January 07, (THEWILL) – President Bola Tinubu has felicitated the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji and business titan, Ambassador Gilbert Chagoury, as they mark their birthday on Monday, January 8.
The President, in congratulatory messages issued on Sunday, through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, extolled the “fine” defining qualities of Adedeji, a young first-class graduate of accounting who steadily rose through the ranks in public service by dint of hard work, loyalty, and competence.
While wishing the FIRS Chairman more strength and zeal in the discharge of his duties, President Tinubu noted his service as the Commissioner of Finance in Oyo State at the age of 33; the CEO of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC); Special Adviser to the President on Revenue, and now Chief Executive Officer of the nation’s apex tax authority.
“Zacch is an innovator who consistently turns his creative ideas into change-making actions. He is a disciple of the ‘think-and-do’ school of changemakers. He will reform Nigeria’s tax system for the benefit of Nigerians. Give him a task, and it will be done and done well,” the President added.
Similarly, President Tinubu, while celebrating Ambassador Chagoury, appreciated his consistency and reliability demonstrated throughout his storied career.
Noting his desire to see Nigeria rise to the highest of heights in all spheres of human endeavour, the President recalls how the Chagoury family kept faith with Africa’s largest economy by continually investing in various projects and philanthropic activities over the decades, irrespective of all the socio-political challenges that characterised the road to the nation’s return to civilian rule in 1999 and beyond.
“Gilbert is a shining light in any room. He is compassionate, discerning, and totally reliable in every respect. He has invested in our country in both good and bad times. He is generous with both his heart and his resources. With friends like him, one can sleep with a still mind. He is a valuable and cherished person who is worthy of celebration,” he said.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has expressed sadness over the passing of one of Nigeria’s finest football coaches, Sebastian Brodericks-Imasuen.
Brodericks-Imasuen, a footballer-turned-coach, led Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets to victory at the inaugural FIFA U-16 World Championship in China in 1985.
He died on Wednesday, January 3, at the age of 85 years.
President Tinubu described Brodericks-Imasuen as a true Nigerian hero; a football icon, who brought hope and inspired national pride through his industry, devotion, and diligence on and off the pitch,
He condoled with the Imasuen family, the football community, the government of Edo State, and all those who mourn this “agonising loss”.
The President prayed for the repose of the soul of Brodericks-Imasuen.
