Economy
NAPPS: Edo Private Schools Protest 300% Tax Hike
NAPPS: Edo Private Schools Protest 300% Tax Hike
NAPPS: Edo private schools protest 300% tax hike. He explained that increasing school fees would reflect poorly on Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration.
The Edo chapter of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) has faulted the state government’s over 300 per cent personal income tax increment for private schools in the state.
The group, which voiced its opposition at a news conference in Benin on Friday, noted that the arbitrary tax increase would negatively impact parents and schools in the state.
Lemmy Pare Russel, the state chairman of the association, said the increase would force private schools to raise their fees, potentially harming their operations.
He explained that increasing school fees would reflect poorly on Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration, as it could make education less accessible to many families.
Mr Russell also emphasised that the briefing was triggered by the personal income tax assessments recently distributed to private school owners by the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS).
He stated that the aim of the briefing was to bring the attention of Mr Okpebholo to the sudden and unjustified tax hike on private school owners in the state.
He assured the state government that private schools would continue to pay taxes but demanded a fair tax structure because running a school was social service, not a business.
He mentioned that taxes were typically based on the profits from a business, but private schools were being charged minimum fees per student, adding that this would raise their financial burden significantly.
Mr Russell pointed out that many operational costs, such as local government levies, utility bills, and approval renewals, were not considered in the new tax regime, which added to the challenges faced by private schools.
He expressed concerns that some proprietors, who paid N400,000 in 2024, would now face over N6 million in taxes, indicating an over 1,500 percent increase, which could force some schools out of business.
Mr Russell noted that this increase affected private school owners across all three senatorial districts in Edo State, with tax hikes ranging from 600 to over 1,600 percent in various local governments.
In particular, private school owners in Ikpoba Okha and Oredo Local Governments saw their taxes rose drastically, with some facing increases of over N7 million, threatening their operations.
Mr Russell urged Mr Okpebholo to reduce personal income taxes for private schools to between 5 and 10 percent, as it was before his government took office.
In an interview with several school proprietors, including Peter Odion Okungbowa, Dr Mathew Nosa Omoragbon and Ojeh-Oziegbe Azuka appealed to the governor to intervene and prevent the closure of their schools due to the tax increases.
In his reaction, the executive chairman of the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), Oladele Bankole-Balogun, dismissed the claims, explaining that the EIRS does not have the authority to raise taxes arbitrarily.
Mr Balogun emphasised that taxation was governed by law and that no tax could be increased without due legislative process.
“The Revenue Service cannot unilaterally increase taxes for private schools. That claim is false.
“Tax laws are determined by statute, meaning we cannot wake up one day and decide to impose new taxes. Every tax is itemised by law,” he said.
NAPPS
Mr Balogun maintained that complaints about higher tax demands may stem from stricter enforcement rather than any actual increase.
He pointed out that the EIRS was actively ensuring compliance, particularly among individuals and businesses that had previously underreported or evaded taxes.
“The only authority that can increase tax rates for the state is the State House of Assembly, acting on the recommendation of the Executive Governor, and always in line with federal tax laws,” he explained.
He urged Edo residents to embrace taxation as a civic duty, stressing that tax revenue was essential for government projects, including roads, schools, hospitals, infrastructure, and security.
Okpebholo Threatening Me With Violence, I’ll Fight Back Says Obaseki
Okpebholo threatening me with violence, I’ll fight back says Obaseki. Godwin Obaseki, the immediate past governor of Edo, has accused Monday Okpebholo, his successor, of threatening him with violence. Obaseki spoke during the weekend at an event in London, the United Kingdom.
BACKGROUND
Since assuming office in November 2024, Okpebholo has initiated a series of actions aimed at scrutinising Obaseki’s tenure.
He first constituted a 14-member committee to investigate the assets, liabilities, contracts, and financial decisions made under Obaseki.
Okpebholo then expanded the scrutiny to the state civil service, ordering a probe into all recruitments conducted between May and November 2024, alleging a violation of due process.
Last week, Okpebholo asked the federal government to repatriate Obaseki to answer questions over public funds linked to the controversial Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) project.
‘OKPEBHOLO THREATENING ME’
Obaseki said the governor is threatening him with violence and allegedly sent thugs to attack him in the UK.
“Those who live by the sword will die by the sword,” Obaseki said. “And to tell the governor, Okpebholo, I don’t know him; I have never met him. When you start with violence, you will reap violence.
