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Month: October 2024

  • FIRS launches USSD code for taxpayers’ satisfaction

    FIRS launches USSD code for taxpayers’ satisfaction

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    In a bid to enhance ease of doing business, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), on Wednesday, launched an Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) Code *829# specifically targetted at improving taxpayers’ satisfaction.

    FIRS chairman, Zacch Adedeji, launched the code at the Revenue House in Abuja as part of activities making this year’s Customer Service Week which has the theme Above and Beyond.

    The initiative makes Nigeria the sixth African country to deploy USSD code for simplifying tax payment processes.

    A statement by Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS chairman said taxpayers on any mobile telecommunication network in the country can now get across to FIRS real-time on issues relating to retrieval of Taxpayers Identification Number (TIN), verification of Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC), information on tax types and rates, locate the nearest FIRS office, and as well as get answers to general tax-related inquiries.

    Speaking at the ceremony, Adedeji said the instant messaging protocol demonstrated further commitment of the agency to simplifying tax administration and ensuring that “every taxpayer—whether in bustling cities or remote areas—can engage with FIRS seamlessly.”

    He called on taxpayers to enjoy the benefits that the USSD code offers and utilise the code for all their enquiries.

    “With the *829# USSD code, taxpayers now have the power to: retrieve their Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), verify their Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC), access information on tax types and rates, locate the nearest FIRS office, and get answers to general tax-related inquiries.

    “Without the need for internet access, all of these services are now available with a simple mobile phone. This technological leap reflects our dedication to creating a tax system that is efficient, transparent, and responsive to the needs of taxpayers”, he said.

    The agency also launched Customer Centricity Guide, a booklet containing policies, processes and procedures to ensure that FIRS keeps the taxpayers in their rightful position as ‘kings.’

    “Equally important is the unveiling of the Customer Centricity Guide. This guide embodies our commitment to putting taxpayers at the centre of our service delivery.

    “It outlines the principles and values that will drive our interactions with taxpayers by ensuring that every engagement is defined by respect, professionalism, and efficiency.

    “The guide serves as a reminder to us all that the taxpayer is not just a client, but a valued partner in nation-building. Through the combination of the *829# USSD code and the Customer Centricity Guide, we are reinforcing a culture of service excellence and making tax compliance not just a duty but an experience that fosters trust and voluntary participation.

    “As we celebrate this achievement, I encourage everyone to make full use of the *829# service and embrace the Customer Centricity Guide. Your feedback will be crucial as we continue to enhance these services and meet the evolving needs of our taxpayers,” he said.

    The national coordinator of Servicom, Nnenna Akajemeli, praised the effort of the FIRS towards taxpayers’ satisfaction, noting that the efforts are evident.

    “There are many things to congratulate the FIRS on. One is the launch of the USSD code *829# and the customer centricity guide. These initiatives which are simplifying tax and ensuring that citizens and taxpayers are delighted at the quality of service you render,” she said.

    FIRS Director, Taxpayers’ Service Department, Loveth Onanuga noted the agency recognized that customer-centricity means more than just satisfying customers’ basic wants, but also going “above and beyond what customers anticipate and astonishing them with great service” in line with the theme of the week.

  • GTCO Denies Allegation On Reports Against Business Activities, Results, Its Executive Management

    GTCO Denies Allegation On Reports Against Business Activities, Results, Its Executive Management

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    GTCO, a global leading financial institution, has refuted the allegations report on the business activities, results and its Executive management.

    This was contained in a statement made available by the Corporation, the statement further said, based on the incessant release of false news reports on GTCO’s business activities, Results and its Management Team.

    The statement reads” it has become necessary to set the records straight and dispel attempts by certain groups to create a false narrative about the GTCO Brand and its Management”

    “The false news articles which are being sponsored using the media, center around baseless allegations against the Group’s business activities and its Executive Management”

    The statement also stated that being a responsible corporate citizen and a first class institution, GTCO Plc has taken swift and decisive legal actions against the various sources of these false reports, and will continue to use the full extent of the rule of law available to safeguard its reputation.

