Today, hardly anyone is in doubt that the Treasury Single Account (TSA) is the most impact fiscal initiative of any government that has ever ruled Nigeria.  At the federal level and for a number of forward-thinking states that have implemented it to the letter, the TSA has been instrumental in improving accountability, boosting revenue collection and giving the government a firm control over its spending.

Prior to its full implementation about three years ago, our major challenge as a nation was mostly traced to the fundamental lack of systems capable of safeguarding against leakages, corruption and financial opaqueness down to the basest level – the grassroots.

However, since the federal government mandated all its ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to fully comply with the TSA policy by closing all accounts they operated and scattered across the country, many of which had become the funnels of blatant looting of public funds, it has become easier to trace all government funds stashed away in commercial banks to yield interest. It also stopped the government from going cap in hand to borrow its own money time and time again!

Not only were over twenty thousand bank accounts closed across Nigeria; for the first time in our history, the all-powerful Federal Government of Nigeria had a timely insight of its finances, knowing how much each MDA had in its coffers per time and how much government had in the treasury in total.

These capabilities were achieved without hindering the works and processes of each MDA. The era of applying for bank statements from different bank branches from time to time to know its true financial position also ended.

The federal government saves about N4 billion monthly in bank charges and as at March 2018 had recorded a total inflow of 8.9 trillion naira. It is the first time this is happening in Nigeria.

Since commencement, the TSA in Nigeria has run efficiently on a 100 per cent made in Nigeria software called Remita. When foreign solutions failed to deliver on the TSA requirement, and its implementation was going to be postponed by another two years,

Remita made it work. In spite of the initial the hogwash allegation made by Senator Dino Melaye, which has now been proven to be completely false, the success of Nigeria’s TSA with the aid of Remita has become a reference point for other countries.

Now, Remita is in fact already being exported to other African countries. That is regardless of recent news that the federal government had failed to pay for the service of its developers, SystemSpecs for more than two years, and had compelled SystemSpecs to return an initial payment during a baseless uproar.

With the progress made so far, one is not surprised that the wide acclaims for the Treasury Single Account initiative has grown in leaps and bounds of acceptability by various stakeholders in Africa.

Even at state and local government levels, it has become a non-negotiable policy for governments hoping to entrench accountability and improve operational efficiency. In a recent statement credited to Boboi Kaigama, President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and governorship aspirant in Taraba State, in reference to how Edo state had been able to increase workers’ minimum wage, had said: “Oshiomhole increased the minimum wage in Edo. Where did he get the money from? It is a matter of efficient management of resources. We must have the Treasury Single Account in Taraba state.”

Indeed, in Edo, Gombe, Kano, Zamfara, Kogi, Plateau, Niger, Benue, Nasarawa, Kaduna and other states across the country where TSA has been introduced and is fully run by Remita, the difference has become even clearer.

Some of such benefits include the increase in their internally generated revenue and the capability to make more intelligent financial decisions. But these states are not the only ones that should experience this transformation. The government of Taraba and other states where TSA is yet to be implemented must make it one of their top priorities.

Also, as a matter of urgency, TSA should not be limited to states alone but be extended to local governments. If local and state governments’ finances are mandated to be managed in more transparent manners, governments at these levels would sit tight and no longer expect to feed off allocations from the federal government’s ‘plates’.

This would not only assist Nigeria to put in place proper finance management systems down to the grassroots, it would also help government at all levels to look inward and arrive at various productive ways to engender greater economic productivity.

“33” Export has reload its flagship consumers engagement initiative tagged; Friendship party with fresh entertainment, fun, and excitement and lots of more.

Here are the 5 reasons you shouldn’t miss the “33” Export Friendship Parties as the live party returns in Lagos State.

★ FRIENDS CONNECT/BONDING MOMENT

Yes!, there might be other ways and activities whereby friends can connect, but trust me if you haven’t had the experience of a friendship party, you are definitely missing out. The Friendship party is a time to connect with friends and loved ones, so go ahead, invite a friend from out of town, a distant cousin or a far off relative and know that you have brought them to the very best of bonding experiences in a unique way. Believe me when i say, it’s going to be lit.

★ INTERESTING GAME ACTIVITIES

When last have you been engaged in games like Beer Pong, Cheese, Connect 4, and Jenga? Well, at the 33” Export friendship parties you would be privy to such interesting and fun games. Other games are available are Pool, Football, Ludo and games, which will be on board for friends and family to have fun and get entertained as the night of bliss wears on with and get entertained.

★ GREAT MUSIC FROM THE DJ’S

What better way to unwind, relax and enjoy yourself after a stressful day at work if not with great vibes from the music supplied by our talented range of renowned Dj’s on show; like Dj Real, Dj Kentalky who will be on ground to dish out hit tracks and give you smooth vibes back to back. Trust me when I say hit tracks!

★ RIB CRACKING JOKES

It’s never a dull moment at the 33” Export friendship parties because the Master Compere (Mc) and Comedians themselves, Mc Bash and Mc Shakara will be entertaining the audience with interesting and funny jokes/comics that will make you laugh and forget all your worries. We call them Masters of Laughter.

★ MOUTHWATERING PRIZES/GIFTS TO BE WON

In the spirit of saving the best for the last, the 33” Export Friendship party is just an avenue to chill, relax, wine and dine with friends, there will also be lots of amazing prizes such as refrigerator, power generators, hair clippers, standing fans and more to be won by guest/consumers at the 33” Export Friendship party in Lagos. Remember, E Fit Be You ooo!!!

Not less than 18 winners have emerged from Kaduna and Onitsha in the ongoing Millionaires Star Lager National Promo.

The brand made this known in a statement made available.

“Star Lager millionaires promo now in its sixth week, has produced eighteen more millionaires in the Kaduna and Onitsha areas as more winners were presented with their prizes this past  weekend during gala ceremonies held in the state,” the brand company stated in the statement.

As gathered, John Paul Ocheme a thirty five year old student based in Kaduna, Zenith Abubakar, a forty four year old businesswoman based in Sokoto and Cornelius Ocholi a forty one year old Police Officer were among the lucky Nigerians who became millionaires in the past week

The new millionaires were full of joy and gratitude all through the evening, while meeting with the Nigerian Breweries brand representatives in Kaduna and Onitsha during the presentation events.

At the Kaduna presentation, John Paul Ocheme a student, expressed his delight in winning one million naira. According to him, “I never expected to win, in fact, I usually do not have faith in promos, but Star Lager has really surprised me. I am going to use the money to further my education.”

Onitsha based Ezeonyebuchi Kosiso shared similar sentiments as he described his two million naira win as the “best thing that happened to me this year.”

Commenting on the regional presentations, Abayomi Abidakun, Senior Brand Manager Star Lager Beer, Nigerian Breweries Plc, said, “We are grateful for having customers all over the country who have remained loyal over the years. This promo is our way of appreciating them and  we will continue to reward more Nigerians in the United We Shine Millionaires Promo.”

Star Lager team has promised to continue rewarding winners with multi-millions in the weeks to come.