BENIN CITY – The Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Tuesday said that the state’s sustained top ranking on accountability indices reflects his administration’s commitment to transparency and prudent financial management.
Okpebholo stated this while receiving the leadership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria at Government House, Benin City.
The delegation, led by ICAN President and Chairman of Council, Haruna N. Yahya, paid a courtesy visit to the governor and presented the institute’s incoming president, Queensley Safuratu Seghosime, an indigene of Edo State.
Welcoming the team, the governor expressed delight at hosting the professional body, noting his interest in the accounting profession and its linkage with his background in ICT.
He described both fields as disciplines that require precision and integrity.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to engaging qualified professionals, particularly chartered accountants, in managing the state’s finances, explaining that his decision to retain key financial officers on assumption of office was based on competence and integrity.
“I believe in keeping people with proven integrity. Your profession does not allow room for misconduct, and that is critical in governance,” he said, adding that his administration would consider employing more accountants to strengthen financial systems in the state.
The governor congratulated Seghosime on her emergence as ICAN’s incoming president and assured her of the state government’s support.
Earlier, Yahya said the visit was part of ICAN’s tradition of engaging stakeholders across states.
He described the institute as a leading professional body in Africa, known for promoting accountability, accuracy and integrity.
He commended the Edo State Government for prudent financial management, noting that the state has consistently ranked high on ICAN’s accountability index.
“Edo State has remained at the top based on our independent assessments over the past five years,” he said, while urging the governor to sustain the performance.
Yahya also invited Okpebholo to the investiture ceremony of the incoming president scheduled for June 2, as well as ICAN’s annual accountants’ conference, where he is expected to serve as a special guest speaker. He further urged the state government to employ more chartered accountants to enhance transparency in public finance.
In a related development, the governor received the management of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, led by its Chief Medical Director, Reuben Agbons Eifediyi, alongside representatives of the Rear Admiral Augustus Aikhomu Foundation, who briefed him on plans for the foundation’s official launch scheduled for October in Abuja and invited him to attend.
The governor also hosted leaders of the All Progressives Congress in Etsako East Local Government Area, led by Musa Sule, as well as the new Edo State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps, Adedofun Fasirea, and his team.
Similarly, leaders of the Igbo community in Edo State, led by Samson Awiaka, paid a courtesy visit to the governor. In response, Okpebholo assured them of greater inclusion in governance, promising the appointment of both a commissioner and a special adviser from the community.
Top government officials present at the engagements included the Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa; Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor; and Chief of Staff, Yakubu Musa, among others.