    “We urge all our Customers, Shareholders and Stakeholders to kindly disregard all the allegations being peddled through various media platforms and handles” “All, of our Executive Management team continue to operate in their full capacities as appointed and are not under any financial or regulatory scrutiny as alleged” GTCO said.

  • Embracing the Legacy: Mrs. Helen Eno Obareki Motivates Staff to Keep the Flame Alive

    Embracing the Legacy: Mrs. Helen Eno Obareki Motivates Staff to Keep the Flame Alive

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    In a heartfelt and emotionally charged meeting, Mrs. Helen Eno Obareki, newly appointed Senior Special Assistant to the Governor and Coordinator of the Office of the Wife of the Governor, brought together the staff of the office to offer comfort and a renewed sense of purpose. With the sudden passing of her mother, Her Excellency, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, still weighing heavily on the hearts of many, Mrs. Obareki sought to restore hope and motivate the team to continue working towards the goals her mother held so dear.

    Addressing the staff, Mrs. Obareki acknowledged the profound shock of losing the beloved First Lady, a woman whose passion and unwavering support for Governor Umo Eno endeared her to the people of Akwa Ibom. Her mother’s legacy, built upon compassion, service, and a vision for the well-being of the state, is one that Mrs. Obareki is determined to carry forward.

    “It is with mixed emotions that I stand before you today,” she began. “I take on this role not only as a duty but as a tribute to my mother and role model, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, who devoted her life to serving this state and supporting her ‘Golden Boy,’ as she so fondly referred to my father. Her spirit of loyalty, love, and unyielding dedication will guide us as we continue the work she started.”

    Mrs. Obareki’s appointment as the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady comes at a pivotal moment, as Akwa Ibom moves forward under the transformative leadership of Governor Umo Eno. With the ARISE Agenda at the forefront of the Governor’s vision for a greater future, Mrs. Obareki emphasized that her role is to ensure that the programs initiated by her late mother remain a vital part of that vision. She reassured the team that the Golden Initiative for All (GIFA), which focuses on the welfare of the vulnerable, along with the ARISE Initiative for the Elderly, would not only continue but expand under her stewardship.

    “My assignment is clear,” she declared. “I am here to support the Governor’s vision for a brighter, more prosperous Akwa Ibom. Our work is crucial to realizing his dreams for the people of this state, and I am counting on your dedication and creativity to help us achieve this. I urge you all to stay honest, diligent, and committed to your responsibilities. Together, we can make a lasting impact.”

    In a display of compassion and solidarity, Mrs. Obareki invited the staff to share their thoughts and ideas on how the office could continue to thrive in the wake of such a great loss. She encouraged an atmosphere of open communication, asking each staff member to contribute their unique perspectives to enhance the office’s impact.

    “The door is always open for new ideas,” she assured them. “Your contributions are not just welcome; they are necessary as we strive to uphold the values my mother embodied and the vision my father champions.”

    The meeting also featured a moment of collective reflection, as prayers were offered for Mrs. Obareki, her family, and the entire staff, asking for strength and guidance in this new chapter of leadership.

    Later in the day, Mrs. Obareki joined her father, Governor Umo Eno, and her siblings to welcome the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) delegation, led by Chairman and Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, who came to offer their condolences at the Hilltop Mansion. The visit from the NGF, coming so soon after the swearing-in of the Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of the 31 Local Government Councils, was yet another reminder of the deep bonds of support that extend beyond politics and across Nigeria.

    In her closing remarks, Mrs. Obareki affirmed her commitment to ensuring that the initiatives, both local and national, including the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) championed by Senator Oluremi Tinubu, would continue to flourish, serving families and communities across Akwa Ibom.

    With passion and purpose, Mrs. Helen Obareki steps into this role not only as a daughter honoring her mother’s memory but as a leader determined to continue her family’s legacy of service to the people of Akwa Ibom. Through her leadership, the values of compassion, resilience, and dedication to the greater good will remain the cornerstone of the office’s work, ensuring that the vision for a better Akwa Ibom lives on.

