The Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYACA) has declared its readiness to partner with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), to stamp out corruption in the state.

The declaration was made on Thursday at Ibadan by the Chairman, OYACA, Justice Eni Esan (rtd) while receiving the Pioneer Chairman of Lagelu and District Society of ICAN, Chief (Mrs) Omokemi Oladipo at her office.

Esan described the input of chartered accountants as critical in the efforts to curb corruptive tendencies in public offices.

“OYACA has chartered accountants who are members of our investigators.

“On your quest for collaboration, I want to assure you that we will not hesitate to partner with your body, particularly in the area of building capacity of our workforce. This will kick-start further collaborations as may be expedient.

“We urge Lagelu and District Society of ICAN to support us in the process of intensifying efforts in fighting corruption in the country, through mass education of the people about the ills of corruption.

“Ensure this is part of your speeches or addresses whenever you are visiting students, workers, traditional rulers and at other places. This is because probity and accountability are parts of your watchword,” he said.

Earlier in her address, the Pioneer Chairman, Lagelu and District Society of ICAN, Chief (Mrs) Omokemi Oladipo, commended the achievements of OYACA, under the leadership of Hon. Justice Eni Esan (rtd), adding that the collaboration among OYACA, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) must be adopted by other antigraft bodies in the country to achieve success.

She mentioned the areas of possible collaboration with OYACA to include joint training workshops on ethical practices and anti-corruption measures for accountants and workers in the state.

Present at the meeting was a member of the OYACA board, who is also a member of the society, Oyebade Oyedepo; the Executive Secretary of OYACA, Ibrahim Tijani; the Director of ICT, Folasade Ajibade; the Director of Finance and Accounts, Azeez Tajudeen and the Director of Administration and Supplies, Wasiu Alimi.