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Dangote named most tax complaint business organizations by FIRS

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L- R, Dangote Ports Managing Director, Akin Omole, Dangote Industries ltd, Group Head, Strategic Tax & Compliance, Dr.Titilayo Fowokan, receiving the Federal Inland Revenue Service(FIRS)’s Most Compliant Taxpayer Award from the FIRS Director, Tax Payers Service Department, Dr. Loveth Onanuga; FIRS Tax Controller Large Taxpayers Office, Ikeja Lagos, Abisola Olabiyi; FIRS State Administration Lagos Mainland, Ishola Akingbade,at the presentation of the award in Lagos at the weekend.

It was a season of award at the weekend for the Dangote Group and its subsidiaries following their recognition as best Nigeria’s best compliant tax payer business organization and FMDQ Gold award winner for being the most active corporate organization in the foreign exchange market.

Dangote Indusries Limited (DIL) and Bluestar Shipping, a subsidiary, were recognized as the most compliant in tax payment in the country ahead of the MTN Communication while the country’s leading cement manufacturer, Dangote Cement Plc at another occasion won three awards at the FMDQ Gold Awards held in Lagos.

During the Special Day of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) at the just concluded Lagos International Trade Fair, the nation’s tax regulators adjudged Dangote Industries Limited as the most compliant taxpayers in Nigeria.

In another development, Dangote Cement Plc emerged as the Largest Commercial Paper Quotation on FMDQ and Single Largest Corporate Debt Issue on FMDQ. Dangote Industries Ltd also emerged as the “Most active corporate in the foreign exchange market”.

The FMDQ GOLD Awards, (Global Competitiveness, Operational Excellence, Liquidity and Diversity), is a corporate tradition that recognises the resilience and agility of the Nigerian financial markets’ participants.

The award acknowledges the valuable efforts of these stakeholders, whose participation in the FMDQ markets and across the financial market infrastructure value chain of FMDQ’s businesses – Securities Exchange, Central Counterparty and Depository – have positively shaped the course of the markets and invariably impacted the development of the Nigerian economy.

Two companies from the Dangote stable, Dangote Cement and Blue Star Shipping were recognised at the weekend by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as being among the most compliant taxpayers. As part of its Special Day activities at the 2024 Lagos International Trade Fair, the FIRS celebrated several business organisations for their high levels of tax compliance.

Dangote Cement was recognised in the biggest taxpayer category in the part of the programme tagged “FIRS compliant taxpayers awards and recognition”. Several speakers at the event including FIRS State Administration Lagos Mainland, Ishola Akingbade, who represented the Chairman of FIRS commended these companies for their high levels of compliance which makes tax administration easy.

Head of Tax Compliance at Dangote Industries Ltd, Dr. Titi Fowokan speaking on the journey leading to the recognition by FIRS  stated that “Dangote as a Group has a Tax Policy that is based on zero tolerance for tax non-compliance. As good corporate citizens, we comply with all relevant laws, including tax laws. Also, complying with the tax payment statutory deadlines ensures that we do not fall foul of the law, which stipulates penalties for non-compliance.”

We pride ourselves in the Dangote Brand and seek to promote a tax compliance culture, which demonstrates our corporate responsibility to the government for the provision of public goods and services for the citizens”, she added.

Fowokan explained that the company as part of steps to achieve compliance maintained its best practice tax governance culture, ensured ⁠accurate tax computation and timely remittance to avoid penalties & interest arising from tax compliance defaults. She affirmed that these steps helped to minimise tax audit risks & avoid incidence of tax litigations.

Dangote Industries Limited (Dangote Group) is one of Africa’s largest industrial conglomerates. It is a diversified and fully integrated conglomerate. It has been a key investor in the Nigerian economy. The Group’s interests include cement, sugar, salt, fertiliser, agriculture, transport, packaging and real estate, the oil and gas, petrochemical, and steel sectors of the economy.

The core business focus of the Group, which started operations in 1978, is to provide local, value-added products and services that meet the ‘basic needs’ of the populace. Through the construction and operation of large-scale manufacturing facilities in Nigeria and across 17 other African countries, Dangote Group is focused on building local manufacturing capacity to generate employment, prevent capital flight and provide locally produced goods for the people.

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NGO Criticizes Police Over Disrespectful Address of Kano Emir

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The Coalition of Concerned Kano Civil Society Groups (CCKCSG), a collective of organizations advocating for justice, cultural preservation, and good governance in Kano State, has expressed strong disapproval of the Nigeria Police Force’s (NPF) handling of the ongoing Kano Emirate dispute.

