AS countdown continues to Wednesday, March 31, 2021 date for this year’s edition of Maris Public Service Lecture, the Director General of Delta State Orientation Bureau, Barr. Eugene Uzum, has said that the lecture will provide opportunity for Deltans to tell the world what they have done differently with tax.
Uzum, who spoke on Monday in Asaba when the Secretary of Maris Trust Council, Comrade Fidelis Egugbo, led some members of the organising committee of the lecture to visit him, stated that the topic for discussion, “Effective Tax Administration For The Delivery Of Democratic Dividends,” was well thought-out bearing in mind the effects of COVID-19 on economies.
He commended Maris Trust Council for its consistency in setting agenda for the public on critical issues through the annual lecture.
Uzum said, “Tax is very important for governments all over the world to raise fund for the execution of projects.
“In Delta, the practical use of tax is evident in all the nooks and crannies of the state as our Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has proven his mettle as a great manager of man and resources.
“Again, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, tax has been professionally handled in Delta to the extent that both the government and the people, particularly in small scale businesses, are appreciative.
“I must commend the Maris Trust Council for its commitment to using the annual lecture series to address thorny issues, and working consistently to make the society better.
“I recall vividly the last lecture with the topic, “Managing Post-Election Challenges: Nigeria As Case Study”, which came shortly after the 2019 elections and before the inauguration of a new government on May 29, 2019.
“It was surprising that that lecture, which was designed to calm frayed nerves after the elections, was conceptualised and executed within a period of one month. And, it was successful!
“The 2020 edition was truncated by COVID-19 less than a week to the event, and despite the huge cost burden, the Trust Council had not abandoned the lecture.
“I must say that this is a rare rendering of service to humanity that must be encouraged. And, it is noteworthy that for this year, Chief Monday Onyeme, whose expertise has earned him two terms as Chairman of Delta State Internal Revenue Service, will be delivering the lecture.
“We all know that our Governor believes in quality, professionalism for the best results to be achieved; and,
I am sure that with Chief Onyeme delivering the lecture, we will learn a lot about how Delta has forged a workable synergy between the tax payers and government.”
Earlier, Egugbo had told Barr. Uzum and members of his team that the Maris Trust Council was using the annual lecture series to douse tension in the public arena by getting experts in different fields to clarify issues.
He said, “We are happy to be carrying out periodic enlightenment campaign using the Maris Annual Public Service Lecture as platform.
“The Delta State Orientation Bureau headed by you as Director-General is doing a lot, that is why we are here to officially invite you to our lecture and also intimate you with our activities.
“As you are already aware, based on the critical nature of the lecture, being designed to proffer solutions to economies and individuals that have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Governor of Delta State, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, will be the Chief Guest of Honour and a financial expert, Chief Monday Onyeme, Chairman, Delta State Internal Revenue Service, will be delivering the lecture.
“Technocrats drawn from different fields of life, viz: The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Delta State, Peter Mrakpor (SAN); the Executive Chairman, Enugu State Internal Revenue Service, Mr Emeka Anthony Odo; Accountant-General of Lagos State, Dr. Shefiu Abiodun Muritala; the Executive Secretary, Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprise Development Agency (DEMSA), Hon. (Barr.) Orezi Esievo; and the Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Tony Elekeokwuri, will discuss the lecture, while a renowned journalist and lecturer, Dr. Kemi Emina is Moderator.
“Also, an Abuja-based Real Estate Consultant cum Developer, the Managing Director, Kanma Properties Development Company Limited, Chief Kennedy Kanma will be the Father of the Day while Dr (Mrs) Comfort Omon-Irabor, Managing Director, Hellyncom Eye Clinic, Warri will be the Mother of the Day and Very Rev. Fr. John Konyeke will be Spiritual Father of the Day.
“Although, our lecture attracts a lot of persons from within and outside the country, but, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, seats in Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, Delta State, have already been arranged in compliance to COVID-19 health guidelines.
“In 2020, few days to the lecture – which takes place on every Wednesday preceeding Easter Sunday – it had to be postponed despite all the preparations made for the lecture to be successful; but with the acceptance of the lecture all over the world as unique, we cannot abandon it.
“We are exploring several options to reach out to more people with this lecture because we believe that, by the grace of God, a lot will be learnt and Delta will remain in the map as the first state in the world to host a discourse to proffer solutions to world financial challenges in this era of COVID-19.”
