Our Reporter
The National Union of Lottery Agents and Employees (N.U.L.A.E) has called for more transparent participation of all stakeholders in the gaming industry in Nigeria, if the Federal Government is to realize its intention of generating more revenue to back its yearly budget projections, as recently revealed by the Minister of Special Duties Mr George Akume in Abuja.
The Union also pledged to support the National Lottery Regulatory Commission to expose illegal operators across the country and ensure all legitimate operators live up to their responsibility to the gaming public in the overall interest of the country.
Rising from its Central Working Committee meeting held in Lagos on the 31st of December, 2019, the Union decried the fraudulent acts of some gaming operators who under declare revenues generated from the gaming public and urged the National Lottery Trust Fund, to aggressively collect its 20% quota of all revenue generated by Lottery operators in Nigeria, as enshrined in the Lottery Act and utilize same on more tangible good cause projects that will make Nigerians appreciate the positive benefits of lottery; just as it is done in other countries where proceeds of gaming activities have been judiciously used to construct massive roads/bridges, built schools, provided ambulances, hospitals, security equipment’s and even stadiums amongst others.
Speaking at the event, the General Secretary, Comrade Olatunji Gregory noted that “we have resolved to go tough on all gaming operators that demonstrate anti-labour tendencies like preventing their employees or agents from joining the local chapter of the Union or victimizing existing members under any guise, as we have noticed that such companies are afraid of having their manipulations exposed by the Union”. He further urged all well-meaning Nigerians to embrace the Lottery Industry Improvement Project that the Union would be launching in February 2020 and hinted that the L.I.I.P is designed to institute a paradigm shift in the minds of Nigerians about the benefits of gaming and increase healthy participation of all stakeholders.
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Furthermore, the Union used the medium to commend Western Lotto on its recent acquisition of sole rights status over the popular Ghana games, which almost all other operators have been illegally using for the past 20 years, leading to huge revenue losses to the Federal Government, manipulation of results and duping of the staking public, tax evasion and other fraudulent practices.
According to the Acting PRO of the Union, Comrade Nosa Abu, upon receiving the notice from Western Lotto and supported with hard facts like the court orders, agreement and even the incriminating actions of some of such culpable operators and was shocked to find out that the actions of quite a number of operators was inimical to the growth of the industry in general and called on the relevant security agencies to open investigations into how such brazen fraudulent acts were taking place for years and exposing the country to ridicule.
She stated that the Union finds the situation as a National embarrassment and dent on the anti-corruption campaign of President Muhammad Buhari. She further identified this as probably the main reason why most operators in the country had conspired to kill all previous attempts at having a National game for the country, so as to continue the fraudulent use of such foreign games to rip off the gaming public and the government of billions of naira monthly.
She said the Union wishes to commend Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his pro-active step in appointing Mr. Bashir Abiola-Are as the GM/CEO of the Lagos State Lotteries Board. The Union urged him to create a level playing field for all stakeholders, work harmoniously with the National Lottery Regulatory Commission and do more good causes like the Board’s support to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund as Nigeria’s most innovative State Lottery Board in the economic nerve center of the country.
Likewise Comrade Nosa Abu called on all employees and agents who have not registered to log onto the Union’s website on www.nulae.org and register immediately or visit the nearest state secretariat to do so. She said the Union will be willing to receive comments, ideas and support from all those who are in support of a better gaming environment for the country.
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