On Thursday, November 5, 2024, as early as 8 am, the staff of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) assembled at the agency’s headquarters at Sokode Crescent, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.
The gathering wasn’t for protest or strike but to appreciate their Chairman – Zacch Adedeji, for his numerous welfare packages for them since he assumed office over a year ago.
The jubilant workers carried placards with various appreciative inscriptions like ‘We love you Zacch’, ‘You’re a man of the people’, ‘We support you 100 percent, and many others. They sang appreciative songs, danced and engaged in a form of gyration. No sooner had they started than the Chairman arrived.
A statement by Sikiru Akinola, Technical Assistant (Print Media) to Adedeji, quoted the staff members to have said that Adedeji has proven himself as a staff welfare-minded administrator.
The statement noted that FIRS staff were happy for the welfare packages extended to them, most especially the increment in salary. The statement said:
“Being someone who is deliberate and intentional, Zacch Adedeji is always concerned and mindful of those around him and people whose paths have crossed with him. He is our boss and our friend. We all can attest to that. So for us, we decided to gather today to appreciate him.
The p staff members to have said that Adedeji has proven himself as a staff welfare-minded administrator.
This was something he had avoided. More than two occasions, we had attempted it. When the news of the increment was first spread in-house, it was well-received. During the one year anniversary, the leadership of the staff union openly revealed that this was the first time they would sleep with their eyes closed as members don’t have any complain to warrant a confrontation with the leadership of FIRS.”
Another staff said : “The Executive Chairman did not even brief many people before he increased the staff salary and other welfare packages.
He is someone who believes that those who help in making sure the audacious target of N19.4 trillion for the 2024 is met should also be properly treated to motivate them. Few months ago, in what many of us described as unprecedented, he had increased our salary. It was uncommon.
This was after many other packages had been introduced.
He listens to our yearnings and aspirations”, she said. In their various remarks at the gathering, most of them agreed that no Executive Chairman of the agency had been so celebrated like Adedeji in just a year and four months of his stewardship, confirming that his magnanity to staff has been awesome and unprecedented. Adedeji accepted the cheers and saluted the jubilant crowd., like a politician on a campaign tour, he waves his hands to show his gratitude.