Broadcasting
LIRS Partners Deloitte to Boost Transparency in Tax Administration With Whistle-Blower Initiative
The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has said its Whistle-Blower Initiative will deepen transparency, and accountability and uphold a high standard in the administration of the tax system in the state.
L-R: Executive Chairman, Lagos Internal Revenue Service, LIRS; Mr Ayodele Subair, Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Dr Rabiu Olowo, Partner, Deloitte and Touche; Dr Jania Okwechime, Partner, Deloitte and Touche, Mr Beulah Adeoye, and Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi during the launch of Lagos State Whistle-Blower Initiative held in Lagos on Friday
Ayodele Subair, Executive Chairman of the LIRS, at the official launching of the initiative in Lagos on Friday, said the platform was introduced to encourage the reporting of illegal actions or financial crimes, through the appropriate channel, with a view to correcting the violations and optimally boost the tax administration in the state.
He said the scheme, an initiative of the state government, will be driven by Delloite Anonymous and the Confidential Whistle-Blowing facility, a platform run by a globally recognised accounting and audit firm, Delloite Nigeria.
He added that the whistle-blowing facility will promote the reporting of acts of commission or omission that borders on unethical conduct of the LIRS employees, management and other stakeholders through the designated channels to the authorities.
“The facility is designed to ensure that concerns about wrongdoings or malpractice observed in the LIRS administrative and operational activities can be raised by any stakeholder without fear of victimisation, subsequent discrimination, disadvantage or dismissal.
“This facility does not only provide the avenue to report but ensures the credibility of reports through investigation, feedback to the whistle-blower and ensures protection for such whistle-blower from possible reprisals or victimisation for all disclosures made in good faith.”
“The whistle-blowing initiative is a two-way affair; even though it is aimed at exposing the LIRS staff involved with misconduct, employees of entities who want to report employers who circumvent tax laws or even members of the public who wants to raise the alarm on persons or entities who willfully commit financial crimes leading to revenue loss for the state can make use of the whistle-blowing platform,” he said.
Subair said Deloitte’s engagement as an independent assessor was to ensure an objective and unbiased review of issues raised.
Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Finance Dr Rabiu Onaolapo Olowo said the Whistle-Blower Initiative of the LIRS is a pilot scheme of the Lagos State Speak-Up programme aimed at encouraging feedback mechanism from the general public, boosting their confidence and trust in the operational activities of government.
Dr Olowo said it is logical to choose the LIRS as the pilot scheme for the initiative because it is responsible for more than half of the revenue generated by the state and due to its multifaceted interactions with the members of the public, the Lagos government could use the channel to boost its message of openness and transparency.
He said: “In our pursuit to make transparency, accountability and openness count in governance in the last three and half years, this is one step to help us to wrap up some of the things we have been doing to take government down to the people.
“We have to appreciate Governor Babajide Sanwoolu for approving this Speak-Up initiative. It will further help us to effectively discharge the policy thrust of this government and we believe it will promote and engender trust and citizen engagement.
“The reason we have chosen the LIRS as the pilot MDA for this scheme is quite obvious because it is the major revenue-generating agency for the state. Today, LIRS accounts for almost 75 per cent of Lagos’s revenue and it engages with the public at multi-faceted levels.
“Thousands of people across the world see infractions every day but they decided to remain silent because they feel there is nothing they can do to change the situation, but today, we are launching a channel that will encourage and remind people of their civic responsibilities to speak up when they observe unethical behaviour, especially in the process of conducting their businesses with the government.”
Joining the conversation, the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Samuel Egube, believes citizen participation in governance invariably stimulates public trust which consequently enables the government to make the right investment decision on behalf of the people.
He stated that the channel will further open the Lagos State government to scrutiny and the openness and transparency that the initiative generates will lead to more development.
“We believe this channel will enable citizen participation in governance which will surely stimulate the trust of the people in what we do with their investment. You cannot talk about development in South Korea, Singapore or Dubai in the United Arab Emirates without working out how that is connected to the United Nations Citizen Participation Index which states the line of relationship between the citizens and government and this is what this channel has addressed.
“Since we have launched the 30-year development plan this is another attempt at making the people of Lagos State work together with the government to make the plan works,” he said.
Beulah Adeoye, Partner, Deloitte Nigeria, said the whistle-blowing service provides multilingual, multiple reporting channels including a 24-Hour toll-free hotline (0800TIPOFFS and 0800 847 6337).
He said users can also use Delloite’s web portal (https://tip-offs.deloitte.com.ng); Email (tip-offs@deloitte.com.ng) or download the app (Deloitte Tip-offs, and Anonymous App) on the mobile app store.
Fifteen years ago, something truly special dropped onto the music scene: Flavour N’abania’s second album, Uplifted. This was a first showcase of his talent. With powerful vocals, masterful highlife production, and a deep connection to his cultural roots, Uplifted solidified Flavour’s reputation as a gifted artist.
At the time of its release, Uplifted smashed through borders and cultural divides, all thanks to Flavour’s deep commitment to celebrating his Nigerian roots, especially his Igbo heritage. This powerful connection to his culture has made him a major force, not just in Nigeria, particularly in the East, but also among the Igbo community dotted around the world.
The sheer success of Flavour’s cultural expression is highlighted by Spotify data from Uplifted and his other tracks. Even though his songs are deeply rooted in his culture and often sung in Igbo, they’re getting massive plays all over the globe.
Uplifted itself has stayed a big deal on streaming platforms, with its standout tracks racking up some serious numbers. Among the most-streamed hits from the Uplifted album are Ashawo Remix, Adamma, and Oyi (I dey Catch Cold). These tracks, along with other timeless fan favourites like Time To Party, Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix), and Game Changer (Dike) have all contributed significantly to Flavour’s overall streaming success, proving their lasting appeal. Reflecting on the album’s anniversary during an exclusive chat with Spotify, Flavour revealed that for him, “Adamma” truly captured the essence of Flavour from the Uplifted album era.”
From the heart of Nigeria to global playlists: Flavour’s universal pull
Flavour’s music really does have a universal pull. His songs have popped up in over 2 million user-made playlists, which shows just how much people are connecting with and sharing his tunes. And get this: in the last three years, from 2022 to 2024, Flavour’s music has seen a growth in streams, a total stream increase of 134% globally, and a 573% increase across Sub-Saharan Africa.
While 51% of his total audience is in Nigeria, his influence stretches far and wide with the USA, UK, Canada, South Africa, and France all among his top listening countries. That’s a truly global footprint, reaching across Africa, Europe, and America.
Leading Flavour’s listenership in Nigeria is a strong showing from Lagos, accounting for 38% of his Nigerian audience. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Rivers State also follow closely, making up 22% and 16% respectively, together claiming 76% of his Nigerian audience. He also enjoys love in the east as two Eastern Nigerian cities, Enugu and Onitsha, break into his global top 10. Big international cities like Greater London, Johannesburg, and New York City feature prominently too. This wide geographical spread shows how his music crosses all sorts of borders.
Who’s listening? A look at Flavour’s fanbase
Flavour’s audience is diverse with Gen Zs (18-24 year olds) as his biggest fans globally and across Sub-Saharan Africa. This strong youth appeal is vital for his long-term success. While his music celebrates women, men form the majority of his listeners globally (57%) and in Sub-Saharan Africa (63%).
The lasting success of Uplifted highlights how digital streaming has completely changed the music industry. Platforms like Spotify have given artists like Flavour ways to connect with fans everywhere. These days, streaming data gives us a clear, numbers-based look at an artist’s reach, showing that Flavour’s cultural stories, delivered in fluent Igbo, truly resonate far beyond Nigeria’s borders.
Flavour’s strong link to his Igbo roots, seen in his music, has driven his global success, acting as a cultural bridge for Nigerian traditions. The ongoing popularity of Uplifted and his other songs on streaming platforms proves that genuine cultural expression, mixed with great artistry, ensures lasting success today. As Uplifted hits 15 years, it showcases the power of culture worldwide.
By Lukman Otunuga, Senior Market Analyst, FXTM
This will be a week defined by high-impact events and corporate earnings from the largest companies in the world.
Nigeria’s central bank is expected to hold interest rates on Tuesday.
This decision is likely based on still stubbornly high inflation despite price pressures easing in recent months. Inflation slowed to 22.2% year-on-year in June, its third consecutive decline. A CBN rate cut could be on the cards in H2, but this will be on the back of persistently falling price pressures.
