The cleric said this during a New Year prayer session organised by the Ogun State Internal Revenue Service in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, on Thursday.
Fape, while sharing insights on the topic “Civic Obligations are Biblical and Scriptural,” called on citizens to pay their taxes, adding that the collection of taxes should be based on the right assessment as God had set out in the scriptures.
Citing the book of Romans Chapter 13 verses 1 to 2 and 6 to 7, he said, “There should be no arbitrariness either in the payment or collection of taxes, they must be based on right assessment. This is clear from the word of God. Whoever does not pay taxes, no matter the status, already sinned against God
“Even tax collectors in the bible were called sinners because they were collecting more than what they ought to, in today’s parlance, bribery and corruption. As you go about doing your God-ordained job to achieve the 2024 target, embrace righteousness; you will surely exceed your target because, with righteousness in place, there is no limit.”
Also speaking at the event, the Chief Imam of African Mission, Abeokuta, Alhaji Hamid Olanrewaju, shared knowledge from chapter 33 of the Holy Quran and advised staffers to uphold the trust that the government has in them.
The Executive Chairman of the Agency, Olugbenga Olaleye, in his speech also called for staff support, more commitment and focus to achieve the 2024 revenue target.
Olaleye while thanking the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for his support announced that a new Border Tax Office would be established at the Oyo State border areas. He said the purpose of the new office is to serve those working in the neighbouring towns.
