… as the ICPC chief wants the institutional subnational entities to be best practices to stop bad financial management
The State of Bauchi has been appointed one of Nigeria's five main states in the 2024 Subnational Audit Effective Index (SAE), published by the Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative (PLSI).
Together with Bauchi, Osun, Akwa Ibom, Ekiti and Yobe State also emerged as leading artists in the index, with Yobe State closing the Sae Index 2024 championship award.
The announcement was made on Thursday in Abuja during the official launch of the SAE Index 2024 report, with the theme “strengthening responsibility measures through resistant and sustainable subnational development technology in Nigeria.”
Delivering a message of goodwill in the event, the president of the independent corrupt practices and other commissions of related crimes (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, San, emphasized the importance of institutionalizing the best global practices in financial management at the subnational level to curb poor financial management and atrenida responsibility.
Represented by the deputy director of ICPC, Mr. Okor Odey, Dr. Aliyu praised PLSI for his timely initiative, describing the SAE index as a critical tool to improve transparency and reinforce the fight against corruption in the states of Nigeria.
He reiterated the preparation of the ICPC to strengthen collaboration with civil society organizations, particularly PLSI, to promote good governance and transparency throughout the country.
Dr. Aliyu also requested the development of continuous capacities in state audit institutions, which emphasizes that the greatest training and transfer of knowledge would equip auditors with the necessary skills to function optimally. He advocated the strongest legal frameworks to guarantee the autonomy and effectiveness of state audit offices.
In addition, he urged state governments to prioritize the digital transformation of their financial systems, noting that taking advantage of modern technology would allow real -time audit, automatic detection of financial irregularities and greater citizen participation in financial supervision.
Speaking above, the founder and executive director of PLSI, Olusegun Elemo, highlighted the critical role of technology in improving the responsibility frameworks. He underlined the need for collective action to promote transparency and fiscal responsibility to boost sustainable development at the subnational level.
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The highlight of the occasion was the recognition and prize ceremony for the states that published their SAE Index 2023 reports. The honest states included Akwa Ibom, Gombe, Kaduna, Oyo, Katsina, Benue, Bauchi, Ondo and Edo, a movement seen as encouraging other states to adopt best practices in audit and public financial management.
The event also presented the formal presentation of the SAE Index 2024 report, which detailed the key findings and offered recommendations to strengthen the effectiveness of the subnational audit. The report provided an integral evaluation of the State of Financial Responsibility throughout the country, advocating alignment with international best practices.
The prominent dignitaries who attended included the general accountant of the Federation, Shamsedden Babatunde Ogunjimi (represented by Mr. Daniel O.); the general auditor of the Federation, Shaakaa Kanyitor Chira; and the General Director of the Forum of Governors of Nigeria, Dr. Abdulateef Shittu (represented by Alhaji Ishiaka Mustapha).
Others included the governor of the state of Yobe, Hon Mai Mala Buni (represented by Hon Bulama Bukar, president of the Chamber Public Accounts Committee) and General Auditors of Adamawa, Yobe, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Gombe, Katsina, Osun, Jigawa, Benue and States.
A statement issued by Demola Bakare, director of Public Lighting and Education/Spokesman of the Commission, and made available to journalists on Friday, emphasized the importance of the event to advance Nigeria's commitment to responsibility and transparency at the state level.
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