By Chimezie Anaso

A nonagenarian, Chief Gabriel Onwugbenu, has advised the youths to enroll in Igbo apprenticeship scheme (Igba Boi), a programme of the Anambra Government and shun the get-rich-quick syndrome.

Onwugbenu, 91, gave the advice in Nnewi, the industrial hub of Anambra during the burial of Chief Michael Anosike, father to Mrs Patricia Amogu, a staff  member of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

According to him, Igbo apprenticeship scheme is a sure means of self-reliance.

The nonagenarian, who mentored the late Anosike, a renown auto spare parts mogul, said there was a need to invent the values of patience, industry, hardwork and mentoring in the quest for wealth.

He said the deceased was diligent during apprenticeship and later became a creator of wealth and employer of labour.

“The advantage of learning a trade is that on graduation, you become an employer of labour aside from being self reliant and making the money therein,” he stated.

On his part,  Chief Louis Onwugbenu, chairman/CEO, Louis Carter Group, said the news of the demise of Anosike was a rude shock to him and members of his foundation.

Onwugbenu said the late Anosike had supported his foundation since  it was founded 10 years ago.

“His donation and support are gestures of his personality and character, we will miss him,” he said.

No fewer than 25 Catholic priests from across Nigeria led by Very Revd. Fr Augustine Nwosu, joined to celebrate the burial mass at Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral, Nnewi.

In his homily, Rev. Fr Prof. Ignatius Obinwa, encouraged humanity to continue to live in harmony and do good to one another as there was hope of eternal bliss in heaven hereafter.

Obinwa, who read from the books of  Isaiah 25: 6-9; Rev. 14:3 and John 14: 1-6 said though God was not seen or touched, he existed and all his promises were true.

He said only good deeds while alive were the ladder that could take anyone to heaven as nobody took anything with him or her from the earth at death.

“We pray that the good Lord will bless his good works, forgive him his sins and bring him to eternal life in paradise,” he said.

In a remark, the daughter of the deceased, Mrs Patricia Amogu, a Principal Correspondent of NAN, appreciated the priests, knights and ladies of St John’s International as well as friends who joined the family at their time of grief.

She said the death of their patriarch was a huge loss to the family but thanked God for the impactful life he led while expressing faith that his soul would find favour with the Lord.

“My father was a humanitarian, he lived selflessly, he was a dedicated Catholic and he touched humanity, we will miss him.

“Knowing a man like my father did not just make me see life from a broader, and clear perspective; it changed everything about me,” she said.

Pa Anosike, an auto spare parts mogul, was born 81 years ago to the family of Mr and Mrs Julius Anosike from Umuogeli-Okpunoezi, Abubor in Nnewichi, Nnewi.

He started his early education at St Peter Claver Catholic School, Nnewichi and graduated from the Kentist School of Business Management and Administration, London.

He was survived by his wife, four sons and five daughters.(NAN)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

By Vivian Emoni

The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), on Tuesday, tasked government at all levels to build an efficient and effective sustainable tax culture for sustainable economic development.

Mr Samuel Agbeluyi, President of the CITN, said this in Abuja, at the 26th Annual Conference, with a theme: “Sustainable Tax Culture and Economic Roadmap for Nation Building”.

Agbeluyi said that government at all levels have a great role to play, adding that taxation demands utmost level of professionalism due to its critical importance to economic sustainability.

“In building a sustainable tax culture, government have a vital role to play. In furthering efforts at sustaining a tax paying culture, it is important to emphasise judicious use of tax revenue.

“This is to engender trust between government and taxpayer, thereby entrenching a tax paying culture and by extension, contributing to nation building.

“Taxation is not merely about revenue collection, it is about building a sustainable future for our country.

“It is about creating a culture where every citizen understands the importance of contributing fair share toward national development.

“It is more importantly about prudently using tax policies as a roadmap to drive economic growth, social inclusiveness and prosperity for all,” he said.

Agbeluyi emphasised the need to invest in technology, adding that the efforts would help people to effectively track revenues in the digital space, including cryptocurrency to maximise government revenue flow.

He said that CITN converged tax experts to critically examine challenges in Nigeria’s fiscal and tax environment with a view to providing solutions for the consideration of policy makers in that regard.

He said that it was necessary to provide support to the revenue authorities by way of financial and administrative autonomy to empower them to effectively administer taxes.

According to him, as a commitment to fully enforce the implementation of Act No. 76 of 1992, redesignated as Cap. C10, Law of Nigeria, 2004, confers on CITN the powers to regulate the taxation profession in all its ramifications in the country.

He, however, urged government at all levels to create career path for tax functions within Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), to promote professionalism and efficiency.

Dr Yemi Sanni, the Chairman of the conference, said for Nigeria to achieve meaningful physical development, it is imperative to establish a tax culture that would withstand economic challenges.

Sanni said that government was prioritising the improvement of tax revenue for physical performance as the leading professional body in taxation in Nigeria.

According to him, the emphasis on “sustainable” is deliberate, adding that it requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders including the government tax professionals and tax payers themselves.

“It is our responsibility to support these efforts by convening gatherings like this conference.

“We provide a platform for deliberation and collaboration with the aim of developing actionable recommendations that will help the government achieve its desired objectives.

“As we delve into the intricacies of taxation and economic development, I encourage you all to take sometime to relax, network and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow professionals.

“This conference offers opportunities for learning and building lasting connections and friendships. I want to assure you that we have assembled a line up of distinguished facilitators who are experts in their respective fields.

“I urge you to actively engaged in discussions, share your insights and take advantage of the weight of knowledge that will be shared during this conference,” he said.

Sen. Ibikunle Amosun, Special Guest of the occasion, encouraged government of all levels to be more committed in ensuring that people were more equipped with knowledgeable skills needed to build on effective tax system.

Amosun was also former Governor of Ogun State.

Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu, Governor of Sokoto, in his remark, said that the state generates about N3.4 billion internal revenue quarterly.

Aliyu said that the state was committed to collaborating with CITN and other relevant stakeholders to achieve a tax driven economy.

He appreciated members of the CITN and other stakeholders for working assiduously towards  ensuring that the conference was a huge success. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali