OYETOLA CHARGES LG STAFF TO IMBIBE THE SPIRIT OF OMOLUABI

The Governor, State of Osun, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola has warned Local Government Staff to eschew the act of corruption and imbibe the 'Omoluabi' ethos in the discharge of their duties for great nation building.

Governor Oyetola who was represented by the Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Elder 'Tunde Adedeji gave the warning during the opening ceremony of a 3- Day Collaborative Sensitization Workshop on Anti-corruption, Ethics and Integrity for the Management Staff in the State of Osun Local Government Service held in Osogbo.

The Governor in his remarks commended the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for the roles played in creating awareness to curb corruption in the country over the years. 

He further averred that the anti-corruption body had displayed undisputable gut to eradicate corruption both locally and nationally.

Earlier, Elder 'Tunde Adedeji who gave a warm reception to the participants aptly explained the objectives of Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) while admonishing them to imbibe good characters and shun corruption in their work places, He also warned the officials including Council Managers and Heads of Departments present to champion the fight against indiscipline, bad work ethics and impunities at their various councils.

In his address of welcome, the Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Professor Bolaji Owasanoye,who was represented by the Director of Education, Mr. Mohammed Ashiru noted that from the petition received and investigation carried out, the commission had discovered wanton disregard to anti-corruption laws and abuse of extant regulations governing Local Government administration.

Professor Owasanoye explained that issues such as abuse of procurement process, bribery, gratification, embezzlement, misappropriation and outright stealing are some of the infractions discovered. 

He emphasized that this are pointers to the fact that there are moral and ethical gaps in the Local Government administration which needs urgent attention.

According to him, "In 2019 ICPC recovered over N77 billion in cash and assets as stolen funds out of which N18 billions worth of cash and assets were recovered as a result of its intervention in the constituency and executive projects".

This, he said, was achieved through the new project initiative of Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) which has to do with the Constituency or Executive Projects Tracking Initiative that helped to monitor and track projects shoddily executed or abandoned by Federal legislators under the guise of Constituency Projects.

Other dignitaries in attendance were the Coordinating Director, Local Government Service Commission, Barr. Lekan Babalola, Permanent Secretary Local Government Staff Pension Bureau represented by Mrs Tunrayo Ajayi, Director of Finance and Accounts of the Commission Mr. Abdulganiyu Jimoh, Director, Training, Administration, and Supplies, Mr.Kareem Buraimoh, and Director Appointment, Promotion and Discipline Mrs Modupe Irelewuyi.