured
Tax Reform Bill Passage: New Tax Laws, Better Nigeria
By Arabinrin Aderonke
Nigeria must work; this is the vision we have held onto for so long. When the news came that the Senate had passed all four tax reform bills, it was one of those moments you stop and ask yourself, is this really happening? For years, Nigeria’s tax system has been a source of frustration, something we all got used to criticizing. Truthfully, it was not just tax. From electricity to education to healthcare, we have long complained about the failure of government systems.
On top of that, Nigeria remained tied to the unstable global oil market, leaving us with unpredictable revenue and a shrinking ability to fund our future. That is exactly why we must keep believing in the idea of a new Nigeria. And this time, it is not just another round of promises, this is action.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu understood that to truly rebuild Nigeria, we needed a tax system that would create sustainable revenue, spread the burden fairly, and give every Nigerian, rich or poor, north or south, a reason to trust government again. That is what led to the introduction of the tax reform bills in 2024. It has taken months of serious policy work, consultation, and courage. Now, with the National Assembly passing all four bills, the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the Nigeria Tax Administration (Procedure) Bill 2024, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill 2024, and the Joint Tax Board (Establishment) Bill 2024, we are seeing decisions that could finally loosen Nigeria’s dependence on oil and give states the resources they need to grow.
One of the features is the new VAT sharing formula. Under the proposed structure, 50 percent of Value Added Tax revenue will be shared equally among all states, 20 percent will be distributed based on population, and 30 percent will be distributed according to actual consumption. It is a formula designed to balance fairness with performance, giving each state a stake while also encouraging economic activity and good governance.
The Senate also made it known that the VAT rate will remain at 7.5 percent, resisting pressure to increase it. For Nigerians, that means no new burden added to goods and services. But more importantly, the bills approved also provided for the continued funding of development agencies such as the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). These are the institutions that support learning, research, and innovation across the country, and their survival is necessary for the future of the Nigeria we all want.
Another part of the bill is the plan to turn the Federal Inland Revenue Service into the Nigeria Revenue Service (Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill). But this is not just a name change. It is a coordinated effort to build a system that supports states, strengthens local government revenue, and makes tax collection more transparent.
Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of FIRS, has led the redesign of the agency and introduced many measures aimed at improving tax collection across the country, and even these Tax Reform Bills are one. If anyone has earned respect in this space, it is him. His work shows that reforms are possible when people in charge are ready to do better.
As it stands, all four tax reform bills have been passed, and these laws are now in place. This means Nigeria has completed what many consider the most needed tax reform in years.
The process now moves to the harmonization stage, where both the Senate and House of Representatives will come together to resolve any differences in their versions of the bills. Once they reach an agreement, the bills will be sent to the President for his final approval. After the President signs them into law, they will be published in the official gazette, making them official. From there, the Federal Inland Revenue Service, which will be renamed the Nigeria Revenue Service, will take the lead in implementation. With the capable Tax Boss, Dr. Zacch, we can be sure that the results will exceed expectations.
This is the Renewed Hope Nigerians have been waiting for. The changes are here, these reforms give us the chance to do things right!
Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi is the technical assistant on broadcast media to the executive chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service
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