22
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER t 4&15&.#&3 , 2019
MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fasogbon... 08155131874
L-R: Chairperson,Society of Women in Taxation Lagos Chapter (SWIT), Dr. Titilayo Eni-Itan Fowokan; President, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Dame Gladys Olajumoke Simplice; Abeokuta District Chairman, CITN, Oluwaseun Olajube; and immediate past chairperson of SWIT, Mrs. Dena-Rose Ajayi, during the investiture of Fowokan in Lagos as the 3rd state chairperson of the Society of Women in Taxation,Lagos Chapter... recently
L-R: Executive Director, INCEL Tourism, Mr. Tayo Banjo; Songstress ,Simi; the Abangs; and Miss Earth Nigeria 2019, Modupe Garland, when the Abangs won an all-expense paid trip to Dubai in the INCEL ‘ByYou promo’ in Lagos ... recently
SWIT Moves to Improve Tax Compliance Level The Society of Women in Taxation (SWIT), Lagos State Chapter, has rolled out plans to enhance tax payments in the country as part of its commitment to growth and development. The society disclosed this during the investiture of its third Lagos state chairperson in Lagos, recently. Speaking, the newly sworn Chairperson, Dr. Titilayo Fowokan stated that beyond getting more women involved in tax issues, the society was pulling all stops against tax defaults through its campaign approaches . She urged government to fully comply with the Base Erosion Profit Shifting (BEPS), agreement, which it signed, to enable it harness its full benefits and encourage more foreign investments in the country. She added: “With the global tax drive,
we have countries, including Nigeria, now tightening their tax net, such that tax remittance cannot be escaped. At this juncture, Nigeria needs to set the right policies and provide infrastructure to complement its convenient tax regime so as to attract more businesses in the country. “With more foreign investment come more empowerment and employment that would increase productive capacity which in turn increases tax space.” Managing Consultant of Pedabo, Mr. Albert Folorunso, who delivered the investiture lecture, titled, ‘Global Tax Compliance Drive: Implications for Foreign Direct Investment in Nigeria’, pointed out that Nigeria was still losing a great deal despite that it signed up to most of the agreements including BEPS, double
taxation as well as exchange of information agreement. He said: “For instance, most digital activities are consumed in Nigeria, yet, they are being imported and have no permanent establishment in Nigeria. Those activities are deemed to be carried out in Nigeria and ensure that the tax due to Nigeria should be deducted. These are some of the leakages that we should fill. “So we are saying that government should fill all loopholes to enable Nigeria enjoy reciprocal benefits from these agreements as well as fix infrastructure and every other challenge. “I mean we should continue to develop our tax, not with the fear of somebody pulling out of the Nigerian economy because FDI is not only tied to tax regime in Nigeria.”
Five Cowries Initiative Launched Amidst High Hopes The Five Cowries Arts Education Initiative has officially been launched in London with a vibrant exhibition of 500 jerry cans painted by Nigerian primary school children. This aimed to tell the stories of people in relations to water through art work in order to address issues of access to clean water in the country. The initiative was founded in 2018 by Polly Alakija, a renown artist and the CEO, Hatch Ideas, Yemisi Mokuolu. According to the founders, Five Cowries offers an inclusive route to education, enhancing teaching skills for positive educational and social outcomes. At the London launch, Founder of Five Cowries
Initiative, Polly Alakija, explained how the Initiative had impacted lives and turned situation around. “We have trained 38 ‘Teach for Nigeria (TFN)’ teaching fellows, delivered the programme in 38 schools and engaged 1,600 children directly. Each TFN fellow has such compelling and impactful stories about the programme and its influence on the children’s learning, especially their perspectives on water. We commenced in Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos, expanded to neighbouring Ogun state and now look to widen our reach to other cities in the country”. Also speaking at the event, Co- founder and Director, Hatch Ideas Africa, Mokuolu, added
that “the initiative and its partners want to ensure arts education becomes an integral part of the educational system in Nigeria and teaching skills are improved for better outcomes. “Children’s participation in creative activities needs to be promoted not just across the country, but also globally, and if it improves basic skills such as literacy and numeracy in Nigeria, then it is beneficial for everyone.” Five Cowries strategic delivery partners include Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Teach for Nigeria, Thames Festival Trust (UK), Montessori Centre International, Jackson, Etti & Edu and africapractice.
