RMAFC Chairman Urges Nigerians to Seek Information on Government Activities
By Patience Ikpeme
The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Chairman Muhammed Bello Shehu has noted the importance of Nigerians equipping themselves with accurate information about government activities.
Muhammed Bello Shehu, represented by Hajia Salamatu Muhammed Bala made this disclosure recently when he addressed students from Igbinedion University Okada during their excursion to the Commission.
He expressed his satisfaction with the students’ initiative to seek firsthand knowledge about the commission’s operations. He highlighted the critical role of RMAFC in monitoring the accruals into the federation account.
“It is important to know what revenue mobilisation does on behalf of the country. The Commission carries out a lot of functions, but the most important one is to monitor accruals into the federation account. The RMAFC must know where these monies are coming from, how they are coming, and where these monies go when they come out of the federation account,” Shehu stated.
The Chairman assured the students that the commission’s directors were available to provide comprehensive information about its functions. He stressed the necessity for Nigerians to have a robust understanding of governmental operations, emphasizing RMAFC’s readiness to share relevant information whenever required.
“We are very pleased to share our experiences with you, and I believe if we are able to do that often, we will have a common purpose, work towards it, and Nigeria will be better for it,” Shehu added.
Professor Madu Magnus Emeka, speaking on behalf of the university delegation, explained that the excursion aimed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application in public finance. He noted that the visit was part of the university’s efforts to provide students with a real-world understanding of the subjects they study.
“This visit is part of the university’s commitment to bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application in the field of public finance. In view of that, it has been the contention of the students to go outside Benin, particularly to Abuja, to have interface with some agencies, for which we have been highlighting their activities, functions, and mission so as to have personal interaction with those agencies,” Emeka stated.
During the visit, several directors of the commission were available to educate the students further. These included Mrs. Udodirim Okwongu from Inland Revenue, Mr. Peter Nyabiri from Gas and Investment, Dr. Rosetta Iyere, and Deputy Director of Fiscal Efficiency, Mr. Ambrose Akhilome, among others.
The interaction provided the students with valuable insights into the practical aspects of public finance and the operations of RMAFC, reinforcing the university’s commitment to delivering a well-rounded education that combines theory with practical experience.
