Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun affirmed that his administration remains committed to ensuring probity and judicious use of public funds and resources by avoiding reckless spending.
Speaking at the opening of the 4th annual internal auditors retreat organized by the audit monitoring department of the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) at the Conference Hotel, Abeokuta, Prince Abiodun stated that his administration has successfully sealed all financial leakages in the state’s financial system.
According to the governor, accountability, transparency, and probity are crucial elements that enhance good governance and foster sustainable development.
Represented by his deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Governor Abiodun highlighted the relevance of the retreat’s theme, “Enhancing Efficiency and Effectiveness in the Administration of Public Resources: The Role of Internal Auditors,” assuring internal auditors of his administration’s ongoing support to enable them to perform their duties efficiently as partners in prudent financial management.
He encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained from the retreat as representatives of various MDAs at federal, state, and local levels. Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Ministry of Finance, Mr. Okokon Udoh, said the retreat’s theme underscored the treasury’s understanding of the nation’s urgent needs, urging stakeholders to devise more effective administrative mechanisms to reduce waste and corruption through effective reforms.
Chairman of the Economic Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Mr. Olaonipekun Olukoyede, represented by the Director of Internal Audit of the agency, Mrs. Idowu Apejoye, remarked that the retreat would help curb corruption, achieve stability in public finance, audit all financial records, prevent fraud, and ensure government revenues are spent judiciously.
In her welcome address, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein, praised Governor Abiodun for the hospitality since their arrival in the state, noting the strategic importance of Ogun for the workshop due to its commerce, industry, culture, knowledge, and security.
She stated that the workshop’s theme aligned with the policy thrust of the current administration led by President Bola Ahmed, aiming to curb mismanagement and promote accountability in public offices. Madein added that the retreat was also intended to promote transparency in public finance, identify challenges in accountability, manage public funds, and reduce the cost of governance effectively.
Additionally, the Accountant-General and Permanent Secretary, State Treasury Office, Ogun State, Mr. Tunde Aregbesola, thanked the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation for providing internal auditors the opportunity to learn how to optimize the use of public funds. He noted that issues of accountability, transparency, and corruption have hindered national progress, expressing optimism that the retreat would enhance efficiency and leverage transparency and accountability in managing public resources.
