Business and Economy
What Dr. Yakub Ugwolawo Told ICDA on Economic Empowerment and Political Strategy
The President, Buhari Agriculture Revolution Network (BARN), Dr. Yakub Ugwolawo has charged the Igala Nation to think outside the box in the drive towards economic empowerment.
The Elder Statesman made this statement while addressing the monthly meeting of the Igala Cultural Development Association, ICDA, FCT Chapter. js">
He said, “You should focus on building the revenue generation of the Igala Nation as statistics available shows that the Igala Nation only generates between 10% and 20% of the entire Internally Generated Revenue of Kogi State, but we have the highest number of Applicants.”
“There is no value in human lives because poverty has already take over the land. We need to review the state of economy of the Igala Nation.”
“Cultism and gruesome killing and maiming of innocent lives now thrives in our land.”, he continued.
He said we should leverage our geographical location to greater economic achievement.
“We should leverage our geographic location for the development of the Igala people. We don’t have any facility that turns raw material to finished products in Igala Land.”, Dr. Ugwolawo laments.
Dr. Ugwolawo while lamenting the state of the Igala Nation said that, “Are you thinking that there is still Igala voice in Nigeria? There is no Igala voice anymore. There is no Igala Governor, Igala Minister, Just recently we have a Permanent Secretary and we can’t blame it. We should be able to rekindle a system of economic empowerment.”
“You (ICDA) should form a think tank. At this point, I am suggesting that anything anybody say, don’t dismiss it, take it and store it.”
He also said that, “We have not integrate properly with other tribes in Nigeria. We should integrate with other tribes and people so that we can be exposed to the way of economic success.”
While talking about eligibility of membership and freedom of association.
He said, “We should register every igala sons and daughters in and outside of Nigeria, because by right they are entitled to be members of ICDA.”
“However, other people will go and register other association. You don’t have the right to stop them by the constitution. But if they come, you should also register them under the ICDA body because ICDA is the recognized umbrella body for the Igala Nation, just like the Afenifere is to the Yoruba, The Arewa Consultative Forum to the Hausa and the Ohaneze to the Igbo people.”
“We have the pre-requisite to mobilize our people. This message will also be propagated to other branches of ICDA so that togetrhter we can move the Igala Nation forward.”, he continued.
Comrade
Yunusa Mohammed however added that for the Igala Nation to be prosperous and
successful, we need to be more proactive in politics.
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Business and Economy
KGIRS Sensitizes Stakeholders On Implementation Of New Nigeria Tax Act, 2025
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
As the new Nigeria’s Tax Act 2025, becomes operational come January, 2026, the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS) on Tuesday, commenced Stakeholders’ Engagement towards full implementation of the law.
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Speaking at the one day Sensitization Programme held at the Lugard House, Lokoja, the Executive Chairman of the KGIRS, Alhaji Sule Salihu Enehe, said that the commencement of the Nigeria’s Tax Act, January next year, is in line with the Federal Government’s tax reform policy aimed at boosting tax administration.
“The Stakeholders’ Engagement is targeted at ensuring better understanding of the Nigeria Tax Act ahead of its full implementation January next year”
He explained that the operation of multiple tax administration law was condensed into one now called “Nigeria Tax Act 2025” to enhance transparency and efficiency in the system.
He also explained that the new law was put in place to avoid the problem of double taxation and duplication in the system.
Alhaji Enehe therefore, urged taxable citizens and critical stakeholders in tax administration sector to embrace the new law in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s tax reform policy which he said would go a long way in stabilising the nation’s dwindling economy.
The Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo on revenue generation, Dr. Nasir Rahman Ichanyi, in his speech, commended KGIRS for organising the Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum which has provided avenue for robust dialogue and collaboration for comprehensive understanding of the Nigeria Tax Act 2025.
He described the Stakeholders’ Engagement as timely and proactive measures put in place by KGIRS to achieve the desired success in the implementation of the new law.
Dr. Ichanyi promised that Kogi State Government would not relent in support of President Tinubu’s tax reform policy which he said would enhance the nation’s economy.
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Business and Economy
Revenue Service Tasks Kogi Assembly On Domestication Of Nigeria Tax Act
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS) has asked the State House of Assembly to domesticate the Nigeria Tax Act and Nigeria Tax Administration Act, for easy implementation in the state.
