GRBusiness
Maiden NCSC highlights reasons Consumer satisfaction must be given priority
BY: Sandra Ani
Most times, consumer’s satisfactions are not given serious attention in decision-making process by some organisations, according to speakers at the maiden edition of the Nigeria Corporate Services Conference (NCSC) held in Lagos State, recently.
Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Abdulfatai Olayinka Olajide in his remarks the event graced by leaders of thought, eminent industrialists, politicians, heads of government departments and agencies, notable professionals, students from various tertiary institutions in Lagos and a cross-section of the media, stated that the theme “Building A Sustainable Economic Growth Through Quality Corporate Services Delivery,” couldn’t have come at a better time citing the current situation in the power sector as an instance.
He called on relevant agencies to improve on their corporate service delivery in the country.
In a paper titled: “Due diligence, best practices in revenue generation,” the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Tunde Fowler, said that both the consumer and service providers must have understanding to achieve greater results and satisfaction.
The EC represented by Mr. Abolade Kehinde observed that State Governments across the country need money to finance their expenditure, which includes infrastructure and social services, and that such money, is generated majorly through taxation and borrowing.
He, however, argued that generally, taxation is deemed preferable to borrowing as debt has to be repaid usually with interest and other debt servicing obligations which can sometimes create additional burden on Government.
While identifying tax as a major enabler of generating revenue, Mr. Fowler said that in an ideal environment, voluntary compliance by the tax payer will ensure that revenue is made available for improving on the provision of social amenities and services.
Describing taxation as a social contract between government and taxpayers, he noted that taxation enhances accountability on government, because taxpayers have a greater stake in governance.
“In addition, when citizens play such a significant role in raising revenue, government will similarly have a strong motivation to account for revenues collected and their utilization”, Fowler said,
He further warned that it is therefore, important that in actualizing its mandate, revenue authorities must ensure that every effort is made to ensure that tax administration helps and does not hamper the valid interests of all stakeholders.
In building relationship between Corporate Governance and Public Sector best practice,Fowler advised thatGovernment is expected to determine tax rates and tax laws but has to be very careful about simply increasing tax rates while making it difficult for taxpayers to comply.
According to him, “a country’s corporate governance system affects the degree to which tax changes affect the growth (or not) of tax revenue. So, when it is easy to divert income to avoid tax or when share ownership concentration is too unbalanced, an increase in the tax rate can reduce tax revenues.”
“By contrast, in a good corporate governance environment, Controlling shareholders will have too little incentive to divert income to avoid tax especially when they are accountable to other investors. This is because they take the personal risk of enforcement by tax authorities but benefits very little from it in terms of shareholder value.”
Fowler also noted that transforming a nation requires cultivating good character. Poverty according to him, does not cause corruption, it is corruption that rather causes poverty! To combat both, there is need for more than aid, investment or protests. “Nigeria needs the hearts and minds of all of us to be transformed by God’s word and Spirit,” he said.
He argued further that to attain due diligence and best practice in revenue generation in Nigeria, government must ensure that tax money works for the taxpayer; and that there should be accountability and value for money. In addition, taxpayers have the right to demand value for money if they themselves have been compliant.
Some of the other steps that would enhance due diligence and best practice in revenue collection in Nigeria, according to Fowler, would require full participation in the tax collection process by every Nigerian adult; participation in governance by asking questions on how taxpayers money is being spent; and whistle-blowing by reporting tax evaders.
In another keynote address titled “Ethics, the backbone of quality corporate services for economic growth,” the Director General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Muda Yusuf, said that the Conference was timely, because given the structure of the Nigerian economy, at no other time is the conversation on quality corporate services delivery in private and public sectors more appropriate than now as the country works to transform the economy from being resource-based to a knowledge-based, innovation and technology-driven economy for the good of all.
Yusuf said Services are increasingly important for their direct contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), exports and employment, maintaining that with the change in the structure of the Nigeria economy from a real sector dominated system to services led economy- services sector has become the largest sector in the economy, with its share of GDP 52.62% in 2018, in addition to the sector also contributing the largest proportion of employment at 57.4%.”
According to him, “Nigeria has made significant progress in its services sector, becoming one of the leading corporate service providers in the continent of Africa- our banks have registered their footprint in many Africa countries, we have a robust Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and others, providing diverse services to businesses and governments. These are immense economic opportunities we must optimize and unleash for tangible sustainable economic deliverables.”
He said that going by the enormous human resource available to the country and the demographic advantage, focus must be shifted on inculcating a culture of professionalism and ethical conduct in service vendors, adding that though many private sector operators have embedded ethical principles in their operations, there was need for a national consensus on ethical conducts within the country’s corporate and public service space, as this will improve the global competitiveness of the Nigerian economy.
Yusuf therefore, recommended among others, that:
“Nigeria must commit to abiding by the established rules, regulations and code of conducts in her corporate and public endeavours and must make doing things right her national priority. Citizens’ mindset should be changed from the entitlement based to a service focus;
“There is need for a formalized ethics regime which would ensure that all stakeholders know and understand the rules and expectations;
“There is a need to promote greater awareness of Ethics and the Code of Ethics in the public and private sector, as this is the best way of promoting ethical behaviour. The National Orientation Agency (NOA) and private sector institutions should step up and sustain enlightenment campaigns for standard ethical behavior;
“Sanctions should be given to unethical and unprofessional conduct with sufficient penalty for unethical practices to deter deviation from ethical behavior;
“Nigeria should endeavour to promote professionalism in the public and corporate sector should be promoted and to this end, service vendors in the public and private sectors must be encouraged to join a professional body that is related to what they do, among other recommendations.
The LCCI DG concluded by urging Nigerians to act in a responsible manner in accordance with all relevant laws, regulations, guidelines and industry standards, maintaining that if all should commit to standard practices and procedures, Nigeria will definitely be able to raise the bar of services delivery to drive the sustainable growth of the nation’s economy.
A 3-man panel made up of Engr. Falilat Olaitan Jimoh, representing the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Isa Pantami; Mr. Victor Ayoola, representing Mr. Tom Isibor, Head, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, ACCA Nigeria; and Dr. Adebowale Adeagbo- Chief Operating Officer, Halogen School of Security Management and Technology.
The session was anchored by Mr. Abdulfatai Olayinka Olajide who doubled as the Chairman of the occasion.
In her intervention, Engr. Falilat Olaitan Jimoh noted that ICT has come as a disruption to the way businesses are done, and said that the earlier Nigerians embrace this reality, the better, adding that NITDA though with its limited resources, wants huge impact of ICTs on the Nigerian people.
This she said, gave birth to the Agency’s roadmap aimed at ensuring digital inclusion, job creation through ICTs, local content promotion, cyber security, as well as regulation. “In NITDA, the game has changed, standards are being raised. Corruption is being tackled and global best practices guide NITDA’s policies and actions. We should join hands to make the country work,” she said.
Dr. Adebowale Adeagbo said in his own contribution that Nigeria’s biggest problem is in trhe inability of government to remain focused, explaining why there is insecurity everywhere. He argued that Security can only be achieved if it is devolved to the local community.
According to him, “Government should allow the private sector drive business as it has no business running businesses. Government should rather focus on governance, provide the enabling environment and allow the private sector drive the economy. Nigeria has a bright future.”
Victor Ayoola opined that Nigeria is where she is today because she started moving away from standards, insisting that the country needs to tell and sell its own story because “it’s a country endowed with very intelligent and brilliant citizens. We need to grow our capacity while each of us should maintain their space.”
Executive Chairman of Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Hon. Afolabi Babatunde Sofola noted that there is need for the reorientation of the country’s value system, go back to the basics, adding that God-fatherism in Nigerian politics must be dealt with. “In all, value should be rewarded. Today, Local Government chairmen are professionals trying to bring decorum and professionalism to governance.”
The programme ended with Awards given to some individuals and corporate organisations in recognition of their contributions to best practices, due diligence, business ethics and corporate governance advocacy.
Earlier, the Conference Convener and the Managing Director/Lead Strategist of TenticP Communications Nigeria Limited, Nahimah Ajakanle-Nurudeen, in her welcome address noted that the Nigeria Corporate Services Conference is projected to be an annual event aimed at driving best practices and innovations in the delivery of quality corporate services by businesses, organisations, entrepreneurs, and government agencies in Nigeria. It’s a platform designed to enhance business and economic growth, through promotion of best practices and due diligence for sustainable development in Nigeria.
She said that the Conference theme: “Building a sustainable economic growth through quality corporate services delivery” was picked because of its relevance to the country’s contemporary economic development at a time when observing global best practices, due diligence, business ethics and corporate governance are being amplified by stakeholders in both public and private sectors.
Non-observance of best practices, due diligence, business ethics and corporate governance she said, are some of the challenges confronting the Nigerian economy where business people, corporate organisations and individuals cut corners by shunning ethics for reasons best known to them.
It is believed that a lot needs to be done in emphasizing best practices, due diligence, business ethics and corporate governance because when a nation gets it right by doing the right thing, the country can adopt and run with the philosophy of best practices, as this would significantly improve the healthcare, education, governance, food security, social harmony, etc.
She observed that today, not many Nigerian consumers are aware that SERVICOM, an agency that gives them the right to demand good services as contained in MDAs Service Charter, exists, even as those who are aware, hardly make use of it.
She urged the Federal Government to ensure strict compliance
to SERVICOM policy by all ministries, departments and agencies in Nigeria. This
is in addition to government encouraging private initiatives such as in the
promotion of best practices, due diligence, business ethics and corporate
governance in the country.
Transport
August24news Publisher, Ajagbe, Set to Present Best Driver and Best Conductor of The Year Awards
As part of efforts to sanitize and project the image of the transportation system in Lagos State and ability to reward good deeds and eliminate the bad eggs among the drivers and conductors in the state, Lagos-based frontline journalist and publisher of Nigerian Online Newspaper, August24news.com, Mr. Ajagbe Adeyemi Teslim is set to present the best driver and best conductor awards to deserving professionals in the state.
The competition is expected to start in January 2026 and end by December 2026 and it has been designed to be a yearly competition after the maiden edition.
The parameters and measures put in place to pick the Best Driver and Best Conductor in the state is through commuters’ commendations, score cards, online voting system by the general public, public opinions and other relevant methods.
Many drivers and conductors in Lagos State are known for their lackadastical attitudes, but there are still good ones among them, which is the reason we want to reward the good ones among them so that the wrong ones will emulate from the rewarded ones.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, the convener of the Award and Publisher of August24news.com, Mr. Ajagbe Adeyemi Teslim highlighted some of the marks expected in every drivers and conductors before winning the awards.
He said they must possess good characters, good dress sense, good driving skills, saying that drivers and conductors must charge their passengers reasonable transport fares, possess good communication skills and relate well with their passengers, they should avoid stoping at undesignated bus-stops, avoid handling our naira with care because the way they are mishandling our naira is one of the reason why our currency is fading and changing faces.
In addition, he said that they should avoid bribing officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and other road transport officials because they want to have their ways, they must receive and welcome their passengers with smiles and greetings, avoid pushing and roughhandly their passengers into and outside the bus, they must not smoke and drink before or while on duity.
He said they should be able to help passengers with free ride if the person pleads with them and they should not fight passengers whose fare is not completed, they must not make calls while driving, they should sit properly and avoid hanging on the bus, avoid picking passengers at unapproved bus stops and his or her bus must be in good condition before plying Lagos roads.
On what would be the benefits of the winner, Ajagbe stated that the winner will go home with over dozen gifts which include, a brand new bus, a brand new private car, a duplex, free 20 liters of fuel daily for a month, twenty four million naira cash, brand ambassador contract, driving contract, tour of 10 notable places in the state, courtesy visit to 10 dignitaries in Lagos State, automatic employment for two of his children in Lagos State, 24 different native and English attires from a popular designer, 24 new tyres, an award plaque, conductor and driver bet, a befitting gala night and Letter of commendation from the Lagos State Government, adding that the best conductor will also get whatever the driver gets.
