Business
‘I have the Best husband in the world, He is my Engine room’ – Zonal PPRO, Dolapo Badmus
Public Relations Officer, responds to questions on pertinent issues regarding her profession. She also shares her passion for the job, humanity and she tells us what people might not know about her when not in uniform. She speaks to the Editor, FOLORUNSHO HAMSAT, in this interview conducted Excerpt…
In law enforcement, women seem to have advanced far beyond the days they were considered as matrons. How would you describe the transformation?
That’s a very funny question, though you forgot to also put “teachers” . Well, you will agree with me that the transformation is not only in law enforcement unit alone, we now have female doctors, engineers etc. and they are doing well. The only reason why that of law enforcement seems spectacular is because it’s a profession generally believed to be male dominated and it’s considered a duty basically for men but I will want to say that the transformation we are witnessing today is because some women I considered “courageous” decided to explore the “world” of men.
Was it your childhood dream to be in the police?
Well, I never thought of being a police officer while I was growing up. I always think I will grow up to be a medical doctor, saving lives and be a care giver but as faith will have it, I became a police officer still caring and saving lives because policing is all about protecting lives, ensuring there is no oppression.
Being a woman in law enforcement is not easy. It remains a predominantly male profession that does not easily accept them because it is believed that women possess inherent physical and emotional weaknesses. But you are very lucky to find yourself at the top and doing well too. How did it happen in your career, I mean the success?
Like I said earlier on the profession, it is believed to be and I will agree is predominantly male profession and for a woman to attain the height I am today, first I will say it could only be God, He gave me the physical strength needed, at times, I ask myself “Dolapo from where are you getting this strength?” And the other thing is basically while we were in Academy undergoing training, part of the things we were taught and I ensured it stuck to my brain was “A police officer should never be controlled by emotion” for you to be successful in this job, you won’t let emotions override you rather you should be compassionate. If you allow emotion, then you are bound to fail, at times you arrest a suspect and then he starts feigning ignorance up to the extent of crying and wailing and if you are not careful, you might want to believe that someone crying and wailing like this should be ignorant, at this point emotions sets in and you might want to set the suspect free which invariably might not be healthy for the society but when you are compassionate, you will only treat the suspect with caution, ensuring his rights are respected while you carry on your investigation with utmost sense of professionalism. At the end, you might discover evidences and exhibits that show he’s even the kingpin in the crime. If you have allowed emotion to override you, then you have failed. Let me quickly add that in any chosen career not only the police, passion and dedication are the keys. I want to believe my passion for the job backed with great sense of dedication has helped me this far.
We’ve interacted with some policewomen and we found out that the police academies are also places where female recruits learn a lot; from trainers allegedly being hard on them, to alleged sexual harassment, to having to deal with female competitors, and so on. Would you like to honestly share your experience at the academy level?
Ok. Now, let me tell you the difference when you talk about police academies that is where senior cadres are trained, we call those ones CADET while recruits go to police colleges which is for lower cadres. We have only one academy in the whole federation while we have like five or six colleges in Nigeria. So tell me how do you want to harass a senior cadre officer sexually? Someone that has been to the university? That knows her left from her right? I can’t see that happen in Academy? Never! Meanwhile, in the college which is for the recruits, the trainers know that these are low cadre officers which you should not unduly take advantage of, the force does not permit it, because the system understands they are naïve, so if you are caught taking advantage of them, it’s outright dismissal so who wants to take such risk? Such things do not occur because there is even a rule that if You go through such and didn’t report, you are even liable.
Concerning the issue of trainers being hard on trainees, it’s normal, you don’t expect them to be too familiar with us. In fact, most of the ones that trained us are our juniors but you need to see how we fear them but after passing out parade, they were the first set to pay us compliment but up till today, most of us still call them oga. So it’s not a big deal for instructors to be perceived as tough people. Let me also state here that there is no competition in life, the world is full of various tracks where each individual runs his/her race. I don’t want to be anyone else. The farthest I could go is to choose who I want to emulate or seek strength from and that is permitted; it’s called “role model “. Academy to me was full of ups and down, low moments and high points but it’s a training ground, it toughens me. My experience at Academy makes me know that I can be responsible for other people’s misdeeds which awakens the team spirit in me, you watch your team mates back but funny enough when you jointly ask for a favour, they will tell you there is no “we” in police; there and then you get confused but what I deduced from that is when you ask as a group, it becomes sort of revolution and revolution is felony. The force wants to guide against that but they encourage team work because you can only succeed as a team not individually.
Women solve problems with brains rather than with muscles, as they say. What are the qualities that you think won you the hearts of your equals and superiors’ equals?
This is me, I’m my normal self, I don’t think there is anything extra ordinary about me. But I think my superiors will be in the best position to answer the question but like I told you earlier, I love my job, I do it with passion and I’m dedicated to it. So if that is what makes me win their hearts, I won’t know.
What are your fears about the job you do?
Sincerely, there is no fear, maybe it’s because I believe in life there is nothing to be afraid off. There are three things that govern life; your trust in God, hardwork and destiny. I stand on this tripod and with that, no shaking.
Did it ever get to a point that you felt like quitting?
I agree there were low moments but that does not mean I should quit, have you heard about the phrase “there is light at the end of a tunnel”? Those low moments represent the tunnel period, so when I know there is light at the end, why should I quit? Winners don’t quit. There is a goal I set my eyes on and if I’m not there yet, why should I get discouraged?
Please, share your successes in your brief tenure as Divisional Police Officer of Isokoko?
Yes, the success recorded at Isokoko is as a result of embracing the concept of community policing. I tag it “policing of the people by the people and for the people” did you get that? The communities are their own police, they see us as partners in progress, we do periodical meeting, we decide policing priorities for them, you know they know each other in the community, so when they see a stranger, they place a tab and even challenge him or her when they are not comfortable with such person and when there are difficulties, they call on police and spontaneously we react and by that, the area remains peaceful. Agege people are fantastic; they even have what we call Voluntary Policing Sector. So that is their own native police, they wake up at night to do neighbourhood watch and patrol in conjunction with police so whenever any stranger is accosted, they easily recognize if such person is their own or not? About the police angle, I ensure our personnel in that division imbibe the spirit of community policing although most policemen do not like the idea of community policing because it’s not lucrative (you know what I mean?) Because under community policing, we ensure bail is totally free, because we have synergy with members of the public and on the other hand, there is reduction in crime because everyone in the community has no choice than to behave responsibly.
In other words, I also operate open door policies, I have my phone number written everywhere so the community members have direct access to the DPO and can report conduct of my personnel to me and because the policemen know that members of the public have access to me, they behave as expected. Above it all, I think it’s the grace of God that helped me because basically it’s tough being a DPO. From patrol to traffic duties, operations day and night and then administrative duties.
Tell us about some of the situations that you have encountered in which being a policewoman helped out?
Hmnnnnn! I don’t think I have any of such situations! But I can just say being a uniformed personnel has made me to rescue family and friends from any form of oppression in the hand of security personnel.
Please, describe in simple terms Dolapo Badmos, the policewoman and Dolapo Badmos the noncombatant lady.
(Smiles) Well, I don’t know how you want to take away non-combatant from a force personnel, once a combatant is always a combatant( laughs) but if your question means who am I away from uniform, I will tell you that I’m a fun loving go-go type, a down to earth chic (laughing) Dolapo hates oppression and cheating. God first in anything I do. I’m a good wife and wonderful mum. My son calls me yummy mummy (laughter)
Please, share the experiences of being a DPO and being a PPRO.
It’s basically two different assignments; as a DPO you are an operational personnel but as a PPRO, you are viewed as administrative personnel. But I must confess both are taxing.
What’s your definition of success and failure?
Well, in my own opinion, success is having fulfillment and making marks/impact in whatever you do while Failure means when you are static, refusing to try your hand on anything.
As a top cop, how would you define the link between knowing God and enforcing law?
Knowing God is the stamp you need to enforce law. To enforce law, you need to know God to be above board or else you will misbehave. Knowing God will make you have what is called conscience. If your conscience is dead, you can’t be an upright law enforcer. So you can’t separate the two
How do you find time for leisure, given your tight schedules and the job at home as wife and mother?
It is not easy I must say but with God, I’ve been pulling through. I do steal time for leisure though. You know, basically police job is for 24 hours, so you need to steal time to have fun. As for home front, thank God for my husband, he’s been supportive and understanding. He urges me on, I have the best husband in the world. I can shout it from the mountain top, and I thank God for the day I decided to marry him. He’s my engine room. He makes my life worth living. Above all, it’s been God.
Deadline of Compliance: Nigeria’s Urgent Call for Tax Return Filing
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
“Shift or Structural Demand? A Declaration of Civic Duty in a Nation at a Fiscal Crossroads.”
In the unfolding narrative of national development and economic reform, few instruments are as defining as tax compliance. For Nigeria, a nation perpetually grappling with revenue shortfalls, structural dependency on a single export commodity, and entrenched informal economic behaviour, the Federal Government’s recent clarification on tax return deadlines is not mere bureaucratic noise. It is a deliberate and inescapable declaration: the social contract between citizen and state must be honoured through transparent, lawful and timely tax reporting.
