The Auditor-General of Ekiti State, Oluwole Adeuya, has meritoriously retired from the public service of the state after attaining the statutory retirement age.
Adeuya, who hails from Ido-Ekiti in Ido/Osi Local Government Area, was appointed in 2020 as the Auditor-General of the state by former Governor Kayode Fayemi.
Speaking in Ado-Ekiti, on Wednesday, at the meritorious service and pen-down ceremony in his honour, Ekiti State Head of Service, Olufolake Olomojobi, described the former Auditor-General as an amiable professional who ensured financial accountability and probity.
She noted that the former Auditor-General improved the financial management systems in the state public service and urged serving auditors to emulate his top-notch professionalism.
Her words: He is a very amiable professional. He came into office on merit in accordance with the government of Ekiti State principle of merit-based appointment. He has been able to work well with the team to improve our financial management systems. He was able to transform his office physically and has contributed immensely to public service in ensuring financial accountability and probity.
“This is also premised on his strong network with the Ministry of Finance, his predecessors and the entire audit team. As a body in the public service, we are very appreciative for the roles he played in the last couple of years and we look forward to his continuous collaboration in the public service.
“My charge to those in the audit office is to learn from his professionalism, his ability to engage stakeholders very well and to understand that their roles are to prevent incursions in financial management and educate the public service on every occasion they get.”
In the same vein, Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Stephen Aribasoye, recalled with great enthusiasm for the tremendous support from the retired Auditor-General during his stint in public service.
Aribasoye hailed the outgone Auditor-General, describing him as a great unifier who was committed to the progress and development of the public service in the state audit office.
According to him, “Out of my 17 years in service, I spent 14 years in this office. One of the men that made this place so memorable for me is the man we are celebrating. By the time I was leaving the office, my direct boss was Adeuya. Whatever we do today will definitely land at the shore of tomorrow. All of us are mere links in the chain of history
“I recall when I was in school, I was under you. All privileges that I needed to enjoy, you never denied me of any throughout. That was why when it was our turn to stand by you, we stood by you.
“All of us can see what leadership should be and we have seen leadership leading from the front. He is a leader not a boss. It is the impact you have made on the people that will speak after you. I am one of those that benefited from you in the state audit.”
In his valedictory speech, Adeuya expressed appreciation to Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji for his strong commitment to good governance that has greatly strengthened public sector accountability in the state.
He highlighted the significant milestones and landmark achievements during his tenure as Auditor-General to include; granting of operational and financial autonomy to both the state and local government audit offices, the appointment and confirmation of the secretary to Audit Service Commission with the status of Permanent Secretary.
Other milestones include, the appointment of four Deputy Auditors-General in both the state and local government audit offices, the construction of a separate office for the Auditor-General and additional office space, the construction of a perimeter fence and the landscaping of the Office of the State Auditor-General.
The retired Auditor-General equally acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly noting that his legislative support helped create an enabling environment for the strengthening of the audit institution in the state.
The former Auditor-General seized the occasion to appreciate the Commissioner for Finance, Akin Oyebode, Chairman of Ekiti State Audit Service Commission, commissioners, ministries, departments, agencies and his colleagues in the office of the Auditor-General for their support and steadfast commitment during his tenure.
He urged public officers to continue to uphold the core values of integrity, accountability and service to the people stressing that the strength of the institutions depends on the character and commitment of public office holders.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Chairman of Audit Service Commission, Ade-Ojo Adebayo and Chairman of Body of Auditors-General and Ondo State Auditor-General, Sunday Adegoke lauded Adeuya for his prudent stewardship to public service.
Highlights of the epoch-making event include pen-down formality, special rendition and performance by Audit Voice and Ekiti State Performing Arts Company, and prayers for the celebrant.
