Zulum Pledges Support for Tax Ombuds’ Regional Headquarters in Maiduguri

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has assured the Tax Ombuds of Nigeria of the state government’s support to establish a regional office in Maiduguri, positioning the state as the administrative hub of the Northeast.

The governor gave the assurance when he received the pioneer Chief Executive Officer of the Tax Ombuds of Nigeria, Dr John Nwabueze, who led his management team on a courtesy visit to the Government House in Maiduguri.

“I am pleased to welcome you to Maiduguri, and I want to assure you that the government of Borno State, under my leadership, will provide the needed political will and commitment to supporting your office, with a view to establishing the regional office in Maiduguri,” Zulum said.

To fast-track the process, the governor directed the Tax Ombuds team to link with the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, the Commissioner for Finance, and the State Revenue Service Board to work out modalities for the office’s requirements.

“We shall identify what will cater for your immediate needs, while also looking into sustainable, durable solutions for the medium and long term. In the meantime, we will provide office space to you, inshallah, within the shortest possible time,” he said.

The governor congratulated Dr Nwabueze as the pioneer Chief Executive Officer of the Tax Ombuds of Nigeria, reiterating his willingness to work with the agency.

Speaking on the mandate of the Tax Ombuds of Nigeria, Zulum said the organisation serves as an arbiter between taxpayers and tax authorities, filling a longstanding gap in the country’s tax administration framework.

“We have listened to the mandate of your organisation, as you have briefly mentioned — that you sit between taxpayers and the responsibility for tax collection. You are an arbiter. And I believe such an organisation did not exist in the country before. Even where similar efforts existed, they lacked the full legal backing to undertake this mandate,” the governor said.

The CEO of Tax Ombuds, Dr. John Nwabueze said his visit was to formally introduce himself and his office to the governor following his appointment by the President in June last year.

He described the creation of the office as a pragmatic step by the President to provide relief to Nigerian taxpayers facing disputes and complaints arising from tax and revenue-related issues.

“Our responsibility is to strengthen trust in the tax system by protecting taxpayers’ rights, promoting fairness and transparency, and providing an independent avenue for resolving tax-related complaints. The role I have to play is to be an impartial and fair arbiter in cases involving citizens that have business with the tax and revenue authorities,” Nwabueze said.

Dr Nwabueze commended Governor Zulum for his efforts to restore peace, rebuild communities, and improve education and economic opportunities in the state.

Zulum Pledges Support for Tax Ombuds’ Regional Headquarters in Maiduguri

Zulum opens flyover bridge, road projects, 2 schools in Maiduguri

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has commissioned a flyover bridge, the 2.5 km Budum Junction via Kasuwan Shanu to NIETAL shoe factory express road project with a 5 km drainage network and two mega schools in Maiduguri, the state capital.

The commissioning ceremony, held on Sunday, witnessed the symbolic cutting of the tape by the governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, who was the special guest of honour.

The newly inaugurated Post Office 9 span Flyover is part of the Zulum administration’s urban renewal drive.

It is the fourth flyover bridge the governor has constructed. This is in addition to several kilometres of road networks executed across the state to ease traffic congestion and boost economic activity.

Speaking at the event, Governor Sule praised his Borno counterpart for his visionary leadership and commitment to infrastructure development despite the security challenges the state faces.

 He noted that the projects would significantly improve the quality of life for residents.

He said, “A speech was prepared for me; I wish there were no prepared speech. Because what I have seen in Borno today is worth me actually standing here and talking for two hours, commending my dear brother for the wonderful job you are doing in the area of education and infrastructure.

“The project we just commissioned some moments ago is a purposeful leadership and determination of the Borno State Government to provide infrastructure to meet the needs of the people.”

“I commend you, Your Excellency, for demonstrating that even in the face of enormous challenges, government must continue to invest in its people, particularly in the education of our children, and I commend you for this wonderful job that you are doing.”

In his remarks, Governor Zulum reiterated his administration’s dedication to bridging the infrastructure gap in Borno. 

He explained that the road projects and flyover were designed not only to beautify the city but to facilitate the smooth movement of goods and ease economic activities.

Beyond infrastructure, the governor highlighted his administration’s heavy investment in the education sector. He said over 120 mega schools have been constructed across the state to improve access to quality education for Borno children. 

“Today, we have formally commissioned four important projects, namely: the Larawaram Community Senior Secondary School; the Shehu Sanda Kyarimi I Primary and Junior Secondary School; the Post Office 9-Span Flyover; and the dualized 2.5-kilometre road, together with 5 kilometres of drainage, from Budum Tandari Junction to Kasuwan Shanu.

“These projects must be viewed within the broader context of the challenges our State has faced and the progress we have made in overcoming them. The insurgency destroyed more than 5,000 school structures, while at its peak, an estimated 2.2 million children were out of school, with fewer than 500,000 enrolled. Many teachers and school administrators also lost their lives in the course of duty.

“We have also placed considerable emphasis on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), particularly in response to the disruption of learning, livelihoods and employment opportunities caused by the insurgency.

“This administration has established 5 Vocational Enterprise Institutes, reactivated 11 Vocational Training Centres, and established 3 Second Chance Skills Entrepreneurship Schools for women and girls.

“The journey of rebuilding Borno continues, and our commitment remains unwavering: to ensure that every child has access to quality education and the opportunity to build a productive and dignified future,” Zulum said

Zulum opens flyover bridge, road projects, 2 schools in Maiduguri

Troops recover cattle after suspected crop destruction in Jos East

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 1, Sub-Sector 12, Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), have recovered a cow after responding to a report of crop destruction on a farm along Kerker village in Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The incident occurred at about 2:38 p.m. on Sept. 10, when the troops were alerted to the destruction of crops on a farmland in the area.

Military sources said the troops swiftly mobilised to the location and intercepted one cow allegedly involved in the incident, while the herders fled with the remaining cattle upon sighting the security personnel.

The recovered cow was moved to a safe location for further action.

The development underscores ongoing security efforts to prevent clashes between farmers and herders and protect agricultural activities across communities in the state.

Troops recover cattle after suspected crop destruction in Jos East