- By Demola Atobaba, Ado-Ekiti
Legal luminary and founder of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Bamofin Afe Babalola, has commended the giant strides of the governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji for his developmental agenda in the state within the last one year in office.
Babalola who gave the commendations while playing host to the EKIRS team in his office in Ado-Ekiti on Friday, was flanked by the Vice Chancellor of ABUAD; Professor Smaranda Olarinde, and the Bursar of the Institution; Pastor Modupe Babalola thanked the Chairman of Internal Revenue Services in Ekiti state, Mr Olaniran Olatona and his versatile team for the visit and the kind words bestowed on him.
According to him, public money is in our pockets as individuals, and unless we bring it into the public treasury, the government would have nothing to work with. He appealed to residents of the state to cooperate with the EKIRS team in order to bring more developmental projects to the state.
The Aare Bamofin while describing the personality of governor Oyebanji stated that, “I thank my governor for bringing brilliant minds like you (Olaniran) to champion the IGR of Ekiti State, which is very active in its creation has remained very dear to me. We all can see that he is performing and even though retired from legal practice, it is my joy at 94 to support him as the development of the state is a collective responsibility of all and we must all play our parts diligently.”
He pledged his further readiness to continue assisting the state while calling on other well-meaning Ekiti indigenes home and diaspora to also put Ekiti in their plans, adding that east or west, home is the best!
Earlier in his remarks, the EKIRS Executive Chairman, Mr. Olaniran Olatona, appreciated Aare Afe Babalola for his unalloyed commitment towards the growth and the development of Ekiti.
He presented him his Tax Clearance Certificate and honour him as the highest and oldest taxpayer who though old and retired refused to be tired and voluntarily continues to pay his “personal income tax”.
Olaniran described the nonagenarian as someone who always been the highest single taxpayer from the old Ondo State and since the creation of Ekiti State. He deeply appreciated and thanked Aare Babalola for bringing ABUAD, a world-class citadel of learning to our beloved state, and also the Afe Babalola University Multi-System Hospital.
Speaking further, the tax-master eulogized the legal luminary and educationist for being a very compliant and willing taxpayer, a tax ambassador, and a change agent. He therefore praised the statesman for his continued commitment, support, and dedication to the growth of the internally generated revenue and the overall development of the state.
The EKIRS boss prayed that the Almighty God would continue to grant Aare Babalola a longevity and strengthen him for more sound health. He said the people of Ekiti love him for his passion and love for Ekiti state and indeed his sacrifice to humanity in general.
“The people of Ekiti should please take a cue from Baba Afe Babalola and ensure this state take it’s rightful position among the commity of the nation in order to compliment the efforts of our beloved and God-fearing governor Biodun Oyebanji”, Olaniran concluded.
