Headlines
Why Kano revenue drops in two years
Nasiru Yusuf
The Director Personal Income at Kano Internal Revenue Service (KIRS), Malam Muhammad Aminu Abdullahi Bichi has attributed the drop in the Internally Generated Revenue in the state from 2020 to the year 2021 to COVID-19 pandemic.
KANO FOCUS reports that the director revealed this during a Tax Summit – Citizens Session organised by PERL FCDO in collaboration with Tax Justice and Governance Platform held in Kano metropolis.
He recalled that the pandemic has affected not only the country, but global economy.
The director explained that this necessitated the state government to introduce Covid-19 tax relief to cushion the effect of the pandemic.
According to him, many taxes were reduced to as low as 50 per cent to support businesses to recover from the impact of the disease.
Participants
“Last year, we experienced COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 has affected the economy not even in Kano State, but globally.
“This led to Covid-19 tax relief where certain percentage of tax was reduced.
“Some were reduced to 50 per cent and some were reduced to 25 per cent.
“I believe these are some of the factors that led to drop of collection. But with economic recovery from Covid-19, believe things will definitely improve,” Malam Bichi said.
Participants
The director expressed optimism that with the introduction of Treasury Single Account, the state revenue would bounce back to its former status.
“There is hope bearing in mind the implementation of Treasury Single Account where all authorised tax collected by MDAs will be sent to single account,” he said.
The patron of Danbatta Traders Association Lawan Dangaji Danbatta appealed to Kano state government to provide basic infrastructure in markets and business places to encourage traders to pay their promptly.
Alhaji Lawan Dangaji Danbatta
In his remarks, the state team leader Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL), Isa Surajo, said the meeting was to bring citizens and all stakeholders in tax-related matters under one roof to brainstorm and forge a way forward.
Malam Isa Surajo
“Tax provides resources for government to provide development. Once the government is struggling to get money that will be used to improve the lives of the citizens, it becomes so challenging.
“One of the strategies, we believe is to get those who pay the tax to get involved on how best these resources could be raised, so that social services and other development required by the citizens would be provided by the government.
“Of recent, we have noticed how budget deficit has been affecting the development of Kano State and Nigeria.
“But by getting citizens to participate to talk about the tax and how best to raise the tax for the government, we will get enough money to get children to school and make sure basic healthcare delivery services are provided.
“This is because it is only when you have educated and healthy citizens, the development is ensured,” Malam Surajo said.
Presenting a paper entitled: ‘Challenges and Opportunities of IGR in Kano State: Preliminary Findings,’ Abdulsalam Muhammad Kani, identified poor capacity of tax collectors and high cost of tax collection as major challenges of tax collection in the state.
Other challenges identified, according to Kani, include non punishment or sanction of tax defaulters, inadequate oversight by the legislature on tax issues and failure to create more departments in the Kano Inland Revenue Service (KIRS).
The first Kano tax summit is an avenue to broaden the discourse on taxation and to explore issues such as tax policies and practices, emerging development in the tax system and implication for resourcing public service delivery and development.
Ibrahim Khalil
Residents of Tsakuwa community in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area of Kano State have honoured 11 individuals for their outstanding contributions to the development of the town.
KANO FOCUS reports that the awards were presented during the 6th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, held on Sunday at Central Primary School, Tsakuwa.
Among those honoured were the traditional ruler of the community, Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa; the Chairman of the Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa; and a retired headmaster of Central Primary School, Tsakuwa, Alhaji Mahmuda Shehu, who continues to offer voluntary teaching services to pupils in the community.
Also recognised was Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe, a Nupe businessman who settled in Tsakuwa and has become an integral part of the community. He was honoured for his significant contributions to the town’s development.
Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe receiving a certificate
Other award recipients included the Chairman of the Northwest Development Commission, Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji (Garkuwan Tsakuwa); the Commander of the Gombe State Hisbah Command, Malam Rabiu Idris; media practitioner Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim of Abubakar Rimi Television Corporation (ARTV); the founder of Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, Malam Ibrahim Almustapha Sani; and Sulaiman Salisu Babah, among others.
Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan presenting a certificate to Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Speaking at the event, the Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa, commended the leadership of the association for its commitment to community development and urged members to sustain their efforts toward improving the welfare of residents.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the association, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa, said the non-partisan organisation had prioritised interventions in education, security, and healthcare.
