FIRS Chairman canvases stronger ties with Armed Forces for national prosperity

By Matthew Denis, Abuja

The Executive chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, has emphasised the crucial role of the Armed Forces in ensuring national prosperity and development.

Mr. Adedeji stressed the need for a stronger “symbiotic relationship” between the FIRS and the military during a meeting with Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, on Tuesday, January 30.

In a statement released by his special adviser on media, Dare Adekanmbi, Adedeji highlighted the dependence of national wealth creation on a secure environment.

“Prosperity and development will be difficult to achieve in an insecure environment,” he stated.

Drawing an analogy, the FIRS Chief compared the Armed Forces to guardians of the national ‘vineyard’ where seeds of economic growth are sown.

“They make it possible for us to go into the vineyards to pluck the fruits,” he said, referring to the taxes generated from flourishing businesses.

“They make it possible for us to go into the vineyards to pluck the fruits,” he said, referring to the taxes generated from flourishing businesses.

He emphasised the significance of this partnership: “Without you, we will not have the right fruits. If there is no security, there is no way prosperity can happen. We are interested in prosperity because that is what we want to tax.”

Adedeji further assured General Musa of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the well-being of the Armed Forces and the entire security apparatus.

“When companies don’t run as a result of insecurity, they will not make profits and when they don’t make profit, there will be nothing to tax,” he explained.

Recognising the crucial role of the FIRS in generating revenue for national development, General Musa pledged the military’s unwavering support.

He added, “The more FIRS succeeds the more Nigeria benefits from the institution. We are also here to show our commitment to ensuring that we give you all support whenever it is needed so you can do your job without any harassment or intimidation from any quarters.”

Both leaders acknowledged the growing public understanding of the importance of taxation in driving national development.

General Musa noted, “We are beginning to have awareness from members of the public who now realise that the taxes they pay are important for the development of the country.”

The meeting signifies a renewed commitment to fostering collaboration between the FIRS and the Armed Forces, highlighting their interdependent roles in securing Nigeria’s economic future.