By Idris Umar Kaduna Tha Association of Nigerian Taxation Students (ANTAS) in collaboration with Chartered Institute of Taxation...
By Idris Umar Kaduna
Tha Association of Nigerian Taxation Students (ANTAS) in collaboration with Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) has organized National Tax virtual Debate competition and virtual inauguration of Taxation Students Association and Clubs in 3 topics and 6 contestants.
Lagos State University emerges First in the ranking with 82.00 points, with cash of N70,000, followed by Nnamdi Azikwe University with 78.00 points with N50, 000 Ahmadu Bello University came third with 73.67 points with N30,000.
While 3 other institutions that participated in the debate, Nassarawa State University, Usman Dan Fodiyo University, and Federal Polytechnic Nakede received a token of N15,000 each respectively.
Earlier in her welcome address the chairman, students Affairs and Tertiary Education Relations Committee, Dr, Titilayo Fowakan said it gives her great pleasure to share with them this special occasion, first in the history of the Institute having a virtual inauguration of tax clubs and this is coming after a first national debate among six contestants which took place earlier.
She thanked every school that participated and recognized the effort of the ANTAS for this initiative and her fellow council members for the support given to make sure the program takes place.
In his speech, the 15th President/Chairman of the council, CITN Chief Adesina Adebayo recognize the effort of the ANTAS president for bringing the gap where people are and where are to be.
Saying the standard of the students' affairs and Tertiary Education Relations Committee is a giant one because of the fact to be able to catch up with this they must maintain the tempo.
He noticed the progress been made relating to getting all universities into the issue of Taxation and Tax clubs.
The president Association of Nigerian Taxation Students Mr. Mohammed Idris Yusuf highlighted some of the achievements of the Association so far by participating in the ICAN conference, educating institutions on tax matters, participation in FIRS, and organizing national tax debates among others.
However in his paper presentation Professor Godwin Emmanuel Oyedokun professor of accounting and financial development, on the topic
"Youth Inclusiveness and Tax Preference:Prospects and Challenges"
Explained that Taxation remains the most sustainable means of funding development and provides the bases to drive active citizenship where tax policies must serve the greater interest of the population especially young people who are at the receiving end of poverty and inequality.
Noted that Effective youth participation in the tax policy process is about creating opportunities for the youth to be actively engaged in designing, shaping, and influencing development policy and implementation processes. In Nigeria, the youth have not been engaged fully in influencing tax policies and processes at the three tiers of government. The Government of Nigeria has in place legal and institutional frameworks to ensure participation and involvement of the youth in decision-making for national development, but in practical terms, the youth are not given the opportunity to do so.
Godwin said Nigerian government at all levels should open space for the youth to engage in tax processes at different levels on one hand while the tax authorities should initiate robust tax education programs designed to educate Nigerian youths on taxation. Programs that target young people in their spaces should be developed to suit their peculiarity. Examples, students and undergraduates, youth entrepreneurs, and businesses, informal traders, among others. This would provide the needed platform to actively engage in tax reform conversation with the country's largest demography, help young people to appreciate taxation and its place in national development, and become more receptive to paying taxes.
He further concludes and recommends incentives and rebates should be directed at youth-led businesses to drive business innovation and creativity, employment creation, the growth of the local economy, and its competitiveness in a global economic landscape. Young people must continue to engage in issues of transparency and accountability in the management of public resources. Through local groups working in solidarity with broad platforms young people can hold leaders to account for their responsibility, CSOs should build the consciousness of young people to understand taxation as a social contract between the government and the people, strengthen the capacity for young people to advocate and participate in tax policy design, budgeting, and demand investment in youth responsive public projects.
National Vice President ANTAS, Dr. Sodeeq Opeyemi Adesoye thank God Almighty.
He congratulates Chief Adesina Adebayo mni FCTI for his leadership.
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