The group condemned the police for referring to His Royal Highness, Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, as “Alhaji Sanusi,” describing the act as disrespectful and undermining the sanctity of one of Nigeria’s most esteemed traditional institutions. This criticism was conveyed in a press statement issued by Nura Idris, the group’s coordinator.

“The Kano Emirate is a centuries-old institution that symbolizes our cultural heritage, spiritual leadership, and communal unity,” Idris stated. He further criticized the police’s decision to summon Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II to the national headquarters in Abuja following the Eid al-Fitr durbar in April 2025. Idris argued that this move, later withdrawn after public outcry, reflected political interference and an attempt to diminish the Emirate’s authority.

The coalition highlighted the constitutional mandate of the Nigeria Police Force to uphold law and order impartially. However, Idris pointed out that the police’s actions in the Kano Emirate tussle, including contradictory enforcement of court orders and selective bans on protests, suggested alignment with political interests. “Reports of federal interference and the deployment of military personnel in a state matter further fuel perceptions of bias,” he added.

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Idris emphasized the need for the police to remain neutral in the ongoing dispute between Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and Aminu Ado Bayero. He called for dialogue, cultural sensitivity, and legal resolution rather than heavy-handed enforcement. “The police must not allow themselves to be weaponized in this conflict,” he said.

The coalition also condemned the police’s reference to Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II as “Alhaji Sanusi” in official communications, describing it as a deliberate act of disrespect. “This strikes at the heart of our cultural identity,” Idris remarked. He demanded a public apology from the police and urged them to address the Emir by his proper title in all future engagements.

In his statement, Idris called on the Inspector General of Police, the Police Service Commission, and other relevant authorities to ensure the neutrality of the police in the Kano Emirate dispute. He urged the police to engage traditional leaders respectfully and focus on their constitutional role of protecting lives and property without prejudice.

The coalition appealed to all stakeholders, including government officials, traditional leaders, and the people of Kano, to prioritize dialogue and reconciliation over confrontation. “The Kano Emirate tussle has already caused significant unrest, with protests and clashes threatening the peace of our state,” Idris warned. He stressed that the police must avoid actions that appear politically motivated or culturally insensitive.

The Coalition of Concerned Kano Civil Society Groups reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for justice, cultural preservation, and good governance. Idris concluded, “We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will not hesitate to mobilize further action if the police fail to heed this call.”

 

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Killings: Kogi Women Stripped Naked

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Some angry women from Oke-Ere in the Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State came out on Wednesday to protest what they called the “endless reign of terror” in their community.

The women, many of whom are elderly, marched through the town with sad chants in a local dialect.

In a video sighted by PUNCH Online on Wednesday, they appeared half-naked, holding sticks and leaves as they cried and sang about the constant attacks, kidnappings, and killings happening around them.

They begged the government and security forces to step in quickly and stop the violence.

This protest comes not long after armed men kidnapped three people and injured four others along the Ayere-Kabba Expressway in March.

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The injured victims were taken to St. John’s Hospital in Kabba for treatment

 

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Stop Dragging NBA into Kano Emirate Tussle – Barrister Nafisa Replies Gandu

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The Chairperson of the Northern Women Lawyers Congress Barrister Nafisa Abba has called on Badamasi Sulaiman Gandu to stop dragging the Nigeria Bar Association into the State Emirate Tussle which is before the court of law.

It would be recalled that the lawyer has advised Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II to tender his statement to the Police in regards to the sallah durbar incident that led to the lost of lives, reminding the Emir that he is not above the law.

But in a response, Badamasi Gandu, a lawyer, described the call as unprofessional and unbecoming of a member of the Kano Bar.

” I was amazed by the response of my colleague Badamasi Sulaiman Gandu, it’s so sad that a lawyer like him would go so low like this; lawyers are known for always being comprehensive to any matter before making their opinion.

As the Chairperson of Northern Women Lawyers Congress, we have the right to issue a statement, it’s our constitutional responsibility, we didn’t do that on behalf of the Nigerian Bar Association; it’s ridiculous that Badamasi is bringing NBA into the matter.

All we are saying is for Emir and his supporters to stop using faceless organisations on this matter.

Like I did, I wrote my name, and the organisation I’m representing is not a pseudonym.

Badamasi Gandu has taken side on the matter. Everyone knows that he is a kwankwasiyya supporter but just hiding under human rights activism.

It’s good that you have shown the world your true colour. ” She said.

The lawyer further maintains her stands that the Emir is not above the law while asking him to tender his statement before the police for the interest of peace and the rule of law.

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