By Moshood Adebayo
Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has said his administration raked in N287 billion as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), as at Friday, December 16, 2016.
This, he said is against N268.2 billion generated in 2015 and described it as “a feat” during the economic recession in the country.
Ambode made the disclosure during a special evening of music and camaraderie held at the Lagos House, Ikeja, to usher in the Yuletide season.
Some musicians who performed at the event were Evangelist Ebenezer Obey, Sir Victor Uwaifo, Sir Shina Peters, Lagbaja, Queen Salawa Abeni and Adewale Ayuba.
The governor, who said Lagosians deserve to be appreciated for cooperating with government in that regard, added that the taxes paid by the people have been judiciously utilised to upgrade infrastructure and provide various services
He said the administration was appreciative of the contributions of the people to the growth of the state in the year under review, adding that the event was principally to appreciate them.
“You wonder what it is that we are doing? We said it is an evening with the governor, but, the truth is, I just set this up to appreciate all of you and to say a big thank you.
“Yes, people have been saying ‘Lagos is working,’ but Lagos is only working because of the people who are seated here.
“The taxpayers are the ones giving us the little energy that we have and even though when they say Nigeria is in recession, but, somehow Lagos has been able to do it and it is because people are paying their taxes.
“The truth is that the people have been carrying out their civic obligations and somehow, we have been returning those obligations with the services that we have provided and you found out that this year; we have actually made more IGR than last year under a recession.
“So, somehow, we need to appreciate all the people that have made this to happen and then, I look at the way I could use arts, entertainment, tourism and hospitality not only to promote the excellence that Lagos has always been known for but to provide another sector of revenue for the state and I felt one of the ways to go about that was to invite our old celebrities that we seem to have forgotten and spend an evening with them,” Ambode said.
The event was attended by top political leaders, captains of industry, media executives, professionals in various fields and members of the diplomatic corps.
They include National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule; Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
Others included former governors of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande and Senator Isiaka Adeleke; former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke; Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan and Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon.
In another development, the governor yesterday announced a donation of N5 million towards the welfare of widows of members of the Nigeria Armed Forces who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
He also urged Nigerians and corporate organisations to donate generously towards their welfare.
Ambode, who announced the donation at the launch of the 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem Appeal, held at the Lagos House, Ikeja, said members of the Armed Forces over the years have continued to demonstrate courage and gallantry.
Urging Nigerians to remember their fellow fallen heroes, Ambode said: “Nothing is too much to give in remembrance of our dead heroes and for the welfare of their families especially during this yuletide season.”