…as Aare Babalola commends efforts of Executive Chairman of EKIRS, Mr Olatona
Renowned legal luminary and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, ABUAD, Aare Afe Babalola has been honoured by the Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service, EKIRS, as the Highest and Oldest Taxpayer in the old Ondo State and present day Ekiti State.
The honour was bestowed on him by the Executive Chairman of EKIRS, Mr. Niran Olatona when he visited Babalola to present him with his Tax Clearance Certificate.
According to Olatona, the elder statesman has voluntarily continued to pay his “personal income tax” despite being old and has retired from active service.
His words: “The nonagenarian has always been the highest single taxpayer from the old Ondo State and since the creation of Ekiti State.
“I 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.”
The EKIRS boss eulogized the legal luminary and educationist for being a very compliant and willing taxpayer, a tax ambassador, and a change agent.
He went further to praise the elder statesman for his continued commitment, support, and dedication to the growth of the internally generated revenue and the overall development of the state.
In his reaction, Aare Babalola, flanked by the VC of ABUAD, Prof Olarinde, and Pastor Babalola, the Bursar, thanked the EKIRS chairman and his 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.
“I thank my governor for bringing brilliant minds like Mr Olatona 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.”
The Executive Chairman, EKIRS, prayed that the Almighty God would continue to strengthen him and grant him sound health.
He added that the people of Ekiti love him for his passion and love for Ekiti state and indeed his sacrifice to humanity in general