Immediate past Executive Chairman
of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Tunde Fowler, has reacted to the
nomination of Muhammad M. Nami, as the new chairman of the agency.
President Muhammadu Buhari on
Monday nominated Nami as Fowler’s replacement alongside other board members.
Fowler, while reacting, thanked
President Buhari for the opportunity to serve Nigeria even as he handed over to
the Coordinating Director Domestic Taxes Group, Abiodun Aina, who promised to
steady the ship of the FIRS.
The FIRS boss noted that change
is constant but sometimes comes with resistance.
Speaking on not been nominated
for second term, Fowler urged the board members and staff not to be surprised,
adding ‘that second term is not automatic.”
Speaking at the handover ceremony
at the Boardroom of the FIRS, Fowler said: “Let me thank all of you who are
here for what we have been able to do for our country. From the driver to the
senior staff, everybody played a role. But with the change, sometimes there is
resistance.
“People will not understand the
vision, will not understand the reason for the change. But hope in leaving
FIRS, I’ve left behind something, something, positive, that each and every one
of you can build on.
“We have got a mandate. That
mandate is not just to collect revenue. It’s a mandate to collect the maximum
amount of revenue for all concerned for the benefit of all Nigerians.
“There is nothing automatic about
having a second term. Some of you might say it’s a big surprise. It a privilege
to serve one’s country. And if you have the privilege of serving your country
for one term and you believe you have done your best, you have to thank God for
that.
“For those of you we are leaving
behind, I do not want to get too scriptural. But I believe that anything that
you do, that helps your fellow human being, your neighbour is a blessing. And I
believe that this job that we have been given is a job that will continue to
help all Nigerians and all people residing in Nigeria.
“We have the opportunity to show the
world that Nigeria has a lot to offer. It was during this period that we had a
top Director, representing Nigeria and the world at the OECD. It was within
this period that Nigeria, for the first time chaired ATAF (African Tax
Administration Forum), for two years running. It was within this period that
Nigeria through your support was appointed as the 1st Vice-Chairman of the
United Nations Committee of Tax Experts. So we have a lot going for us.
“I like you to keep the flag
flying, but I hope that sometime when I visit, my picture will be somewhere on
the wall.
“One thing, for people who have
known me for a while, is that some of them refer to me as a shark. I like to
keep people on their toes. Some of you might have thought that I don’t
appreciate your contribution. But some of you might have been able to do things
better. And part of my role is to bring out that potentials in you. And I hope
I have been able to do that. I am content.
“I like to thank the President
for giving me this opportunity of service. It’s a privilege of service to your
country. But at the same time, I believe I leave behind a good crop of
directors that can move this organisation forward.
“I will say that for the incoming
Chairman, for the incoming Board of Directors, give them the support. The
vision, I believe, is the same vision that we have. But how to go about it may
differ. Open yourselves up to change.
“ At this point, it gives me the
extreme privilege, to hand over the running of this organisation until the
Senate approves the new Board, to someone who has been here, to someone who
understands the working of the FIRS, to someone who has been part of the
change. And I believe that you will give him the support, not even the support
you have given me. But more support. SO that when he hands over the
organisation to the new board, they will see that this organisation is one that
shares the same vision, and of course believes in his mandate. With these few
words, I like to say it’s a pleasure working with all of you.
“Some of you might have thought
that don’t like you. But I assure you it was work. But I believe in this room,
we have got a lot of talent regardless of what happens, keep the flag flying.
“On this note, Mr Aina, I have
the privilege of handing over FIRS to you. God bless FIRS. Long live the
Republic of Nigeria.”
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