Headlines
Kano generates over N2bn IGR monthly – official
Nasiru Yusuf
Kano State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS) said it is generating over two billion Naira Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) monthly.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Director Planning, Research and Statistics of the service , Alhaji Garba Yusuf Abubakar made revealed this during a sensitization session with MTRS, TWG and PWDs on the new tax policy and MTRS communication strategy, supported by PERL/ECP, in Kano.
Alhaji Garba Yusuf Abubakar
The director attributed the feat to the support of the Kano state government under the able leadership of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
He however identified absence of robust medium term revenue strategy (MTRS), as major hindrance to tax collection in the state.
According to him, Kano state government was committed to improving voluntary tax compliance, which resulted in the introduction of various tax reform initiatives by successive governments, which has not yielded positive results.
Cross section of participants at the event
The director stressed that, during the 2022 medium term revenue strategy retreat, a committee was established to develop a zero draft tax policy, communication strategy and training plan to improve tax compliance and reduce over dependence on federal transfers.
He said the twenty member committee is headed by KIRS chairman Alhaji Abdulrazak Bello Salihu, while the special adviser to Kano state governor Alhaji Habibu Sale Mailemo served as co-chairman.
He explained that, if implemented MTRS would go a long way in improving Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) mobilization, and better coordination among revenue generating ministries and departments.
Cross section of participants at the event.
In his presentation titled ‘Tax clinic concept and strategy, a lecturer with the department of Economics, Sa’adatu Rimi college of education Kano, who doubles as Executive Director FIDAC, Dr. Abdulsalam Kani, hinted that more than $500 billion dollars is lost globally due to tax avoidance annually.
Dr Abdussalam Muhammad Kani
He said over $200 billion of this was from developing countries including Nigeria, noting that tax payers’ inadequate knowledge on why tax is levied and its compliance procedure is the major catalyst to the avoidable huge loss.
Presenting a paper tagged ‘ The rudiments of the Kano tax policy and the expected citizens roles, Comrade Akibu Hamisu of Kano budget working group added that, the new kano tax policy would protect tax payers from unfair tax, and serve as a reference point to all stakeholders among others.
Comrade Akibu Hamisu
Earlier in his welcome address, the state partnership facilitator of PERL (ECP), Alhaji Yunusa Hamza explained that, the objectives of the session is to enhance the understanding of trade unions and tax paying constituents, on the new kano state tax policy as well as improve advocacy for improved accountability, and transparency in tax administration.
Malam Yunusa Hamza
While charging participants to make judicious use of the knowledge gained, he reaffirmed PERL(ECP) dedication in promoting good governance and accountability.
KANO FOCUS reports that, Partnership to Engage Reform and Learn PERL/ECP is a governance programme funded by the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth Development Office. (FCDO).
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nafisah Yusuf Hassan, a magistrate in Kano State, has been recommended for appointment as a judge of the Kano State High Court by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
KANO FOCUS reports that Hassan is among four judicial officers from Kano State recommended for elevation to the High Court bench out of 28 candidates selected nationwide.
The other nominees are Halima Yahuza Ahmad, Abdullahi Abdulsalam Bature and Musa Ibrahim Umar.
The NJC disclosed the recommendations in a statement issued by its Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, following its consideration of candidates for judicial appointments across the country.
The council said all recommended candidates were expected to be sworn in by their respective state governors without delay.
Hassan’s recommendation follows her years of service in the Kano State judiciary, where she has reportedly distinguished herself through diligence, professionalism and careful handling of cases.
She has been commended for her commitment to judicial ethics, diligence and fairness in the discharge of her responsibilities, achievements that contributed to her career progression within the judiciary.
Her elevation is part of a broader development in the Kano State judiciary, with four magistrates from the state successfully scaling the selection process for appointment to the High Court.
The four nominees were reportedly assessed during the selection exercise and demonstrated strong professional competence, while their service records were found to be free of adverse remarks.
Their recommendation marks a significant step in their judicial careers and is expected to strengthen the judicial workforce in Kano State upon their formal appointment.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) says it has tracked nearly 1,000 education projects across the state as part of efforts to promote transparency, accountability and effective service delivery in the education sector.
KANO FOCUS the coalition’s Co-Chair, Dr Auwalu Halilu, disclosed this on Wednesday during an advocacy visit to the Kano State Ministry of Public Procurement and Project Monitoring.
Dr Halilu said K-SAFE had monitored projects in more than six local government areas, covering interventions implemented by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Kano State Senior Secondary Education Management Board and Local Education Authorities (LEAs).
He explained that the monitoring exercise involved physical inspections and documentation of projects through photographs, videos and geographical locations.
According to him, reports of the findings had been submitted to relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), highlighting projects that met required standards and those requiring further attention.
He cited Rimin Gado Local Government Area, where the coalition tracked more than 80 education projects, adding that it planned to extend the exercise to all 44 local government areas of the state.
The K-SAFE Co-Chair said the visit was aimed at presenting the coalition’s activities to the ministry and exploring areas of collaboration in procurement and project monitoring.
He called for the inclusion of civil society organisations in procurement and monitoring processes, particularly tender board activities and field inspections, to strengthen independent oversight and provide them with firsthand information on government projects.
Dr Halilu also requested the ministry’s support in organising capacity-building programmes for civil society organisations on procurement procedures, due process, project standardisation, monitoring and evaluation.
He said such training would enhance civil society organisations’ understanding of procurement regulations and the technical requirements guiding project implementation.
Responding, the Commissioner for Public Procurement and Project Monitoring, Dr Nura Iro Ma’aji, welcomed the delegation and acknowledged the coalition’s contributions to supporting the state government’s efforts in the education sector.
He expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with K-SAFE through information sharing and other relevant engagements to strengthen accountability and ensure compliance with due process.
“From our side, we are ready to work together because we know what they have been doing to support Kano State Government in the education sector,” he said.
Dr Halilu further disclosed that the coalition and its partner organisations had carried out the monitoring exercise without financial sponsorship, describing it as a demonstration of their commitment to transparency and accountability.
He reaffirmed K-SAFE’s commitment to sustaining engagement with relevant government agencies, civil society organisations and the media to strengthen oversight of education projects across Kano State.
Ibrahim Khalil
Government Secondary School (GSS) Army Day Bukavu has emerged champion in both the male and female categories of the maiden Kano State Secondary Schools Tug of War Competition.
KANO FOCUS reports that the school clinched the double victory at the competition, which ended on Wednesday at the Kano Pillars Stadium, Sabon Gari, Kano.
Governors College finished as runners-up in the male category, while Government Girls College (GGC) Kano secured second position in the female category.
The competition was organised by the Kano State Tug of War Association in collaboration with the state Ministry of Education, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Kano State Sports Commission.
The maiden championship brought together secondary school students to promote teamwork, discipline, unity and sportsmanship, while raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Vice Chairman of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Jamilu Uba Adamu, described the competition as a successful initiative that had achieved its objectives.
He commended the Ministry of Education, Sports Commission, NDLEA, Gongoni Company Limited and MAGZO Pharmaceutical for supporting the event, particularly through the provision of T-shirts and Pocari Sweat drinks.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Bashir Muhammad Sulaiman, who represented the Executive Chairman of the Sports Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to developing grassroots and school sports.
He said the initiative would help identify and nurture young sporting talents across the state.
The closing ceremony was attended by a member of the Kano State Football Association Board, Rilwanu Idris Malikawa Garu, representatives of the Ministry of Education, NDLEA, the Sports Commission and other stakeholders in the sports sector.
The organisers congratulated the winning schools and commended all participating institutions and partners for contributing to the success of the maiden edition.
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