“For one year since I left office, I didn’t say one word. I decided to respect myself and allow them to try [in governance] as well. Go and find out, you won’t see one thing I said about his government.”
He accused Okpebholo’s government of being behind the attack on diplomats during the exhibition in MOWAA.
“As if that was not enough, the government paid people to come to Manchester to attack me,” he said.
“Who has started this violence? Is it me? Last week, this governor held a disgraceful press conference in which he threatened me not to come to Benin.
Obaseki
“They have been threatening violence. So if I respond, nobody should hold me responsible. “I can’t leave myself empty to be hurt and attacked by deranged people.
“So I am going to fight back. I will fight back. I didn’t start the fight. They are afraid. They know they did not win the election.”
Jigawa: 9,600 Teachers Register For Special Training
Jigawa: 9,600 teachers register for special training. No fewer than 9,600 teachers under the Jigawa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) registered for a competency test to determine the specific training required to improve their skills and enhance teaching outcomes in the state.
The Executive Chairman of the Board, Professor Haruna Musa, revealed this while briefing journalists on the purpose of the examination, adding that 12,000 teachers were expected to register for the exam.
He explained that the state government, under the leadership of Governor Malam Umar Namadi, was committed to repositioning the state education sector as a key foundation for sustainable development, in line with its “12-Point Agenda.”
Prof. Haruna noted that while the government has been spending significant resources to improve educational infrastructure, meaningful learning improvements cannot be achieved without also enhancing the capabilities of teachers.
“Based on that, the State Executive Council approved for the board to organise a competency test for all teachers. This will enable us to understand the kind of training each teacher requires to improve his or her skills”.
“Out of the 9,600 teachers registered for the exam, over 70% have never attended any capacity-building training since they were employed, including some with over 15 years of service,” the Chairman added.
Teachers Register For Special Training
He stated that after the exam, the teachers will be categorised into three groups: Group A, those with both knowledge and teaching skills; Group B, those with knowledge but lacking teaching skills; and Group C, those lacking both knowledge and teaching skills.
“Each group will be offered specialised training. Those in Group C will undergo intensive training and subsequent examinations for a period to ensure they are equipped with the required knowledge and skills”.
“For those with slower learning uptake, we will attach them to competent teachers within their schools for ongoing guidance and mentorship,” Prof Haruna said.
He further stated that the project is not about retrenchment, but his primary goal is to enhance teachers’ capacity for better learning outcomes within the state’s basic education sector.
PFA: Leadway Pensure Leverages Innovations For Quality Service Delivery
PFA: Leadway pensure leverages innovations for quality service delivery. A Pension Fund Administrator (PFA), Leadway Pensure said, it is leveraging innovation to escalate quality
service delivery to its retirement savings account (RSA) holders. This milestone marks 20 years of trust, exceptional service delivery, and value creation as it celebrates its anniversary. It highlights two decades of dedication to protecting the financial wellness of Nigerian workers.
Over the last 20 years, the PFA has served thousands of customers across Nigeria and beyond, standing as a clear testament to its commitment to providing financial stability at various stages of workers’ career journeys.
Speaking on this remarkable achievement, MD/CEO, Leadway Pensure PFA, Olusakin Labeodan, stated that: “As we celebrate 20 years of Leadway Pensure PFA, this milestone is more than a celebration of longevity, it is a tribute to trust, service and innovation.
From the very beginning, our mission has been very clear, to deliver a pension system without barriersOver two decades, we have transformed this vision into reality by simplifying pension access, embracing cutting-edge technology, and ensuring our services are always within reach. With a nationwide presence, a robust mobile platform, and the AI-powered assistant LISA, we have made pension services accessible to eligible Nigerians.
“We have supported countless customers in achieving life goals, from retirement to home ownership, by ensuring access, clarity and care at every step. This is a testament to the strong relationships and legacy we have built with every customer. Trust is at the heart of our service, propelling us to uphold world-class standards and earning us global certifications such as ISO/IEC 27001:2022 for information security, a mark of our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our customers’ funds. ”
Leadway Pensure
Looking ahead, the company said, it is committed to promoting youth-focused financial literacy, growing personal pension plans and strengthening customer engagement across every stage of the pension journey.
“The next years and beyond will be shaped by the same dedication that brought us this far, a future-forward mindset, a culture of excellence, and an unyielding promise to stand by our customers every step of the way,” Olusakin concluded.
As it commemorates 20 years of service, Leadway Pensure reaffirms its commitment to simplifying retirement planning, delivering consistent value, and driving financial inclusion across Nigeria.
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