Mr Ayodele Subair, Executive Chairman, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has been conferred with the 2022 Public Sector Icon of the year at the 11th edition of the Vanguard Personality of the Year Award held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Friday, January 27, 2023.

The glamorous ceremony chaired by Mrs Ajoritsedere Awosika, Chairman of Access Bank, is an annual event where eminent personalities who have distinguished themselves in professional excellence and service to humanity in the private and public sectors are honoured.

According to the organizer of the event, Vanguard Newspaper Limited, the LIRS boss, Subair, was conferred with the special award in recognition of his magic wand in the Lagos state tax revolution during the last seven years of being in office.

Receiving the award, alongside some of the LIRS directors, Subair expressed gratitude to the Vanguard Newspapers’ management for finding him worthy to be selected for the honour.

“I must thank the chairman and management of Vanguard Newspapers. They’ve been there as the vanguard leading the way in developments and new ideas for many years. To be on top is not very easy. They are one of the best newspaper organisations in Nigeria. I say kudos to them.”

Speaking further, Subair noted; “I feel very proud about our achievements at LIRS. It’s not just about me. It is about LIRS, the management, the directors, and staff, including most importantly, His Excellency, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his immense support and encouragement. Also, the Lagos State House of Assembly, the Judiciary and all stakeholders that have contributed to our success.”

Commenting on the impact of the award, the LIRS chairman said it had thrown the agency up for more good work.

He said the agency is happy to be contributing to the development of Lagos State and humanity. According to him, “Without mobilization of funds, there can’t be any meaningful development.”

Born on May 21, 1960, Subair holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from the Metropolitan University of Manchester, United Kingdom. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Lagos. A fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, member of both the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, CITN, and the Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria, BRIPAN.

Prior to his appointment in 2016, the internally generated revenue, IGR, by the LIRS, hovered around N240 billion, but with his astute knowledge and experience in accounting and taxation, Subair has increased revenue generation to N427 billion, nearly doubling the initial revenue at the start of his tenure.

Subair has introduced various innovative measures to shove up the tax revolution in Lagos State, which included the introduction of e-Tax, which has resulted in a faster turn-around time for tax processes, improved transparency, and increased taxpayer self-service.

At the prestigious Award night, aside from the LIRS boss, other eminent Nigerians were conferred with different categories of awards, including the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who won the Personality of the Year Award.

Governors Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom, Babagana Zulum of Borno, Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara and Seyi Makinde of Oyo emerged as Vanguard Newspaper 2022 governors of the year. Also honoured were, Chairman of NDLEA, General Buba Mara (rtd), Founder/CEO Techno Oil, Nkechi Obi, Ray Ekpu and Mohammed Bello Koko, CEO, Nigerian Port Authority among others.

Earlier, speaking at the award ceremony, General Manager/Ediro-in-Chief of Vanguard Newspaper, Mr Gbenga Adefaye, said that for a decade, Vanguard Newspaper has continued to recognize Nigeria’s most distinguished individuals for excellence, national pride and service to humanity.

Adefaye noted that these individuals in business, politics and other facets of human endeavours have not only achieved great success but have been responsible corporate citizens, impacting society and the environment. “They have been innovative and forward thinking and have taken bold steps to shape the future of their industries and served with integrity and dedication to improve the nation “There are numerous ways to make a positive influence, whether by volunteering our time, closing market gaps, spearheading innovation, being a model citizen or simply lending a helping hand to people in need’’ he said.

Hosted by actress and television presenter, Zainab Balogun and her male colleague, Deyemi Okanlawon, the ceremony had in attendance society’s Crème de la crème including captains of industry, members of the diplomatic corps, businessmen, and women businesswomen, media personalities as well as members of the culture and creative industry.