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Management of our public resources is a panacea for entrenching enduring culture of public accountability-AuGF

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Auditor General for the Federation, Shaakaa Chira has said
management of our public resources is a panacea for entrenching an enduring culture of public accountability

Speaking at a National Workshop on Trends in Public Sector Accounting, Auditing and Public Sector Reforms organized by Public Accounts Committee, PAC, of the HoR in collaboration with the Office the Auditor General for the Federation in Lagos, Chira said:

“Improved efficiency in the management of our public resources, a panacea for entrenching an enduring culture of public accountability.

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” On my part as the Auditor-General for the Federation (AuGF), I am pleased to announce that I have initiated series of reforms, since assumption of duties, aimed at repositioning the OAuGF for efficient service delivery.

“At the centre of these reforms, is timely submission of quality audit reports to the National Assembly (NASS); to enable them perform their oversights as required by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). In view of the foregoing objective, it was very easy for the Chairman, PAC (House of Rep.) and I to agree on the need to organise this workshop to further entrench, a culture of prudent management of our nation’s financial resources.

” It is on this premise that I see this workshop as a win-win situation for key stakeholders who are desirous of strengthening our public accountability.

“Further to the submission of high-quality audit reports, it is also my determination to make the OAuGF a model Institution, that will earn public confidence through professional conduct of its audit/periodic checks as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and other extant regulations.

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“I came to this position because I was well aware of the general concerns of the auditees, being a person that rose through the ranks to become the Auditor-General for the Federation (AuGF). This underscores the first Circular I issued as the AuGF with Ref. No. 928/99/CONF/VO.II/38 dated 2nd January, 2024, on ‘CENTRALIZATION OF ISSUANCE OF AUDIT ENGAGEMENT LETTERS’.

“The Circular under reference has a twin benefits of helping my Office to track the conduct of audit and ensure timely submission of reports as well as reducing incidences of multiple audit visits to one Agency in a year.

“The implication of the Circular is that any letter for audit assignment not signed by me should not be honoured and in case you are in doubt of any letter for audit, feel free to contact me before granting access to the team.

“I must add that occasionally, due to public outcry or peculiar nature of some projects/programmes, a special team(s) may be set up by the Auditor-General for the Federation to specifically audit such projects/programmes with a view to submitting special report(s) to the National Assembly. In such situations, you should not be taken aback.

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“On this workshop, I want to assure our Distinguished Participants, that the papers that will be presented and the Resource Persons were carefully selected to keep you abreast of violations that constitute audit queries as well as the modus operandi of the PAC public hearing. Other areas include but not limited to the rudiments of knowing the reporting framework that is appropriate for your MDA, and an overview of key public sector financial management reforms.

“The Resource Persons, especially, are practitioners with considerable on the job experiences and are more than capable of doing justice to their respective papers.

“Another major advantage of this workshop is that it is coming shortly after both the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Auditor-General for the Federation issued separate Circulars on submission of stand-alone annual financial statements by the MDAs with effect from 2023 financial year. The Resource Persons from the two Offices will attend to all your concerns regarding the two Circulars in particulars and other matters connected thereto.

“At this juncture Distinguished Participants, it is my humble appeal that you make the best of this rare opportunity, where the Chairman of the PAC (House of Representatives), the AuGF and the Accounting Officers are in one room for a few-days, to x-ray matters that bothers on public accountability. Let us therefore make this workshop very interactive and participatory.

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“Finally, I want to thank, once again, the Chairman of the PAC, House of Representatives for this initiative and the Accounting Officers that made it to this workshop. I have no doubt that, going forward, there will be improved efficiency in the management of our public resources, a panacea for entrenching an enduring culture of public accountability.

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Former House of Representatives Member Arrested Over Alleged WAEC Certificate Forgery

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Hon. Rita Odichi Orijifor, who represented the Ajeromi Ifelodun Federal Constituency between 2015 and 2019, has been arrested by the Nigerian Police over allegations of using a fake WAEC certificate during her tenure in the House of Representatives.

