By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

The Jigawa State Government has launched a new digital tax payment system, the Jigawa Integrated Tax Administration System (JIGTAS), aimed at improving internal revenue generation and eliminating revenue leakages.
To ensure smooth implementation, the Jigawa State Internal Revenue Service (JIRS) conducted a sensitization workshop for chief accountants and financial officers across state ministries and agencies.

Executive Chairman of JIRS, Dr. Nasir Sabo Idris, explained that JIGTAS is designed to streamline tax payments, making it easier for taxpayers while improving efficiency in the remittance process. “This new system offers a secure, digital means of managing all payments directly to the state’s Single Treasury Account (TSA),” Dr. Idris said during the event.

The new platform also addresses the issue of multiple taxes, providing a consolidated process so that taxpayers only make single, lawful payments.
Dr. Idris noted that the goal is to boost accountability and strengthen the revenue base for supporting the state’s development initiatives.

The chairman encouraged financial officers to adopt the system, emphasizing that the Jigawa State administration, under Governor Malam Umar Namadi, remains committed to leveraging technology for enhanced transparency and infrastructure growth in the state.

JIGTAS is expected to modernize revenue management in Jigawa State, making tax payment and collection faster, more transparent, and more efficient across all state agencies.

By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

The Sarkin Dawaki Education Foundation, based in Gwaram, Jigawa State, has successfully enrolled and returned over 9,000 out-of-school children to the classroom in Gwaram Federal Constituency.

This was disclosed by the foundation’s founder and chairman, Dr. Ado Yakubu, during a ceremony in Nasarawa Village, Gwaram Local Government Area, where he distributed free school uniforms to 180 children.

Dr. Yakubu, who is also a member of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, representing Gwaram Constituency, explained that the foundation embarked on the initiative after a report revealed that over 20,000 children in Gwaram were out of school. “The findings deeply troubled me and motivated me to take action,” he said.

The foundation conducted research into the root causes of the rising number of out-of-school children in the area, identifying poverty, long distances to schools, and community disputes as key factors. To combat these challenges, the foundation has worked closely with traditional and religious leaders, as well as School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs), to encourage enrollment and ensure students’ attendance.

The initiative, worth N2.8 million, provided uniforms to 30 pupils from six schools, including four nomadic schools and two regular schools, with 20 boys and 10 girls benefiting from each institution.

Dr. Yakubu emphasized that the support is aimed at families who are unable to afford basic school necessities, ensuring their children can attend school. He also highlighted the foundation’s ongoing collaboration with community leaders and SBMCs to enroll all eligible children in school.

As chairman of the House Committee on Basic Education, Dr. Yakubu has introduced programs and policies to address the challenges that keep children out of school, including the lack of water and inadequate school infrastructure. “We are working with SUBEB to provide schools and water facilities in underserved communities,” he added.

The foundation has also established a system where village heads are notified of children who are absent from school, prompting parents to take immediate action.

The Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Prof. Haruna Musa, praised Dr. Yakubu’s efforts, stating that the initiative will significantly reduce the number of out-of-school children in Jigawa. The area’s Education Secretary, Malam Garba Haruna, also commended the gesture, noting that it will enhance both teaching and learning in the affected communities. He assured that the donated materials, such as blackboards and chalk, would be put to good use.

The Peoples Democratic Party has backtracked on its earlier declaration that it will boycott the Jigawa State Local Government election scheduled for October 5th, 2024.
Barely two days after it indicated that it will boycott the forthcoming Jigawa State Local Government Election billed for October 5th, 2024, it has issued another directive to members who have the whewithal to go ahead and purchase the nomination forms .

The chairman of the party Hon. Ali Diginsa, had indicated that the PDP as a party was not convinced that the Jigawa State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) will be fair and just in Conducting the election.
In another Statement on Thursday issued by the secretary of the party, Hon Ise Bello Gwadayi on behalf of Ag. Chairman which made reference to the earlier press release by the party on the matter, the party said after due consultation with various segments of the party, it has reviewed the guidelines issued by Jigawa SIEC and observed that the nomination fees, N5m for the chairmanship and N2m for the Councilorship, are ridiculously exorbitant, especially given the country’s present hardships.
“Therefore, the leadership deems the fees unaffordable to members of the opposition parttes.
However, the statement said the party’s position does not suppress any member with the resources to pay the nomination fees and participate in the elections.
“On that note, the party’s leadership wishes to categorically state that any party member with the financial resources to pay for the nomination fees as Local Government Chairman or Councilor should come forward and process the purchase of the forms immediately.
“Members of the party who wish to purchase either the Local Government Chairmanship nomination form or the Councilorship Nomination form should immediately consult the Party Chairman of his Local Government.
“The party’s leadership will do everything in its power to ensure that every party member with the financial resources to participate is given maximum cooperation and support to win the election.