The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kogi State Council, has sought a stronger partnership with the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (IRS), urging the agency to include journalists in its training and capacity-building programmes to enhance accurate reporting of tax and fiscal policies.
The appeal was made on Wednesday by the Chairman of the Council, Comrade Ademu Seidu Haruna, during a courtesy visit to the Executive Chairman of the Kogi State IRS, Alhaji Sule Salihu Enehe, at the Service’s headquarters in Lokoja.
Represented by the Vice Chairman of the Council, Comrade Ibrahim Obansa, the NUJ chairman said the visit was to commend the IRS leadership for its achievements in revenue generation and administration, while encouraging the agency to sustain its efforts toward the development of Kogi State.
“We are here to appreciate the good work you are doing. The transformation in revenue collection and administration in Kogi State is commendable, and we encourage you to do even more for the benefit of the people,” he said.
Haruna noted that journalists play a strategic role in educating the public on taxation, fiscal policies and government programmes, stressing that regular training would enhance their capacity to report such issues accurately.
“In the spirit of partnership, we appeal to the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service to include journalists in its training programmes. A well-informed media will be better positioned to interpret government policies correctly and promote public understanding, which will ultimately encourage voluntary tax compliance,” he added.
The NUJ chairman also reaffirmed the union’s readiness to collaborate with the IRS on public enlightenment campaigns aimed at improving the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
Responding, the Executive Chairman of the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service, Alhaji Sule Salihu Enehe, described the media as a critical stakeholder in the agency’s drive to improve tax compliance and revenue generation.
He assured the NUJ that journalists would be accommodated in future training programmes in line with the inclusive governance policy of the present administration.
“We are in agreement with your request. We will ensure that journalists are included in our training programmes because the current administration is committed to carrying all stakeholders along,” Enehe said.
The IRS chairman further directed the Director of Administration to visit the NUJ Secretariat in Lokoja to work out modalities for the proposed collaboration.
He commended the union for its professionalism and reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to working closely with the media to deepen public awareness of the importance of tax payment and its role in driving sustainable development across the state.