By Muslimat Itopa
Former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, has commissioned the newly constructed Kogi State Audit House in Lokoja, as part of activities marking the second anniversary of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration.
The Audit House was built to address long-standing challenges faced by audit institutions in the state, which for years operated from inadequate office spaces that limited efficiency, independence, and professional effectiveness.
The new facility provides a centralized, purpose-built environment for auditors to discharge their constitutional responsibilities without interference.
The project was conceived during the administration of former Governor Yahaya Bello as part of broader civil service and public financial management reforms, and was completed under the Ododo administration.
Commissioning the facility, Chief Ibori commended Governor Ododo for what he described as the giant strides recorded by his administration, noting that leaders are best remembered by the legacies they leave behind.
He urged the governor to sustain his development efforts for the benefit of the people of Kogi State.
In his address, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo said the commissioning of the Audit House symbolized his administration’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and responsible governance.
He noted that the project was not merely about unveiling a building, but about strengthening institutions and entrenching credible systems and transparent processes in governance.
Governor Ododo paid tribute to his predecessor, former Governor Yahaya Bello, for conceiving and initiating the project, describing it as evidence that sustainable development is driven by institutions that outlive administrations.
He also appreciated the Kogi State House of Assembly and members of the State Executive Council for their legislative and executive support that ensured the project’s completion.
The Governor disclosed that the Kogi State Audit House is a world-class facility and the first of its kind in Nigeria, purpose-built to accommodate both the Office of the Auditor-General for the State and the Office of the Auditor-General for Local Governments under one professionally designed complex.
According to him, the facility will enhance operational efficiency, inter-audit collaboration, record management, training, and public financial oversight in the state.
A major highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on capacity building between the Office of the Auditor-General of Kogi State and the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation.
Governor Ododo announced that the federal office would provide technical and professional support to Kogi State auditors for four years at no cost, assuring full cooperation and immediate implementation.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Honorable Abanika Taiye, described the Audit House as an architectural masterpiece comprising two wings for state and local government auditors.
He said the project was executed by Silverpros Construction Limited and supervised by the Ministry in line with approved standards and value-for-money principles.
In his remarks, the Auditor-General of the Federation, Dr. Shaaka Kanyior Chira, described the facility as a major milestone in public sector accountability reforms in Nigeria, noting that the partnership with Kogi State would focus on training, modern audit techniques, and strengthening institutional capacity in line with international standards.
Also speaking, the Auditor-General of Kogi State, Alhaji Yakubu Okala, described the commissioning as the fulfilment of a long-standing dream and pledged that auditors would diligently track public funds to ensure value for money and support the state’s development agenda.
The Auditor-General for Local Governments, Yakubu Adabenege Siyaka, said the project marked a new era of strengthened oversight and accountability across the state’s 21 local government areas, assuring that the trust reposed in the audit institutions would not be betrayed.
The event was attended by top government officials, traditional rulers, members of the Kogi State House of Assembly, auditors from across the federation, party stakeholders, civil society organizations, and academics.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings