EKIRS Boss Urges Auditors to Uphold Ethics, Drive Public Service Reforms

The Executive Chairman of the Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service (EKIRS), Mr Olaniran Olatona, has urged auditors in the state's public service to become agents of positive change by upholding the highest ethical standards in the discharge of their duties.

Olatona made the call on Wednesday while delivering a paper at a two-day training programme for Local Government Audit Officers, State Audit Officers and officers of the Central Internal Audit Unit, organised by the Ekiti State Ministry of Capacity Development and Training in Ado-Ekiti.

Speaking on the theme, "Professional Ethics, Auditing and Internal Control in Public Sector Financial Operations," he described ethics as the foundation of effective auditing and sound internal control systems.

According to him, a strong ethical culture strengthens internal controls, improves audit outcomes and safeguards public resources.

He said auditors must be guided by the principles of integrity, objectivity, professional competence, confidentiality and professional behaviour.

"Auditors stand between public resources and public trust. They must therefore be courageous, firm and incorruptible in the discharge of their responsibilities," he said.

Olatona also urged participants to embrace continuous learning by keeping pace with emerging technologies and modern audit tools, strengthening their research capabilities and seeking mentorship from experienced professionals.

He further appealed to political office holders and senior officials across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to provide auditors with the independence and institutional support required to effectively carry out their oversight functions.

Declaring the training open, the Commissioner for Capacity Development and Training, Prof. Olugbenga Tedela, said regular training and retraining of public servants remained critical to building an efficient, productive and responsive public service.

Tedela said the initiative was in line with the vision of Gov. Biodun Oyebanji's administration to develop a world-class public service through sustained human capital development.

He also commended Olatona for his contribution to the programme, describing him as "a silent achiever."

Also speaking, the Head of Service, Dr Folake Olomojobi, said effective auditors must be knowledgeable, proactive, frank and persuasive to successfully discharge their responsibilities.

Olomojobi urged participants to maximise the opportunity provided by the training, noting that the knowledge acquired would enhance both their professional competence and personal development.

The two-day training, which continues on Thursday, attracted auditors from across the state's public service, senior government officials and other stakeholders.