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Niger Delta’s Stance on Tax Reform: Support with Caution – INC President
By Perez Bibaikefie
The ongoing debate over Nigeria’s new tax reform has sparked diverse opinions, and the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has weighed in on the issue. Speaking at Gatwick Airport, London, Prof. Benjamin Ogele Okaba, INC President, highlighted the benefits and risks of the reform for the Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta as a whole.
Prof. Okaba described the reforms as significant, particularly within the context of longstanding calls for resource control and management. He noted that the reform’s implications extend beyond tax policy, addressing “core demands for equity, justice, and prosperity for a people who have endured deplorable conditions despite being the primary source of Nigeria’s oil and gas wealth.”
The Niger Delta, he emphasized, is rich in more than just hydrocarbons. “Our region also boasts of agricultural and eco-tourism resources that have supported industrial development globally,” Okaba said. He praised the reform’s objectives, which include improving tax collection, reducing evasion, offering tax relief to small businesses, simplifying VAT with exemptions for basic food and healthcare, and curbing illicit financial flows. “These measures have the potential to transform the nation,” he stated.
Okaba argued that the reform, if implemented effectively, could reshape revenue allocation from natural resources among federal, state, and local governments. “For fiscal federalism to be truly impactful, states must control their resources while paying appropriate taxes to the central government,” he explained. This arrangement, he asserted, would empower local communities to invest in critical areas such as infrastructure, healthcare, education, and environmental management.
Such reforms, he added, could address longstanding issues of poverty, inequality, and marginalization in the Niger Delta. “This approach ensures that our people directly benefit from the wealth generated by oil and gas extraction,” he noted.
However, Okaba warned against potential challenges, emphasizing the need for fairness in implementation. “Balancing the divergent interests across regions is crucial. Equity, justice, and transparency must guide this reform to ensure its success,” he cautioned.
While Prof. Okaba acknowledged the reform’s transformative potential, he stressed the importance of vigilance. The Niger Delta’s support for the reform, he concluded, hinges on its fair and equitable application, ensuring that the region’s interests are protected in the spirit of national progress.
IduwiniVoice Social
The Indorowei family of Liomoni Quarters, Okunwei family of Ewodeware Quarters, Donye of Azina-ware Quarters, all of Ofougbene Community, Iduwini Kingdom, Burutu LGA announce the burial ceremony of their illustrious son and father, Late Capt. Edward Olayerinmene Forcados, who passed at the age of 84.
Service of Songs:
4pm, Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, at his residence, Efosa Street, Off Jakpa Road, Effurun
Funeral Rites:
10am, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, body leaves Ame Specialist Hospital Mortuary for his hometown, Ofougbene via MillarJetty, for funeral rites and Interment.
An All-night Social Wake-keeping follows from 7pm till dawn.
(c) IduwiniVoiceTv
By: Daire Perez
As the third phase national chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), I, General Godstime Ogidigba, would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the PAP administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro. The launch of the second phase of laptop distribution to amnesty scholarship beneficiaries is a testament to his dedication to enhancing the learning and research capabilities of our students. I am proud of the strides his administration has taken to prioritize the welfare of our students, marking a significant shift in the narrative of the PAP program.
Under Dr. Otuaro’s leadership, the PAP has witnessed a positive transformation. For the first time in almost a decade, we are seeing tangible results that reflect the program’s true potential. His commitment to the welfare of our students is commendable, and I am confident that his administration will continue to yield positive outcomes.
As the third phase national chairman, I am delighted to give Dr. Otuaro my full support and backing. His leadership style, which prioritizes listening to the people and addressing their needs, is a breath of fresh air. I believe he is the right person to take the PAP program to greater heights, and I look forward to seeing more positive developments under his administration.
Dr. Otuaro’s efforts have brought the PAP program into the limelight, and for that, I am eternally grateful. His dedication to improving the lives of our students is a testament to his character, and I have no doubt that he will continue to make a lasting impact. I wish him all the best in his endeavors and assure him of my unwavering support.
In conclusion, I would like to reiterate my appreciation to Dr. Dennis Otuaro for his outstanding leadership and commitment to the PAP program. I am confident that under his guidance, the program will continue to thrive and make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students. Thank you, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, and may God bless you for your service.
IduwiniVoice
Commrade Solomon Gbegha, former chairman of Odimodi Community, has extended warm felicitations to His Royal Majesty, Elder (Capt.) King Joseph Timiyan (JP), Torububou 1, Agbonu, the revered king of Ogulagha kingdom, on the occasion of his 20th Coronation Anniversary.
In his goodwill message, Comrade Gbegha congratulated the monarch for his peaceful leadership, wisdom, and commitment to the unity and progress of the Ogulagha kingdom and the Niger Delta region of large.
He further wished the royal father a long, peaceful, and prosperous reign, praying that God continue to grant him wisdom, strength, and good health to leader his people to greater heights.