  • Rivers Assembly urges police to go after thugs burning LG secretariats

    Rivers Assembly urges police to go after thugs burning LG secretariats

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    The Rivers State House of Assembly has called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to swiftly arrest suspected political thugs allegedly behind the burning of some local government secretariats in the state.

    The Speaker, Mr Victor Oko-Jumbo, made the call on Monday during the plenary session of the house, while condemning the wanton destruction of government facilities by yet-to-be-identified individuals.

    He said there were pockets of violence at some council secretariats believed to be orchestrated by suspected political thugs.

    He expressed his displeasure at the unfortunate development, saying Governor Siminalayi Fubara had put in so much effort to restore peace in the state.

    “The governor, in the pursuit for peace, had demonstrated an exceptional resilience in the face of provocations and we expect cooperation from well-meaning statesmen in that regard.

    “For us lawmakers, we have also contributed our quota in terms of quality legislations geared towards engendering peace and development for the state.

    “I think, at this point, the police should step up its constitutional mandate of protecting lives and property in the state,” Oko-Jumbo said.

  • Iremide Ogunyemi Emerges Fidelity Bank’s ‘Read2Lead’ Writing Competition

    Iremide Ogunyemi Emerges Fidelity Bank’s ‘Read2Lead’ Writing Competition

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    From left: Winner, Miss Iremide Ogunyemi of The Ambassadors’ College, Ota, Ogun State; and Executive Director, South Business, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Pamela Shodipo; at the prize presentation ceremony of the Fidelity Reorganized Read2Lead Writing Competition held in Lagos recently.

    A student of The Ambassadors’ College, Ota, Ogun State, Miss Iremide Ogunyemi, has won N2 million cash, a publishing deal worth N2 million and another N2 million to upgrade her school’s library after emerging the star prize winner of the inaugural edition of the Fidelity Bank organized Read2Lead writing competition. This was disclosed at the competition’s prize presentation event held in Lagos over the weekend.

    Welcoming guests to the event, Mrs. Pamela Shodipo, the Executive Director of South Directorate, Fidelity Bank Plc, who represented Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe,OON, the bank’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, said the initiative was created to unlock the creative potentials of students and help them become better positioned for successful careers.

    “All over the world, young people are driving change through innovation and Nigeria is no exception. As a Bank, we believe in the transformative power of education in changing the fortunes of any nation. It is this belief that led us to organize the Read2Lead initiative. By fostering the fundamental yet crucial skill of reading and writing from a young age, we aim to empower children to face academic challenges confidently and solve life problems skillfully.

    “The Read2Lead initiative, therefore, encapsulates our approach to instilling a culture of reading and writing among young people. As highlighted by the esteemed American journalist, critic, and social reformer, Margaret Fuller, “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader”; we believe that igniting our youths’ imagination early can unlock their potential and set them on a path to success”, explained Onyeali-Ikpe.

    The prize presentation ceremony had in attendance the representative of the Ogun State Commissioner of Education, management staff of Fidelity Bank Plc, the top 30 students from the competition, their parents, teachers, colleagues and media personalities.

    “When I started, I didn’t know I would emerge a finalist in the competition. I just decided to participate because I love writing. This was the first competition that I saw that asked for a fictional essay. As that is what I like, I decided to write. I want to thank Fidelity Bank for coming up with this initiative as it is a really good and creative competition”, disclosed an elated Miss Ogunyemi.

    In a surprising twist of events, Miss Mfeheke Okoko and Miss Daniella Orji, also of The Ambassadors’ College, Ota, Ogun State, took home cash prizes for N1.5million and N1million for emerging the first and second-runners up respectively in the competition which saw students from across Nigeria compete in three phases of writing challenges.

    In the first stage of the initiative, tagged, “The National Writing Showdown”, over 3,000 students were tasked with a creative writing task for a spot among the top 150 writers.

    In the second stage known as “The Sweeta Writing Mastery”, the top 150 participants were given a novel to read and requested to write an alternate ending for the book for chance to join the top 30 finalists.

    In the third and final stage themed, “The Author’s Workshop”, the top 30 students were enrolled in an immersive writing boot camp anchored by experienced writers and facilitators who selected the top three finalists.