The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Rivers State Council, has reiterated its commitment to interpret new Policies by the government to educate citizens, not just report them.
The Chairman of Council, Comrade Paul Bazia-Nsaneh, made the commitment when the Executive Chairman of the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service, RSIRS, Sir Israel Egbunefu, led his team on a courtesy visit to the Council.
Comrade Paul Bazia-Nsaneh emphasized the media’s role in interpreting policies for citizens regarding crucial economic changes, such as the new tax reforms.
He stressed that educating journalists about the New 2025 Nigerian Tax Laws by conducting training and workshops is paramount, focusing on how these reforms affect Journalists and the public.
“Journalists are trained to look at the facts; if we must look at the facts, it will come from authorities like yours, hence we must be trained so we can properly inform members of the public.”
” If journalists are properly equipped, they will in turn ensure that the people are educated,” he stated.
The Chairman, while inviting them to the upcoming Congress to address members, assured them that the NUJ will play its role in ensuring that the people are educated on the new tax law.
Earlier, the Executive Chairman of Rivers State Internal Revenue Service, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Dr Emmanuel Legbosi, said the Agency is poised to educate the citizens on the operations of the tax laws.
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Dr Emmanuel Legbosi, who stated that the visit to the Council is necessitated by the Agency’s ongoing advocacy, said they are willing to partner with NUJ to ensure that the people are educated on the New Tax Regime, to ensure they get the information to the common man.
He noted that the new tax law signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in 2025 came with worries in the minds of the citizens, stating that their mission is to douse tension.
According to him, part of their mandate as established by the law that established the body is to ensure that the people are not duped by people who will pretend to be tax collectors. “We noticed that people come from neighbouring states to harass citizens in the name of tax collectors.”
” Our people need to identify what the law is and what the law is not, identify what is tax clearance and what is not a tax clearance.”
” We want to work with you to see that all these are forestalled, with NUJ being the fourth estate of the realm, the news will be closer to the people,” he noted.
Dr Legbosi however, used the opportunity to commend the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for tying projects such as the Port Harcourt ring road and the trans kakabari road to internally generated revenue.