He appealed to members of the community to sustain their monthly financial contributions to enable the association to continue implementing development projects.
Earlier, a member of the association, Malam Abdullahi Wagadi, disclosed that the group generated ₦6.56 million through members’ monthly contributions over the past year.
According to him, the association spent ₦3.84 million on allowances for volunteer teachers and vigilantes, ₦564,000 on fencing the Eid prayer ground, and ₦1.255 million on the renovation of the community police outpost.
He further stated that ₦356,000 was spent on supporting Tsakuwa Model Primary School, ₦430,000 on scholarships for students, ₦700,000 on instructional materials, and ₦50,000 on health assistance for vulnerable residents.
Association Raises Over ₦2.1 Million at AGM
A major highlight of the AGM was the fundraising session, during which the association raised ₦2.143 million from philanthropists and community stakeholders.
Leading the donations was Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe, who contributed ₦500,000. He was followed by Hon. Mustapha Bala Dawaki, who also donated ₦500,000, while Hon. Abdulmumin Tijjani, popularly known as Mai POS, donated ₦200,000.
Other donors included the Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa, who donated ₦100,000; the association’s chairman, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa, ₦200,000; Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji Garkuwan Tsakuwa), ₦100,000; and Malam Rabiu Idris, who also contributed ₦100,000.
The event attracted community leaders, stakeholders, and residents who commended the association for its contributions to grassroots development and pledged continued support for its programmes.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Health journalists in Kano State have inaugurated a new professional body, the Kano Health Journalists Network (KAHJON), aimed at strengthening media reporting and advocacy on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) and Primary Health Care (PHC).
KANO FOCUS reports that the network was launched during an Alignment, Coordination, Monitoring and Implementation meeting of media coalitions on gender-responsive RMNCAH and PHC, organised by the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH) in Kano.
During the inauguration, journalists unanimously elected Khadijah Aliyu of Radio Nigeria as Chairperson of the newly established network.
Other members of the executive committee include Mustapha Hodi Adamu of People Daily Newspaper as Vice Chairperson, Abdullahi Hassan of ARTV as Secretary, and Mustapha Salisu of Prime Times as Public Relations Officer.
Speaking at the event, the Programme Director of ISMPH, Mr. Solomon Dogo, said the establishment of KAHJON would help unify existing health reporting groups and improve media coverage of critical public health issues, including polio eradication, nutrition, maternal health, and primary healthcare services.
He congratulated the newly elected executives and expressed confidence that the network would enhance collaboration among media practitioners while strengthening health advocacy efforts in the state.
Dogo noted that similar health journalists’ networks are already operating in Lagos and Kaduna states, adding that development partners remain committed to supporting initiatives that promote public health advocacy.
Also speaking, ISMPH Programme Officer in Kano, Hajiya Sabuwa Yahaya, said the platform would improve coordination among journalists, enhance access to health information, and strengthen evidence-based reporting on health issues.
According to her, the network will also provide a stronger platform for advocacy and engagement with government institutions, development partners, and local communities.
The inauguration ceremony attracted goodwill messages from several development partners, including the Integrated Budget and Policy (IBP), LISDEL, CCSI, SANDHEF, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI).
Representatives of the Kano State Ministry of Health, the Drug Management and Consumables Supply Agency, and the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency also attended the event.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which formally established the Kano Health Journalists Network and marked the beginning of a new chapter in health journalism and advocacy in the state.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
A House of Representatives aspirant for the Kura/Madobi/Garun Malam Federal Constituency under the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alhaji Mahmud Tijjani Kura, has withdrawn his candidature and defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
KANO FOCUS reports that the development was disclosed on Saturday by a prominent APC chieftain, Alhaji Aliyu Lawan Dambatta, popularly known as Majidadin Dambatta.
According to Majidadin Dambatta, he led a delegation alongside the former aspirant to a meeting with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, during which Kura formally announced his decision to join the APC.
Majidadin Dambatta described the defection as a significant boost to the ruling party, noting that it would further strengthen the APC’s unity and political structure ahead of future elections.
He said the party remained committed to working collectively for the progress and development of Kano State and the country.
The APC stalwart welcomed Kura back into the party and expressed confidence that he would make meaningful contributions to its growth and the welfare of the people.
The defection is expected to add a new dimension to the political landscape in Kano State as parties continue to realign ahead of future electoral contests.
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