Looking at the NGX All Share Index, it has gained almost 10% month-to-date – pushing 2025 gains to nearly 30%. This means the NGX is currently outperforming the S&P500 and Nasdaq100 who have gained roughly 7% and 11% this year respectively. The Naira spot has held its ground against the USD this year after depreciating almost 70% in 2024.
Outside of Nigeria, earnings season is in full swing with US banks reporting strong results last week. Now the spotlight shines on big tech with Alphabet and Tesla reporting on Wednesday.
Alphabet shares gained 14% in Q2 amid strong AI product demand and growth in the cloud business. However, bulls may need a fresh catalyst to push Alphabet’s year-to-date gains out of the red. Tesla is down almost 20% year-to-date and could extend losses if its latest quarterly results are below market expectations
On the data front, key releases from Europe, the United Kingdom, Japan, and the United States may influence global sentiment.
But the main event for FX markets could be the European Central Bank decision on Thursday. No changes are expected to interest rates, but any clues offered on future moves could spark fresh volatility. Traders are currently pricing in a less than 50% probability that the ECB cuts rates by September
Speaking of FX, the dollar has weakened across the board with the DXY tumbling toward 97.70. This weakness could be based on mounting pressure from Trump to cut US rates and caution ahead of the tariff deadline on August 1st.
Note: Nigeria faces a 14% reciprocal tariff on its goods imported into the U.S, effective from August 1st.
MultiChoice Nigeria, today announced the highly anticipated return of Africa’s biggest reality television show, Big Brother Naija, for its landmark 10th season. Set to premiere over two nights on Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27, 2025, the new season promises 10 weeks of captivating drama, strategic gameplay, and unparalleled entertainment, culminating in the grand finale on Sunday, October 5, 2025.
The audition process for this milestone season was meticulously designed to unearth the most engaging and dynamic personalities from across Nigeria. Audition registrations were held from May 3rd to May 7th, 2025, and saw an overwhelming response, followed by rigorous in-person auditions conducted in Lagos, Abuja, and Enugu from May 16th to May 18th, 2025.
Speaking on the upcoming season, Busola Tejumola, Executive Head, General Entertainment, MultiChoice Group, expressed her excitement: “Today we are not just announcing another season, we are celebrating a legacy.”
While the official theme for Season 10 will be unveiled on the premiere night, viewers can anticipate a fresh wave of excitement. The beloved Ebuka Obi-Uchendu is returning as host, guiding viewers through every twist and turn of the season. This 10th season also has the highest prize at stake – valued at a whopping N150million.
Fans can catch the premier live on July 26 and 27 exclusively on Africa Magic Showcase, Family and Showmax at 7 PM WAT. The Sunday live eviction shows will also air exclusively on these channels. The 24/7 live stream will be available on DStv Channel 198, GOtv Channel 49, and on Showmax.
“BBNaija has become more than just a television show; it is a living, breathing cultural force. It has given voice to a new generation of talent, creatives, entertainers, and the influencer community, and it has refined what homegrown entertainment can achieve when it is done at scale with intention and ambition,” added Tejumola.
With a two-night opening live show for Big Brother Naija Season 10, the season is poised to build upon the legacy of its predecessors, with fans expecting a more dynamic and entertaining experience. Still speaking on what the season holds Dr. Tejumola said “Today we are not just announcing another season, we are celebrating a legacy. From the very first time we introduced Big Brother Naija in 2017, we had an inkling that we had something special. What we couldn’t fully imagine then is how deeply the show would resonate not only in Nigeria but across Africa and in the global diaspora, where our stories continue to connect people to home.”
This milestone season for the iconic show is not without the usual lineup of sponsors. The gold sponsor for the 10th season of the show is Guinness Nigeria. Other sponsors include Smirnoff, Gordons, HFM, Pepsi, Aquafina, Supakomando, Tolaram Group, Bet King, Golden Penny Foods, Haier Thermocool, Checkers custard, and Innoson Motors, among others.
Viewers can catch all the live action and special broadcasts on DStv Channel 198, GOtv Channel 49, and Showmax. The live Sunday eviction shows will air exclusively on Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Channel 151, GOtv Channel 8), Africa Magic Family (DStv Channel 154, GOtv Channel 7) and on Showmax.
DStv and GOtv subscribers can also watch the show on the go using the DStv and GOtv Stream apps available on the Google Play Store and IOS App Store.
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