IGBOZURUOKE FORUM

The Kwara State Government and Igbo traders in Ilorin, the state capital, have resolved the controversial tax issue that led to protests by the traders last week.

The Igbo traders protested last week over alleged increases in taxation.

However, in a turn of events on Saturday, the Igbo Community General Assembly, the parent body of the Igbo traders’ association in Kwara State, applauded Mahe AbdulKadir and Saadu Salahudeen, Chief of Staff and Senior Adviser/Counselor to the Kwara State Governor, respectively, for their mature handling of the impasse between the Igbo traders and the Kwara Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS).

The union made the commendation in a statement signed by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s Special Assistant for Community Relations (Igbo), Igwebuike Angus, Esq.

The statement reads in part: “The Igbo Community General Assembly, the parent body of the Igbo traders’ association, extends warm gratitude to the duo of the Chief of Staff and Adviser/Counselor to H/E, Alhaji Aliyu Mahe Abdulkadir and Alhaji Saadudeen Salaudeen, for their proactive and mature handling of the seeming impasse between KW-IRS and Igbo traders.

“Assuredly, the dexterity and unassuming charisma you both displayed while interfacing with the parties did assert the right narrative. We’re eternally grateful and will continue to contribute our quota towards the development of our dear state.

“Our resolution to partner, support, and identify with the developmental strides of the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq, is unwavering. The concerted efforts of the government to move Kwara State from a civil service state to a hub of commerce and industries are our delight as chief drivers.”

Angus added that the Igbo in Kwara State are law-abiding and would not want to be dragged into any unnecessary feud with any government agency, especially not with a government with whom we’re enjoying such a robust healthy relationship with and her citizenry.

“For us, the payment of tax is a mandatory obligation that must be discharged, and we can’t say anything against it. The record speaks for itself that the Kwara State government once gave this community an award as the ‘Most Responsive Association’ in Kwara State with regards to tax remittances. On this, we can only say, ‘we’ve done it before, and we’ll do it again.’

“We want the general public to note that what happened on the 1st of March, 2024, where some self-serving actor(s) wanted to blow the issue out of proportion, is just one of those negotiations typical in any business environment. At no point in time did Igbos withdraw or withhold their services or businesses in town.

“It will interest the naysayers to note that as a community devoted to trade and commerce, the concerted efforts of Mallam AbdulRazaq AbdulRahaman to move Kwara State from a civil service state to a hub of trade, commerce, and industries are our utmost desire as major drivers of this industry.

“Finally, we wish to reassure our host community, our friends, and allies that the progress of Kwara is our progress, and we can’t help but contribute our respective quotas. The developmental strides of His Excellency are our pride, and as a progressive community, we shall not falter in our commitments.

“Our resolution to be part of Kwara’s development is fortified by the biblical injunction in Jeremiah 29:7, that in the peace and prosperity of the land where we find ourselves, we’ll have peace and prosperity,” the statement concluded.

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