The new Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Shamsedeen Babatunde Ogunjimi, on Monday resumed office with a strong appeal to employees of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) to collectively work to improve the public image of the nation’s Treasury by ensuring that public interest is protected in their responsibilities.
Ogunjimi, who gave the charge during his maiden meeting with officials of the Office on Monday in Abuja, pointed that in the past, the impression the public had about the Treasury was not too pleasant, hence the need for them to work together to improve the public perception of the Treasury for national integrity and development.
The Accountant-General promised to work in collaboration with them to change the public perception of the treasury.
Ogunjimi, who also recalled the recent developments in the Office urged the scores of the staff, including Directors, to put aside everything that had happened within the system before his emergence as the accountant-general and work together to transform the treasury.
He explained: “This is our home. Nobody is going to drive us out of our home. We are one single family. I want that spirit to be in everybody, whether you are a treasury officer or you are a support staff, we should build the spirit of togetherness and oneness
“What has happened has happened. We have to move forward. We are not going to polarise the house. The task ahead is enormous. We can’t be fighting ourselves. If I fail, every single one of you here has failed. I am ready to commit my life to the service of this institution.
“I would not have been who I am today, if not for the opportunity provided for me by this service. Therefore, I am going to do everything possible to make sure that this treasury is ahead of all institutions in Nigeria.
“Please, I beg of you, the past is the past. Let’s us work. Like I was asked during the process of our selection. What will you do differently to correct the image of the treasury? I am throwing back the question to every one of us here because your action and inaction, will directly and indirectly affect the image of the treasury.
“That question is no longer for me. I have gone through it and have passed. And I have been appointed. But now, the question is for you. What will you do differently to change the perception of the treasury?,” he asked.
Ogunjimi vowed not to victimise any staff in his assignment as the Accountant-General of the Federation as used to be the practice at the Treasury, assuring that he will operate an open-door policy, and listen to the workers before taking any decision as relates to their collective responsibilities.
In her brief remarks at the forum, the Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA) of the Office, Mrs. Comfort Danladi, assured the new helmsman of the full support of all Directors and other cadres of staff in order to enhance the operations of the Office for national development.
She said: “Whatever it is that the outsiders want to do, we are still one. And we going to move this treasury forward. On behalf of all the Directors, I want to say that we are going to give you maximum support.
“We are going to speak to you truthfully so we can move forward. This not a new place for you, welcome home”, the DFA stressed.
