The Deputy Governor of Lagos State and All Ptogressives Congress(APC) gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Kadir Obafemi Hamzat, has congratulated the Thursday Business Group (TBG) on its tenth anniversary, commending its imaginative and prescient and contributions to enterprise improvement whereas advocating stronger public-private partnerships to speed up Nigeria’s financial resurgence.
Hamzat, who was represented by the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Seun Osiyemi, spoke on the Group’s tenth Founders’ Day Dinner and Awards held in Lagos. The occasion attracted enterprise leaders, professionals, conventional rulers and public workplace holders to debate the theme, “Economic Resurgence in Nigeria: Enterprise, Tax Responsibility and Government’s Role.”
In his keynote deal with, Hamzat described enterprise because the engine of financial development, stressing that authorities should deal with creating an enabling atmosphere for companies to thrive by way of constant insurance policies, infrastructure improvement, clear taxation and improved entry to finance.
“Government has no business with running enterprises. At best, we should be partners with business, with government creating the enabling environment that allows businesses to create the prosperity we desire,” he said.
On taxation, he described tax fee as a civic accountability and a vital part of nation-building, whereas acknowledging considerations over a number of taxation. He emphasised that authorities should display accountability by translating tax revenues into tangible advantages, significantly in infrastructure, energy, safety and important social companies.
“Tax is not a penalty; it is the subscription fee for civilisation,” he declared.
Outlining his financial imaginative and prescient for Lagos, Hamzat highlighted plans to develop annual funding from N1 trillion to N5 trillion by 2031, help the event of over a million MSMEs, set up 4 industrial parks and strengthen entry to finance by way of the proposed N10 billion LASMECO facility. He additionally advocated harmonising authorities levies and increasing the tax internet somewhat than rising the burden on current taxpayers.
In his goodwill message, former Governor of Lagos State and former Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, recommended TBG for sustaining a platform for constructive enterprise conversations and collective prosperity over the previous decade.
“Among the many things young men could engage in on a Thursday, you have chosen to discuss progress and collective prosperity,” he remarked.
Fashola additionally underscored the connection between taxation and democratic accountability, noting that residents should be capable to debate who pays taxes and the way public income is utilised. He urged the Group to make its subsequent decade one in every of higher innovation and management.
Earlier, TBG Guv’nor, Honourable Femi Adeyeye, acknowledged the contributions of the group’s founders, trustees, previous Guvnors and members in constructing the organisation during the last ten years.
“Ten years ago, our founders had a vision to bring business-minded people together around a common purpose. Today, we are proud of how far that vision has brought us,” he stated, including that the subsequent decade can be outlined by higher collaboration, stronger companies and lasting influence.
A serious spotlight of the night was the presentation of awards to distinguished people for his or her contributions throughout the private and non-private sectors.
The occasion additionally featured an enterprise improvement intervention by the Kajola Foundation, which awarded N10 million to 14 beneficiaries of its Enterprise Bootcamp to strengthen their companies, enhance productiveness and help sustainable development.
The intervention strengthened the night’s central message that Nigeria’s financial resurgence requires not solely sound authorities insurance policies and company funding but in addition sensible help for entrepreneurs and small companies.
As TBG enters its second decade, the Group reaffirmed its dedication to fostering enterprise collaboration, accountable enterprise and initiatives that translate constructive dialogue into measurable financial and social influence.
