“Let This Book Reach Every Nigerian Child” – Rear Admiral Abdul Biu Adamu (rtd)
Charity Onah
In a stirring call to action at the 2025 Children’s Day Commemoration, Rear Admiral Abdil Biu Adamu (rtd), OFR, the Shettima of Biu and Chairman of the Occasion, represented by Major General OL Olokor, the Chief Consultant of the Nigerian Army Museum, urged stakeholders across the country to ensure that a new civic education book, “Taxation: Essential Knowledge for Nigerian Children,” reaches every child in Nigeria.
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“This must not end here,” Admiral Biu declared. “We must support this book to ensure it reaches the hands of every Nigerian child. The journey of civic transformation begins with informed children, and I wholeheartedly pledge my support to this cause.”
The public presentation of the book, held at Merit House, Maitama, Abuja, brought together schoolchildren, educators, policymakers, and key figures in Nigeria’s education and tax sectors to mark a new milestone in civic enlightenment.
The 60-page illustrated book was developed through a partnership between Sprezzatura Publishing Ltd, and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and is tailored to help young readers understand taxation, governance, and citizenship. Over 60,000 copies have already been printed for immediate distribution across schools, libraries, and civic centres.
In his special remarks at the event, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of FIRS, emphasized the importance of building tax consciousness early in life.
“Today’s gathering is not just a celebration of our children, but a bold step toward shaping a more informed, responsible, and economically conscious generation,” Adedeji noted, in remarks delivered by his Special Adviser on Research and Statistics, Aisha Hamman.
“Taxation is the lifeblood of any nation’s development, and what better way to secure our future than by educating our children on its importance from an early age? This book must be in the hands of every Nigerian child. I am confident our chief host has the capacity to ensure this vision becomes reality.”
Dr. Adedeji further revealed that recent internal research by FIRS showed that only 10 to 19 percent of Nigerians currently pay taxes.
“It’s easier to build tax consciousness in children than to reform tax-dodging adults,” he added.
Mohammed S. Abubakar, Managing Director of Sprezzatura Publishing Ltd and host of the event, praised FIRS for backing an initiative that goes beyond revenue generation.
“This is more than a book. It’s a tool for nation-building,” he stated. “We simplified taxation for children so that they grow up to be informed, responsible, and accountable citizens.”
Aderonke Atoyebi, technical assistant on broadcast media to the FIRS Chairman and co-author of the book, described the publication as a “new standard in civic education.”
“Our goal is to make taxation a familiar subject in every classroom and home,” she said.
The Vice President of Nigeria, H.E. Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, was named as the Very Special Guest of Honour, while dignitaries including Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui, Mr. Babatunde Fowler, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua, Dr. Umaru Abdul Mutallab, and Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin lent their support to the launch.
Dr. Bissan Ezekiel Danladi Joseph, Director of the Abuja Business School, reviewed the book and hailed its potential as a curriculum-friendly resource for Nigerian schools.
FIRS also used the event to reaffirm its N20 trillion revenue target for 2025, with Dr. Adedeji assuring attendees that the Service is committed to reforms that promote transparency, plug leakages, and encourage voluntary compliance.
“We’re not just collecting revenue,” he stated. “We are closing gaps, promoting transparency, and ensuring accountability in the management of tax funds.”
The event included cultural displays, a children’s quiz, book readings by students, and distribution of the first batch of the book to participating schools.
As Nigeria celebrates its youngest citizens, the message from this year’s Children’s Day was loud and clear: educating children on financial and civic matters is not just timely—it is essential. With bold initiatives like this, Nigeria is planting seeds of accountability and patriotism in classrooms today for a more responsible tomorrow.
Let This Book Reach Every Nigerian Child” – Rear Admiral Abdul Biu Adamu (rtd)