Abakaliki, Nigeria – The Body of Federal and State Auditors General in Nigeria has advocated for a common auditing standards for effective delivery.
Mr Sunday Adegoke, Chairman of the body, made the recommendation on Wednesday in Abakaliki, during a four-day capacity building workshop.
The workshop is for Staff of State and Local Government Area Auditors General of South-East zones, with the theme: “Enhancing public sector auditors’ performance for relevance and value addition”.
Adegoke, the Auditor General of Ondo State, explained that the call was in the best interest to address misappropriation and to curb corruption.
According to him, the responsibility entrusted would enhance probity in public financial management and accountability.
He, however, noted that the conference is expected to strengthen capacity of personnel in resolving corruption.
“The international organisation of supreme audit institutions, recommended that auditors must have requisite professional training and experience with stipulated guidelines and standards that should be met.
“The requirement is that anyone who is going to play that role should be incorporated with principles of the International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAIs) such as principles for public sector audit, enhanced transparency in audit activities and quality control to achieve standard auditing standard in the auditing profession
“So, we are advocating that auditing standards should be adhered to in the profession,” Adegoke said.
Alhaji Garba Dutse, the National Secretary General of the body, said that the programme was designed as a training and capacity building, following deficiency and gabs observed among auditor generals and staff in the federation.
Dutse, also Auditor General of Jigawa state, explained that the participants were trained in international training, financial, parastatal, revenue audits and among other aspects of audits.
“The programme was designed to present 10 papers.
“During our last meeting in Osun state, we discovered the gap and resolved to organise this zonal training for auditors general and staff.
“The South East done in Abakaliki. Others will be carried out in their zones for similar training,” Dutse said.
Mrs Joy Eze, Auditor General for Local Governments, Enugu State, described the capacity building workshop as impactful, saying it added value to the profession as auditors and the country.
Eze commended Gov. Francis Nwifuru for sponsorship of the programme and opportunity given to be part of the training.
Mr Bartholomew Amajuoyi, Director in charge, office of the Auditor-General for Local Governments, Abia State, acknowledged that the event was apt.
“The nomenclature has changed. We need the upgrade to enable us perform our duty objectively,” Amajuoyi said.
The workshop will feature various paper presentations on projects and programmes audit, planning and audit engagements, financial audits, among other aspects.
