Silas Igwe, a top professional accountant in the Niger delta and now the newly installed chairman of a new district of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) known as Ikwerre & District Society in Rivers State, has harped on how the grooming of professional accountants has helped to build the fabrics of a new Nigeria.
Igwe, who was installed at the weekend in Port Harcourt by Davidson Alaribe, the 60th national president of ICAN, recalled the establishment of ICAN by the Act of Parliament Number 15 of 1965, saying it has been at the forefront of promoting professionalism and excellency in the accountancy profession in Nigeria and beyond.
He said the Institute has made immense contributions to the development of Nigeria through the training and supply of skilled professionals to all the sectors of the economy. He said the new District was poised to bring this dividend closer to the grassroots.
He said: “As we gather to mark the inauguration of ICAN Ikwerre & District Society, I am filled with excitement and optimism about the prospects of this new district.”
The new chairman said the creation of this new District is a testament to the growth and expansion of the Institute, saying he was proud to be part of this historic moment.
He said: “I must express my profound gratitude to the 60th president of ICAN, Davidson Alaribe, whose visionary leadership and desire to bring ICAN closer to the people made this possible. As the pioneer chairman, I pledge to work tirelessly to ensure that this district becomes a beacon of excellence and a model for other districts.
“From Today, the members of the executive committee and my humble self are bestowed with the onerous task of piloting the affairs of this brand new district. By the special grace of God, we shall do our best to rebrand the style of District management by deploying our intellectual resources, social investment and good will to ensure that this District must be reckoned with in the comity of ICAN districts in Nigeria.
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“We must constantly remind ourselves of the vision and sacrifice of our diamond president which led to the approval of this district by the council of the ICAN. We must not betray the trust.”
He mentioned the vision of the new district as a place where ‘Everybody is Somebody’. He said; “In pursuance of this vision therefore, no member of this district will be treated as second class member. Every opinion and advice counts. It thus bestows on members to come up with ideas and suggestions which shall help this district to transmute into an enviable height.”
He said he was determined to take the new district to an Olympian height. “We shall do the common things uncommonly well.
“Our team is passionate and committed, I have a team of the first eleven, if I may borrow the lexicon of our diamond president, I must say that this team plays in the top league.”
He promised to focus on professional development, welfare of members, Catch them Young Programme, and improved relationship with the business community. He also mentioned the challenges facing the new district, asking for support.
In his speech, Davidson Alaribe, ICAN president, explained why he has been opening new chapters of the Institute since he came in as head of the body.
Alaribe said the objective is to bring the profession closer to the grassroots and make the profession more appealing to the younger generation.
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