COVID-19: Maris Trust Council Postpones Annual Lecture ~ Truth Reporters

Sequel to the outbreak of Coronavirus (Covid-19) on the world, the Management of Maris Trust Council after due consultation with stakeholders, have announced the postponement of the second Maris annual public service lecture.

The lecture with the topic, "Effective Tax Administration For The Delivery Of Democratic Dividends" was to be delivered by Chief Monday Onyeme, Chairman, Delta State Board of Internal Revenue on Wednesday, April 8, 2020.

Governor of Delta State, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa was billed to be Chief Guest of Honour and Chief Kennedy Kanma as Chairman of the occasion.

Chief (Mrs) Felicia Sani and Very Revd. Fr. John Konyeke of St. John Bosco Catholic Church, Asaba were to be Mother and Spiritual Father of the day respectively at the well publicised lecture which was expected to have Mr Peter Mrakpor, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Delta State; Mr Emeka Anthony Odo, Executive Chairman, Enugu State Internal Revenue Service; Dr. Shefiu Abiodun Muritala, Accountant-General, Lagos State; Hon. (Barr.) Orezi Esievo, Executive Secretary, Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprise Development Agency (DEMSA); Hon. Tony Elekeokwuri, Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, Delta State House of Assembly as Discussants and Dr Kemi Emina as Moderator.

In a statement signed by the Chairman of the Trust Council, Chief (Dr.) Kenneth Olise and the Secretary, Comrade Fidelis Egugbo said,
"This is a very tough decision to arrive at bearing in mind the fact that accomodation, flights have been booked and a lot of persons have cancelled their engagements for Wednesday, April 8, 2020 to enable them attend the lecture, but, we are not operating in isolation and the Coronavirus has become unpredictable.

"Maris annual public service lecture was designed to identify the challenges of the society and proffer solutions to them and based on the fact that the lecture has received universal acceptance, we regret to announce the postponement of this year's edition till further notice.

"We are aware that public gatherings are being reduced and for this year's edition, based on the personalities involved in the lecture, provisions were made for more than 2,000 persons.

"The Management of Maris Trust Council wish to thank all of you out there for identifying with the lecture series and we pray and hope that quick solutions would be found for the Coronavirus, while we sympathise with those who have lost their loved ones to the virus.

"We appeal to Governor Okowa, Chief Onyeme, Chief Kanma, mother of the day, Spiritual Father of the day, discussants, moderator and all the distinguished personalities within the country and beyond to kindly bear with us; the postponement became inevitable as it is for public interest.

"We pray and hope that you all will be available for us once a new date is taken," the statement added