The Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Alhaji Ahmed Idris, has advised accountants in the public sector to ensure that government funds are judiciously managed.
A statement from his office said Idris spoke when he addressed executive members of the Association of the National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) FCT branch, at the Treasury House in Abuja.
Ahmed noted that the decline in Federal revenue following the fall in oil price was affecting governance.
He, therefore, called for a more innovative, efficient and prudent management of resources, saying ANAN, whose members control of funds in the civil service, must see themselves as stakeholders in this administration.
Idris pledged his commitment to upholding the professional ethics of the body.
He said he would, in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive, ensure that leakages are plugged.
The leader of the delegation and Chairman ANAN FCT chapter, Mr. Benjamin Ogbeide, congratulated Idris on his appointment, saying it was a glorious moment for the body.
He pledged the commitment and support of ANAN ensuring the AGF discharges his duty excellently.
At another forum, Idris urged civil societies to partner the Buhari administration in fighting corruption by reporting any corrupt individual or organisation.
Idris was receiving members of the Civil Society of Nigeria, an umbrella body representing over 25 civil societies, who were at the Treasury House to congratulate him.
He noted that as civil societies and not security agencies, they should act as whistle blowers, by reporting corruption, adding that they should do this without fear or favour.
Idris said: “No society will develop if it indulges in any form of corruption and as a nation, if we do not imbibe the culture of good governance, transparency, accountability and strict compliance to rules and regulation stipulated in the relevant documents guiding the nation, we cannot reach our destination as a nation.”
Nigerians, he said, elected Buhari based on his track record of zero tolerance for corruption and his unquestionable passion to make Nigeria better. But, he added, Buhari require the support of all.
The accountant-general assured that the nation’s treasury under his watch would be prudently and transparently managed to ensure that the change promised by Buhari was positively reflected in the lives of Nigerians.
The President of the Civil Society of Nigeria, Comrade Femi Osabinu, congratulated Idris on his appointment, saying it was well-deserved.