AC4D, Gombe Revenue Service Mobilise Stakeholders on New Tax Law, Push for Voluntary Tax Compliance

By Auwal Ahmad

The Advocacy Centre for Development (AC4D), in collaboration with the Gombe State Internal Revenue Service (GIRS), has organised a citizens’ sensitisation meeting to educate stakeholders on the provisions of the New Tax Law 2026 and promote voluntary tax compliance across the state.

The workshop, themed “Citizens’ Commitment Towards Tax Compliance,” brought together representatives of government institutions, the business community, professional associations, civil society organisations, the media, traditional institutions and taxpayers to discuss the benefits of the new tax law and its role in driving sustainable development.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of the Gombe State Internal Revenue Service (GIRS), Aisha Adamu, urged residents and businesses to embrace voluntary tax compliance, describing taxation as the bedrock of sustainable development and improved public service delivery.

She said the sensitisation programme was designed to deepen public understanding of taxation while encouraging citizens to fulfil their tax obligations willingly.

Aisha Adamu welcomed participants from various sectors, saying their presence reflected a shared commitment to building a tax-compliant society capable of supporting government efforts to improve the lives of the people.

According to her, taxes remain the lifeblood of government, providing the financial resources needed to deliver essential infrastructure and services, including roads, schools, healthcare facilities, security, water supply and other critical public amenities.

“Tax compliance is not merely a legal obligation; it is a civic responsibility and a demonstration of patriotism. When citizens pay their taxes voluntarily, government is better positioned to deliver development and improve the welfare of the people,” she said.

The GIRS chairman noted that the agency had continued to implement taxpayer-friendly reforms aimed at simplifying tax administration, improving service delivery and expanding public enlightenment in line with ongoing national tax reforms.

She explained that the workshop was also intended to strengthen dialogue between government and taxpayers by providing a platform for exchanging ideas on practical ways to improve compliance and enhance revenue generation for the state’s development.

Aisha Adamu encouraged participants to actively contribute to the discussions, ask questions and take advantage of the expertise of the resource persons, expressing confidence that the engagement would deepen public appreciation of taxation and inspire greater commitment to voluntary compliance.

She thanked stakeholders for honouring the invitation and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to maintaining a transparent, fair and efficient tax administration system.

Declaring the workshop open, Aisha Adamu called for sustained collaboration among government, businesses and citizens to build a stronger tax culture capable of accelerating Gombe State’s socio-economic development.

Earlier, the Team Lead of the Advocacy Centre for Development (AC4D), Ambassador Ibrahim Yusuf, said the sensitisation programme was organised to bridge the information gap between government and citizens by ensuring that people clearly understood the provisions of the New Tax Law 2026.

He said public awareness was essential to the success of any tax reform, stressing that informed citizens were more likely to comply voluntarily with tax obligations and support government efforts to improve accountability and transparency.

According to him, taxation remains a critical source of revenue for financing development projects and essential public services, making it imperative for citizens to understand how the tax system works and the benefits it offers society.

Ambassador Yusuf urged participants to take the knowledge acquired during the workshop back to their communities, noting that continuous public engagement would help dispel misconceptions about taxation, strengthen trust between government and citizens, and improve compliance.

He also commended the Gombe State Internal Revenue Service for partnering with civil society organisations to expand tax education, describing the collaboration as a significant step towards building an inclusive, transparent and sustainable tax system in the state.

Participants engaged resource persons in interactive discussions on key provisions of the New Tax Law 2026, taxpayers’ rights and responsibilities, available tax reliefs and compliance procedures, while GIRS officials responded to questions and clarified concerns raised during the session.

The organisers expressed optimism that sustained public sensitisation and stakeholder engagement would enhance voluntary tax compliance, boost internally generated revenue and support the continued socio-economic development of Gombe State.

Gombe Digital Creator Driving Northern Nigeria’s Automotive Storytelling Revolution

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

In a modest corner of Gombe State, where opportunities in the digital content industry are still emerging, a young creative is quietly building a global reputation. Armed with determination, imagination and a laptop rather than a fleet of luxury cars, Abdulrahman Gadas, popularly known as King Abdel, is redefining automotive storytelling and proving that world-class digital content can originate from Northern Nigeria.

His journey reflects the growing influence of Africa’s digital generation, young innovators who are using technology, creativity and social media to challenge stereotypes, build careers and inspire millions beyond their immediate communities.

For King Abdel, success did not begin with expensive cars or sophisticated production equipment. It began with a dream.

