Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has said he is “An Apostle of True Federalism” reaffirming his support for local government autonomy, but with…

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has said he is “An Apostle of True Federalism” reaffirming his support for local government autonomy, but with a caveat – it must come through a constitutional amendment.

Speaking at the annual conference of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) on Sustainable Accounting and Economic Reporting (ESG) in Yola, he emphasized the need for a constitutional review to ensure the autonomy is granted legally.

The governor also called on the federal government to grant financial autonomy to states, citing the uneven distribution of revenue generated by the federation.

He explained that while the constitution mandates the sharing of all revenues accrued to the federation account, only half of the revenue is shared with states and local governments.

Fintiri urged the country to consider a constitutional amendment to separate the office of the Accountant General of the Federation from that of the federal government, promoting transparency and true federalism.

The governor commended ANAN for prioritizing training, especially in ICT, and thanked the association for inducting him as a member.

He praised ANAN members in his government for their contributions to blocking leakages and fighting corruption.

Also speaking, the National President and Chairman of ANAN, Dr. James Ekerare Neminebor, highlighted the association’s commitment to continuous professional development, ensuring members stay updated in their field.

He emphasized the importance of accurate data and statistics for effective governance and encouraged reporting any infractions to ANAN’s disciplinary machinery.

Over 2,000 members attended the Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Program (MCPD) for 2024, demonstrating ANAN’s dedication to upgrading professionals’ skills in Yola.