At its core, the government’s pronouncement is stark in its simplicity and radical in its implications. Federal authorities, speaking through the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, have made it unequivocally clear that every Nigerian, whether employer or individual taxpayer, must file annual tax returns under the law. This encompasses self-assessment filings by individuals that too many assumed ended once employers deducted pay-as-you-earn taxes from their salaries.
This is not an optional civic suggestion, it is mandatory, backed by statute, and tied to a broader vision of national fiscal responsibility. Citizens can no longer hide behind ignorance, apathy, or false assumptions. “Many people assume that if their employer deducts tax from their salaries, their obligations end there. That is wrong,” Oyedele warned, emphasizing that the obligation to file remains with the individual under both existing and newly reformed tax laws.
The Deadlines and the Reality They Reveal.
Across the federation, state and federal revenue authorities have reaffirmed statutory deadlines in pursuit of compliance. The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, for instance, moved to extend its filing date for employer returns by a narrow window, reflecting the reality that compliance often lags behind legal timelines. The extension was intended not as leniency, but as a pragmatic effort to allow accurate and complete submissions, underscoring that true compliance rises above mere mechanical ticking of a box.
At the federal level, Oyedele’s intervention was even more fundamental. He reminded Nigerians that annual tax returns for the preceding year must be filed in good faith, with integrity and in respect of the law. This applies regardless of income level including low-income earners who have historically believed that they are outside the tax net. “All of us must file our returns, including those earning low income,” he stated.
Herein lies one of the most challenging truths of contemporary Nigerian governance: widespread tax non-compliance is not just a technical breach of law, it is a deep cultural and structural issue that reflects decades of mistrust between citizens and the state.
The Root of the Problem: Non-Compliance as a Symptom.
Nigeria’s tax culture has long been under scrutiny. Public discourse and economic analysis consistently show that a significant majority of eligible taxpayers do not file annual returns. Oyedele highlighted that even in states widely regarded as tax administration leaders, compliance remains strikingly low, often below five percent.
This widespread non-compliance stems from multiple sources:
A long history of weak tax administration systems, where enforcement was inconsistent and penalties were rarely applied.
A perception that public services do not reflect the taxes collected, eroding the citizenry’s belief in reciprocity.
An informal economy where income often goes unrecorded, making filing seem irrelevant or impossible to many.
Lack of awareness, with many Nigerians genuinely believing that tax liability ends with employer deductions.
The government’s renewed push for compliance directly challenges these perceptions. It signals a shift from voluntary or lax compliance to structured accountability, a stance that aligns with best practices in modern public finance.
Why This Matters: Beyond Deadlines.
At its most profound level, the insistence on tax return filings is about nation-building and shared responsibility.
Scholars of public finance universally agree that a robust tax system is the backbone of sustainable development. As the eminent economist Dr. Joseph E. Stiglitz has observed, “A society that cannot mobilize its own resources through fair taxation undermines both its government’s legitimacy and its capacity to provide for its people.” Filing tax returns is not a mere administrative task, it is a declaration of participation in the collective project of national advancement.
In Nigeria’s context, this declaration carries weight. With the enactment of comprehensive tax reforms in recent years (including unified frameworks for tax administration and enforcement) authorities now possess broader statutory tools to ensure compliance and accountability. These measures, which include electronic filing platforms and stronger enforcement powers, have been framed as fair and equitable, targeting efficiency rather than arbitrariness.
Yet the success of these reforms depends heavily on citizens embracing their civic duties with sincerity. And this depends on mutual trust, the belief that paying taxes yields tangible benefits in infrastructure, education, healthcare, security and social services.
Voices From Experts: Fiscal Responsibility as a Public Ethic.
Tax law experts and economists, reflecting on the compliance push, have underscored a universal theme: taxation without transparency is inequity, but taxation with accountability is empowerment. When managed with fairness, a functional tax system can reduce dependency on volatile revenue sources, stabilise national budgets, and support long-term investment in human capital.
Professor Aisha Bello, a respected authority in fiscal policy, notes that “Tax compliance is not a burden; it is the foundation upon which social contracts are built. A citizen who honours tax obligations affirms the legitimacy of governance and demands better performance in return.”
Similarly, a leading tax scholar, Dr. Emeka Okon, argues that “The era when Nigerians could evade broader tax responsibilities simply because automatic deductions occur at source must end. For a modern economy, every eligible citizen must be part of the formal tax fold not as victims, but as stakeholders.”
