(News analysis).
By Dada Ahmed, Lokoja.
Without any oita of doubt,taxation plays a crucial role in civic responsibility, as it represents a collective effort to fund public services and infrastructure that benefit society. By paying taxes, citizens contribute to the common good, supporting areas like education, healthcare, and public safety.
Taxation stresses the idea that individuals share in both the privileges and duties of maintaining a fair and functioning society.
It emphasizes the interconnectedness of individual and collective well-being, and fulfilling the duty of paying taxes ensures the sustainability of social systems.
The essence of taxation and the need to inculcate this crucial citizen role in the minds of students in Kogi State informed the recent Tax Quiz Competition organized by kogi State Internal Revenue Service, KGIRS, for some secondary schools in Lokoja.
This groundbreaking step KGIRS took by organizing the first tax quiz competition for secondary school students in the state.
The management of the Service say the maiden event is aimed at cultivating civic responsibility in students and raise awareness about the importance of taxation.
More so, this initiative, held on Tuesday , November 12,2024 in Lokoja, is part of KGIRS’s ongoing efforts to teach young minds the crucial role taxes play in national development.
The event, which saw participation from six secondary schools, was a collaboration between KGIRS and the Kogi State Ministry of Education and Science. Its central message: it’s never too early to start understanding the role of taxation in a society, especially for young students who will one day become the nation’s taxpayers.
Alhaji Salihu Sule Enehe, Executive Chairman of KGIRS, emphasized the importance of introducing the concept of taxation to students at an early age. In his speech at the event, he highlighted the need to “catch them young,” asserting that it is essential to instill tax awareness from the school years so that students grow into informed, responsible citizens.
Enehe explained that the tax quiz competition was designed not just to test the students’ knowledge but also to spark their curiosity about how taxes contribute to governance and infrastructure.
“We are laying the foundation for a generation that understands the critical role taxes play in the growth and development of our state and country.
“By educating our youth about taxes today, we ensure that they will be active, responsible participants in their communities tomorrow,” he said.
The primary aim of the competition, according to the KGIRS Chairman, is to foster a culture of tax awareness and compliance among the youth of Kogi State. By learning the importance of paying taxes, students begin to understand that their contributions are essential to the state’s growth.
Alhaji Enehe noted that by nurturing these values, the state will not only raise responsible citizens but also future leaders who understand how essential tax revenue is for funding public services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure development. He stressed that when young people are equipped with this knowledge, they are more likely to become compliant taxpayers and civic-minded adults.
The executive chairman, represented by Mr. Alexious Akande, Director of Administration and ICT, praised the partnership with the Kogi State Ministry of Education. “We are grateful for the Ministry’s support in making this event a success,”
“Working together, we can build a brighter future for our youth and ensure a sustainable tax system for our state,”Enehe remarked.
Tax analysts note that the partnership between the two organizations is a step toward incorporating tax education into the state’s broader educational curriculum, reinforcing the idea that learning about taxes should not be limited to adults alone but should be integrated into the education of future generations.
At the end of the competition, which was marked by spirited participation and keen competition, Harmony International School, Lokoja emerged as the champion.
The winners, alongside other participants, received prizes, including cash awards and souvenirs, in recognition of their effort and dedication to learning about taxation.
The event was a resounding success, showcasing not only the students’ knowledge but also their enthusiasm for understanding the critical role of taxes in society.
Alhaji Enehe congratulated the students, commending their drive and interest in taxation, and encouraged them to continue exploring the subject in their academic pursuits.
The KGIRS’s tax quiz competition is just one example of how the agency is working to foster a strong tax culture among the younger generation.
The management of KGIRS, under the dynamic leadership of Alhaji Salihu Sule Enehe must be commended for targeting students in secondary schools for such tax competition.
By this act, KGIRS is laying the groundwork for future taxpayers who will better understand and imbibe mmthe significance of their civic duties.
As these students grow into adulthood, the hope is that they will not only comply with tax laws but will also actively contribute to building a more prosperous and sustainable Kogi State.
The success of this initiative underlines the need for continued efforts to integrate tax education into the school curriculum across Nigeria.
When young people are taught early about their role in funding public services, they are more likely to see taxes not as a burden but as an essential part of nation-building.
This approach could be key to creating a generation of responsible, tax-conscious citizens who understand the long-term benefits of paying taxes to their community and country.
Ahmed publishes The Reporters
ahmeddada008@gmail.com
