AIRS Increases Tax Awareness For Anambra Tomorrow’s Leaders

The Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AiRS), has successfully concluded the second stage of its School Tax Competition.

The competition is a media edition open to all private senior secondary schools across the state.

The competition, which seeks to instill tax awareness in future leaders, aims to change misconceptions around tax payments and emphasize their role in societal development.

The event held on October 24, 2024, at UHBET Event Center, Awka, the second stage welcomed schools that had emerged victorious in the first round, conducted on October 3 and 4, 2024.

Competition objective

The primary goal of the AiRS School Tax Competition is to educate future leaders on the importance of tax payments and their crucial role in State development. Taxes are the backbone of public infrastructure, healthcare, education, and social services, yet many view them negatively, both globally and locally.

In Nigeria, taxes are often seen as charitable donations to the government, detached from tangible State progress. This competition seeks to shift this mindset, emphasizing that taxes directly contribute to State projects and development efforts.

Changing perceptions

Through engaging activities like the tax competition, AiRS aims to foster a culture of responsible citizenship among young students. By educating them on the importance of tax contributions, the initiative seeks to combat common misconceptions surrounding taxes and to cultivate a sense of civic responsibility in students. Understanding the significance of tax payments empowers them to become active participants in building a better future for their communities.

Finalists

At the conclusion of the second stage, three outstanding schools qualified to compete in the grand finale, set to take place next month.

The grand finale will determine the overall winner of this enlightening competition, which not only promotes knowledge of tax but also highlights the importance of informed, responsible citizenship for the nation’s future leaders.

Commendations

While speaking, the Head, Taxpayer Education and Enlightenment Team in AIRS, Sylvia Ngige, stated that the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service, along with the School Tax Competition Committee, deserves commendation for launching this innovative competition aimed at educating the leaders of tomorrow. Their efforts are essential in shaping a new generation that understands the critical role taxes play in societal growth and development.

Tax education is essential in nurturing future leaders who are aware of their responsibilities as citizens. By engaging students in competitions like this, AiRS is paving the way for a more informed, responsible society where taxes are understood as necessary contributions to State progress rather than burdensome obligations. Equally, all schools that participated in the competition have contributed to promoting responsible citizenship, and their involvement is highly appreciated.

Olusola Akintonde