The Niger State Government says a report that recommended the reintroduction of poll tax, otherwise known as 'Jangali', would be implemented later.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, who disclosed this yesterday at Government House in Minna after receiving the report on the reintroduction of Jangali, described it as timely, considering the desire of the state government to urgently resolve the farmer-herder crisis and banditry in the state.
He commended the committee chaired by Etsu Nupe, Alh Yahaya Abubakar, for a thorough job done and assured that the report would be perused with a view to implementing most of the recommendations.
Mohammed Bago also acknowledged the fatherly role and good stewardship of the Etsu Nupe, promising that his administration will not relent in strengthening the traditional institutions in the state.
While presenting the report, the Etsu Nupe explained that the committee was set up by the immediate past administration in 2021 and observed that since the poll tax system was abandoned, the state government has been experiencing security breaches and has lost a huge source of internally generated revenue (IGR).
He said the committee also recommended the sharing formula, with the state government taking 50 percent, local government authorities 30 percent, and traditional institutions receiving 20 percent of what's collected.
He said reintroducing the poll tax system, among other recommendations, would help in curbing the activities of herders, curtail insecurity, and boost the IGR of the state.
The Etsu Nupe then called for cooperation and urged the state government to provide the needed social services for Fulani herders to feel the impact of governance.
The jangali, or poll tax, operated in pre-colonial Hausa society as a form of tax paid by owners of livestock and was charged per head of cow. It was in operation until the post-independence northern regional government abolished it.
On Wednesday, Niger State Commissioner of Police, CP Shawulu Ebenezer DanMamman, presented over N111.1 million in checks to the next of kin and families of police personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty under Niger State Command within the period of 2021 and 2022.
CP Danmamman, who presented the cheques on behalf of IGP Kayode Adeola Egbetoun to the beneficary families of the deceased police personnel at the police officers mess, said the presentation of the cheques was to showcase the feelings and empathy of the IGP to the deceased colleagues as part of his group Life Assurance Scheme.
He said that this show of concern and love indicated that even at death, the departed were being remembered, asserting that he believes that the token might not in any way be enough to equate the lives of the departed souls.
CP Shawulu therefore urged the beneficary families to accept the offer given to them from IGP for the services that their beloved brothers, husbands, and fathers paid to the nation.
The commissioner of police, however, advised them not to abuse or squander the money but should use the money for a purposeful investment, while informing them that what they see now is not the only entitlement available for their loved ones who passed on, assuring them of other benefits to come when due, depending on the processing speed.
On behalf of the families, Mr. Joshua and Dr. Solomon Arama, appreciated the IGP, the commissioner, and the officers in charge of pension and insurance and promised that they would judiciously use the money for the benefit of their entire family.
