Ondo information commissioner, Ajanaku, backs ODIRS media drive for improved revenue generation
By Julius Alabi, Akure
The Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku has expressed strong support for the strategic media partnership initiative of the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS) aimed at enhancing public awareness and improving the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
This was made known when the team of Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS), led by its Chairman, Mr. Bayo Rojugbonkan paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner at the ministry in Alagbaka, Akure
The visit was aimed at strengthening media collaboration to drive the agency’s revenue mobilisation efforts in line with the present administration’s OUR EASE mantra.
Ajanaku commended the agency’s commitment to innovation and transparency in tax administration. He emphasized the critical role of media in bridging the information gap between government agencies and the citizenry, stressing that effective communication is vital to building trust and encouraging voluntary tax compliance.
The commissioner, however, expressed his readiness to support the agency’s vision, noting that the media plays a central role in any successful revenue drive.
Drawing from his experience in Lagos State, the commissioner highlighted how the effective use of media contributed significantly to the state’s impressive internally generated revenue.
He charged them to intensify more efforts to raise the bar of internally generated revenue for the state, emphasizing how Lagos State was able to raise its IGR from ₦600 million in 1999 to ₦50 billion monthly, that the template used can be adopted by ODIRS.
He further referenced President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s remark made two years ago, where he stated that after Lagos, Ondo State holds the greatest potential for revenue generation in the South-West.
According to the Commissioner, “Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration is focused on inclusive governance and sustainable development, which can only be achieved through improved revenue generation. Supporting ODIRS in its public enlightenment campaigns is not just timely but necessary.”
Ajanaku assured the ODIRS team of the Ministry’s readiness to collaborate on all fronts, including deploying state-owned media channels and community-based outreach, to promote tax education and drive home the importance of civic responsibility among residents.
Earlier, while speaking, Rojugbonkan emphasized the agency’s commitment to re-strategising its operations and acknowledged the critical role of the media in public enlightenment and compliance.
He said the ODIRS is counting on the unalloyed support of the Ministry of Information to effectively disseminate its policies and programmes to the people of the state.
