By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Babajide Sanwo-Olu says trust, accountability, and transparency are vital for good governance, likewise professionalism in the public and private sectors to ensure social and economic development.
The governor of Nigeria’s most populous and richest state by internally generated revenue and by other metrics, made the point when he received in his office in Ikeja a delegation of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), led by its President, Comfort Eyitayo.
He described the accounting profession as noble and of high integrity, saying Lagos will continue to support ICAN in its entrepreneurship scheme for young professionals.
“For us in Lagos State Government and in the public service of the state, we consider our role here as one of trust. Trust in governance is one of our key objectives. We believe that we are in a position of trust,” Sanwo-Olu said.
“We are in a position where we need to continue to hold ourselves accountable and hold ourselves answerable to the voting public that elected us into office.
“But more importantly, to be able to hold on to the tenet of ensuring that everything we do, we can account for it; be it infrastructure, financial and human capital.”
Sanwo-Olu commended the Lagos State Public Service for having its own arm of ICAN, as well as quality, chartered accountants in the civil service, disclosing that the state has one of the largest groups of accountants in the country apart from banks.
Eyitayo commended him for infrastructural projects in the state and for his regard for professionalism across all sectors.
“You have demonstrated to us in clear terms your special regard for professionalism and professionals across all fields.
“This is visibly reflected in the way you have engaged professionals as you pursue the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of your administration,” she told him.
“It is not surprising that Lagos State is witnessing massive infrastructural developments, some already completed and other ongoing projects.
“You are equally building a state that would be highly connected thereby positioned to become a 21st-century economy.
“It is noteworthy that Lagos is already the biggest technology hub for startups and its ecosystem in Africa. One of the drivers of this enviable status of the state is the expansion of broadband access to every part of the state.”