According to sources, Orijifor was apprehended earlier today at her residence in Wonderland Estate, Abuja, after police officers had waited for over five hours for her to come out. She reportedly locked herself in her bedroom and made calls to influential political figures in a bid to avoid arrest. However, none of the figures offered assistance in this high-profile scandal, and despite some attempts to intervene with the police, Orijifor eventually emerged from her hiding place and was taken into custody.

Before her arrest, Orijifor had reportedly been hiding in Akure to evade law enforcement, only returning to Abuja after believing the situation had cooled. However, unknown to her, the police were already on her trail.

Her legal troubles began when a judge in the Federal Capital Territory dismissed her application to stop the ongoing police investigation. The judge ruled that Orijifor failed to demonstrate that her rights had been violated by the authorities.

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Orijifor is currently being detained at the Force Headquarters in Abuja as investigations continue. The case is expected to be a significant development in Nigerian politics, given her previous role as a federal lawmaker.

This is a developing story, and more details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.

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I Looked At Myself In The Mirror And I Asked “Who Are You?” – Gov Adeleke

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Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke on Sunday, November 24, 2024 held his Thanksgiving Service at the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Oke-Gada, Ede, Osun State to celebrate his Second Year in Office as the Governor.

The officiating Pastor directed all guests and members of the church for a-minute-silence for three elders in the Adeleke dynasty who have passed away; Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, his mother, Mrs Nnena Esther Adeleke and her husband, Senator Ayoola Adeleke.

The officiating Pastor took his message from Psalm 23. He admonished the Governor to always put God first in everything he is doing and strike a balance between public and private interest.

The Priest said the Thanksgiving Service celebrant should be careful of sycophants and praise singers and he should let people see him as a man of God and be accessible.

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In his testimony, Governor Adeleke said, he still cannot believe what God is doing through him in Osun State, how God is able to turn things around for good for him in the State.

He remembered when his mother was on sickbed asked him to always sing three praise songs through which God will always answer his prayers.

One of the songs include a Yoruba song, “Ogo yi Oluwa ye Ogo yi, mase JE ko baje mase JE ko Daru…” and two other Igbo praise songs.

The governor who was filled with excitement said he woke up one day and went to the mirror and asked himself “who are you?”. The answer, the Governor of Osun State. He was surprised at how God works in the affairs of men

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The elder sister of Mr. Governor, Yeyeluwa, Modupe Adeleke-Sani admonished the awesomeness of God presence in Adeleke’s family.

She said it wasn’t time of Senator Ademola Adeleke to be the Governor in 2018 because God knows there was going to #ENDSARS and COVID-19 during the period, God made his governance possible at the appropriate time in 2022. “Adeleke’s family is God’s family, we will continue to serve and worship him for his goodness and mercies that endure forever.”

She donated the sum of N10,000,000 (Ten Million Naira Only) on behalf of Adeleke’s family.

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Bishop TD Jakes suffers health emergency during Sunday sermon

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Bishop T.D. Jakes, the renowned pastor, author, and founder of The Potter’s House megachurch, experienced a health emergency shortly after delivering a powerful sermon on Sunday.

The incident occurred following an extended sermon at the Dallas-based non-denominational church.

In a statement posted on Facebook on Sunday, church officials confirmed that Bishop Jakes received immediate medical attention and is currently in stable condition under the care of healthcare professionals.

The statement reads, “During today’s service, Bishop T.D. Jakes experienced a slight health incident and received immediate medical attention following his powerful hour-long message.

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“Bishop Jakes is stable and under the care of medical professionals. The entire Potter’s House family is grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support from the community. Thank you for your understanding and continued prayers.”

Founded in 1996, The Potter’s House is one of the largest multicultural megachurches in the United States, boasting over 30,000 members.

The church, which is well known for its global influence, has consistently been ranked among the most impactful religious institutions in the country.

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