LASG SEEKS INCREASED PROFESSIONALISM AMONG AUDITORS
… Begins In-House Training Programme for 300 Auditors see
Lagos State Government, on Monday, began an in-house training programme for the first batch of 300 auditors in the employ of the State Government with the aim of increasing the level of professionalism and effective discharge of their duties.
Addressing the trainees in Alausa, Ikeja, on Monday, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Central Internal Audit (CIA), Mr. Abayomi Oluyomi, described auditors as important professionals in the implementation of government plans, programmes and policies across all the sectors of the economy.
He explained the rationale behind the training programmes and urged the trainees not to ignore constant learning and capacity development, stressing that through continuous acquisition of knowledge, auditors would continue to maintain their relevance among other professionals.
Oluyomi affirmed that Audit within the public service had been transformed over the years from a Unit to Department and now to an Office headed by a Permanent Secretary, noting that the development shows an upward advancement in the profession.
The Special Adviser informed participants at the training that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu remained committed to the profession and welfare needs of Auditors, saying “What is expected from Auditors by the government is for them to be accountable and professionally inclined in their duties”.
According to him, the Governor is positively disposed to granting auditors 100 per cent independence in carrying out their responsibilities, just as he expects an improvement in responsibilities and transparency in return.
Earlier, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Office of Internal Audit, Mrs. Olusola Oduguwa, emphasised that no amount of investment by government in Auditors is a waste because there will always be turnover in terms of productivity on resources expended on them.
She said that the training provided an avenue for the auditors to keep abreast of happenings within the public sector and to also make informed decisions, where necessary, in the interest of the State Government and the public.
Oduguwa harped on the indispensability of integrity among auditors, saying that “when we talk about integrity for Auditors, we are talking about being fair to all parties involved. Auditors are expected to discharge their duties without fear or favour”.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs. Kafayat Ajenifuja, in her goodwill message, said the training serves as an avenue for reawakening the consciousness of the auditors to their duties of being the watchdog of the society, who need to be kept abreast of happenings around their profession from time to time.
Also, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Debt Management Office, Mr. Olujimi Ige, urged the auditors to take the training seriously and ensure that they live above board, expressing hope that the training will encourage the auditors to be more committed and focused on their duties.
OM/TMS/OS