Health Tech Will Reduce Healthcare Costs – Simbo Ukiri This was one of the key points from the presentation on health-tech made by the CEO of Avon Healthcare Limited (Avon HMO), Adesimbo Ukiri at the 2019 edition of the Information Communication Technology and Telecommunication Exhibition (ICTEL EXPO). Organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Expo is a specialised conference and exhibition, attracting thousands of businesses and stakeholders from the ICT sector. The event serves as a platform for stakeholders to connect and engage each other on new innovations, network with investors, display their products and foster increased collaborations towards navigating key issues within the industry. Speaking on the implications of the fourth industrial revolution on healthcare, Ukiri said that lower healthcare costs would be an outcome of the widespread application of technological solutions to solve the myriad of health challenges in Nigeria. “Emerging technologies will eventually decrease healthcare inequality, thus enabling quality medical services to be provided to more people for less money. In other parts of the world, technology has already led to the emergence of new areas in healthcare such as telemedicine, electronic medical records, biometric technology, real-time patient monitoring and even predictive medicine. All these lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment which helps to reduce the cost of inpatient treatments, especially chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. It’s only a matter of time before Nigeria catches on” She said. Adesimbo Ukiri also noted that maternal and infant health is pressing concern that technology can address. “One of our core pillars at Avon HMO is maternal and infant health and we’re eager to see how health tech companies can tackle this issue. Currently, Nigeria has an infant mortality rate of 68.7 per 1000 births, 107.5 under 5 mortality rate per 1,000 infants and a life expectancy of 53.6% at birth.
Incel Tourism Rewards Forty Nigerian, Foreign Exhibitors Uber Mulls Bus Expected at Lagos Fashion Fair 2019 Promo Winners Transportation in Lagos Riding on the success of its bus launch in Egypt, Global Ride Hailing Firm, Uber Technology, has disclosed plans to venture into bus transportation system in West Africa’s business hub, Lagos. To this end, the firm said that it had opened talks with city transport officials in the Lagos. Uber’s chief business officer, Brook Entwistle, recently had a meeting with Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on how the company could collaborate with the state to reduce traffic gridlock and provide better public bus transportation system for the people. The firm’s latest move further explained its diversification move beyond provision of car hailing to other services including having a boat service. Uber launched its presence in Nigeria in 2014 and ever since has expanded its reach.
A global travel and tourism company, INCEL Tourism, has rewarded winners in its just concluded ‘ByYou promo’ . The ‘ByYou challenge’ was an Instagram competition, inspired by the recently released song of award-winning Nigerian musician, Simi. The contest had Mr. and Mrs. Abang taking first place followed closely by the Christophers and the Odukomaiyas as second and third place winners respectively. The winning couples were consequently hosted by INCEL and Simi to a private lavish dinner at Clear Essence California Spa and Resort where the winners were also given their prizes. The Abangs received a travel document and an all-expense paid trip to Dubai, while the Christophers were offered an all-expense paid romantic weekend getaway at Clear Essence California Spa & Resort and the Odukomaiyas were treated to a romantic dinner. The prize presentation ceremony was graced by the firm’s Executive Director, Mr. Tayo Banjo , members of staff, Simi and Miss Earth, Nigeria 2019, Miss Modupe Garland.
Forty Nigerians and foreign exhibitors to grace this year’s Lagos Fashion Fair 2019 in September. The Managing Director, Atlantic Exhibition, Mr Ayodeji Paul Olugbade stated at a press briefing recently that the 3-day exhibition promises unforgettable fashion experience, exhibition, masterclass, runway, and entertainment. The fair which is the 7th edition is scheduled for 25th-27th September 2019 will be taking place at the prestigious Eko Convention Center, Eko Hotels & Suites, VI, Lagos, The event is organized by Atlantic Exhibitions Nigeria Ltd, he said. Exhibitors are expected from Turkey, China, India, Uganda, Zimbabwe, and others. The idea is portray the Nigerian style, as many of these international brands now establish outfits here in Nigeria, and this had been a boost for many SMEs, he said. Olugbade stated that the event offers an opportunity for designers, fashion retailers, fashion professionals, boutique owners, stylists, fashion enthusiasts, models, trendsetters and consumers to interact, network and build business relationships with Nigerian and International exhibitors.