A BEFITTING TAX MUSEUM FOR ABUJA AND LAGOS

History was made in Abuja recently, as the National Commission for Museums and Monuments and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), reached an agreement and signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a tax and revenue museum in Abuja and Lagos.

This museum is hoped to serve as an archieve and a collation centre, where members of staff and the general public can get refrence materials on how the FIRS was set up, the modus operandi of staff towards revenue and tax collection, the multiplier effect of tax collection and most importantly, methods of improving service delivery.

The initiative, which was the first of its kind in Nigeria was geared towards ensuring that the FIRS museum, when operational would become a reference point for Accounting professionals and members of the public who would need information on tax matters and its significance in Nigeria.

The Chairman/CEO of FIRS, Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui Okauru in her opening remarks at the signing ceremony posited that specialized museums are important in any nation as they serve as vital resource base for information gathering and dissemination.

Mrs. Omoigui expressed her gratitude to the family members of retired and late FIRS officials, who showed their overwhelming support for the project by donating various materials, data, documents and articles to enrich the proposed museum. She said the museum will aid researchers and scholars who would want further knowledge on taxation in Nigeria.

While enumerating the various benefits of a tax museum in the country, Mrs. Omoigui Okauru pledge to ensure the immediate take off of the Tax Museum Project and called on the NCMM to help actualize the dream as it is a great medium to document the evolution of the FIRS.

In his remarks, the Director-General National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Mallam Yusuf Abdallah Usman, stressed the need for Nigerians to cultivate the habit of proper documentation and record keeping, as it goes a long way in preserving our heritage. He also urged members of the public to visit the museum often as it is an avenue to re-acquaint themselves with their heritage.

The DG, NCMM also pledged to support the Tax Museum Projects with technical expertise abounding in the Commission to ensure the smooth take off of the museum.

According to him, the agreement among others, involves constant training, exchange of ideas, knowledge and information. He also urged other organizations and agencies to partner with the NCMM on similar projects in the future as a sure way of preserving, protecting and promoting our heritage resources in every field of human endeavour.