By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The 2024 edition of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) capacity-building program has come to a successfully end in Seoul, South Korea, with participants from Nigeria, including Anambra State, representing the country.
The two-week training, which held from September 1st to September 14th, brought together 3 professionals each from five countries — Fiji, Yemen, Paraguay, Kazakhstan, and Nigeria—to enhance their skills in public audit and management.
Nigeria was represented at the event by three participants, each selected from different regions of the country: the North, West, and Southeast.
Down in the Southeast, the Head of the Department of Accounts in the Anambra State Ministry of Power and Water Resources, Mrs. Molokwu Ifeoma, was selected to represent the region, while participants from Kebbi and Kwara states respectively were selected to represent other two regions.
The KOICA program is widely recognized for its emphasis on public audit systems, while also providing the participants with in-depth training on Korea’s public audit framework. The 2024 session focused on the structure and operations of Korea’s Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI), the role of internal audit units in government, and innovations aimed at strengthening public audit practices. Participants were also exposed to Korea’s technological advancements in auditing, giving them tools to apply in their respective countries.
Reacting to the development, the Anambra State Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Engr. Julius Chukwuemeka, expressed pride in the state’s representation at such a high-profile international event. He commended Mrs. Molokwu Ifeoma’s participation and noted the positive impact her acquired knowledge would have on the state’s public financial management systems.
According to him, the training aligns with the Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s broader goals of improving public financial management and ensuring the efficient use of public resources. He highlighted the importance of international partnerships in capacity building, noting that KOICA’s programs offer unique opportunities for public servants to learn from global best practices and apply them in their local contexts
“This training comes at a time when Anambra State is working tirelessly to reform its public financial management systems. The insights Mrs. Molokwu will gain from Korea’s advanced audit system will greatly contribute to our efforts in improving accountability and transparency in the use of public funds,” he said.
Continuing, Commissioner Chukwuemeka explained that “Mrs. Molokwu’s participation in KOICA’s program is a notable achievement for Anambra State. Her involvement will not only enhance the skills of our public officers but will also contribute to improving our accountability and transparency measures. The knowledge she has gained is expected to strengthen our efforts in managing public funds effectively.”
The Commissioner further lauded KOICA for its commitment to fostering global cooperation and knowledge exchange, adding that the state looks forward to incorporating best practices from Korea’s public audit systems into its governance structures.
Participants in the program engaged in various activities, including interactive sessions with officials from Korea’s Board of Audit and Inspection, site visits to key government institutions, and group workshops aimed at addressing real-world audit challenges —all designed to provide participants with practical skills they can implement in their home countries.
On her own part, the Anambra participant, Mrs. Molokwu, while reflecting on the experience, described it as insightful and invaluable.
“The training has broadened my understanding of public audit and how technology can enhance the transparency and efficiency of audits. I am eager to apply what I have learned to improve our processes back home,” she remarked.
KOICA’s capacity-building programs have been instrumental in fostering global partnerships and improving public sector management in participating countries. The agency’s focus on sharing Korea’s experiences and expertise has earned it a reputation for strengthening governance structures worldwide.
With the program now concluded, Nigeria’s representatives, including Mrs. Molokwu from Anambra, are expected to implement the lessons learned in their respective states, with the aim of enhancing public audit systems and promoting transparency in public administration.
