*Speakers Laud Role Of Media In Rallying Citizenry To Civic Responsibilities
*Commend Minister Wike On Abuja Infrastructure Uplift
By Felix Durumbah, Abuja
Issues critical to a successful democracy such as tax compliance, transparent governance and inclusive infrastructure development were tabled –and thrashed out — at a public lecture grand finale of Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA)’s chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) 2026 Press Week.
The theme of the lecture, which was ‘Tax Compliance and Good Governance in the Federal Capital Territory’, sought to connect the dots between unfailing tax payment, accountability and reaping the dividends of democracy through tangible and visible infrastructure development, citing its current successful practice in FCT as a typical case.
Top government officials, royal fathers, economists, political leaders, civil society organisations (CSOs), development partners, and media stakeholders converged on the Community Hall of Cyprian Ekwensi Arts and Culture Centre, Area 10, Garki, Abuja, for the public lecture and award ceremony to mark the end of the event, recently.
In her welcome address, Chairperson of the NUJ-FCTA Chapel, Comrade Ngozi Uloma Ufomba, described the theme as timely and fundamental to the future of governance in the nation’s capital territory.
The Chairperson stressed the vital importance of responsible journalism in a democracy, emphasizing that it should go beyond routine reporting, to educating citizens, explaining government policies, exposing leakages and promoting best practices in public administration.
She stressed that the media, as the bridge between the governed and the leaders, has a constitutional responsibility to fill such gap by promoting transparency, accountability and sustainable development.
Comrade Ufomba explained that the award segment of the chapel’s programme was instituted to recognise excellence in governance, journalism and women empowerment within the FCT ecosystem.
She expressed appreciation to the Minister of FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike; FCT Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS); FCT Council of NUJ; a leading table water/accessories firm, CWAY Water; FCTA’s Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage (DOAS); as well as FCTA’s Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA) for supporting media development and capacity building.
FCT Head Of Service Says 31-Day Projects Commissioning Spree By Wike Due, Partly , To Tax Payments
Head of the Civil Service of FCT, Mrs. Nancy Sabanti Nathan, who was represented by the Director of Reforms Coordination and Service Improvement, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, described tax compliance as both a statutory obligation and a civic responsibility.
She said taxation remains one of government’s most dependable sources of funding for critical sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, education, transportation, security and other essential public services.
According to her, the ongoing 31-day road commissioning and project flag-off exercise across the FCT by Minister Wike demonstrates FCTA’s commitment to building a modern and inclusive capital city.
Dwelling on her immediate constituency, Mrs. Nathan disclosed that the FCT Civil Service is implementing reforms, strengthening capacity development and deploying innovative service delivery mechanisms to improve efficiency, enhance public confidence and align operations with global best practices.
Reflecting on the role of the media in aligning the governed with government, she acknowledged its strategic contributions, noting that the media has been informing the citizenry, promoting transparency and encouraging active civic participation.
APC FCT Chair Stresses Importance Of IGR To Development
Addressing the gathering, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in FCT, Hon. Ishaku Tanko Yamawo, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Comrade Zakari Gambo Babale, described the Press Week theme as critical to the sustainable development of both the FCT and Nigeria.
He noted that no government can provide quality infrastructure and social services without adequate financial resources, stressing that internally generated revenue (IGR) through taxation remains indispensable for financing development.
Apparently lauding the contributions of major stakeholders such as Minister Wike to FCT’s present upliftment, he noted that the Territory is experiencing remarkable transformation through investments in road construction, water supply projects, healthcare, street lighting, civil service reforms and support for traditional institutions.
The party chair maintained that tax compliance is not merely a legal obligation but an investment in the collective future of FCT residents, as every tax payment contributes directly to roads, schools, healthcare, security, environmental protection and economic opportunities.
Hon. Yamawo urged the FCT-IRS to intensify tax education campaigns across the Territory’s six Area Councils, particularly among operators in the informal sector, while advocating technology-driven tax administration to simplify payment processes, reduce bureaucracy and encourage voluntary compliance.
He commended Minister Wike, and the Minister of State, FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, for providing purposeful leadership which, according to him, has accelerated development across the Territory.
Yamawo challenged journalists to sustain balanced, factual and development-oriented reporting, noting that many government achievements receive less attention than they deserve.
Public Policy Analyst Views Tax Payment As Displaying Trust Level Between Governed,Govt
Delivering the keynote lecture, economist and public policy analyst, Dr. Paul Alaje, argued that taxation should be viewed not merely as a revenue-generation mechanism but as a reflection of the level of trust between government and citizens.
He observed that citizens are more willing to pay taxes when they can clearly see transparent and measurable public benefits, adding that Abuja’s ongoing infrastructure renewal has improved mobility, stimulated economic activities and attracted private sector investment.
While commending the FCT Minister’s infrastructure drive, Dr. Alaje stressed that roads alone cannot guarantee sustainable urban prosperity.
He also urged the Administration to prioritise staff welfare, education, healthcare, integrated public transportation and the full operationalisation of the Abuja Light Rail system to reduce transportation costs and improve productivity.
Dr. Alaje fired three critical questions, “How much revenue was collected? Where was it spent? What measurable impact did it create?”, insisting that these posers represent the foundation of democratic accountability and should guide both government communication and media scrutiny.
MD/CEO AEA Says Govt, Business On Same Page For Former To Function
On his part, Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (Ag MD/CEO), AEA, Dr. Chudi Ugwuada-Ezirigwe, emphasised that government cannot function effectively without the active participation and compliance of businesses and citizens.
He noted that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) remain the backbone of the FCT economy, stressing that infrastructure support, access to business services and responsible regulatory compliance are essential for expanding economic opportunities and sustaining development.
Dr. Ugwuada-Ezirigwe commended the NUJ-FCTA Chapel for sustaining the conversation on taxation and governance and called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, private sector and the media.
Royal Father Tasks Citizenry On Effective Participation In Governance
Also contributing, the Etsu of Kwali, HRH Luka Ayedoo Nizassan III, explained that citizens must contribute to maintaining and replenishing public resources through taxation to avoid what economists describe as the “tragedy of the commons”.
The traditional ruler observed that ongoing infrastructure projects across the FCT demonstrate that public revenues are being utilised for collective development.
He lauded the media for mainstreaming development issues within the FCT, communicating government policies and strengthening public confidence in governance.
HRH Nizassan urged journalists to sustain constructive, development-focused reporting that encourages responsive governance while holding public institutions accountable.
FCTA Director Of Information Points To Minister’s Accomplishments Via Tax
Also speaking, FCTA Director of Information and Communication, Mr. Anthony Ogunleye, disclosed that the Administration has constructed more than 315 kilometres of rural roads, many of which have already been commissioned, stressing that the projects were funded through taxes, ground rents, Certificates of Occupancy fees, water rates and other IGR rake-ins.
The Director explained that every payment made by residents contributes directly to roads, bridges, hospitals, schools and other public infrastructure.
Mr. Ogunleye urged journalists and information officers to intensify public enlightenment campaigns to help citizens appreciate taxation as a civic responsibility rather than a burden.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the FCTA’s Department of Information and Communication to continue collaborating with the NUJ FCT Council and the FCTA Chapel in promoting civic responsibility and public awareness.
Chairperson FCT NUJ Dwells On Accountability Journalism For Public Good
Also speaking, Chairperson of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, dwelt on the constitutional role of newsmen holding leaders accountable.
She charged journalists to make taxation meaningful to citizens by demonstrating how public revenues translate into tangible improvements in infrastructure, healthcare, education and other public services.
Ike encouraged journalists to embrace investigative and data-driven reporting on taxation and public expenditure while avoiding sensationalism, verifying information before publication and balancing criticism with recognition of genuine reforms.
She also urged tax authorities to improve transparency, accessibility and public communication through the timely publication of projects, procurement information and audit reports to strengthen public trust and voluntary tax compliance.
*PHOTO CAPTION:Etsu of Kwali, HRH Nizassan III (4th left); Director of Information and Communication, Mr Anthony Ogunleye (4th right); Director, Department of Reforms Coordination and Service Improvement, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu (3rd left); Chairperson, FCTA NUJ Chapel, Comrade Ngozi Ufomba (2nd left); Chief of Staff to FCT APC Chairman, Comrade Zakari Gambo (3rd right), and others at the event.
