The 59th president of the institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN) Dr. Innocent Okwuosa has called on all assessors and coordinators to be impartial in their assessment of all the states. He made this statement in his keynote address on Tuesday October 3, 2023 during the opening ceremony of the training of the 2022/2023 ICAN Accountability Index for assessors and coordinators held at the Lagos Airport hotel, Ikeja.
According to him, “several local and international organizations have already endorsed the ICAN-AI such as the world bank, the Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA), the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), among others. We are therefore encouraged that the ICAN-AI objectives are gradually being achieved, he said.
Mr. Okwuosa further maintained that the institute is proud of it acknowledged role in entrenching accountability and transparency in public finance management through it AI. “One modest achievement is reflected in the increase in the average percentage citizens’ access to information from 28% in 2017 to 53% in 2021. This gives us the impetus to persist in our determination to instill a culture of accountability and transparency across the various sectors of nation’s economy,”he said. Adding that the institute is optimistic that the AI framework will one day be embraced as a unified tool for tracking and improving public sector governance in the African continent.
On his part the Chairman of ICAN-AI Technical Subcommittee Mr. Oladele Oladipo enjoined the training participants said, “Accountability is not merely a word; it is the cornerstone upon which the very foundations of our democracy rest. It is the principle that ensures those in positions of power answer to the people they serve. Today, we gather here as torchbearers of this principle, as guardians of a brighter future for our nation. The role you are about to undertake is one of immense responsibility. Your assessments will shine a light on the state of accountability in our government and institutions. They will identify areas of strength and areas in need of improvement. But beyond the numbers and scores, your work will foster a culture of openness, transparency, and trust.”
Mr. Oladele urged them to approach the exercise with an open mind, a resolute heart and to also take the knowledge and insights that would be shared during the training as the tools that will enable them to perform their assessment excellently. “Remember that your work will impact the lives of millions of our fellow citizens, and that responsibility should inspire us all to strive for nothing less than excellence”, he said.
