By Angela Atabo
The Auditor-General for the Federation, Shaakaa Chira, has emphasised the importance of proper documentation and record keeping, saying they remain fundamental to governance, accountability and national development.
Chira said this in Abuja on Thursday at the public presentation of a book titled “Record Keeping Fundamentals: Securing your Legacy in Nigeria’s Tax Era” written by Patience Odele.
Chira, who was represented by Babalola Olanrewaju, the Director of Audit, International Audit Development, commended the author for coming out with a useful and knowledgeable literary work.
According to him, proper documentation and record keeping remain fundamental to governance, accountability and national development.
“Record keeping is fundamental.There is an adage we always say that confidence is different from evidence. you can have confidence, but to have evidence is very Important and it comes from documentation.
“This book itself speaks a lot to those in the public and private sectors, to individuals, even in our various homes because the emphasis of bookkeeping is very important.”
Chira noted that poor documentation could lead to distortions in both personal and institutional history, adding that the book would serve as a valuable reference material for homes, businesses and future generations.
Odele, the book author, emphasised the need for Nigerians to develop a stronger culture of record keeping for personal, business and institutional growth.
Odele, who works with the Office of the Auditor-General attached to the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the book project was a legacy inspired by years of professional experience and personal reflection.
Drawing from her experience in auditing and examining records of government institutions, she explained that record keeping extended far beyond accounting and finance.
She noted that documents such as birth certificates, passports, land papers, receipts, invoices, identity cards and travel tickets all formed part of everyday records that people depended on for proof, identity and protection.
“Everything we do involves records. Your certificates are records. Your business receipts are records. Even the tickets you use for travelling are records,” she explained.
The author decried poor documentation, saying it creates serious challenges in the future, especially in matters involving inheritance, property ownership and business transactions.
She advised business owners, including small-scale traders, to maintain accurate records of purchases and sales in order to properly monitor stock and avoid losses.
Odele also highlighted the importance of record keeping in healthcare and legal matters, explaining that hospitals require patient records before treatment while courts rely on documentation as evidence during disputes.
“The purpose of this book is to educate people and help the next generation understands why records matter in everyday life,” she said.
Reviewing the book, Dr Fawale Ayinla, Director of Audit in the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation, said Nigeria’s poor record-keeping culture had resulted in excessive taxation, inheritance disputes, rejected loans and avoidable legal battles.
Ayinla said the 196-page book was inspired by the author’s more than 13 years of auditing experience, targeting institutions, entrepreneurs, family business owners and household managers.
He explained that the book redefined record keeping as a matter of responsibility to work, family and the future, adding that a trustworthy record should meet standards of authenticity, reliability, integrity and usability,” Ayinla said.
Amb. Godknows Igali, former Ambassador to Scandinavian countries and National Chairman of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), also commended the author for documenting her professional experiences.
Igali lamented that many Nigerian public servants retired or died without documenting their contributions and experiences, leaving future generations without institutional knowledge.
He noted that Nigerian institutions often relied heavily on foreign literature because many local professionals failed to publish their experiences.
He added that the book would guarantee order, integrity and accountability in public service.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Deji Abdulwahab
