By Henry Uche
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has charged the newly inducted President/Chairman of Council of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Mr. Innocent Chinyere Ohagwa, to deploy his decades of experience and expertise in tax administration and management to strengthen the state’s tax system and that of Nigeria at large.
The governor who was represented by his Special Advisor on Tax and Revenue Matters, Mr. Abdul-Kabir Opeyemi Ogungbo, who gave this charge at the investiture of Mr. Ohagwa, in Lagos, said the state would lend its support to CITN, but urged the new president to follow the foundation laid by his predecessor, Mr. Samuel Agbeluyi.
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1718806029429-0’); });
“We believe in your capacity to lead CITN in the next two years to a greater height. We are committed to partner with the Institute on tax matters for effective tax system to foster accountability and transparency for the good of everyone,” he assured.
In his acceptance speech, Mr. Ohagwa who appreciated members of the Institute and other friends, implored them to work with him to elevate tax profession from the Institute, state and up to the federal government level.
He pledged to defend the integrity of CITN and vowed to deliver on the mandate, vision and mission of the Institute. “I appreciate everyone. I urge everyone to lend a supportive hand to this administration to ensure we achieve more for our Institute and Nigeria at large. Our expertise is needed now than ever in the history of Nigeria’s tax system, administration and management,” he said.
In a keynote address, Prof Muhammad Akaro Mainoma, who spoke on the theme: “The Tax Professional Tomorrow: Skills, Ethics and Innovation”, charged the 17th president of the Institute to integrate tax functions and processes into day-to-day businesses and systems, and embrace new technologies as enablers.
Mainoma equally charged him to, as a value creator, to offer novel services that reflect changes in business models, regulatory priorities, and expectations of stakeholders.
“You must pursue operational efficiency through automation, not only to save cost but also to reduce the risks of penalties but to enhance scalability in global operations. You must also collaborate with government, taxpayers and lager stakeholders, to enhance voluntary compliance, trust and more practical, inclusive and adaptive tax policies.”
He admonished Ohagwa to embrace ecosystem mode of thinking, looking beyond departments and engaging critical partners poised to make foster innovation and make progress.
Eulogizing his successor, Mr. Agbeluyi who approved the credentials and capabilities of Mr. Ohagwa to lead the Institute to greater height, said, “He is a good man, a team player, and a selfless servant-leader. I pray for God’s guidance. I’m certain CITN is in safe hands,” he assured.
The post Governor Sanwo-Olu charge CITN on tax administration, management appeared first on The Sun Nigeria.
