Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has said that taxation is the lifeblood of any government.
The Governor stated this at the opening ceremony of Southwest Regional training on tax audit, Investigation, Compliance and Enforcement, held at Ondo State Internal Revenue Service, (ODIRS) on Wednesday.
Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed that taxation enables government to fulfill its mandate of providing essential services and infrastructure for the welfare and development of the people.
Declaring the 3 days training open, the Governor stated that the gathering is not merely a training but a testament to his administration's commitment to enhance revenue generation through efficient tax administration.
"This training comes at a pivotal time when the global economic landscape is evolving rapidly. As states, we must adapt and strengthen our tax audit, investigation, compliance, and enforcement capabilities to maintain fiscal stability and sustain development initiatives".
The Governor encouraged them to have discussions during the training, share best practices, engage in active participation. "Let us capitalize on this opportunity to learn from each other and explore innovative approaches that can further enhance our tax administration frameworks.
"Comparatively in our Internally Generated Revenue, we have achieved what seemed to be impossible despite all challenges. With sheer determination and focus, we set a record and created a story; a story, which, for years to come, would be retold by the coming generations; a story, which will portray us as a courageous, fore-sighted and purposeful-driven leadership. Such is the legacy we hope to leave behind, and similarly, such should be the focus and aspiration of these distinguished professionals even as you gather here today".
Governor Aiyedatiwa reaffirmed his administration's unwavering commitment to supporting initiatives that promote effective tax governance. "Together, we will strive towards achieving our revenue targets while fostering economic growth and prosperity for all residents of the South-West region".
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman, Ondo State Internal Revenue Service, Dr. Tolu Adegbie, stated that the gathering is dedicated to enhancing capabilities in tax administration across the Southwest region. "We are gathered here with a shared commitment to strengthening our tax audit, investigation, compliance, and enforcement practices, ensuring that our revenue systems are robust, efficient, and equitable".
He added that the training program is designed to foster knowledge exchange, promote best practices, and equip tax administrators with the skills needed to navigate the complexities of modern tax compliance. "It is through such initiatives that we can build a resilient tax administration framework that supports economic growth and social progress across the South-West States".
Adegbie appreciated Governor Aiyedatiwa for his unwavering support and vision in advancing the state's fiscal agenda. "Your presence here underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in driving sustainable development through effective tax governance.
"I acknowledge our colleagues from Joint Tax Board (JTB) and resource persons whose expertise and insights will undoubtedly enrich our discussions over the coming days. Your contributions are invaluable as we strive to innovate and improve our approaches to tax administration".
He encouraged all the participants on active engagement and dialogue throughout the sessions, urging them to seize the opportunity to learn from each other's experiences, share strategies and forge partnerships that will strengthen their collective capacity in tax compliance and enforcement.
"I am confident that this training will not only deepen our understanding but also inspire actionable steps towards achieving our shared objectives. Together, we can achieve excellence in tax administration and contribute to the sustainable development of our beloved South-West region and Nigeria at large".
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Joint Tax Board (JTB), Olusegun Adesokan, reiterated the JTB's mandate to enforce tax compliance in Nigeria. He praised the team's efforts in positively shaping the tax landscape across the country.
Adesokan explained that the training aims to enhance participants' tax knowledge and equip them with skills for effective revenue generation. He encouraged the trainees to collaborate during the sessions to maximize their learning experience.
In his goodwill message, the Head of Service, Mr Bayo Philip wished the participants success, in the training, charging them to take the training seriously and interact more with eachother.
The representative of Ondo State, Mr Tijani Musbau, said that the training will increase their technical know-how, improve their revenue generation for the State and also, have a positive impact on their works.
Also speaking, representative from Oyo State, Esther Ajibola, appreciated the Baord for training, describing it as timely. She added that the training will add value to what is expected of them and broaden their knowledge while performing their duties
Representative from Lagos State, Mrs Vera Ohai, said that the training is a good awareness for all tax authorities and they would go back home with various knowledge on tax investigation and enforcement.
Felix Fashina, representative of participants from Ogun State, noted that the training is very beneficial to them, their ideas will be transformed, they will be more lifted and they will be strategic in carrying out their duties.
Mr Ibukun Ajayi from Ekiti State said that through the training, they have learned new skills and would share all they gained in the training with other colleagues in their different states.
In attendance were; The Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa, special advisers, among others.
