Nyerhovwo Oghenetejiri
The Executive Chairman, Delta state Board of Internal Revenue,(DBIR), Hon. Joel-Onowakpo Thomas has eulogized the queen of England as she turned 88, describing her as a steadfast, dedicated and tireless leader, whose reign has brought peace and political stability, not only to England but to the entire world.
Joel-Onowakpo stated this in a goodwill message presented to the British deputy high commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Peter Carter, in a party to mark the 88th birthday of the queen of England in Lagos, and charged other world’s leaders to emulate the virtues of the queen to ensure global political and economic development .
Joel-Onowakpo who was accompanied by top business partners, political associates , friends and well wishers, particularly thanked the queen for the partnership and cordial relationship between the board and United Kingdom in area of training and other technical assistance to make tax administration in Delta state efficient and effective.
According to the chairman “The contribution of the queen of England toward world peace, political and economic stability cannot be over emphasized. She is a steadfast, dedicated and tireless leader worthy of emulation, whose reign can never be swept under the carpet by history.”
“The United Kingdom has been of great assistance to us since my assumption of office as the executive chairman of the Delta state board of internal revenue, particularly in area of training. I can authoritatively say that over 60 percent of our oversea trainings were done in London, United Kingdom in the last few years. This was made possible because of the trust and confidence you have on us. I want to also thank the British deputy high commissioner in Nigeria for treating our training and visa request with the urgency it deserved. I sincerely hoped that this cordial relationship will continue and will be of great benefit to both nations.” Joel-Onowakpo added.
Meanwhile, the British deputy high commissioner to Nigeria, Peter Carter in his opening speech thanked all invitee for honoring the British embassy invitation, despite the short notice.
Peter Carter described the queen of England as an inspirational leader whose ideas and thoughts has brought solution to numerous global crises.
“Occasions like this are good times to review our bilateral relationship, to know how well we had fared in area of child trafficking, drug trafficking and corruption. He used the opportunity to thank individuals and cooperate bodies that contributed toward the success of the event.”
The high point of the occasion was the cutting of the queen’s birthday cake. While Chief Emeka Anyaoku, CON, former Commonwealth Secretary-General who represented the federal government and Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, speaker Lagos state house of Assembly who represented Lagos State Government joined Carter in cutting of the birthday cake.
There was also a toast to the queen of England, President Goodluck Jonathan and the good people of Nigeria.
