Governor canvasses public finance experts’ involvement in governance

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September 26, 2017 3:58 PM

Ambode made the advocacy while receiving Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) executives led by its national President.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Tuesday canvassed for involvement of public finance experts in governance to drive economic growth.

Ambode made the advocacy while receiving Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) executives led by its national President, Alhaji Ismaila Zakari, at the Lagos House, Ikeja.

According to him, running of the economy by public finance experts will achieve much due to the skills and knowledge that institutes such as ICAN have imparted in them.

“Whatever it is that Lagos State is enjoying, in terms of dividends of democracy, is actually the fruit of everything that I gathered from the institute."

“The creed of the institute is `accuracy and integrity’, and these virtues must be imbibed by members to be credible professionals."

“These are the virtues that I imbibed, and this administration has been applying them for growth and development of the state."

“I want to categorically state that the institute groomed me with the skill service for this time when Lagos State needs a public finance management expert to run the government in a recessed economy, and at a time when revenue is low."

“The skill service that I gathered is what I have been putting together to manage resources for the benefit of the people."

“It is very possible to replicate same leadership qualities in other states and the country, ” he said.

Ambode said that the state would continue to support the programmes of the institute as well as promote partnership in the area of entrepreneurship.

“We will continue to support the institute as they churn out more leaders and more public finance experts to drive the economy of this country aright.

“We will be happy to collaborate with the institute in the area of entrepreneurship to create employment for growth and development of the country, ” Ambode said.

Earlier, Zakari said that the visit was to renew ICAN’s partnership with the state government, as well as solicit support for the institute’s Benevolent Fund established to assist its members in need.

He commended the governor for the infrastructure and economic development of the state in spite of the economic situation of Nigeria.

“Lagos State in 2016 generated N287 billion as internally; the 114 road construction and many other projects are worthy of commendation.

“It demonstrates that Gov. Ambode is an exemplary ambassador of the institute, and we urge you to continue to be that agent of change and mentor to the younger generation, ” he said.

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