Edo College, May 4, 2024, emerged overall winner, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, CITN, organized, “All Secondary Schools Tax Quiz” for the south-south zone which took place at the Sunny Okundia Hall, Edo State Internal Revenue Service, EIRS, Headquarters.
The overall winner, Master Izoduwa Richking of Edo College expressed appreciation to the programme organizers and partners, his parents, school and teachers for their endless efforts at grooming his personality. Being the first prize winner, he went home with a cash prize of #200,000, a customized CITN Bag and educational materials.
The second place winner, Miss Igbinomwanhia Bridget of St. Maria Gorretti Girls Grammar School won a cash prize of #150,000, while the third prize went to Uwoghiren Blessed of Eyean Secondary School who won #100,000. They both got customized CITN Bags and educational materials. However, the 4th to 10th place winners are to receive #20,000 each, in addition to their customized bags and educational materials.
The tax quiz, which had two rounds tested and stretched the knowledge base of participants drawn from ten public schools.
Based on reports by the organizers, the 4th CITN secondary schools tax quiz, was an opportunity to ignite interest in tax matters to secondary school students, a room to woo the Nigerian government at making taxation a course of study in secondary schools as well as encouraging students to build a career in taxation.
The 16th President and Chairman of Council, CITN, Mr. Samuel Agbeluyi, mni, FCTI, who was physically on ground to motivate participants, urged them to stick with the right friends from now onwards to prevent intentional distractions by those opposed to, and bent on halting their positive growth, even as he sued them to attain to higher heights. He praised their composure, informing that exposure to competitions and other training opportunities would tilt them in the right direction at choosing their future careers.
Mr. Agbeluyi who was impressed by the flair of knowledge by participating students, voiced, “I feel highly impressed by the performance of these young ones. It only guarantees the fact that Nigeria has a future. These are very responsible young ones and they are doing very well.”
Speaking on the motivating factor for choosing Edo State as focal point for the examination, he stated, “CITN is Pan-Nigeria. As a result every state is our constituency. We move round but we have some parameters – the state must be ready too, as the CITN cannot just barge into a state to organize a programme. Edo State has been a good partner of CITN over the years and Edo State Internal Revenue Service, EIRS, has also played a major role in this relationship. And to top that, we have a very vibrant district that have put this together.”
Chairman Planning Committee, Dr. Felix Ogbenulu Umanhonlen, CITN, Benin and District Society, said the event helped to redefine the state as Edo State remained upbeat in the South-south states. He said the effort of Governor Godwin Obaseki on the education sector was yielding fruits to the state and it’s people hence the examination for the South-south zone was zoned to Edo State.
Dr. Felix stated that based on the outcome of the quiz competition, the first three winners have qualified to partake at the national quiz competition which is a thing of joy, knowing that participants, predominantly drawn from public schools are not just representing the state but the zone as well.
The FCTI Chairman, Mr. Romanus Ebuehi said he felt highly honoured for Edo State to have been picked from the six states that make up the South-south geopolitical zone to anchor this programme which was an honour while the Vice Chairman, Benin and District Society, Barr. Felix Ahonsi thanked God for the ability of the state government and the district to house this programme in Edo State which was a plus for the successes the district have attained.
Earlier, Dr. Ruth Abiola Adimula, Chairman, Students affairs and tertiary education relations delivered an address. Represented by Dr. Imagbe Victor Usunobun, Vice Chairman Students affairs and tertiary education relations, she stated, “CITN is doing a lot of investment on students both at secondary schools and tertiary institutions levels, because we believe in enhancing their resourcefulness as the future of the Institute. In tertiary institutions, much sensitization and awareness creation is going on and membership of Association of Nigerian Taxation Students (ANTAS) in tertiary institutions are progressing by the day. Presently, we have 32 tertiary institutions in Nigeria that have inaugurated tax club/Associations, 31 Institutions have commenced Taxation program while 39 institutions are offering Taxation as a unit course.”
Mr. Kingsley Ighodaro presented a goodwill message on behalf of the Commissioner of Education, Dr. Joan Oviawe while Mrs. Oboagba Mabel spoke on behalf of the State Secondary Education Board.
