- By Demola Atobaba, Ado-Ekiti
The Executive Chairman, Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service (EKIRS), Mr Olaniran Olatona, has described the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba (Dr) Rufus Adeyemi Adejugbe as an exemplary traditional ruler who deserves to be emulated.
Olatona who also urged taxpayers in the state to emulate the revered monarch, by fulfilling their tax obligations regularly.
He made the call while presenting a Tax Clearance Certificate to the monarch at his palace in Ado-Ekiti.
He attributed part of EKIRS’ success to the cordial relationship between the tax authority and the traditional institution, noting that traditional rulers played a significant role in mobilising their subjects to comply with tax obligations.
The chairman commended the Ewi for his consistent commitment to paying his taxes as and when due, describing the monarch’s compliance as an example of exemplary leadership and a strong encouragement to other taxpayers.
According to him, the influence and leadership of traditional rulers remain critical to promoting voluntary tax compliance and strengthening trust between taxpayers and the tax authority.
Olatona also disclosed that EKIRS was planning free seminars for businesses across the state, focusing on business advancement and financial management.
He added that officials of the service were also willing to provide free tax education to businesses to help them better understand their obligations.
The chairman dismissed the perception that EKIRS was determined to overburden businesses with taxes, stressing that the survival and growth of businesses were important to the sustainability of the tax system.
“If we kill businesses this year, who are we going to tax next year?” he asked rhetorically.
Olatona particularly appreciated the Ewi for his intervention in dousing the tension that recently arose over the service of Notices of Assessment on some business entities in Ado-Ekiti.
He also conveyed the appreciation of Governor Biodun Oyebanji to the monarch for his constant support.
The EKIRS chairman described the presentation of the Tax Clearance Certificate to the Ewi as an honour, adding that personally delivering the certificate to the monarch had become his usual practice.
Responding, the Ewi appealed to EKIRS to intensify public sensitization and enlightenment to further improve tax compliance across the state.
The monarch urged Olatona not to be distracted by critics, but to remain open to genuine complaints from taxpayers and address them appropriately.
Oba Adejugbe thereafter prayed for the EKIRS chairman and the entire staff of the service.
