Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday hailed tax payers in the state disclosing that his administration raked in N287 billion as Internally Generated Revenue as at last Friday.

This is against N268.2 billion generated in 2015, describing it as a huge feat in the light of the on-going economic recession in the country.

Ambode made the disclosure during a special evening of music and camaraderie held at the Lagos House, Ikeja, to usher in the Christmas season.

Some of the legendary musicians that performed at the event include Evangelist Ebenezer Obey, Sir Victor Uwaifo, Sir Shina Peters, Lagbaja, Queen Salawa Abeni and Adewale Ayuba.

The governor, who said that Lagosians deserved to be appreciated for cooperating with government in that regard, added that the taxes paid by the people have been judiciously utilized to upgrade infrastructures and provide various services.

He said the government was greatly appreciative of the contributions of the people to the growth of the state in the year under review, adding that the event was principally to appreciate them.

“I just set this up to appreciate all of you and to say a big thank you,” the governor sad. “Yes, people have been saying that Lagos is working but Lagos is only working because of the people who are seated here.

“The tax payers are the ones giving us the little energy that we have and even though when they say Nigeria is in recession, somehow Lagos has been able to do it and it is because people are paying their taxes.

The event was attended by top political leaders, captains of industries, media executives, professionals in various fields, members of the diplomatic corps, among others.

They include National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Governor of Osun Stste, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule; Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

Other attendees included former governors of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande and Senator Isiaka Adeleke; former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke; Majority Leader of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Senator representing Lagos West at the Senate and his predecessor, Solomon Adeola Olamilekan and Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon, among others.