Oluwatoyin Madein, the accountant general of the federation (AGF), has advised treasury managers to guard against corruption, fraud and financial mismanagement by implementing strong internal control mechanisms.

Ms Madein said this at the training programme the Chartered Institute of Treasury Management (CITM) organised in Abuja on Thursday.

The AGF said public funds must be safeguarded to protect the interests of both the government and the public.

Ms Madein  said, “We must remain watchful against the threats of corruption, fraud and financial mismanagement by implementing a strong internal control system and promoting a culture of compliance.”

This, according to her, is in a bid to achieve the virtues and behaviours necessary to curtail corruption in the polity.

She added, “Training and professional development are essential in equipping the practitioners with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct the activities of treasury management ethically.”

“Let us seize this opportunity to expand our understanding of ethical principles and best practices so as to strengthen our ability to serve the public well,” Ms Madein stressed.

She urged the participants to uphold the highest ethical standards as treasury professionals in their work and actions.

“We shall strive to build a future where transparency, integrity, and accountability will be the focus of public finance management. As professionals, we must resist the temptation of personal interest or undue influence in our decision-making processes. 

“We must always prioritise the public interest above all other interests, even in the face of unpleasant situations or pressure from the public,” she said.

Ms Madein said ethical conduct in treasury management entailed many principles, including transparency, honesty, accountability, and fairness.

She added, “We must adhere to these principles seriously, not only to maintain public trust but also to imbibe a culture of integrity and transparency within our organisations.”

She said as custodians of public funds, treasury managers bear a tremendous responsibility to uphold the highest standards of ethics and integrity in our profession.

(NAN)