The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), in collaboration with Afropolitan Media Organisation, has trained over 50 journalists in Kano state on tax administration in Nigeria.
The training titled “The role of FIRS in driving nation’s tax administration for nation building” took place on Thursday in Kano and was poised to increase journalists’ understanding of Nigerian tax administration so that they can better report on the sector for the benefit of taxpayers.
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Hajiya Aisha Umar Halilu, MD/CEO, Afropolitan Media Limited while speaking giving her remarks said the purpose of the engagement with the media was to intensify journalists’ existing knowledge of the Nigerian tax administration so as to aid the press efficiently report on issues relating to the country’s tax administration.
“The media which are part of nation building have to enlighten people on the reasons why they pay tax as well as how the government is using their taxes for the betterment of the country because it is their responsibility.
“When the public is enlightened on issues of tax, they will be encouraged to adequately pay their taxes to the government.” She said.
Hajiya Halilu added that the training brings the media up to speed with the challenges faced by tax authorities and the importance of the media in reporting the challenges, ethically for the education of the taxpaying populace.
Zahradeen Salisu, the facilitator while speaking to Journalists said tax collection would be easier when the media adequately inform the public and will reduce all forms of tax evasion, adding that the recent reforms of FIRS which makes payment of tax digital, has made the tax payment seamless, and also boosted the revenue being generated by the FIRS.
“The system has closed a huge number of leakages that happens during the assessment and collection procedure and from the comfort of one’s office or home, a tax clearance certificate can be easily generated,” Salisu said.
