The Executive Chairman of the Ogun State Internal Revenue Service, Olugbenga Olaleye, has charged the staff of the agency to remain focused on their duties and uphold integrity in order to improve revenue generation, curb leakages, and eliminate sharp practices.
According to a statement signed by the Information and Public Relations Officer of OGIRS, Bola Sobola, on Wednesday, Olaleye gave the charge during the New Year prayer session at the agency’s premises in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, emphasising that integrity remains the key to building and sustaining the trust of taxpayers and the general public.
Mr Olaleye urged staff to enlighten members of the public on how the new tax reforms would bring prosperity to all categories of citizens, young and old, especially low-income earners. He encouraged workers to have the fear of God and embrace righteousness, noting that these virtues would continue to be the pathway to success.
He also charged tax officials to clearly communicate the intent and objectives of the ongoing tax reforms, stressing that this would ensure more disposable income for low-income earners, increased production, economic growth and a reduction in inflation. He added that high net-worth individuals would be more compliant in paying appropriate taxes under the new tax regime.
“Do your work diligently. The new tax laws are similar to the millennium era, when many were uncertain about what would happen. As tax regulatory authorities, you have a lot of responsibility,” he stated.
In his sermon, a cleric from Rhema Chapel International Churches, Yaba, Lagos, Pastor Caleb Ayinla, took his exhortation from Jeremiah 29:11-14. He highlighted the importance of prayer in the lives of individuals, citing Biblical examples such as Job and Elijah, and noted that prayer has the power to turn unpleasant situations around. The cleric encouraged workers to cultivate a lifestyle of prayer, describing it as the power that moves the hand of the Maker.
Also speaking, the Chief Imam of the Government Secretariat, Oke-Mosan, Imam AbdulFatai Buhari, advised workers to desist from hypocritical acts in the discharge of their duties. He urged them to be more committed and proactive and to renew their intentions as the new year begins.
While giving the vote of thanks, the Director of Administration and Supplies of OGIRS, Mr Olusegun Akinfaiye, expressed gratitude to God for the gift of life. He commended the chairman for his commitment to staff welfare and encouraged workers to put in more effort to make the 2026 revenue target achievable.