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The Executive Chairman of the Service, Dr Salihu Enehe who led his team to the Assembly Complex in Lokoja said the awareness meeting with the Assembly has become imperative.
He described the Nigeria Tax Act as a compressed compendium of various tax laws hitherto operating in the country into a single document with a view to addressing issues of multiple taxation and promotion of transparency in tax administration in the country.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for taking the bold step on embarking on the tax reforms to enable harmony in the tax ecosystem.
Enehe said that implementation of the new tax laws, scheduled to take effect from January, 2026, would enhance transparency in administration and transactions, investments and proffer measures against tax evasions.
“On 26th of June this year, the President of the Republic of Nigeria signed four laws, and these four laws have caused disruptions going forward into the future, in terms of tax and Administration”, he said.
“With these disruptions come a great opportunity and great threat. A great opportunity for those who are ready and prepared to abide and adhere to the laws but a great threat for those want to remain in the past and resistant to change.”
According to him, the four laws include the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Act, and the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Act.
He noted that implementation of the Nigeria Tax Act and the Nigeria Tax Administration Act operational at states level would be fair to low income earners, reduction for middle level and tough on high income earners.
The Executive Chairman pointed out that under the new tax laws, which would be operational from January, 2026, people earning gross annual income of less than N1.3 million would be exempted from tax while middle level earners of between N1.3 million and N3 million would have their taxes reduced.
He further explained that higher gross annual income above N3 million, would attract higher taxes meaning that “Big men” and business organisations would pay more.
A Consultant with the KGIRS, Barrister Henry Ojuola in his remark, urged the House not bother with making new laws on the matter even though the Acts provides that they could enact or implement.
Barrister Ojuola, a former member of the Assembly however advised the Assembly and the Service to rely on the Acts in their implementation saying Chapter 5 of the Tax Administration Act has specified many offences as well as punishments for the Tax Tribunal to handle.
“Ensure your Tax Tribunal is effective by ensuring that “Unpurchaseable persons” are members. Ensure that the people you send to collect taxes are not dishonest Nigerians’, Legal Practitioner advised.
In his closing remarks, Chairman of the House standing Committee on Finance, Hon. Akus Lawal appreciate the KGIRS Chairman and his team for initiating the engagement.
The Lawmaker expressed optimism that in no time Kogi would be rated as the number three state among the 19 Northern states After Kano, Kaduna, Kogi State and number one in North-Central in terms of Internally Generated Revenue drive.
Hon. Lawal, representing Ankpa I Constituency, said the legislators were now better informed on the issue of revenue and tax administration in Nigeria and are looking forward to receiving the two tax laws to “do the needful”.
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Business and Economy
Ododo Unveils N820.49 Billion 2026 Draft Budget
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi statte has unveiled the 2026 draft budget, titled “Budget of Shared Prosperity,” totaling N820.49 billion. The announcement was made following a meeting of the State Executive Council in Lokoja.
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The budget represents a 35.7% increase over the 2025 revised budget, signaling the state government’s focus on sustainable growth, inclusive development, and enhanced service delivery.
Commissioner for Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning, Asiwaju Asiru Idris, briefed journalists after the council meeting, highlighting that the 2026 budget is designed to strengthen internal revenue, improve debt recovery, foster a business-friendly environment, and deepen public-private partnerships.
“The 2026 budget proposals reflect a robust and balanced financial strategy emphasizing enhanced revenue generation, strategic expenditure control, and a strong commitment to capital investment,” Idris said.
He added that the significant rise in both recurrent and capital expenditure underscores the government’s determination to expand infrastructure and improve public service delivery. The total estimated revenue and expenditure for the 2026 draft budget is N820,490,585,443, reflecting a fully balanced fiscal plan.
The meeting also addressed other critical issues, including access to clean water, road safety, and land administration reforms. Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, noted that Governor Ododo directed all commissioners to sink three boreholes each in their respective local government areas and tasked the council with taking over land consent authority to curb fraudulent transactions.
The inclusive meeting, which included former commissioners, reflected Governor Ododo’s commitment to unity and collective progress. Former Commissioner Hon. Salisu Sani Ogu praised the governor’s leadership style, saying, “He has shown a desire to carry everyone along and build on the foundation laid since 2016.”
The 2026 draft budget aligns with the state government’s long-term goals of infrastructure expansion, improved public services, and economic diversification, aiming to create a more prosperous environment for Kogi residents.
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