The Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYACA) has started a two-day training for Anti-Corruption Officers and Investigators working with the agency.
The training, which held at Owu Crown Hotel, Ibadan was sponsored by the Center for Democracy and Development (CDD) with collaboration of the MacArthur Foundation.
The opening ceremony of the training was held on Wednesday, where the Executive Secretary of OYACA, I.O Tijani esq., represented the Chairman, Hon. Justice Eni Esan (rtd).
Eni Esan said the training programme will enhance the capabilities and investigative activities of the officers to achieve the core mandate for which the agency was set up.
She called on the participants to explore the opportunities provided by the training to probe into areas where their skills will be honed and get the maximum benefit at the end of the exercise.
She appreciated the Center for Democracy and Development (CDD) Abuja and the MacArthur Foundation for providing technical and institutional supports for the success of the staff enhancement training.
“On behalf of Justice Eni Esan (Rtd.), the chairman of the Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYACA), the board and management staff of the agency, I heartily welcome the director, the programme officer and other officers of Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and consultants who are parts of this programme.
“During our meeting with the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) in Abuja, you emphasised that the CDD will provide technical and institutional supports to strengthen our agency. You also promised that you will commence series of activities designed for anti-corruption agencies.
“This capacity building training is one of them. As a result of this, and on behalf of the agency, I want to thank the director and all the officers of CDD and by extension MacArthur Foundation for this opportunity.
“The Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency came into being as a result of the desire and deliberate policy of this present administration to have zero tolerance to corruption and I want to assure that ever since the inception of this agency, His Excellency, the executive has been of tremendous assistance to this agency.
“The participants that have been gathered are officers from investigation and anti-corruption of the Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency. I hope this training will have direct impartation on the capacities and capabilities of the officers in order to enhance their investigative activities so that we will be able to achieve the core mandate for which the agency was set up.
“I therefore implore the participants to conduct themselves, listen attentively to the lectures and ask relevant questions so that at the end the day, you will have the maximum opportunity and benefit from the training.”
In his speech, the representative of CDD at the event, Mr. Muhammad Abdul-Rahman said the programme was funded by the MacArthur Foundation, adding that the Center for Democracy and Development will continue to give support to OYACA as at when due.
Management staff members that were at the opening ceremony include the Director ICT, Mrs Folasade Ajibade, the Director Administration, Mr Lere Omotoso and the Director of Finance, Mr Akindele Azeez.