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As part of its commitment to improving tax education and raising awareness in Anambra State, the management of the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) has introduced the inaugural Schools Tax Competition. This pioneering event, open to private secondary schools, underscores the agency’s dedication to nurturing informed citizens through early engagement with taxation concepts.
‘The Tax Talk Show,’ a comprehensive month-long campaign for tax education and public awareness, aimed to instill in students an understanding of how tax contributions support the welfare of citizens and drive societal growth. This collaborative effort sought to make the concept of taxation relatable and impactful for young minds.
The organisers explained that the theme, ‘Increasing Tax Awareness in Tomorrow’s Leaders,’ was carefully chosen to reflect the program’s goal of fostering financial literacy among students. By emphasizing tax payment as a crucial civic obligation, the initiative sought to prepare the younger generation for informed and responsible citizenship.
During the competition’s grand finale in Awka on Thursday, the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, through his Chief of Staff, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, urged the people of the state to prioritize tax payment as a shared civic responsibility. He highlighted the critical role taxes play in building a sustainable future and addressing community needs.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo pledged to the people of Anambra that their tax contributions would be handled with the utmost accountability, directed towards realizing his government’s ambition of establishing Anambra as “a livable and prosperous state in Nigeria.” He reiterated his commitment to ensuring transparency in managing public funds for the state’s progress.
He said, “The tax competition underlines the importance of financial literacy and the role young minds play in shaping the economy. The AIRS Schools Tax Quiz competition is not just a contest, but an educational platform that nurtures a crucial cultural legacy and empowers young minds with knowledge about taxation, finance and economics.
“The government will continue to invest in the education and empowerment of the youth so that they can become responsible citizens who will contribute to the well-being of society.
“We commend the organisers of this competition, for the initiative. We also urged the students and other participants to extend what they have learnt from the programme to their parents and neighbours in their various homes and communities.”
Read also: Monday Lockdown In Anambra Escalates, 5 Dead
Earlier, in his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra Internal Revenue Service, Chief Greg Ezeilo, said the revenue agency under his watch, will continue to engage all relevant stakeholders including the schools on the importance of paying tax through an awareness campaign.
Ezeilo explained that with the use of the pillars of the State AIRS, which includes technology, continuous awareness campaigns, revenue expansion and building bridges, the revenue-generating body will in no distance time begin to generate N10 billion every month to the state government purse.
He commended the governor for his commitment to fulfilling his campaign promises to Ndi Anambra, particularly in the area of infrastructural development, stating that the governor is proactive in positioning Anambra as a model for other states in Nigeria.
In her remarks, the convener and the Senior Special Adviser to the governor on IGR, Mrs Onyeka Amara-Kate, commended the governor for ensuring the success of the event.
Amara-Kate noted that the essence of the competition was to create awareness of tax education among the students to deepen the conversation across the state.
She said, “What gives us joy is that there is one thing to conceive an idea and see it till the end. We are excited that we were able to see this programme to the end. And we are happy that we made the impact of tax education on the life of the young ones and this has helped to deepen the knowledge of the tax-paying community in Anambra.
“This is like an eye-opener, before now a lot of people did not know that the AIRS was approachable, this competition aimed to help the organisation drive tax awareness through the students. With what they have learnt, they would go home and help to widen the conversation among their parents and other residents.”
She further revealed that the competition would become an annual event, ensuring that students continue to gain valuable insights into the critical role tax payments play in fostering national growth and development. By maintaining this tradition, the program aims to instill a sense of civic duty among young learners.
Lady Hannah International School, Awada-Onitsha, claimed the prestigious overall winner title in the competition, with Grace Court International School finishing in second place. Maris Comprehensive College secured the third position, marking a competitive and inspiring end to the event.
The triumphant schools were presented with a variety of prizes, which included cash prizes and sparkling trophies, acknowledging their exceptional efforts and accomplishments throughout the competition.
