The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) has given the Kebbi State Government a merit award for its contributions to the development of the Nigerian tax system.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data, Kebbi’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) increased from N7.37 billion in 2019 to N13.78 billion in 2020.
Malam Yahaya Sarki, Special Adviser to Governor Atiku Bagudu on Media, made the announcement in a statement made available to journalists in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday.
Sarki stated that the award was presented to the state government on Nov. 27 at the CITN Merit Award and Dinner Ceremony in Lagos.
The merit award, according to CTIN, was created to recognize individuals, corporate entities, and state governments for their invaluable contributions to the development of the Nigerian tax system.
“Kebbi received the award for her consistent drive to increase revenue generation and for being an excellent proponent of Gov. Bagudu’s transformation agenda where good governance can be seen and felt.”
“The state was previously agrarian and under-industrialized, but the government, led by Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, transformed the state in various sectors of the economy, particularly revenue generation and infrastructure development.”
“According to National Bureau of Statistics data, Kebbi’s IGR increased from N7.37 billion in 2019 to N13.78 billion in 2020, and the state has consistently maintained this tempo in order to meet the developmental needs of its citizens.”
According to the CITN, the state government formed a partnership with the USAID-funded West Africa Investment Hub by introducing modern technology in rice production.
“The concept has reduced poverty and created job opportunities, particularly for women.” “Under Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, the state has also seen consistent infrastructural development in every nook and cranny,” the institute noted.
Bagudu praised the CITN for its role in promoting professionalism in the tax profession, providing valuable input to tax policy formulation, and advocating for taxation to be at the forefront of our revenue mobilization efforts.
The governor, who was represented by Alhaji Iliyasu Arzika-Jega, Executive Chairman of the State Internal Revenue Services, expressed his delight at being invited to the CITN 2021 Annual Dinner and Award Ceremony.
“Over the last two years, Kebbi State has hosted a number of institute activities, including the Zonal Tax Conference and Joint Districts’ Societies Meeting held in January 2020,” he says.
He explained that the institute had recently laid the groundwork for the construction of its secretariat in Kebbi.
Bagudu stated that Kebbi was aligned with the institute’s goals and objectives because taxation was the fulcrum of the economies of developed nations around the world, and Nigeria could not be an exception.
“As a state, Kebbi recognizes our unique potential and challenges,” he said. As a result, my administration has focused on providing critical support to agricultural sector players, providing basic infrastructure to support economic activities, and increasing access to education, to name a few.
“These actions are required to lay the groundwork for us to push people to pay their taxes.” Taxation, as we all know, is based on income.
“With regard to the centerpiece of today’s event, the awarding of a merit award to the Kebbi State Government, I commend the
institute for determining whether the state government is deserving of this award On behalf of the state government, I accept the award.
“I assure you that we will continue to carry out our responsibilities as a government for the ultimate benefit of the good people of Kebbi State,” said the governor.
He thanked the institute for recognizing Kebbi as deserving of the honor, as the only state in the country to do so.