In a bid to strengthen anti-corruption efforts and promote transparency in both public and private services, the Lagelu District of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYACA) have disclosed plans to deepen collaboration and partnership.
This partnership according to the two bodies aims to focus on strategic areas that will help tackle corruption at both the local and state levels using ICAN human and technological resources to engage in forensic investigation and financial audit.
The collaboration also seeks to harness the expertise and resources of both institutions to promote good governance, integrity, and accountability within the public and private sectors of Oyo State.
This disclosure was made by the Chairman, OYACA, Justice Eni Esan (rtd.) after the leadership of ICAN, Lagelu District, suggested strategic areas of partnership and collaboration that are capable of reducing corrupt practices in both private and public services as well as strengthen government’s integrity in terms of transparency and accountability.
In her address, during a courtesy visit to OYACA office on Thursday, November 28, the newly sworn in pioneer chairman of Lagelu District of ICAN, Chief Mrs. Omokemi Oladipo (FCA), who led the professional body on the visit, praised Justice Esan for what she described as a tremendous ongoing fight under her leadership against corruption and corrupt practices in the state.
Chief (Mrs.) Oladipo stated that the collaboration between the Lagelu District of ICAN and OYACA would clearly underpin a growing trend in Nigeria where professional bodies and anti-corruption agencies are aligning forces to fight corruption more effectively.
She highlighted areas of mutual collaboration the ICAN District was willing and ready to partner OYACA to include training and capacity building, public awareness campaign, joint investigation and audit, and establishment of whistleblowing channel.
“In line with all our proposal, we suggest the following areas of collaboration to further enhance the assignments of OYACA and by extension fuel the dream of the government of Oyo State to achieve some corrupt free workers in the state.
“We would like to collaborate on having a joint training workshops on ethical practices and anticorruption measures for accountants and workers in Oyo State.
“We would like to carry out educations and campaigns on financial transparency and accountability in public institutions across Oyo State. For instance, the polytechnic Ibadan, Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo; Oyo State General Hospital just to mention a few.
“Collaboration on areas of investigations on financial fraud cases because Chartered Accountants are well versed in forensic investigations.
“Establishing a whistleblowing channel for reporting corrupt practices in the district which can further be transferred to OYACA will also not be a bad idea.” Chief (Mrs.) Oladipo said.
Speaking further on the capacity of her District under ICAN, Chief (Mrs.) Oladipo said “Many of our members possess doctorate degrees in different areas to boost the academic aspect of our profession, hence we are capable of conducting research on trends of corruption in financial institutions in Oyo State thereby, adding to the body of knowledge that will eventually proffer solution to the menace of corruption in Oyo State.
“We would like to further develop a code of conduct for accountants in the district to sharpen the prevention of unethical behavior in addition to what ICAN has instilled in us.
“This will induce the minds of our members working with Oyo State to remain steadfast with the slogan of integrity and accuracy instilled in them.
This and many more can be developed due to our capabilities as Chartered Accountants, Lagelu and District Society members and the ICAN DNA in us.”
In her remarks, the OYACA boss, Justice Esan, while congratulating Chief (Mrs.) Oladipo over her emergence as the pioneer chairman of ICAN-Lagelu District, equally expressed appreciations for the visit while commending them for upholding the integrity and standard of the Institute, assuring the readiness of her agency to work more closely with them.
She also thanked the Institute for providing OYACA one of its finest in the person of Dr Prince Oyebade Oyedepo (FCA), who is a former member of ICAN national Governing Council as well as the current member of the Governing Board of the state anti corruption agency, describing him as an invaluable asset who is helping OYACA drive its vision.
While expressing delight over the call for a deepened collaboration with the agency in the fight against corruption and corrupt practices, Justice Esan emphasized the importance of the partnership in driving the governor’s vision which birthed the anti corruption body in Oyo State.
Responding to an observation on the agency’s achievements in line with its mandate, Justice Esan noted that even though the agency had only been able to secure few convictions by the Courts, several other corruption cases were still ongoing and at different stages in various Courts in the state, assuring that amendments to the agency’s establishment laws were being reviewed to enable OYACA enjoy prosecutorial powers to pursue its own cases without referrals to the ministry of Justice for prosecution.
She also assured that all the request presented by the Lagelu District of ICAN have been noted and would be acted upon while hinting that the proposed annual anti corruption symposium by Mr Babajide is a welcomed development that Dr Oyebade would be delegated to work with others to be drawn into a committee in order to design its framework.
Earlier, Mr Biodun Adedeji (FCA), in his brief remark, made the call for a legacy annual event to commemorate Justice Esan’s laudable tenure as the pioneer chairman of the state anti corruption agency where distinguished personalities from the Accounting field, legal experts and other key stakeholders would come together to brainstorm on improved ways to entrench the culture of corruption free society in both public and private services.
Mr Babajide, a highly reverred serving member of ICAN Governing Council, expressed optimism about the potential impact of the partnership saying “As chartered accountants and professionals, we are committed to ensuring that public resources are used effectively and that financial mismanagement is swiftly identified and addressed.”
Dr (Prince) Oyebade Oyedepo FCA, in his brief remarks before his vote of thanks, showered encomium on Justice Esan for being everything a leader and role model should be, stating that so much has been learnt under her in terms of effective and efficient use of human and material resources to achieve maximum results without compromising on professional ethical standards.
While expressing confidence in the ability and capacity of Chief (Mrs.) Oladipo to lead Lagelu District of ICAN to an enviable height as his well trained mentee, Dr Oyedepo urged the newly sworn in members of the district executives committee and its leadership to deepen commitment in the area of research which he said was lacking in the continually evolving accounting profession towards tackling financial corruption.
Highlight of the event was the official presentation of the inaugural investiture souvenirs to the OYACA boss by the chairman of Lagelu District of ICAN; Chief (Mrs.) Oladipo.
Others present at the event were leaders and executive council members of ICAN-Lagelu District, as well as the executive secretary of the anti corruption agency; Mr Ibrahim Oyemonla Tijani, and other top officials of the agency.