The Sokoto State Government has announced plans to encourage more accountants in the state to obtain membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), stressing the importance of professionalism in achieving its development objectives.
The state’s Deputy Accountant-General, Junaidu Usman, disclosed this on Saturday in Sokoto while receiving an Award of Excellence from the ICAN Sokoto and District Society during the inauguration of its new executive committee.
Oluwakayode Adeboye was sworn in as the seventh chairman of the society, alongside other executive members who will oversee the affairs of the district for the next one year.
Usman said Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration was committed to improving the capacity of professionals in the public finance sector through training and career development opportunities.
He assured residents that the government would continue to support initiatives aimed at increasing the number of ICAN-certified accountants from Sokoto State.
According to him, the recognition given to him by ICAN was not only an honour but also a reminder to continue promoting accountability, transparency and responsible management of public funds.
He noted that having more professionally qualified accountants would contribute significantly to the successful implementation of the governor’s 9-Point Smart Agenda.
The deputy accountant-general also urged young accountants in the state to take advantage of available opportunities to acquire professional certifications, saying ICAN membership would improve efficiency, strengthen financial management and enhance service delivery.
Speaking at the event, the 62nd ICAN President, Queensley Sofuratu, described the leadership transition as an important step towards strengthening the institute and advancing accounting standards.
Represented by the North-West District Coordinator of ICAN, Babayo Shehu, Sofuratu said the smooth handover demonstrated members’ commitment to unity, transparency and effective leadership.
She reaffirmed ICAN’s dedication to promoting professional excellence, good governance and ethical practices that support national development.
The Zonal Head, North-West 4 of Zenith Bank Plc, Abdulkadir Farid, also congratulated the new executives, describing their inauguration as a major milestone for the Sokoto and District Society.
Farid expressed optimism that the new leadership would promote the objectives of ICAN and contribute to the advancement of the accounting profession.
Earlier, the chairman of the Investiture Committee, Matthew Ayinla, said the ceremony was an opportunity to appreciate the achievements of the outgoing executives and begin a new chapter of purposeful leadership.
He called on members to remain committed to the values of integrity, accountability, excellence and service.
In his farewell address, outgoing chairman Ganiyu Mustapha thanked members for their support during his tenure and pledged to continue supporting the new administration.
He encouraged members to embrace innovation, strengthen professional collaboration and uphold the core values of the institute.
The newly inaugurated chairman, Adeboye, promised to build a dynamic, ethical and globally competitive district society capable of producing professionals prepared for emerging challenges.
He assured members that his leadership would be inclusive, consultative and focused on addressing their needs.
The investiture ceremony was held with the theme: “Accounting Beyond Borders: Strengthening Professional Leadership in an Era of Geopolitics and Regional Integration.”
Other officials inaugurated include Matthew Ayinla as Vice Chairman, Bello Ganiyu as General Secretary, Latifat Alagbada as Financial Secretary, Abednego Leo as Treasurer and Mary Ezeji as Assistant Secretary, among others.