Author: straightnewsng.com

Israel Umoh  The Executive Chairman of Akwa Ibom Internal Revenue Service, Sir Okon Okon has dismissed fears that Nigeria Tax Reforms would pose threat to the economy like the Year 2000 (Y2K) crisis. Since Federal Government will commence implementation of the new Tax Reforms from January 1, 2026, the Akwa Ibom State Government had to begin strategic engagement with professional bodies, investors, and business associations in the state. Speaking during AKIRS engagement with professional bodies and business associations on new Tax Reforms, Okon insisted that the reforms are designed to modernise revenue administration, widen the tax net, strengthen the economy and…

Agency’s Report Nigerian Senate has received 65 new Ambassadorial nominees including a former Rivers State Sole administrator Ibok-Ete Ibas and ex-Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Dambazau. The list forwarded by President Bola Tinubu to the Senate include non-career ambassadorial nominees such as the former Senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East (2011-2015), Ita Enang, as ex-Imo State First Lady Chioma Ohakim, and Senator Folasade Grace Bent. The nominees were contained in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary in Abuja on Thursday, December 4, 2025. Tinubu, in the letter, appealed to the Senate to expedite consideration of the nominees, saying…

Akwa Ibom House of Assembly members abandoned their colleague over a motion seeking to prohibit the consumption and sale of dog meat in the state. The motion, sponsored by Uduak Ekpoufot, the member representing Etinan State Constituency, failed to secure a win during plenary on Tuesday after it received no seconder — a procedural requirement before a legislative debate. Ekpoufot, an Engineer had moved the motion expecting his colleagues to support him, but he was left standing  alone and prancing his eyes all over the house for a seconder, but was dazed and confused that nobody supported the motion that…

Israel Umoh Journalists in the country have been told to demand greater accountability from their leaders in politics, business, religion and education for the betterment of the society. ‘‘Journalists in Akwa Ibom State must demand more from our leaders in politics, business, religion and education. We should demand that our leaders mentor and raise successors,’’ Moffat Ekoriko said. Ekoriko, Publisher of NewsAfrica, London, who made the call at the 2025 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, December 1, said ‘‘Given the demanding chores of life, very few citizens have the time, the energy,…

Israel Umoh Nigerian journalists have been charged to be beacons of public interest and to challenge leaders in their different callings to do more for the good of the society. ‘‘Journalism is not just your everyday profession. It is calling to serve society. No social change or revolution has taken place in any society without the involvement of journalists. Moffat Ekoriko, Publisher, NewsAfrica, London, who made the call, at the 2025 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, December 1, further enjoined journalists to act as beacons for the common good of the society.…

Israel Umoh  Akwa Ibom Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS), has clarified the economic and social implications of Nigeria Tax Reforms to different sectors in the country. The Executive Chairman of AKIRS, Sir Okon Okon stated that the reforms will protect low-income earners and reduces inequality for individuals earning  ₦1 million/year,  lower PAYE for ₦1.7million/month incomes; cause higher earners to pay up to 25 per cent more and ensure fairness through progressive taxation. Making this known during an engagement with journalists in Uyo, the Executive Chairman of Akwa Inbom Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS), Sir Okon Okon who spoke on the title: On…

Israel Umoh The Akwa Ibom Internal Revenue Service has unveiled the key outcomes of Nigeria Tax Reforms recently introduced by the Federal Government.  Addressing journalists in Uyo last Friday, the Executive Chairman of Akwa Ibom Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS), Sir Okon Okon who spoke on the title: On the Nigeria Tax Reforms: Synopsis of the Implications said the reforms were necessitated by the desire to achieve meaningful results for the new tax regime. He explained that government needed to amend archaic and stale laws to give way for simplicity of revenue administration and compliance, multiplicity of taxes and levies for…

By Akpandem James Last week, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu submitted 32 ambassadorial nominees for Senate confirmation. Seventeen of them were designated as non-career, while 15 were designated for career status. He had previously submitted three names for urgent confirmation. According to information from the Presidency, the list is still not final. Obviously, however, no nominee from Akwa Ibom State has appeared so far. The remnants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state are already asking, “So what was the rush in joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) by Governor Umo Eno all about?” They point to the…

Israel Umoh In 2014, some people accused then Accountant-General, Udo Isobara of embezzling Internal Generated Revenue. Though the specific amount was not stated, some local tabloids bantered with fictitious N6 billion or more to score cheap political points.  The ignorant reporters did not know that revenue accounts have no cheque books for withdrawal of money.  Based on this, then Governor summoned senior staffers of the state Accountant-General Office, Uyo for questioning.  The story was investigated and found to be untrue, though the blackmailers had gone viral. At the end, the allegation seen as unfounded and a figment of the peddlers’…

Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has reiterated his administration’s commitment to collaborate with young professionals in developing blue economy and promoting tourism potentials. Eno vowed to encourage tourism and enhance the State’s blue economy, by promoting the positive image of the State through the ARISE Agenda. The Governor stated this from responding to questions by Government House correspondents shortly after embarking on inspection of a locale of a movie “The Black Book 2,” (Old Scores) at Ishiet Beach/Market in Uruan Local Government Area. He commended the movie Producer and Director, Mr. Editi Effiong for his talent, vision, inspiration and…