When asked about what prompted the idea, the publisher said that he had witnessed many ugly incidents among Lagos drivers and conductors, which he said made him think of a way to change the narrative and to rebrand the profession.
According to him, “we want to put them on the watch, we want to set an agenda for them, we want to curb thier lakadastical act and non-challantant attitude such as drinking and smoking while on duty as well as reward the best among them, eradicate the bad ones and also encourage others so that they can be emulated.
He added that there is no agency that monitors thier activities in the state, claiming that what the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and local governments does is just to collect fees and levies from them.
Speaking further, he said; “I have witnessed a situation where drivers and conductors beat passengers because of a mere 10 naira change during argument.
“I have witnessed, where drivers and conductors abused and insulted passengers which led to trauma. I have seen where a passenger was stranded, trekked home and even begged for transport fares simply because a wicked conductors took his change away. I have seen where people where properly dressed, clean and neat, unfortunately a public bus tore and dirty thier cloth. These are people who are set for their daily jobs, going for job interviews and attending social gathering.
He said that on numerous occasions, he had seen situations where conductors and drivers returned lost phones, gadgets, loads and even bags of money to their passengers, saying that “we must not shy away from the truth or be economical with the truth, the good ones are still living and must also be recognized and rewarded.”
“I have not seen when conductors give passengers free ride out of the 365 days in a year. Some of them are not friendly with their customers, they should be able to give back to the society or their passengers and they should be ready to partake in CSR. Anyone who does this will win the award of the year,” he said
When asked what his organisation stands to benefit from the awards, Ajagbe told newsmen that his target are numerous because “we want the best for Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole. We want them to be responsible and accountable to their passengers and the general public. We want commuters to get value for their money, We want them to be good ambassadors because foreigners and the international communities see their practice.
“We want to set an agenda for them, we want to change the narrative, we want to change the public orientation that public bus drivers and conductors are respected people and not bad people as people see them.
“Some of them are always the cause of accidents on our roads due to their lakadastical attitude. We want the government to put them on a good pedestal. We want them to put a stop to their hooliganism and fighting during the cause of their business.
“The NURTW and the local governments are levies collectors. We want the state government to mandate drivers and conductors to start wearing uniforms and have numbers to identify the erring ones among them,” he stated.
Speaking on the measure and yardstick to pick the best driver and best conductor among the thousands in the business, Ajagbe stated that members of the public will engage in voting after evaluating all the requirements.
The drivers and the conductors will also appeal to their passengers to vote for them via hard copy forms, sms text code and online voting.
Ajagbe said that all commercial buses drivers and conductors in Lagos State are eligible to participate in the competition because it is free, adding that no payment is required to participate in the competition once he or she is a registered member of the union in a specific garage attached to a route in Lagos State.
When asked if the project will fly and accepted by members of the public and even get sponsors, Ajagbe said that 90 percent of Lagosians ply public busses on a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis to their various destination and they must have had one or two experiences with some of these drivers and conductors and they will be willing to share their positive or negative thoughts.
He stressed that the job is taking a new look and dimensions, particularly when it’s coming with rewards and that sponsors are always keen to assist creative ideas and concepts like this.
“We would work in hand with the Lagos state government, the state Ministry of Transportation, Lagos State Branch of the NURTW State, local government branch and Unit Chairmen, drivers and conductors association and other relevant agencies attached to transport business in Lagos state”. Ajagbe added.
Ajagbe revealed that the whooping sum of one billion naira (1.000,000,000) is proposed for the project and then called on the Lagos state government, the ministry of Transportation, corporate bodies, well meaning Nigerians to key into the idea and response promptly to the proposal sent to them as he can be contacted through; [email protected] for sponsorship and partnership to produce the best Driver and Best Conductor in Lagos State.
Commenting on the project, is former LAGOS State commissioner for Transportation, Hon. Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN) stated that it is a laudable project that will add honour to the work of the commercial bus drivers and conductors in Lagos State as he kindly appealed to sponsors to fully support the project.
Finance
Tinubu Launches Personal Income Tax Calculator to Improve Compliance, Fairness
By ORJI ISRAEL
President Bola Tinubu has launched a Personal Income Tax Calculator to help Nigerians work out their tax obligations under the new tax law.
The tool is expected to make compliance easier and improve transparency in the system.
In a post on his X page, the president said the calculator shows how the recent reforms protect low-income earners while ensuring fairness.
“A fair tax system must never punish poverty or weigh down the most vulnerable. With the new tax laws I recently signed, taking effect from January 2026, we have lifted this burden and created a path of equity, fairness, and true redistribution in our economy,” Tinubu said.
Some months ago, he signed four major tax bills into law to bring Nigeria’s scattered tax system under one framework. These include the Nigeria Tax Administration Law, which sets out a uniform process for tax administration across federal, state, and local governments; the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, which replaces the current Federal Inland Revenue Service Act with a stronger, more independent revenue agency; and the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill, which creates a formal structure for cooperation between revenue bodies at all levels.
The introduction of the tax calculator, together with these reforms, is expected to reduce confusion for both individuals and businesses, while also making it easier for them to meet their obligations and contribute to national growth.
Tinubu added that the reforms are part of building renewed hope for the economy and urged Nigerians to trust in the country’s future for themselves and their families.
Energy
President Tinubu Commissions WAGL’s 40,000 CBM LPG Vessel in South Korea
…Lauds Company’s Partners for Expanding Africa’s Role in Clean Energy
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu says Nigeria is poised to deliver clean and sustainable energy solutions not just in-country but also across Africa and beyond.
The President made the remarks today at the commissioning ceremony of a 40,000 cubic meters (CBM) Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) vessel, christened “MT Iyaloja (Lagos),” in Ulsan, South Korea.
The vessel owned by WAGL Energy Limited (an NNPC Ltd. /Sahara Group Joint Venture) is a dual-fuel, fully refrigerated LPG carrier. This latest addition brings WAGL’s total LPG vessel capacity to 162,000 CBM. Other vessels in the fleet include MT Africa Gas, MT Sahara Gas, MT BaruMK, and MT Sapet.
Represented by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, the President commended WAGL Energy Limited, NNPC Limited and Sahara Group, for their strategic foresight, technical excellence and unwavering dedication to expanding Africa’s role in the global clean energy value-chain.
In his remarks, Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPC Ltd., Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described WAGL’s LPG Vessel as a great addition to gas development efforts in Nigeria.
The GCEO, who was represented by the Executive Vice President, Gas, Power & New Energy, Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye, added that the vessel will be crucial in realising the impact of gas in Nigeria’s economic development.
According to him, NNPC Ltd. is deepening its commitment to ensure LPG affordability, availability and access, nationwide.
“NNPC Ltd. is proud to be a major shareholder in this indigenous Company which in addition to the newly commissioned MT Iyaloja (Lagos), owns four (4) other LPG vessels in its growing fleet, delivering over 6 million MT of LPG across West Africa over the last 5 years,” he added.
Also speaking, WAGL’s Chairman/Executive Director at Sahara Group, Mr. Temitope Shonubi, noted that the company’s expansion demonstrates its vision of responsibly driving efforts aimed at bridging the continent’s critical energy infrastructure gap.”
“The addition of MT Iyaloja (Lagos) embodies the spirit of progress and empowerment championed by the iconic Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, whose legacy we honour. Sahara Group is proud of its partnership with NNPC Ltd. and reaffirms its commitment to partnerships that drive energy access in Africa,” he added.
WAGL’s Managing Director, Mr. Mohammed Sani Bello stressed that the company is dedicated to expanding its integrated supply network across the entire energy value chain.
“WAGL already has plans to further expand the fleet within the next two years with the addition of a Small Gas Carrier and a Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC),” he added.
The symbolic ribbon cutting of MT Iyaloja (Lagos) named in honour of Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, MFR, (the late mother of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu), was performed by her grand-daughter, the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Alhaja Folasade Mujidat Tinubu-Ojo.
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