Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has charged Auditors-General across the country to uphold professional independence, integrity and accountability in the management of public resources.
Uzodimma gave the charge on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, while addressing participants at the 55th Biennial Conference of the Body of Federal and State Auditors-General held at Rockview Hotel, Owerri.
Welcoming delegates to Imo State, the Governor, according to a statement by Oguwike Nwachuku, his Chief Press Secretary/Special Adviser Media, said the theme of the Conference: “Safeguarding Public Resources and Enhancing Citizens’ Trust: The Strategic Role of Auditor-Generals,” was particularly important to efforts to restore citizens’ confidence in government.
He stressed that public funds belonged to the people, adding that auditors had responsibilities beyond examining financial records to ensuring that government expenditure delivered value to citizens.
“Public resources belong to the people. Government only holds and manages those resources on their behalf,” Uzodimma said.
The Governor cited a payroll verification exercise carried out in Imo State, which he said uncovered irregularities including multiple payments, fictitious or non-existent employees and individuals who had left the public service but remained on the payroll.
According to him, the exercise enabled the State to save substantial public funds.
He said auditors must go beyond identifying financial irregularities by ensuring that appropriate corrective measures were taken, urging auditors to maintain their independence and ask difficult questions whenever public resources were improperly managed.
He, however, noted that audit queries should be regarded as requests for explanations and clarifications rather than acts of confrontation.
The Governor disclosed that Imo State enacted its Audit Law in June 2021 as part of efforts to strengthen the financial independence and institutional capacity of the State Audit Office.
He also called for continuous professional development for auditors, particularly in view of the increasing digitization of government financial transactions.
According to him, accountability is a shared responsibility involving the executive, legislature, accounting officers and auditors.
Uzodimma urged public officials to remain conscious of their responsibility as custodians of resources held in trust for the people.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Body of Federal and State Auditors-General and Auditor-General for Ondo State, Sir Sunday Adegoke, commended the Imo State Government for what he described as strides in social and infrastructural development.
Adegoke also praised the administration for its digital transformation initiatives, including the Imo Digital City and Digital Learning Centre. He said the developments reflected the State government’s efforts to modernise public governance and improve service delivery.
The Chairman called for stronger collaboration among audit institutions and other stakeholders to promote accountability, transparency, prudent management of public resources and citizens’ trust in government.
The Auditor-General for Imo State, Sir Azubuike Iwuajoku, expressed appreciation to Governor Uzodimma for providing the resources and enabling environment for the Conference to hold in the State.
Iwuajoku said the Conference would provide participants with an opportunity to exchange ideas, examine best practices and strengthen auditing practices across the country.
He said the deliberations would reinforce auditors’ commitment to transparency, accountability and good governance, with the ultimate objective of translating the outcomes into reforms capable of improving governance at all levels.
The General Secretary of the Body of Federal and State Auditors-General, Dr Garba Dutse, also commended the Imo State Government for hosting the Conference.
Dutse thanked Governor Uzodimma, the host Auditor-General, Sir Iwuajoku, members of the Local Organising Committee and other participants for their support towards the success of the event.
He also acknowledged the contributions of colleagues and security agencies, reaffirming the body’s commitment to promoting accountability, transparency and sound public financial management in Nigeria.
The event attracted top government officials and critical stakeholders.
