The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has backed the candidature of Akinwunmi Ambode, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, for the April 11, 2015 governorship election.
Ambode, a chartered accountant and former accountant general of Lagos State, was a special guest of honour at a lecture organised by the Ikeja district of ICAN on Monday, titled ‘The effects of leadership quality on public expenditure management: evidence from Lagos State treasury under Akinwunmi Ambode as accountant general’.
Kabiru Dandago, a professor, presenting a research paper at the forum, extolled the former Lagos accountant general’s professionalism which he said stood him out as an excellent public and private sectors’ administrator, and qualified him as best fit to steer Lagos into further excellence.
Dandago observed that Ambode while in office proved to be an exemplary leader who has mastered the art of exercising the principles of leadership along the lines of accountability, transparency and prudence.
The lecture was aimed at exploring the potentials of quality leadership on public expenditure management (PEM) towards a better life for the citizenry. It specifically examines the effects of leadership quality on PEM performance, using the 6-year tenure of Akinwunmi Ambode as the accountant general of Lagos State as the focal point.
According to Dandago, “In the comity of states in the Nigerian federation, Lagos State has distinguished herself as a state with distinct PEM credentials in the six-year leadership of Akinwunmi Ambode as accountant general”.
He recommended that “Lagosians should strive to exercise their right to vote a professional that has exhibited concern and care for them, long before showing interest in serving as their chief accounting officer and chief security officer”.
He noted that “a vote for Ambode was a vote for improving the lives of the present generation of Lagosians and for laying solid foundation for sustainable human well-being in Lagos State and beyond”.
Speaking also at the forum, Chidi Onyeukwu Ajaegbu, ICAN president, commended Ambode.
“With 19 qualities of leadership and 16 signs of professionalism acumen that this study makes us see in Akinwunmi Ambode, it has proven beyond doubt that accountants make the best leaders in the world. Lagos is blessed to have him”, Ajaegbu said.
Visibly humbled by the outcome and intent of the research, a grateful Ambode expressed his commitment at using his experience and skills to make Lagos even greater, enumerating his plans to create jobs, explore and expand the economy, consolidate on security and cleanliness. “Accuracy and integrity remain my all-time motto, and God helping me, I intend to employ my experience to make Lagos State the envy of all. I will make this institute proud”.
He reminded the forum of the limitless possibilities that an APC government at the centre presents to Lagos State, saying that “what General Muhammadu Buhari brings to the table is moral leadership, and with a commitment to deliver on our promises here in Lagos, we are set for accelerated growth and development”.
