Alaafin Canvasses Support for Aregbesola on Tax

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

A frontline traditional ruler in Yorubaland,  Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi has identified tax as panacea to the current economic mess facing Osun state, charging the people of the  state to support the state government through regular and prompt tax payment.

Oba Adeyemi gave the charge while conferring the title of Omoluabi of Yorubaland on Governor Rauf Aregbesola in Osogbo, the State Capital. on Tuesday.

The foremost Yoruba traditional ruler who described taxation as the only sustainable panacea to quench the fire being ignited by the current economic crisis called on the people of the state to give Aregbesola’s administration good support by regular payment of their taxes.

Oba Adeyemi noted that in as much as the country has been badly governed by those who portrayed themselves as patriotic leaders and nationalists, the only alternative to rescue the country out of her plethora of economic challenges is for the citizens to brace up taxation for good governance.

The Paramount ruler however described the state of the nation’s economy as the most worrisome before the emergence of the current administration at the centre, saying unless people see the need in helping government at various levels, the country would remain stagnant and economically redundant as the national fortunes earned in the production of crude oil has drastically faded off.

Motivating and encouraging people into regular and prompt Tax Payment, Oba Adeyemi said taxation is the only way to good governance and that, there is no shortcut to its diligence.

According to him,  “There is no easy road to greatness and whoever wants greatness must be prepared to finance greatness. Our people want greatness, good governance and good things of life but they shied away and failed to rise to their responsibilities to government through taxation.”

“I want to appeal to our people to make sure that they pay their taxes regularly as the only way to assist, support and request for good things from government.” He added.

“There is no escape or shortcut to tax payment either one is government official or not, everybody is being controlled by government, therefore, there is the need for all and sundry to see taxation as the only surviving and sustainable means to a continued good governance.

Lamenting defiant and lackadaisical attitude of some people towards the payment of tax, Oba Adeyemi  said the country has gotten to a stage where her real survival lies on revenues coming from her citizens through tax payment.

He described the dwindling allocation revenues to Osun as a meagre that could neither cater for government institutions nor citizens, adding that the only antidote to the financial cash crunch in the state is for the people to assist Governor Aregbesola in his bid to take the state to an greater heights being desired by all.

The royal father stressed that government operates and finances their budgets through taxes, saying nothing good should be expected from any government once the people have already failed to embrace taxation.

“It is unfortunate and regrettable that all over the world, Nigeria is the only country where people don’t want to pay tax. Nigerians are so slacked, weak and indifferent towards tax payment and whatever that we make us great.”

“In Britain, India, United States of America and other countries of the world, Government operates and finances their budgets through taxes, so I want to enjoin our people that whatever tax government has directed them to pay, they should comply because it is inescapable price that must be obeyed.” The frontline monarch added.

“I want to enjoin our people that whatever tax government has directed them to pay, they should comply because it is inescapable price that must be obeyed”, Oba Adeyemi stated.

Oba Adeyemi therefore commended Governor Aregbesola for being resilient and dedicated to his responsibilities to the good people of the state in spite the adverse effects of the current dwindling revenues.

He described Governor Aregbesola as a man of enigmatic qualities whose concept of “Omoluabi” has significantly used to transform the face of governance in the state.

Oba Adeyemi elucidated that the tremendous initiation of Aregbesola’s Omoluabi concept has cleverly portrayed the state as the most disciplined, reliable, dependable and peaceful state in Nigeria, saying the word “Omoluabi” that symbolizes virtues has never been highly celebrated in the political terrain in Nigeria hitherto Aregbesola’s administration.

He lauded the giant strides of the current administration in all aspects of the economy most importantly on education, health and security, saying Aregbesola has made a footprint on the sand of time in all human endeavours.

“Aregbesola must be commended because in spite the current global economic recession that had resorted to dwindling allocation to the states of the federation especially Osun State whose revenues from the Federation Accounts at the best of time was very low could still remain economically undaunted and resilient coupled with immense achievements.

” In view of the current economic hardship, Governor Aregbesola has been tremendously managing the affairs of the state without any form of rancour from other organs of government, be it legislature, judiciary as well as other government parastatals, ministries, departments and agencies so far.

“I must definitely rejoice with him and appreciate him for the great things he has been doing for his people in the state as he has used his tenacity and phenomenal theory of Yorubas’ concept known as “Omoluabi” to turn around the socio-economic, political and cultural lives of the people of the state in the most respectful right direction”, Oba Adeyemi affirmed.

Conferring Aregbesola with the inestimable virtuous title of “Omoluabi”, Oba Adeyemi said Governor Aregbesola had in several occasion distinguished himself as a true, reliable, honest and transparent leader whose passion for good governance can never be estimated.

The paramount ruler said the conferment of Aregbesola with the great title was necessary having studied his good character and humble traits in all aspects of his life especially in the area of governance, saying his Omoluabi attributes had successfully translated into several unprecedented and unparalleled gigantic achievements recorded so far in the state.

He said he deemed it fit to compensate Aregbesola in accordance with what Omoluabi stands for, as his performances could not be underrated.

“Without any sense of doubt, the concept of Omoluabi has been epitomized by Governor Aregbesola because he is a man of distinctive behaviour and this is often reflects in whatever he does.

It was Aregbesola that brought the real concept of Omoluabi into the annals of our political history in Nigeria, and this has been his guiding principles all the times as he has been able to maintain it in all his utterances, behaviours and attitude towards his good governance.

“I am conferring this title of Omoluabi of Yorubaland which I considered very sine qua non on Governor Aregbesola to show to the entire world that in spite the fact that the word “Omoluabi” has been part of Yoruba attributes, but Aregbesola was the first person and first Governor to put the concept into practice in all aspects of his life.

“I want anybody to challenge me whether Omoluabi concept has not been well enunciated in the State of Osun through the political sagacity of Governor Aregbesola orchestrated in all his policies and programmes.

“Apparently, Aregbesola is a lover of peace and people’s friendly Governor whose passion for development and physical transformation of people’s lives can never be in doubt.

In his words of appreciation, Governor Aregbesola expressed profound gratitude to Oba Adeyemi for counting him worthy of such huge chieftaincy.

Governor Aregbesola who described the chieftaincy title as a driven motivator said he has been challenged with the new title to continuously proclaim the virtues of Omoluabi across the globe.

Aregbesola pledged that his government would not abdicate its responsibilities as he is working round the clock to bring more succor and smile to the faces of the citizenry.

“I will take this title as a challenge to do more for my people and continuously spreading the gospel of “Omoluabi” not only in Osun or Nigeria but across the universe because no government or individual who upholds this virtue fails in any part of his action or inaction.

“Our administration has been successfully built on the foundation of these virtues of Omoluabi, and we shall continue on this noble track to continuously make life more meaningful, abundant, peaceful and prosperous for our people”, Aregbesola said.