Public officers in Oyo State have been urged to regard the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) as a vital institution that safeguards transparency and ensures the proper use of public funds.
The State Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Akinola Ojo, gave the charge during a one-day training organised for staff of the Ministry of Finance on the Code of Conduct Bureau and the Assets and Liabilities Declaration Form for public officers. The training was held at the Ministry’s Conference Room in Ibadan.
Hon. Ojo emphasised that the Bureau renders critical service to the nation by promoting accountability and transparency in public service. He stressed the importance of taking the asset declaration process seriously, noting that accurate and honest completion of the forms would prevent future complications.
“We must treat this training with utmost importance. As we fill out these forms, we must ensure we do the right thing so that it does not become an issue in the future,” he said.
The Commissioner encouraged participants to engage actively in the session by asking questions and seeking clarification where necessary. According to him, no question should be considered irrelevant, as the training provides an opportunity to gain proper understanding from knowledgeable facilitators.
In his presentation, the State Director of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Mr. Amao Bolaji, explained that the Bureau was established under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) to ensure integrity and discipline among public officers.
He outlined the Bureau’s core mandates to include asset declaration, verification of submissions, investigation of breaches, and referral of violations to the Code of Conduct Tribunal. He added that the CCB also promotes ethical standards, prevents corruption, and upholds constitutional provisions aimed at building public trust.
Mr. Amao noted that public officers represent the face of government and must therefore adhere strictly to laid-down rules and guidelines in the discharge of their duties. He stressed that corruption goes beyond financial misappropriation, explaining that unethical practices such as absenteeism also constitute corrupt behaviour.
The Director further explained that the Bureau requires all public officers to declare their assets, liabilities, income, and interests through the prescribed CCB forms to ensure compliance with the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act.
He reiterated that asset declaration is mandatory, adding that the Bureau receives and examines submitted forms, as well as petitions and complaints. He therefore urged public officers to be transparent and thorough in completing their declaration forms in line with the anti-corruption mandate of the Bureau.
Those present at the training included the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Dr. (Mrs.) Adenike Fasina, mni; Directors of the Ministry; and members of the team from the Code of Conduct Bureau, among others.