Fascinated by automobiles and digital media, he started sourcing car footage online and transforming it into captivating short videos through careful editing and creative storytelling. To enhance his productions, he explored artificial intelligence-powered tools, using technology not as a shortcut but as a means of expanding his creative possibilities.

Each video became more than a display of beautiful vehicles. It was a carefully crafted story designed to spark curiosity, celebrate automotive excellence and encourage young people to think creatively about the opportunities available in the digital economy.

However, the journey was far from straightforward.

Like many young creators in Northern Nigeria, King Abdel battled unstable internet connectivity, limited access to professional editing software and the financial realities of producing quality digital content. His willingness to embrace AI-driven creative tools also attracted criticism from people who misunderstood the technology and questioned its place in modern content creation.

Instead of retreating, he allowed those challenges to fuel his determination. Every obstacle strengthened his resolve to improve his craft, learn new skills and continue producing content capable of competing on the global stage.

His persistence ultimately yielded positive results.

As his videos gained traction, they began attracting viewers from different countries, earning recognition from international audiences and respected automotive content creators. These interactions expanded his reach and reinforced his belief that geography no longer restricts creativity.

From Gombe, he found himself participating in conversations that transcended borders, demonstrating that talent and innovation can flourish regardless of location.

For King Abdel, automotive storytelling is not simply about horsepower, speed or luxury vehicles. It is about aspiration, innovation and identity. Every piece of content reflects his conviction that young Africans have stories worth telling and that digital platforms provide the opportunity to tell them to the world.

His success is also helping reshape perceptions about Northern Nigeria. Often viewed through the lens of insecurity and economic challenges, the region is increasingly producing talented young innovators who are making their mark in technology, entrepreneurship and the creative economy. King Abdel is among this new generation of digital pioneers.

Looking ahead, he hopes to mentor and inspire aspiring creators across Northern Nigeria. Whether their passion lies in automobiles, fashion, photography, music, filmmaking or technology, he believes that consistency, continuous learning and the courage to embrace innovation can transform passion into a meaningful career.

His message to young people is clear: do not wait for perfect conditions before pursuing your dreams. Start with what you have, continue learning, embrace new technologies responsibly and remain committed to excellence. The world is becoming increasingly connected, leading to the generation of remarkable ideas. As the world Any community that is willing to dream beyond its limitations can generate remarkable ideas as the world becomes more interconnected. As the world becomes more interconnected, so does every interconnected community. As Nigeria’s digital economy continues to expand, stories like King Abdel’s offer an inspiring reminder that the future belongs to creators who combine talent with resilience. Any community that is willing to dream beyond its limitations can generate remarkable ideas.

As Nigeria’s digital economy continues to expand, stories like King Abdel’s offer an inspiring reminder that the future belongs to creators who combine talent with resilience. His remarkable journey from Gombe to an international audience illustrates that determination, creativity and innovation remain the true engines of success.

Profile

Abdulrahman Gadas, popularly known as King Abdel, is an automotive digital content creator based in Gombe State. Through engaging content on TikTok and Instagram, he shares automotive stories with a global audience while encouraging young Africans to embrace creativity, technology and innovation as tools for personal and professional growth.

Canopy collapse at Gombe Assembly complex kills one worker, injures seven

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

One construction worker was killed and seven others injured on Friday after a section of the entrance canopy under construction at the new Gombe State House of Assembly Complex collapsed.

The victims were among workers at the site when the cantilevered canopy gave way, according to the Gombe State Ministry of Works, Housing and Transportation.

The ministry said the injured workers were immediately taken to hospital for treatment. Five are receiving care at the Gombe State Specialist Hospital, while two others were taken to the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Gombe.

In a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Danladi Adamu, the state government confirmed the fatality and described the incident as unfortunate.

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has been briefed on the development and expressed condolences to the family of the deceased. He also directed that the injured workers receive medical treatment at the government’s expense.

The governor further ordered an immediate investigation into the collapse, directing the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transportation, alongside relevant emergency, regulatory and technical agencies, to commence safety and accountability procedures.

As part of the investigation, the contractor handling the project and the supervising consultant have been instructed to submit a formal incident report within 24 hours. They are also expected to provide a preliminary investigation report, followed by a comprehensive technical report detailing the cause of the collapse and recommendations to prevent a recurrence.

The state government said decisions on any further action would be based on the outcome of the investigation.

It reiterated its commitment to enforcing safety, quality and engineering standards in the execution of public infrastructure projects across the state and said additional information would be released as the investigation progresses.