Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

USAID trains civil servants on fraud detection

POSTED ON October 22, 2024 •   Politics      BY Benedicta Bassey
USAID Personnel/ Photo credit: USAID

The United States Agency for International Development, Nigeria State Accountability, Transparency and Effectiveness, has trained civil servants in the Adamawa State’s Internal Control Manual and Self-Assessment Tool on how to detect fraud.

The event, a three-day workshop, was held in Gombe and attracted many participants in the ministries.

In her address, the State Team Lead, USAID, Suzanne Myada, said public financial management, internal control remained a crucial aspect to guide against fraud.

She noted, “No matter how good the processes and systems are, if there are no established systems of internal control, then you will be vulnerable and subjected to different forms of fraud and abuse.

“That is why in State2State we are supporting Adamawa State to come up with an internal control manual that will help different MDAs, especially Public Financial Management institutions to identify their risks and develop systems and processes that will help them address the risks.”

She added that,  “We have been working with offices of state Auditor General, Auditor General for Local Government and other Public Financial Management institutions. In the past few years we have supported Adamawa State to develop its first performance audit manual, supported the state to review its external audit manual and now, we are supporting the state to develop its internal control manual and self-assessment tools.

“This places Adamawa among the league of a few states in Nigeria that have internal control manuals with this support and tool we expect that our auditors and other state officials will be able to do their work more effectively in terms of audit, introducing other forms of control that will promote accountability, transparency, and effectiveness in our MDAs.

“One important thing I want to further emphasise is that you should take ownership of this reform. State2State as an activity, we are going to leave, but you are the ones that will remain. The MDAs will remain. You must take ownership of this process and ensure its sustainability.”

On of the consultant, Ismail Adeleye, who took participants through an introduction and highlights of the internal control manual, objectives, scope and introduction to the component, control environment, risk assessment, control activities, information and communication, monitoring and evaluation noted that part of his responsibility would be to help participants carry out first assessment.

Adeleye maintained, “As you all know, speed without control normally results in an accident. The essence of this workshop is to have the internal control system when codified along with other financial management documents and records that have been provided, like the financial management instruction, including audit management.

“The expectation is that with all the support in the PFM area; the time everyone knows what to do, along with laws set by the government where public procurement law, whether you call it fiscal responsibility law. Why we keep having problems is that people tend to boycott, bypass, disregard some of these controls.”

The Assistant Director, Government Accounts, Adamawa State Auditor General’s office, Daniel Sakiyo, clarified that the training would encourage best practices.

He said, “By developing this manual, the MDAs will be better positioned to meet their organisational goals. We have learnt about internal control mechanisms and procedures that will help prevent leakages, ensuring cost-effectiveness. Ultimately, this will benefit Adamawa State as a whole."

The Director of Treasury in Adamawa in the Accountant General’s office, Isa Mustapha, lauded the organisers for the training.

READ ALSO
Lagos Assembly Summons AG over Controversial Local Government Law Commencement
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 1, 2025 0

The Lagos State House of Assembly has called upon the State’s Attorney General, Lawal Pedro (S...

READ ALSO
PDP Bigwigs Urge Nigerians to Join New Coalition Against APC
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 1, 2025 0

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, ex-Governor of Jigawa Stat...

READ ALSO
Senate approves new leadership for Law Reform commission
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 1, 2025 0

The Senate has ratified the appointment of Professor Dakas C.J. Dakas as the Chairman of the Nigeria...

READ ALSO
NEC Reinstates Anyanwu as PDP National Secretary Amid Internal Conflicts
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 30, 2025 0

The 100th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the People’s Democratic Party (...

READ ALSO
APC Schedules NEC Meeting for July 24 Amid Leadership Changes
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 30, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - The All Progressives Congress (APC) has scheduled its National Executive Committee...

READ ALSO
PDP: Tensions Rise Ahead of 100th NEC Meeting Amid Factional Disputes
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 30, 2025 0

As tensions escalate within the People’s Democratic Party regarding the National Secretary pos...

READ ALSO
Sokoto,Kebbi PDP Ready to Join Coalition Against APC in 2027
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 30, 2025 0

The state branches of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Sokoto and Kebbi have expressed t...

READ ALSO
Nigeria and Saint Lucia Unite for Mutual Growth
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 30, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu and Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre agreed on Sunday to establish formal diplo...

OUR CHANNELS:

Reclaiming Gaddafi’s Pan-African Dream: Why His Vision Still Matters
BY Suleiman Jimoh July 2, 2025 0

Few remember that Muammar Gaddafi once dared to imagine an Africa unchained from foreign dictate. He...


Calls for Autopsy: Ondo Govt. Faces Pressure to Exhume Late Governor Akeredolu's Body
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 1, 2025 0

The Ondo State Government may need to exhume the body of the late governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, f...


Dangote Slash Petrol Price to N840 per Litre Amid Market Adjustments
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 2, 2025 0

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has lowered the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly refe...


NEC Reinstates Anyanwu as PDP National Secretary Amid Internal Conflicts
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 1, 2025 0

The 100th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the People’s Democratic Party (...


APC Schedules NEC Meeting for July 24 Amid Leadership Changes
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 1, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - The All Progressives Congress (APC) has scheduled its National Executive Committee...


PDP: Tensions Rise Ahead of 100th NEC Meeting Amid Factional Disputes
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 1, 2025 0

As tensions escalate within the People’s Democratic Party regarding the National Secretary pos...


Sokoto,Kebbi PDP Ready to Join Coalition Against APC in 2027
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 1, 2025 0

The state branches of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Sokoto and Kebbi have expressed t...


UNIUYO Medical Lecturers Begin Indefinite Strike over VC appointment
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 30, 2025 0

Medical lecturers at the University of Uyo, affiliated with the Medical and Dental Consultants Assoc...


Nigeria and Saint Lucia Unite for Mutual Growth
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 1, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu and Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre agreed on Sunday to establish formal diplo...


Tinubu Empowers ICRC to Streamline PPP Processes
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 2, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu has authorized the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) to e...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu