LIRS ENGAGES 1200 TAX AUDIT PROFESSIONALS

In its drive to ensure full maximization of its revenue generating potentials, and to commence tax Audit exercise of 2016 in earnest, the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service ((LIRS) has engaged 1200 members of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) as Tax Audit Monitoring Agents (TAMAs).

The TAMAs are authorized to act as agents of LIRS for tax audit and assurance purposes. The LIRS carried out a review of the appointment and operational procedure of the TAMAs in order to enhance efficiency in its audit exercise.

Their duty would be to collect requisite information during tax audit field exercises, collate, prepare and submit tax audit reports based on the facts gathered for use by the LIRS.

A workshop was organized for the agents at The Haven Event Centre, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos on Tuesday, April 26, 2016.

Present at the workshop were the Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Mustapha Akinkunmi; Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Finance, Honourable Oluyinka Ogundimu; Executive Chairman of LIRS, Mr. Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, and other management staff of the agency.

Mr. Ogunsanwo  implored the TAMAs to demonstrate the highest level of professionalism.

"We believe you will demonstrate a high sense of responsibility and integrity in this noble assignment in line with international best practices as we hope to improve the internally generated revenue of the state and ultimately engender a sustained culture of voluntary compliance amongst tax payers in Lagos.

“I have no doubt in my mind that your professionalism will be of tremendous value during this year's exercise and beyond," Ogunsanwo said.

The revised Tax Audit Manual was also formally presented which highlights the systematic steps of auditing as well as ethical standards and codes in line with international best practice.

“The TAMAs at the Training undoubtedly emerged to be the best in the stock of applications that we received. The selection process was quite painstaking and took into consideration a number of preconditions, professionalism and track records in the most vital areas,” said the Board Secretary of LIRS, Mr. Jimi Aina.

Advising the TAMAs at the workshop, Director, Tax Audit, Mrs Bolaji Akintola, said, “The Image and reputation of LIRS is key in tax audit, therefore we charge you to stand for what LIRS stands for, by avoiding any form of compromise, illegality, unprofessional conducts and shunning all under the table transactions.

“Under the existing LIRS rules, erring agents may be delisted, prosecuted and reported to their professional bodies for further disciplinary actions."

The venue of the event was filled to capacity as about 1000 Audit Field Staff of LIRS were also trained in the afternoon session of the seminar for the purpose of optimization and capacity building.

"LIRS values its tax payers very much, they are seen as the goose that lays the golden egg. We therefore charge our agents to deal with them courteously and within the confines of Tax Audit Manual and Personal Income Tax Act (ITA)," Mrs Akintola concluded.

Gbedu Magazine Launches Offline Application Tool

Gbedu International Magazine is delivering a unique offline platform through the android application for up-to-date constant entertainment and Breaking News from around the world.

According to the publisher, Mr Olu "We proudly present the official Gbedu Magazine App!‬ for your reading delight pleasure. ‪Get all the latest News, Events, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Fashion, Beauty, Inspiration and YES, the latest Gossip!"

He explained further "The Official Gbedu Magazine App gives you innovative features and is a sure delight for our fans, get instant push notifications, and stay updated on all latest and juicy stories from around the world."

"Get the latest Nigerian and world news anywhere and anytime from Gbedu Magazine App.‬"

"‪Our followers will be opportuned to get these benefits; • Read preloaded news offline – save money on data usage;‬ • Simple design with easy scrolling and swiping for an exciting reading experience;‬ • Share stories using Facebook, Twitter, e-mail or other services;‬ and Gbedu Magazine is faster than others – at everything."

"For any of your innovative enquiries, questions or feedback on Gbedu Magazine app? Kindly Email us at:info@gbedumagazine.com."

"Gbedu Magazine is always looking for suggestions on ways to serve you better and provide the best news experience for you."

"Follow us on Facebook, Youtube:
https://www.facebook.com/Gbedu-Magazine-139269006121431/YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt9DfM0Df8JcDK8af5PEXcwTwitter: @gbedumagazine"

"Consequently, Gbedu Magazine awaits the Official Launching of the App! Which will present the trending musical and comedy acts from across the globe… Be there! Stay updated!! Don’t miss it!!! Its gonna be an unforgetable fun."

Rivers State Contestant Ruth Ejims Is 2016 Spelling Bee Nigeria Champion

Suspense laced with anxiety kept  parents, teachers and eminent guests glued to their seats at the Spelling Bee Nigeria grand finale at NECA Hall, Ikeja Lagos on Friday April 22, 2016  as beispectacled  Ruth Ejims of  Shalom College, Portharcourt, Rivers State eventually emerged winner at the 16th round after spelling the championship word 

First runner-up: was Tirenioluwa Deborah Adedipe of The Ambassadors College, Ota, Ogun State while Daniel Ogwara of Aladunmo International School, GRA Phase 1, Portharcourt, Rivers State. emerged second runners up. 

It was a shower of prizes for the Ruth Ejims, she got N250,000 cash prize as  well as N200,000 from Beta Malt  plus one year supply of Beta Malt. She also becomes the Beta Malt brand Ambassador for one year. 
She will also be a guest at the  Scripps Spelling Bee Competition finals in USA  in May 2016 . She gets $500 for shopping during her trip.

The  first and second runners up got N150,000 and N100,000 respectively. Teachers of the winners are not left out. Teacher of the winner gets N100,000  while teachers of the first and second runners up got N75,000 and N50,000 respectively.

All the finalists however got Longman  Dictionary from Pearson Education, the official dictionary of Spelling Bee Nigeria. 

According to Project Director, Mr Akin Olu-Philips "We commend the judges for upholding the tenets and essence of this competition. The applause and appreciation from parents and teachers present justifies that the process that produced the winner is global standard. That is our strength, we will maintain and even surpass the quality we have achieved so far. "

" We sincerely appreciate our sponsor Beta Malt as well as Pearson Education publishers of Longman Dictionary. We particularly  thank  the media and indeed all organizations and individuals whose contributions made this event  a success."  

Economy Downturn: We Need Spiritual Rebirth As A Nation- Otunba Gani Adams

The Chief Promoter of Olokun Festival Foundation, Otunba Gani Adams, today at the annual 'Wealth Festival' held in Powerline, Agege,Lagos advised the Federal  Government to seek spiritual solution to the present economic woes.

According to Adams," Now is the time  to appreciate Aje, the deity that is in charge of fortunes and prosperity. It is apparently the most sought- after in life and God, the Supreme being has created a kind of unique spiritual affinity between man and wealth.
In the developed world, they make adequate spiritual consultations before embarking on any developmental projects.This is the truth, because they research into the spiritual realm, mainly to have a clear - cut idea of what to do, how to do it, and when to do it in the physical world.And What this means in the real sense of it is that they know for certain that they can only succeed in whatever they do by aligning  first with the spiritual world, before the physical world.That is food for thought for Nigeria and Nigerians.

It is sad that Nigeria could be in this situation, despite its huge human and natural resources that are abound all over the country.It is an Irony of fate that Nigeria's  budget keeps increasing annually, yet there is little to show for it. And the truth is: We have lost touch with the spiritual realm, we believe wrongly in the ability of our leaders.
But even at that, this is my modest proposal to the Federal government.The  global economic crisis and the eventual fall of the oil prices in the world market is a strong indication that we can not continue to be over-dependent on oil.God has really blessed us as a nation, we have to explore our tourism potentials by creating wealth, thus, using what we have to get what we want.  Now that the present situation continues to bite hard on the people, we have to look inward.
At a time like this, We need spiritual rebirth. We need spiritual transformation. 

We need to align with our roots  and seek spiritual enlightenment as a nation. Let us seek the face of Eledumare and go back to our roots.Let us appreciate  our  God- given wealth and natural endowments.Let us revive our cultural heritage and tradition, Let us promote our local languages. This is our true cultural identities as a people, we can only make meaningful progress as a nation if we go back to our roots. God  has blessed us with every thing that can help us grow as a nation, but we abandoned it, we never appreciate what we have until we lose it that is the tragedy of our nation".
Speaking further, he opined that by celebrating Aje festival today,Agege community  that hosts us today will definitely experience  economic boom.Aje festival celebration will definitely,translates to economic growth and development in Agege and its environs. More importantly, as we celebrate Aje festival today,we are reclaiming our lost glory, at the same time, we are saying good bye to lack and poverty.As we celebrate wealth today, we are spiritually blessed with richness and abundance.

