Dike Onwuamaeze
The 59th President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Dr. Innocent Iweka Okwuosa, has called for a role for the traditional rulers in the fight to curb corruption in Nigeria.
Okwuosa made the call during his courtesy visit on the Chairman of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Majesty, Ohna Sergeant Chidi Awuse, Nne-Nwe-Eli Emuoha XIII (OLO IV) in Emuoha, where he harped on the need for improved accountability and transparency in the management of public funds.
He said: “Enthroning accountability and transparency in the management of public funds is akin to institutional work of building a nation, the journey may be slow but it requires persistence. With this, progress is sure to come.
“To this end, we argue that it will be difficult to ensure accountability and transparency in the management of public funds in Nigeria without the buy-in of traditional rulers.
“Traditional rulers are the custodians of grass root accountability that has been engrained in African culture and tradition before the arrival of the British. By ensuring grass root accountability, traditional rulers are best suited to fight corruption in Nigeria if supported by government.
“This is because those in government first come from communities where the people’s culture is the order of the day.
“Traditional rulers can effectively contribute to the fight against corruption because they are capable of moderating the popular narrative in Nigeria of ‘leave our sons or daughters alone’ when these are caught in the web of corruption charges.
“This has the potency to send out a strong message that enables government to fight corruption.”
Okwuosa explained that ICAN’s advocacy for better accountability and transparency in the management of public funds is through the ICAN Accountability Index (ICAN-AI).
“ICAN in its public interest mandate has been speaking out on various government policies which impact the life of the ordinary citizens, example fuel subsidy removal, attempt at the unification of the exchange rate, increase in electricity tariff, foreign direct investment among others.
“Our position on these issues has been articulated and communicated through national newspapers. Our primary concern as an institute is to ensure that our collective resources are utilised efficiently and judiciously for the benefit of all Nigerians, rather than a select few,” he said.
He also commended Awuse for his immense support for ICAN and presented an award to the royal highness, who is also a fellow of ICAN.
Awuse, in his response, pledged to keep supporting the ICAN and conferred on Okwuosa the traditional title of “Enyi Oha of Emuoha.”
He said: “Do not ever look down on yourselves as accountants. You are as important as any other profession in the world. We will keep on supporting the institute.”
