Nume Ekeghe
The Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) has reiterated its support for youth, entertainment and sports industry.
The revenue generating agency cited the entertainment and youth sector as a major income earner.
The National Coordinator for awareness on tax reforms, Mr. Kunle Oseni, said this on Sunday at the ‘Feet ‘N’ Tricks,’ freestyle football championship prize presentation in Lagos, sponsored by the agency.
Oseni said as much as FIRS job was to generate income for the government; it would also strive to support initiatives to encourage the country’s vast youth population.
He added: “Ordinarily, FIRS was created to generate revenue and account for the same revenue for the Federal Republic of Nigeria. What that means is that we are responsible for the three tiers of the government; the federal, state and the local government.
“Recently, we found ourselves in a recession mode but we didn’t go to sleep. We had to wake up, mitigate and enlighten the public so that they can know their social responsibility to their government. We believe in Nigeria and the future of this country and the youths are the future of Nigeria.â€
Oseni further added: “We support the youths in all sectors, from educational sector we have supported what we call tax clause in 11 universities across the six geo political zones and we support them in the sports activities and others were we gladly support them.
“In the entertainment world also, we have been showing support in the last two years because we are diversified.
“All our entertainers are now of international standard and that is because they get support from agencies like the FIRS to stage their shows.
“If you have attended any major show in the last couple of months you would have noticed our support and also you would see use that means to enlighten people of FIRS.”
He also appreciated the organisers for allowing FIRS support this venture which was aim showcase football freestyle talents to the world.
The grand prize winner Mr. Markarfi Obano was given a brand new GAC salon car and a check of N1 million, while others won N750,000, N500,000 and N250,000 respectively.
On the part of the organisers, the chairman Feets ‘N’ Tricks, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo said: “We want Nigeria to be on the map from this event. Towards the end of august the world would gather in Prague and there was need for Nigeria to be represented on the world stage.”
