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Makinde’ll move Oyo from poverty to prosperity through improved IGR – Internal Revenue boss
The Executive Chairman, Oyo State Internal Revenue Service (OYSIRS), Aremo John Adeleke, has said that the State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde is determined to take Oyo State from poverty to prosperity by boosting the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
Aremo Adeleke, who stated this while speaking to newsmen in Ibadan ahead of the State’s one-day Tax stakeholders’ summit holding in Ibadan, added that the administration has been vigorously pursuing improved IGR since its inception.
According to him, improved IGR would make the vision to move Oyo State from poverty to prosperity a reality.
He added that the State under the leadership of Governor Makinde has set the objective to be self-sufficient financially and to have enough resources to cover all its recurrent expenditures such as salaries and wages.
Adeleke stated that when this objective is achieved, it would become easier for the State to attain the prosperous height it so desired.
He further stated that it was for this purpose that the OYIRS and the Ministry of Finance are jointly floating a programme tagged: “Tax Stakeholders’ POVERTY TO PROSPERITY Summit.”
Aremo Adeleke also counselled that for the benefits derivable from improved IGR to be sustained, the citizenry would have to play their parts by ensuring regular payment of their taxes, levies and rates, as “there is no government that can do much without adequate internal resources.”
He stated: “ It is to further reassure ourselves that the OYIRS and the Ministry of Finance is floating a one-day conference on January 28.
“The Summit essentially is for sensitization of all stakeholders and for the Governor to be able to enumerate all his efforts at restructuring the Internally Generated Revenue architecture.
“The Governor will also solicit the co-operation of the taxpaying public from manufacturers to business men as well as other operators in the Informal Sector – artisans, drivers, market women and men, motorcyclists, trade unions and trade associations etc. He will stress the need for all to contribute their quotas and discharge their civic duties.
“His Excellency intends to establish the nexus between improved and adequate IGR and the ability of his administration to provide sustained good governance. At the earliest possible time, the State objective is to ensure it has enough IGR to cover all its recurrent expenditures such as salaries and wages, cost of running the government and maintaining infrastructure.”
Some of the dignitaries expected at the summit include Prof Abiola Sanni, a Professor of Taxation and Fiscal Matters, Mr Samuel Kolawole, MD of University Press and current Chairman of Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo and Ekiti state; prominent business man, Chief Olatunji Fadairo, CEO of Tafotech Group, and The Asiwaju of Eruwa Land, and Mr Lawal Abubakar, Executive Secretary, Joint Tax Board,
“We expect Messages of Good will from His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunnuso I, the Olubadan of Ibadan Land,” the statement read.
The OYIRS boss added: “We expect all tax payers and the general public to turn up en masse for this important dialogue, as it will represent a turning point in government-public engagement.
“This Summit is part of Governor Seyi Makinde’s strategy of pushing the frontier of good governance. Taking our people from poverty to prosperity through responsible citizenship is not just a slogan of this government it is an ideal for which we are totally committed to and for which our people must totally imbibe.”
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
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