Corruption: Alaafin charges ICAN on probity, accountability

Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, has called on the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) to support President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s onerous efforts in tackling gross ineptitude and monumental corruption which, he said, had become hallmarks of public administrations.
The paramount ruler also urged the federal government to involve the institute in appointments into public offices to guarantee probity and trust.
Oba Adeyemi gave the charge in his palace at a reception
organised for the ICAN President, Deacon Titus Alao Soetan, and his entourage who paid him a courtesy visit.
Alaafin who expressed dismay over alarming rate of looting in public treasuries attributed lack of fear of God, honesty, commitment, and dedication to such betrayal of trust.
According to him, ‘’about 750 million US Dollars are being stolen daily from our crude oil. Who are those stealing them? How much of these crude oil are we selling per day? We imported 900 million tons of rice on monthly basis, but we did not know how much of what we exported in turn. Amount of public funds stolen by top government officials, and political office holders are so worrisome and
disturbing that urgent steps must be taken in order to save the
country from total collapse.’’
The monarch recalled how rates generated by local governments in the
defunct western region were not only judiciously expended by the
officials, corruption and treasury lootings were non-existent.
‘’ At that time, there were no federation account allocations, let alone crude oil allocations or even bail- out funds as it is now. Corruption and ineptitudes were not in existent due to a book written by me on how the administration of Alaafin was able to sustain the longest reigning in Africa, which is the Old Oyo Empire. This book which centred on financial discipline, checks and balances, due process as well as strong institutional framework. But nowadays horrible things are happening. Despite financial supports received by
some states for the purposes of settlement of debts and payment of salaries by the Central Bank of Nigeria [CBN], workers are still groaning over unpaid salaries and arrears. Pensioners too are crying of hunger. Yet, nothing is done about it. ‘’
Oba Adeyemi, who described ICAN as barometer for public
accountability, noted that  an effective and dynamic accounting systems that are manned by highly skilled professionals like ICAN is essential to facilitating transparency and accountability in public administrations, as well as building  of trust, and supporting
sustainable economies.
“The analytical and forensic skills of professional accountants, along with knowledge of how to implement strong internal control processes, can make a real difference in combatting corruption activities and temptations, and in increasing the flow of resources to support economic growth. I, therefore, urge ICAN members to rededicate themselves a positive force, and support the present administration in
the fight against fraud and corruption. Yours is a profession which
deals with the proper functioning of a country’s economic life’’
Earlier, ICAN President, Soetan said his team who were on a visit to
the institute’s district in Oyo/Ogbomoso, thought it expedient to pay
homage to the monarch, in appreciation of his support and unalloyed
commitment to national unity and stability.
Members of the ICAN team were later treated to cultural dances and delightful traditional talking drums.