These authoritative voices point to an unassailable truth: filing tax returns is both a legal requirement and a moral responsibility, an expression of citizenship in its fullest sense.
Challenges on the Ground: Compliance and Capacity.
While the rhetoric of compliance is compelling, the reality on the ground demands nuanced understanding. Many taxpayers (especially in the informal sector) lack meaningful access to digital platforms and resources for filing returns. For others, the fear of bureaucratic complexity and perceived punitive enforcement deters participation.
The government, for its part, has responded by promoting online systems and pledging greater taxpayer support. Tax authorities are increasingly engaging stakeholders to demystify filing processes, explain requirements and offer assistance. This mix of enforcement and facilitation is essential. As one seasoned revenue specialist observed: “The state cannot compel compliance through force alone; it must earn it through education, simplicity and fairness.”
The Broader Implication: A New Social Compact.
Ultimately, Nigeria’s renewed emphasis on tax return filing transcends administrative deadlines. It is an unequivocal declaration that national development is a shared responsibility, that citizens and state must engage in a transparent, accountable, and reciprocal relationship.
Tax compliance, therefore, becomes far more than a legal act; it becomes a moral claim on the nation’s future.
When citizens file their returns honestly, they affirm their stake in the nation’s destiny. When the government collects taxes transparently and deploys them effectively, it strengthens not only public services but civic trust itself.
In this sense, the deadlines proclaimed by Nigeria’s fiscal authorities mark not an end but a beginning; the beginning of a civic epoch in which accountability replaces apathy, participation replaces indifference and national purpose triumphs over fragmentation.
The road ahead will not be easy. But in demanding compliance, Nigeria is demanding more than tax returns. It is demanding commitment and that, ultimately, is the foundation on which nations are built.
BUA Foods Records 91% Surge in Profit After Tax, Hits ₦508bn in 2025
By femi Oyewale
Business
Adron Homes Unveils “Love for Love” Valentine Promo with Exciting Discounts, Luxury Gifts, and Travel Rewards
Adron Homes Unveils “Love for Love” Valentine Promo with Exciting Discounts, Luxury Gifts, and Travel Rewards
In celebration of the season of love, Adron Homes and Properties has announced the launch of its special Valentine campaign, “Love for Love” Promo, a customer-centric initiative designed to reward Nigerians who choose to express love through smart, lasting real estate investments.
The Love for Love Promo offers clients attractive discounts, flexible payment options, and an array of exclusive gift items, reinforcing Adron Homes’ commitment to making property ownership both rewarding and accessible. The campaign runs throughout the Valentine season and applies to the company’s wide portfolio of estates and housing projects strategically located across Nigeria.
Speaking on the promo, the company’s Managing Director, Mrs Adenike Ajobo, stated that the initiative is aimed at encouraging individuals and families to move beyond conventional Valentine gifts by investing in assets that secure their future. According to the company, love is best demonstrated through stability, legacy, and long-term value—principles that real estate ownership represents.
Under the promo structure, clients who make a payment of ₦100,000 receive cake, chocolates, and a bottle of wine, while those who pay ₦200,000 are rewarded with a Love Hamper. Payments of ₦500,000 attract a Love Hamper plus cake, and clients who pay ₦1,000,000 enjoy a choice of a Samsung phone or a Love Hamper with cake.
The rewards become increasingly premium as commitment grows. Clients who pay ₦5,000,000 receive either an iPad or an all-expenses-paid romantic getaway for a couple at one of Nigeria’s finest hotels, which includes two nights’ accommodation, special treats, and a Love Hamper. A payment of ₦10,000,000 comes with a choice of a Samsung Z Fold 7, three nights at a top-tier resort in Nigeria, or a full solar power installation.
For high-value investors, the Love for Love Promo delivers exceptional lifestyle experiences. Clients who pay ₦30,000,000 on land are rewarded with a three-night couple’s trip to Doha, Qatar, or South Africa, while purchasers of any Adron Homes house valued at ₦50,000,000 receive a double-door refrigerator.
The promo covers Adron Homes’ estates located in Lagos, Shimawa, Sagamu, Atan–Ota, Papalanto, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Osun, Ekiti, Abuja, Nasarawa, and Niger States, offering clients the opportunity to invest in fast-growing, strategically positioned communities nationwide.
Adron Homes reiterated that beyond the incentives, the campaign underscores the company’s strong reputation for secure land titles, affordable pricing, strategic locations, and a proven legacy in real estate development.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, Adron Homes encourages Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to take advantage of the Love for Love Promo to enjoy exceptional value, exclusive rewards, and the opportunity to build a future rooted in love, security, and prosperity.
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