… as Ambode donates N5m to widows of fallen heroes
Lagos State earned a total of N287 billion as internally generated revenue (IGR) as of December 2016, as against N268 billion within the same period in 2015, the state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has disclosed.
The amount, which represents an increase of 7.08 percent, according to Ambode, shows that despite the recessionary economy, Lagos is still able to meet its obligations to the citizens.
It could be recalled that the state government at the beginning of the year introduced multiple platforms to facilitate convenient payment of taxes and levies by taxable adults, and also expanded the tax net to cover domestic workers including nannies, gatemen, gardeners, among others, hitherto left out of the tax system.
Ambode spoke at an event tagged “an Evening with the Governor,” he hosted at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Sunday, which had former state governors, former members of the National Assembly and some old breed celebrities and artistes in attendance.
According to Ambode, the financial strength that puts Lagos ahead of other 35 states of the federation derives from its robust tax system.
“The tax payers are the ones giving us the little energy that we have and even though they say Nigeria is in recession, but somehow, Lagos has been able to do it and it is because people are paying their taxes,” the governor said.
The taxes paid by the people have been judiciously utilised to upgrade infrastructure and provide various services, he said, saying Lagosians deserved to be appreciated for cooperating with government in that regard.
“We have been returning those obligations with the services that we have provided and you found out that this year. So, we need to appreciate all the people that have made this to happen and then look at the way I could use arts, entertainment, tourism and hospitality not only to promote the excellence that Lagos has always been known for but to provide another sector of revenue for Lagos State,” the governor said.
This line of thought informed my decision to invite the “old celebrities that we seem to have forgotten and spend an evening with them.
“We said it is an ‘Evening with the Governor’ but the truth is I just set this up to appreciate all of you and to say a big thank you. Yes, people have been saying that Lagos is working but Lagos is only working because of the people who are seated here,” he said.
Some of the legendary musicians that performed at the event included Ebenezer Obey, Victor Uwaifo, Shina Peters, Lagbaja, Queen Salawa Abeni and Adewale Ayuba.
Also on Monday, the governor donated N5 million towards the welfare of widows of members of the Nigeria Armed Forces who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty, urging Nigerians and corporate organisations to donate generously towards their welfare.
The governor, who announced the donation at the launch of the 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem Appeal event, at the Lagos House, Ikeja, said members of the Armed Forces had over the years demonstrated courage and gallantry that had resulted in the return of relative peace to the North Eastern part of the country.
The governor said the occasion was one that afforded Nigerians the opportunity to spare a thought for the nation’s deceased heroes and to contribute to the welfare and wellbeing of the families they left behind.
“Every year, we all come together, in different parts of the country, to show appreciation for the sacrifice of members of the Nigerian Armed Forces who put their lives on the line to protect the territorial integrity of the nation and keep our country together as one indivisible unit.
“We must do everything possible not to allow the widows and orphans of these gallant officers to regret the sacrifices made by their husbands and fathers,” he said.
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