(A Publication of Communications & Liaison Department)

Staff News Bulletin

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March Vol I,2014

2014 Corporate Retreat :Ag. ECFIRS releases revenue budget

he corporate strategy retreat is the annual forum of the

Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) where vital Tstrategic decisions are mapped out in order to attain the th thcorporate goals. This year's retreat was held on the 24 and 25

of March, 2014 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja with the

theme: “Growing Non-oil Revenue to Finance Government

Programmes”.

In his keynote address, the Acting Executive Chairman of FIRS,

Kabir M. Mashi said, “The year 2014 is the third year of our Third

Medium Term Strategy Framework (2012 – 2015) and the first

year of the government's Medium Term Revenue and Expenditure

Framework (2014 – 2016). So it is a very significant year for the

Service. I hope we can consolidate on our past achievements and

set the tone for another phase in the history of the Service.”

Touching on the theme of the retreat, Mashi said, “It

corroborates our agreement with the Ministry of Finance in our

performance contract and it is also very consistent with the

transformation agenda of His Excellency, President Goodluck

Ebele Jonathan, GCFR. It also further addresses the desire of

the Management of FIRS to grow tax revenue for development,

particularly non-oil revenue.”

A proactive step that has been taken in order to significantly

increase non-oil tax revenue is the Capacity Enhancement

Programme (CEP) in collaboration with McKinsey & Company. The

CEP is targeting an additional US$500 million on non-oil taxes this

year. The aim of this partnership will benefit the Service in the

areas of knowledge acquisition and transfer of skills and toolkits

for tax development.

The Ag. Executive Chairman announced that the much awaited

2014 FIRS budget had been approved by the National

Assembly. Mashi thanked everyone that was involved in the

process, particularly the staff of the Finance and Accounts

Department, the Director and all Coordinating Directors.

Giving a few details of the budget, Mashi said, “Contained in

the budget as you know is the Government Revenue Target for

2014; N1.789 trillion for Petroleum Profit Tax, N1.030

trillion for Companies Income Tax (with N96 billion Companies

Income Tax), N861 billion for Value Added Tax, N10.21

billion from Capital Gains Tax while we expect N8.46 billion

from Stamp Duties. Education Tax, Personal Income Tax and

Technology Levy will contribute N156 billion, N59 billion and

N10.6 billion respectively, giving a total government target of

N4.21 trillion.

Mashi reminded everyone of the importance government places

on work of Service and urged them “to show more dedication in

getting the job done. Now is the time, more than ever when

your country needs your diligent service, as we strive to

develop all sectors of the economy, infrastructure and human

resources of this country.”

The Coordinating Director, Direct Reports Group (DRG),

Queensley S. Seghosime mni, in her welcome address said,

“This retreat is an opportunity to brainstorm on our corporate

plans for 2014. I believe that you will bring your enormous

wealth of experience to bear on the discussions. More

importantly, I hope that beyond the retreat, senior staff

gathered here will do all that is within their powers to ensure

that the plans are realised in the year to meet our revenue

forecasts and corporate aspirations.

A section of management staff at the retreatFrom left: Ag.ECFIRS; Alhaji Kabir Mashi, CD/MOG; Osy Chuke, CD/SCG; Sunday Ogungbesan

he Ag. ECFIRS Alhaji Kabir M. Mashi has said that the annual FIRS family day party

demonstrates Management's belief in the family structure as the support system needed Tto excel in the workplace in view of the role it plays in motivating staff.thMashi stated this during the third edition of the FIRS family day party which was held on the 30

of March, 2014 at A-Class Park, Abuja.

In his opening address, he stated that the event presents an opportunity for staff to unwind and

have fun with their friends and family and is also an opportunity to recognise staff who have

distinguished themselves in their various departments and groups.

“The event presents an opportunity for families to get to know one another and bond. The

relationships we make today will go a long way because in spite of all our challenges, we are able to

come out stronger due to the support of our families” he said.

He emphasised that 'thank you' gifts were given to the families especially the children as a way

of appreciating them.

Upon observing a minute silence in honour of staff who passed away in the previous year, the Ag.

ECFIRS thanked all staff for their hard work. He particularly thanked staff who were recognised

and awarded for distinguishing themselves in their various groups and departments and also

encouraged others that were not recognised to be spurred on to perform better.

The event which was held courtesy of FIRS Management had in attendance Management staff and

other staff of the headquarters.

SPECIAL ON 3rd FIRS FAMILY PARTY

Mashi Admonishes Staff on Unityhere is unarguably no better validation to continue to excel in one's job than to be

recognised amongst one's peers and colleagues. This is undoubtedly the highpoint Tof the FIRS family day party as deserving staff who have distinguished themselves

in various departments and groups were recognised and rewarded by Management.

The Ag. ECFIRS Alhaji Kabir M. Mashi thanked the awardees for distinguishing

themselves and encouraged others to emulate them in order to be found worthy for future

awards.

The highlight of the awards ceremony included the presentation of the ECFIRS' special

award to Barrister James Binang of the Legal and Prosecution Department for his

determination and drive in successfully handling several high profile cases against high

net-worth individuals which led to monetary recoveries for the Service.

Hamza Kanoma, an architect and Officer I with the Facility and Safety Management

Department who was instrumental in redesigning of the Unity Bank and Annex buildings of

the headquarters was the second recipient of the ECFIRS' special award. All the awardees

smiled home with a Thermocool double door fridge which was presented to them by FIRS

Management.

Below is a list of the award receipients.

FIRS Rewards Staff

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From Left: CD/SCG, Sunday Ogungbesan, Ag.ECFIRS, Alhaji Kabir Mashi, CD/FOG, Bamidele Ajayi at the event.

Management table: Ag. ECFIRS, Alhaji Kabir Mashi with the Coordinating Directors and representative of the CD/MOG

Bar. James Binang right, receiving the Chairman`s special award

Arch. Hamza Kanoma right, receiving the Chairman`s special award

FIRS signs MoU with NLNG

SPECIAL ON FIRS FAMILY PARTY

olding raffle draws has become a

staple in most FIRS social rdHgatherings and the 3 FIRS Family

day party event was no exception.

As has become synonymous with such events,

the party was characterised by heaves and

sighs as staff at the event listened carefully

and silently with bated breath while praying

and looking intently at their raffle ticket

numbers in anticipation of their numbers

being called out.

The charged atmosphere was no surprise for

it was a gifts galore fest which saw several

staff carting away tantalizing prizes ranging

from toasters, table top gas cookers, hand-

dryers, hair clippers, rice boilers, pressure

pots, cutlery sets, blenders, DVD players

etc.

The highlight of the raffledraw was the star

prize segment which saw each of the star

prize items named after the Coordinating

Directors. These were water dispensers,

air-conditioners, microwaves, fridge and

generators.

The climax of the raffle draw was the Alhaji

Kabir M. Mashi star prize of a washing

machine which was won by Jamila Aminu, a

staff of the Communications and Liaison

Department.

Raffle Draw Galore he FIRS family day party may have come and gone but for the FIRS

children, the memory will remain indelible.TThe children who were not left out of the family day party excitement had a lot

of fun interacting with one another as they played games, took turns on the

bouncy castles and danced with several party characters. A dance competition

was staged for the children and winners and non-winners alike were rewarded

with various prizes like school bags, game packs etc

For the FIRS children, the party was nothing short of fun as they were treated

to a dance competition, they also had the opportunity to interact with the

Executive Chairman and other Management staff as they carted away several

gifts.

...And the Children had fun

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