The Festival attracted members of Oodua People's Congress, Oodua Progressive Union, (The Yoruba Organisation for Yorubas in diaspora). It had in attendance HRM Oba Ambaliu Hakeem Agbedeyi1, the Alayoge of Orile-Agege,HRM Oba Adeyemi Akanbi, Oba Orisa  of Benin Republic, Chief T Jaji, Baale of Allen, Chief TN Bakare, Baale of Omole,Prof. Kolawole Raheem of University of Education,Ghana, Dr.  Adesanya Ahmed of the department of African Languages,Literatures and Communication Arts Lagos State University, Chief Akeem Muraina, Baale of Ifako,Prince Kunle Adeyemi,Akogun Gani Kayode Balogun,Publisher GKB News, Orile Agege Council of Chiefs and several others.

PAPA WEMBA DIES AT 66

The influential Congolese music star Papa Wemba has died after collapsing on stage in Abidjan in Ivory Coast, media reports say.
Video from the concert shows the artist, who was 66, slumped on the floor as dancers continue to perform, unaware of what is happening.
French broadcaster France 24 confirmed the death, quoting his manager.
On the African music scene since 1969, Papa Wemba won a world music following with his "rumba rock".
He inspired a cult movement known as the Sapeurs whose members, young men, spend huge amounts of money on designer clothes.

In 2004, he was convicted in France of a role in an illegal immigration racket and spent three months in prison.
He remained one of Africa's most popular musicians.

WOMAN SETS HUSBAND, SISTER ABLAZE FOR HAVING SEX

A Zambian woman recently went wild as she burnt her own husband and sister for allegedly having sex.

The victims are undergoing treatment at a hospital in Zambia.

Herbalist Refuses To Be Used To Test Efficacy Of Charm

A mild hilarious drama played out at the headquarters of the Special Armed Robbery Squad (SARS), Lagos State Police Command, Ike­ja, when a suspected armed robber, Fuwad Azeez, arrested by the police, who was said to have prepared protective charms for members of the gang against bullets and knives, vehemently refused to be used as a guinea pig to test the efficacy of the charms.

According to The Sun, Azeez, son of a herbalist, was ar­rested on April 19, 2016 by police­men attached to Denton Divisional Police for carrying arms in public. His arrest came after the leader of the gang, Kareem Idris alias Aloma, led his team members, namely Ramon Sanusi alias Osharemon, Jinadu Mufta alias OmoBaale Okobaba, Damilola Small Poly, Muis Alaka, Gafari, Ganiu Garbazine, Ayeke, Azuri Kadri and Toyibu on a successful robbery operation at Moonshine Hotel, Obalende on April 8, 2016, where they carted away valuables and money from both workers and lodgers.

Following a tip-off, the police stormed the hotel and caught seven of them while three others escaped. In the course of interrogation, at the SARS office, Kareem Idris allegedly recounted how members of the gang met on a football field with Azeez.

They told him to prepare protection charms for each member of the gang. Fuwad, 22, a native of Iseyin, Oyo State, was said to have learnt the art of black magic from his father.

He promised to do a good job if they would allow him join the gang.

Having secured their approval, Fuwad made charms for protection for every one of them against cutlasses, bullets, bottles and
other dangerous weapons.

However, the drama played out when Sunday Sun asked which member of the gang would like to test the potency of the charm against a gunshot or a machete cut.

All seven of them, including Fuwad, who prepared the charm vehemently refused to be a guinea pig for the purpose of testing the efficacy of the charm.

Kareem also said they had been stealing items like phones, laptops and other valuables for a long time, which they later sold.

Meanwhile, Ramon Sanusi, who is a foot 
soldier of the Eiye Confraternity and an indigene of Ogun State who said that he start­ed stealing in 2012, revealed that through the money he got from robbery operations, he had purchased four guns.

As at the time of their arrest, the gang members were caught with one locally made pistol, two live cartridges and some of the charms made by the gang member.

However, investigations are ongoing while efforts have been doubled to track down the other members of the gang still at large.