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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.
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SMEs Empowerment: Tompolo Foundation, Tantita & PEB ICT Granduates Lead Branding Drive in Warri
- By Delta Event Media
Aimed at boost small-scale entrepreneurship in Warri, beneficiaries of the Tompolo Foundation and Tantita Security Services—trained by PEB ICT Services—have officially launched a branding awareness campaign aimed at transforming small businesses in Warri.
This initiative follows the successful completion of a three-month intensive training in Graphic Design, where participants were equipped with essential skills in branding, visual communication, and marketing design. Culminating in a high-impact presentation, the campaign is themed: “Building Strong Brand Identity for Small Business Growth.”
The campaign emphasizes six strategic pillars for business branding success:
Defining brand purpose
Understanding the target audience
Creating a unique visual identity
Developing a consistent brand voice
Maintaining a strong digital presence
Building trust through quality and engagement
Speaking during the launch event, team spokesperson ThankGod Ugedi noted, “We are not just leaving with certificates — we are stepping out with a mission. Our group is dedicated to supporting local entrepreneurs in Warri with brand identity consultations and awareness strategies that can help them grow and compete.”
The newly trained Graphic Design team extended their heartfelt appreciation to the Tompolo Foundation, Tantita Security Services, and PEB ICT Services, with special acknowledgment to Dr. Paul Bebenimibo and Major Moses for their mentorship and visionary leadership throughout the program.
This campaign marks the beginning of a youth-led movement to reignite business growth in Warri. With branding as their tool and innovation as their drive, these young creatives are positioning themselves as catalysts for economic development in the region.
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Burutu LGA Chairman Hails Governor Sheriff Oborevwori at 62, Celebrates His Visionary Leadership and Impactful Governance
By Peter Ziakegha, June 19, 2025
- Burutu _ The Executive Chairman of Burutu Local Government Area, Hon.Chief Dr. Julius Takeme, has extended warm felicitations to the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, on the occasion of his 62nd birthday anniversary.
In a statement released on Thursday morning, Dr. Takeme described the Governor as “a beacon of visionary leadership, humility, and progressive governance whose transformational strides continue to rekindle the hope of Deltans across all strata.”
The council chairman lauded Governor Oborevwori for his unwavering commitment to the implementation of the Renewed hope of the M.O.R.E Agenda which stands for Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security , which, according to him, has not only reshaped the development landscape of Delta State but has also brought hope and tangible growth to Burutu Local Government and its people.
“At 62, His Excellency stands tall as a statesman with a heart for service, whose administration has delivered impactful projects in critical sectors such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, and youth empowerment,” Dr. Takeme stated. “Governor Oborevwori’s leadership has redefined governance in Delta State, bringing government closer to the grassroots and fostering inclusive development.”
The council chairman, particularly commended the Governor for his inclusive style of leadership and his listening ear, noting that the people of Burutu LGA have been key beneficiaries of the Governor’s developmental vision and people-centered policies.
“Today, as we celebrate a man of peace, purpose, and progress, we in Burutu reaffirm our unflinching support for his administration and pray for greater strength, wisdom, and divine grace as he continues to pilot the affairs of our dear state,” Dr. Takeme concluded.
The Chairman further urged Deltans to join hands in supporting the Governor’s drive for sustainable development and unity across all local governments in the state.
Governor Oborevwori, who turns 62 today, has served Delta State with distinction, rising from the grassroots to the highest office in the state, and continues to inspire hope through his pragmatic and people-focused leadership.