A former Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Board (FIRS), Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru, at the weekend urged Nigerian youths to be committed to career-fulfilment initiatives to guarantee them a good future and enable them to positively affect their environment.
The foremost tax administrator gave the charge to the youths on Saturday at her 60th birthday celebrations event in Abuja.
While noting that there is a future, she pointed out the youths had to build that future from what they do now with a sacrifice and a sense of purpose.
To achieve this goal, Omoigui-Okauru stressed that the youths must put something tangible into themselves so that they can have something to give such that we will be getting to a point where Nigeria will be looking for youths as leaders who have something to offer in terms of value to develop the country.
The former Chairman of the revenue agency, also advised youths to be focused in their pursuits and make sure that they attain milestones at every stage of their developmental initiatives.
She expatiated: “To move our country forward leadership is critical and shouldn’t be a one man’s leadership; it should be a team work. Nigeria has to be focused on eradicating poverty, revamping the health and education section. Our electoral system needs to be changed.
“Youths should have access to opportunities, they should be motivated to think Nigeria. People should take responsibilities and not trade blames, youths need to take charge.
Noting that a lot of what she did in the course of her life did not start at old age but in her teens years,
Omoigui-Okauru urged the youths to have a purpose in life, build their confidence and competence.
According to her, for the youths to fulfill their good dreams the issues of alcoholism and drug abuse should be avoided.
She stressed: “The youths should focus on the leadership of moving the country forward. Let’s ask questions such as what we need to do to build a transformative leadership.
“We need to ask what we need to do to change our political system, when we recognize it is not a one man’s show to change this country, it would be better for us. Let’s stop fighting ourselves, its killing this country, let’s begin to think Nigeria and look for ways to take Nigeria forward,” she added,
Earlier in a commemorative lecture titled ‘Thinking aloud – imagining a Nigeria that works for the Collective’, former Chairman of Access Bank Plc, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, advised Nigerians to be committed to repositioning Nigeria on the path of what it could be and what it should be.
The seasoned banker described the celebrant as an excellent achiever and a nation builder, urging others to emulate her steps.
Omoigui-Okauru is currently the Managing Partner of Compliance Professionals Plc, a firm that supports individuals and organisations to ensure compliance with statutory fiscal and monetary obligations in the country.
She is also the chairman of the Nigeria Tax Research Network, among others leading roles she is playing to transform the country.
