By Bola Sobola

The Ogun State Internal Revenue Service (OGIRS) has organised a 2-day capacity building training programme focused on the new tax reforms in order to strengthen the competence and efficiency of its tax officials.

Executive Chairman, OGIRS, Mr. Olugbenga Olaleye, disclosed this during the training at Oba’s Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, with the theme: “Navigating the New Tax Reforms", said the initiative was aimed at equipping officers with the necessary knowledge and practical insights required to effectively implement the updated tax policies and enhance revenue administration in the State.

 Mr. Olaleye stated that the programme highlighted OGIRS commitment to professionalism, improved service delivery and alignment with ongoing fiscal reforms, encouraging participants to remain open to continuous learning and self-development.

 According to him, “Let us get things right and be open to learning, training and enlightenment; through this, we will sharpen ourselves. This programme is meant for us to unlearn and re-learn," he said.

One of the resource persons, the Executive Chairman of the Kano State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS), Dr. Zaid Abubakar emphasised that the objectives of the new tax reforms include; establishing a uniform tax system in Nigeria and harmonising tax administration across all tiers of government, also stating that the central aim of the new tax law was to reduce the burden on Nigerians, make life easier for citizens and ease the process of tax payment for taxpayers.

 He pointed out that adequate information and sensitisation would create greater awareness among citizens about the good intentions behind the reforms, noting that the new tax law would largely focus on accountability in order to generate more revenue for the Government.

 On her part, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), D&A Associates, Mrs. Stella Olaleye hinted that ‘leadership is determined by mindset rather than position’, advising leaders to pursue collective success by uplifting their subordinates, stressing that leaders should lead by example, value others, understand their teams closely and show empathy, highlighting the five levels of leadership as positional, permission, production, people development (Reproduction) and pinnacle.

  Also speaking, a facilitator from D&A Associates, Mrs. Oluwabunmi Olukoga delivered a lecture on emotional intelligence in the workplace, explaining that emotional intelligence involved understanding and managing one’s emotions, as well as empathising with others, reiterating that individuals must develop the ability to listen, reflect and respond positively to constructive criticism, adding that an effective listener must never ignore any part of a conversation, pointing out that the basic workplace etiquette are punctuality, appropriate dressing, courteous language as well as active listening.

  In their separate remarks, the Coordinating Director, Mr. Taiwo Ogundimu, and the Director, Field Operations, Mrs. Oluwaseun Olajube lauded the Chairman and the organisers for the timely intervention, saying the programme would allow tax officials to be well grounded in order to disseminate what they had learnt on the new tax reforms to the taxpayers, also appealing to tax administrators to apply the knowledge gained effectively in the discharge of their duties.