Auditor Generals seek uniform auditing standard

The Federal and State Auditor Generals of Nigeria have called for a uniform auditing standard in the auditing profession in the country.

The National Chairman of the Body of Federal and State Auditors General in Nigeria, Mr Sunday Adegoke, made this known during a four-day capacity building for the Auditor-Generals held in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the body held a capacity building for Staff of State and Local Government Area Auditor General of South-East zones .

The theme of the workshop is: Enhancing public sector auditors’ performance for relevance and value addition.

Adegoke, who is the receipt Auditor General of Ondo State, explained that the recommendation was in the best interest in order to address misappropriation and to curb corruption.

According to him, the responsibility entrusted would enhance probity in public financial management and accountability.

He noted that the conference is expected to strengthen capacity of personnel toward resolving corruption.

“The international organisation of supreme audit institutions (ISSAI), recommended that auditors must have requisite professional training and experience with stipulated guide lines and standards that should be met.

“The requirements is that anyone who is going to play that role should be incorporated with principles of the ISSAI such as principles for public sector audit.

He said that it would enhance transparency in audit activities and quality control to achieve standards.

“So, we are advocating that auditing standards should be adhered in the profession,” Adegoke said.

Also speaking, 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, who is also the 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 auditor generals and staff.

“The South East done in Abakaliki. Others will be carried out in their zones for similar training,”Dutse said.

Mrs Joy Eze, the Auditor General for Local Government Enugu State, described the capacity building as impactful and had added value to the profession as auditors and the country.

Eze commended governor Francis Nwifuru for sponsorship of the programme and opportunity givten to be part of the training.

NAN reports that the event featured presentation of certificate of participants to 50 members.

NAN also reports that the exercise featured various paper presentations on project and programme audit, planning and audit engagements, financial audits among other aspects.