₦airaland Forum

The South East Governors Forum Secretariat (SEGOFS) has taken a decisive step toward fostering regional economic progress with the maiden edition of its rotational dialogue series, “Common Ground with SEGOFS.”

The event, which held on Thursday, at the Secretariat, focused on the contentious Tax Reform Bill and its potential implications for the Southeast economy.

The dialogue, which was hosted by Senator Uche Ekwunife, the director general of SEGOFS, featured Chief Okwudili Ijezie, a seasoned chartered accountant, as the lead presenter while Chief Joe Ikunna served as the moderator.

The session drew South easterners from diverse professional backgrounds, showcasing a commitment to inclusive and non-partisan discourse.

In her opening remarks, Senator Ekwunife emphasized the importance of Common Ground with SEGOFS as a platform for addressing critical issues affecting the region.

“This initiative aims to unite experts from various fields to deliberate on common challenges and propose solutions that serve the best interests of the Southeast,” she noted.

She assured participants that recommendations from the dialogue would be forwarded to the Governors’ Forum and other relevant authorities for consideration.

The keynote address by Chief Ijezie, founder of Okwudili Ijezie & Co., delved into the four Tax Reform Bills introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

These include the Nigeria Revenue Service Bill, Nigeria Tax Bill, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, and Joint Revenue Board Bill.

Chief Ijezie detailed the controversies surrounding the bills, particularly the proposed increase in Value-Added Tax (VAT) allocation to states where consumption occurs, which the Northern governors have opposed.

Ijezie argued that the reforms, while controversial, present opportunities for the Southeast, such as improved revenue allocation, enhanced tax compliance, and economic growth.

However, he cautioned that multiple taxation and unclear frameworks could hinder these benefits and recommended that the Southeast engage constructively with federal stakeholders to ensure equity.

The panelists, including notable experts like Dr Uramma, Prince Nwakeze, Dr Kachi Nwoga, Ambassador Clem Aguiyi, and CDon Adinuba, echoed the need for deeper understanding of the bills.

A resolution was passed to establish a study group to analyze the proposed laws and prepare comprehensive recommendations for the next dialogue session.

Chief Ikunna commended the initiative, stating, “we need our best minds to advocate for the Southeast with confidence and clarity when discussing national issues”.

As the dialogue series continues, SEGOFS aims to foster a unified regional approach to national policy discussions. The outcomes of this maiden session signal a promising start toward proactive governance and regional collaboration.

With Common Ground with SEGOFS, the South East Governors Forum is setting a precedent for inclusive policy making and positioning the region for sustainable growth amidst Nigeria’s evolving economic landscape.

immortalcrown:
This Ekwunife is getting politically stronger.

Ebubu8:
who gave her appointment? She constituted a circle of small friends, gave them name and use them to lobby for patronage.

Read my earlier stance

immortalcrown:
That woman is growing stronger in politics, irrespective of whether this news is false or true.

Ebubu8:
na irrevant news jare

She's growing stronger in politics but lost her senatorial election last year going stronger backward

immortalcrown:
No pictures of Ekwunife and the governors together at the event. No governor in the first picture that shows Ekwunife. Ekwunife is missing in the second picture that shows the governors.
Anyways, this Ekwunife is getting politically stronger.

immortalcrown:
Chimaroke lost as well but remains a great force in his zone. The people that lost to LP in Abia are waxing stronger in the game. Political growth is not all about winning every election.

MadPolitician:
This gbazaaquiine should go and rest. Don't be surprised she is being used by forces outside the region to force down a tax bill that might be anti east. The presence of this kind of upstarts at the top level of igbo politics is the main reason why it is hard to find a dependable character that can project, campaign and defend the Igbo interest in the national level

Adblg0610:
Uche Ekwunife (second row) is standing behind Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah of Enugu state,

Ebubu8:
She has been singing Tinubu songs the last few months

Adblg0610:
Uche Ekwunife (second row) is standing behind Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah of Enugu state,

MadPolitician:
This gbazaaquiine should go and rest. Don't be surprised she is being used by forces outside the region to force down a tax bill that might be anti east. The presence of this kind of upstarts at the top level of igbo politics is the main reason why it is hard to find a dependable character that can project, campaign and defend the Igbo interest in the national level

Ebubu8:
South East Governors Forum headed by a Senator I laugh.


All I see are Anambra names and private business owners and they call it South East Governors Forum.

Ebonyi state was not even Represented.


Jokers

ObosiLandlord:
What do you mean by the tax bill might be anti east?

MadPolitician:
This gbazaaquiine should go and rest. Don't be surprised she is being used by forces outside the region to force down a tax bill that might be anti east. The presence of this kind of upstarts at the top level of igbo politics is the main reason why it is hard to find a dependable character that can project, campaign and defend the Igbo interest in the national level

simpleseyi:
Tell all your representatives to go and oppose the Tax Bill and see if we will still not pass it. Shebi it is only Nzobu Nzobu that you know, we will teach you Politics again and again as we have been doing over the decades

MadPolitician:
Teach me politics?
With Abiola, Bola Ige, Fajuyi and co?
Teach me Politics with NADECO and DIya?
Enjoy your time. Very soon you will be at the CNN and VOA wailing as usual
Lizard that sees a crocodile when it looks in the mirror

simpleseyi:
Since the First Republic, we have been teaching you politics, but you never learn because it is only drugs trafficking and fake drugs manufacturing that you can learn and master

simpleseyi:
Since the First Republic, we have been teaching you politics, but you never learn because it is only drugs trafficking and fake drugs manufacturing that you can learn and master.

NADECO’s sacrifice in those years is being rewarded with Tinubu’s presidency. You sow and you reap

simpleseyi:
Since the First Republic, we have been teaching you politics, but you never learn because it is only drugs trafficking and fake drugs manufacturing that you can learn and master.

NADECO’s sacrifice in those years is being rewarded with Tinubu’s presidency. You sow and you reap

simpleseyi:
Since the First Republic, we have been teaching you politics, but you never learn because it is only drugs trafficking and fake drugs manufacturing that you can learn and master.

NADECO’s sacrifice in those years is being rewarded with Tinubu’s presidency. You sow and you reap

MadPolitician:
Coming from a desert iguana who supports a certified drug lord as the president of the country, that surely is very rich..

simpleseyi:
If you like, let all you people in the National Assembly go on and oppose it, we will still pass it even if it is only one person that supports it, I am sure you know that.

You have been advised to form a formidable team of economic experts, not market men and women, so that you can analyse the Tax Bill and propose modifications that will make your region to get more from the Reforms. If you like, no do that, instead, continue your Nzobu Nzobu, we will teach you politics again and share all the money with our Northern frienemies, and you will be able to do nothing