Gov. Abiodun
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring judicious utilisation of public funds and resources by avoiding recklessness and blocking all leakages in the state’s financial architecture.
The governor made this known while declaring open the 4th annual Internal Auditors Retreat, organised by the Audit Monitoring Department of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, at Conference Hotel, Abeokuta.
Governor Abiodun identified accountability, transparency and probity as pivotal to good governance, as well as promoting sustainable development.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring judicious utilisation of public funds and other resources by avoiding recklessness and blocking all leakages in the state’s financial architecture.
The Governor represented by his Deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, noted that the theme of the retreat, “Enhancing Efficiency and Effectiveness in Administration of Public Resources: The Role of Internal Auditor”, was apt, assuring Internal Auditors of government’s continued support, to enable them discharge their duties, as partners in prudent financial management practices.
He charged participants to utilise knowledge garnered in their various states, as representatives of various Ministries, Department and Agencies of Government at the federal, state and local government levels.
Speaking, Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, represented by the Permanent Secretary Special Duties, Ministry of Finance, Mr. Okokon Udoh, who appreciated the state government for its support, pointed out that the theme of the retreat demonstrated the treasury’s full knowledge of the dire needs of the nation.
He called on relevant stakeholders to devise better, more effective and robust administrative mechanisms that would reduce or eliminate waste and corrupt tendencies by using effective reforms.
In his remarks, Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, represented by the Director, Internal Audit of the agency, Mrs. Idowu Apejoye, described the theme of the retreat as appropriate at this period, as it would help curb corruption and achieve stability in public finance, enable auditing of all financial records, help to provide a detailed office record to prevent fraud and ensure that government revenue was judiciously utilised.
On her part, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Madein, said the theme of the workshop was germane to the policy thrust of the present administration led by President Bola Tinubu, aimed at curbing mismanagement and promote accountability in public offices, adding that the retreat aimed at promoting transparency in all public finance architecture by identifying challenges in accountability, managing the affairs of public funds and cutting down the cost of governance in the most acceptable way.
She commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for the hospitality since their arrival to the state, saying the choice of Ogun for the workshop was based on strategic importance of the state, its commerce, industry, culture, tradition, knowledge and security, among others.
Contributing, Ogun State Accountant-General and Permanent Secretary, State Treasury Office, Mr. Tunde Aregbesola, appreciated the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation for allowing Internal Auditors to gather and learn how to utilise public funds for optimum results,
He observed that issues of accountability, transparency, corruption had hindered the nation from moving forward, expressing optimism that the retreat would enhance efficiency and harness the power of transparency, accountability and management of public resources.
