The Auditor-General for the Federation (AuGF) and the Chairperson, African Union Board of External Auditors, Aghughu Adolphus A. JP; FCNA, FCTI received an assurance of continuous support from the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) on a visit of a delegation led by the Director CDD, Mrs Idayat Hassan to the Audit House in Abuja.
While welcoming the visitors, the AuGF noted that the establishment of the financial forensic laboratory was a success of the partnership with the CDD. He also gave an insight into the Audit profession emphasizing his discretion even in challenging times. “We hope that we keep on moving”, he said.
He also prayed that the Audit Profession will be strengthened and receive its due relevance in the overall governance structure with respect to the enactment of the long overdue Federal Audit Service Bill for Nigeria. He indicated that the lack of Audit Law for Nigeria stagnated the rating of the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation at the level of 2 out of 5 which is not a good rating for Nigeria.
The AUGF(3rd left) with the CDD delegation (right) at the Financial Forensic lab
In a brief summary, Dr. Jimson Olufuye, the ICT consultant gave a recap of the commissioning of the financial forensic lab. He also mentioned by the directive of the Auditor-General for the Federation, there are five teams of Forensic Auditors/Examiner on the field who will assemble and present their reports to the AuGF on their return.
In her response, the Director, CDD, congratulated the AuGF for his foresight and achievements within the short period of his assumption of duty as the AuGF. She called for those in public office to start their projects in small scale and grow them over time. She indicating CDD’s readiness to continuously support the OAuGF in its quests to train more of its staff as certified Forensic Auditors/Examiners. She also commended the AuGF for his dedication to overcoming the scourge of corruption in the polity through the instrument of Audit with the hope of significantly reducing the loopholes that allow financial leakages in Nigeria.
OQUA, EME I. I.
Head, Press Unit OAUGF
Friday, June 18, 2021