The Oyo State Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni (mni), has reaffirmed the commitment of the present administration to providing an enabling environment for auditors to discharge their statutory duties without fear or favour.
Mrs. Oni made this known while delivering her keynote address at the Conference of Auditors-General for Local Governments of the Federation (South-West Region), held at Carlton Gate Executive Hotel, Ibadan.
She described the conference as an invaluable platform for cross-pollination of ideas, sharing of best practices, and fostering regional cooperation among auditors.
According to her, the collaboration among Auditors-General in the South-West region is commendable and mature, as it promotes uniform standards, mutual learning, and collective advancement in public financial management.
“I urge officers within the audit cadre to pursue continuous learning, uphold ethical standards, and remain abreast of global best practices. The respect and credibility of the audit profession depend on the integrity and competence of its practitioners. You must work in synergy with others in the public sector to ensure a seamless auditing process,” she said.
The Head of Service further noted that Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration has embraced a governance model anchored on transparency, accountability, and value-for-money principles.
“Our financial management systems are being modernized through technology integration, regular audit exercises, and continuous professional development for public officers. These efforts aim to build a resilient, responsive public service that meets the expectations of our people,” she added.
In his welcome address, the Oyo State Auditor-General for Local Governments, Mr. Adebukola Ismail Bioku, emphasized that integrity remains the foremost criterion for assessing an auditor.
He charged participants to strengthen their skills and knowledge-sharing mechanisms, using integrity as the foundation of their audit opinions.
According to him, peer reviews would further enhance the quality of audit reports.
Bioku highlighted the pivotal role of Local Government Auditors-General in promoting transparency and good governance by conducting independent and objective audits that ensure effective, efficient, and law-compliant financial management.
He expressed appreciation to Governor Makinde for creating an “atmosphere of independence” for the Oyo State Auditor-General’s office.
Also speaking, the newly elected Chairman of the South-West Auditors’ Conference and Auditor-General for Local Governments, Lagos State, Mr. Obafemi Ogunlana, urged members to redouble their efforts in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance at the grassroots.
He commended Mr. Bioku for his exemplary integrity, urging others to emulate his dedication to ethical standards.
In his lecture titled “Integrity: The Foundation of a Good Auditor,” former Director at the Office of the Auditor-General for Local Governments, Oyo State, Pastor T. K. Adegbola, advised auditors to remain independent, transparent, and upright in auditing local government funds and finances.
