The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has set up N50 million Whistle Blowing Fund in support of the ongoing President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade.
The President of ICAN, Otumba Olufemi Deru, made announced this to State House correspondents after a closed door meeting with President Buhari in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday.
He explained that the fund would be utilised in protecting their members who exposed corrupt practices in the society.
“We are into integrity and accuracy and we treasure accountability. So, we have like minds. I’m so grateful to the President for giving us time to articulate our paper and it was so interesting. I really thank him
“And I also want to say that ICAN is the voice of business. Accountability is our business and we uphold the tenets of transparency and we must be transparent in what we do.
“We also have the whistle blowing fund so that anybody who misbehaves and they want to penalise our member, we have N50 million set aside to fight such course, so that our people can work and be transparent and be unbiased.”
Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, a member of ICAN, who also spoke to the correspondents, saluted the leadership style of President Muhammadu Buhari as he marked 100 days in office on Saturday.
According to him, President Buhari has come up with moral leadership in the last 100 days and that is what is needed to fight corruption in the country.
“What President Muhammadu Buhari has come up with in the last 100 days is about credibility and integrity for those of us who are in public office.
“Nobody is judging anyone; what we have seen since May 29 is about strong leadership that had shown direction to all Nigerians.
“The mantra of such leadership that is being reflected by the President is what we are seeing in other states. Everybody is beginning to feel that they must obey the rule of law.
“All revenue agencies are now paying to a single account and that makes everyone to be accountable.”
Ambode, who described his administration as “continuity with improvement,” dismissed the insinuation that he intended to probe the immediate past Fashola’s administration.
Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun and a member of ICAN, also reassured that accountants would continue to partner with government at all levels to fight corruption.
“If we want to fight corruption, you will need accountants to collaborate with government in planning, budgeting and management. If you look at the theme of the 50th anniversary, it is on how to sustain that quality service.
`”f you look at the investigations being conducted and all of that, it is accountants that will do the investigation and that is why I find it very key for government to collaborate with accountants,” he said
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