By Nkechi Eze
Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, in collaboration with the Ondo State Government, has taken a major step toward reinforcing accountability and fiscal discipline at the grassroots by organising a three-day capacity-building workshop for officials across the state’s 18 local government areas.
The workshop, which brought together 226 participants including local government chairmen, vice chairmen, heads of departments, and senior administrative officers, is designed to strengthen public financial management and enhance internally generated revenue (IGR) capacity within the councils.
In an official statement signed by the Commission’s spokesperson, J. Okor Odey, the ICPC said the initiative aims to equip political officeholders and senior officials with practical skills required to navigate the complexities of public finance while promoting transparency and accountability.
Speaking on behalf of ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, the Commission’s Head of Constituency Project Tracking and Local Government Initiative, Bello Idris Bakori, explained that the training forms part of the Accountability and Corruption Prevention Programme for Local Governments (ACPP-LG), an intervention specifically designed to strengthen governance structures at the local level.
“This workshop is not just an academic exercise,” Bakori said. “It marks the commencement of a transformative process aimed at converting knowledge into tangible reforms and embedding sustainable governance practices.”
He further noted that the programme provides local councils with tools to improve internal controls, enhance transparency, and institutionalise ethical procedures as part of daily administrative processes.
The workshop was formally inaugurated by the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Hon Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, who was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon Amidu Takuro.
Speaking at the event, the governor emphasised his administration’s unwavering commitment to accountability and prudent resource management.
He stressed that “transparency, unwavering fiscal discipline, and a high degree of professionalism are non-negotiable principles in the management of local government resources,” noting that effective financial governance is essential to delivering meaningful development at the community level.
Participants engaged in intensive technical sessions on best practices in financial reporting, strengthening internal audit and control mechanisms, and effective asset management to improve service delivery and accountability.
The programme also includes sessions on procurement controls, fraud risk assessment, tax reforms to boost internally generated revenue, strategic budgeting, and ethical governance standards.
The workshop will conclude with a session focusing on the legal provisions of the ICPC Act, 2000, after which participants are expected to receive certificates of completion.
The ICPC said the initiative reflects its continued commitment to strengthening governance at the grassroots by promoting transparency, accountability, and integrity in local government administration.
