Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Kwara State Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Hauwa Nuru, has reaffirmed the state government’s
commitment to good governance, financial prudence and support for the accounting profession, noting that this was manifested in the State’s disciplined budgeting and responsible expenditure management.

The Commissioner, who spoke in Ilorin, the state capital, over the weekend at the Annual General Meeting of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), lauded Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his “consistent support for the accounting profession and his dedication to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, ethical conduct, and accountability across all sectors of government”.

She added: “These strong institutional practices, aimed at strengthening public trust and ensuring long-term fiscal sustainability are the core values of the accounting profession.

“The Governor’s sustained investments in public financial management reforms demonstrate his resolve to enhance governance systems that improve the quality of life of citizens in the State.”

She commended the outgoing ANAN executive for their selfless service, urging members to remain steadfast in fulfilling their obligations particularly in the timely payment of dues to ensure the effective administration of the association.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Suleiman Ibrahim, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election, describing the transition as transparent, orderly, and worthy of emulation by other professional bodies.

The newly elected executive members of the ANAN, Kwara State Chapter, include Hajia Ramat Sulyman, Chairperson; Mr. Ayobami Oyinloye, Vice Chairman; Mr. Eleja Munir, General Secretary; and Mrs. Folashade Adeoye Mercy, Assistant Secretary.

Others are Mrs. Salau Salewa Wasilah, Treasurer; Mr. Lawal Oredola Rafiu, Financial Secretary;
Mr. Saheed Mohammed Gagara Public Relations Officer; Alhaji Bayo Shehu Olayiwola, Ex-Officio I, and
Mr. Segun Joseph Olusegu, Ex-Officio II.

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Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has gifted parents of 2025 National Youth Games medalists cash awards to support the education of their children and wards for winning laurels for the state at the championship.

“We have asked the athletes to come with their parents because they are underage, they cannot handle money and they cannot open an account yet. The parents will take care of the money, probably pay for their school fees, buy their school uniform, whatever as a form of scholarship. That’s why the parents are here,” AbdulRazaq said at the reception held at the George Innih Stadium Ilorin for the athletes.

“Before this administration came in, Kwara used to be around 23, 19, but but for the first one, we were seventh in the ladder, that was the one that held at the University of Ilorin. Also, the first time we went to Asaba, we moved from that seventh position to number six and now we have moved from sixth position to fifth position.”

Represented by the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Coach Bolakale Adisa Mogaji, the Governor commended the state’s athletes for improved performance at the last NYG, urging them to continue to make the state proud.

“We went with 26 different sports.
And apart from these 26 different sports, only five sports did not have a medal at all. It has never happened. That means in about 21 or so sports, everybody had medals. The total amount for today’s incentive over eight million naira.

“In fact, among all the states in the northern region, we are the only one that are competing seriously with all the south-south and southwest regions in Nigeria. So, we decided to give a token to their parents so that it can enhance their scholarship. That’s what we are doing today,” the Governor said.

The reception was attended by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media Olayinka Fafoluyi; Permanent Members of the Commission, Alhaji Dele Abubakar (MON) representing Kwara Central and Hon. Abdullahi Yunusa Lade representing Kwara North; Director of Sports Mallam Ibrahim Oladele Bako; Commission’ Secretary Haruna Tsado among others.

AbdulRazaq encouraged the athletes to continue to balance sporting excellence with academic growth, promising sustained efforts in both infrastructure and human capital development for sports development in the state.

“Parents should encourage their children to participate in sports. They should read their books, and at the same time, do a little bit of sport,” AbdulRazaq advised.

In his goodwill message, Fafoluyi encouraged the athletes to remain focused, disciplined and dedicated, promising that the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led administration would continue to support sports and youth development in the state.

Responding on behalf of the parents, Mr. Abdulsalam Abdullah appreciated the Governor for giving recognition to the performance of their kids to enhance the reputation of the state and pledged that the parents would continue to support sports development in the state.

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Stephen Olufemi Oni,.Ilorin

The Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS) has commenced the enforcement of the Personal Income Tax (PIT) across the State,.urging defaulters to brace up and pay.

A statement by the Head, Corporate Affairs Department of the Revenue Agency, Funmilola Ogintinbi, said: “The enforcement exercise is part of the revenue recovery strategy of the Service and a last resort approach towards ensuring full tax compliance in the State.

“Enforcement execution processes of the Service are statutory and strictly in conformity with the extant laws.”

The Service, however, expressed concern that despite service of demand notices on taxpayers, continuous sensitisation campaigns and reminders posted on its communication channels on the need to prioritise prompt payment of Personal Income Tax by all taxable persons in the State, a significant number of taxpayers are yet to fulfil their tax obligation for this year and previous years.

The KW-IRS has, therefore, appealed to all taxpayers across the State to embrace voluntary tax-compliance and ensure full payment of their Personal Income Tax as documented and presented.

The Revenue Agency also admonished concerned taxpayers “to explore objection opportunity within the legal timeframe with the support of necessary documents when the need arises to avoid unnecessary embarrassment and business disruption”.

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