Members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, are tasked to join hands in addressing the country’s economic challenges and in tackling insecurity.
Speaking at the 48th Annual Accountants’ Conference of ICAN in Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari also solicited ICAN’s support in the fight against corruption and other vices.
Buhari, who was represented by Mr. Udo Udoma, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, further called on the body to condemn criminal activities and show disdain for hate speech and acts that could destabilise the corporate existence of Nigeria.
The president insisted that there must be renewed efforts by all leaders of the three-tiers of government to consolidate on past achievements in order to bestow on succeeding generations the country that delivers a good quality life to all our citizens.
He said: “Let me first say that with regard to fighting corruption you have a special contribution to make as accountants. Your members serving as accountants and auditors can bring to bear your special skills in ensuring that books and records are properly kept.
“Working closely with the statutory agencies responsible for fighting corruption, ICAN will no doubt assist government in its effort at fighting this national malaise.”
Speaking on the economy, Buhari said the present administration came at a challenging period of the country’s life, which led it to develop the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, the ERGP, its blueprint for fixing the economy.
He said: “We are currently putting in place the right infrastructure so as to diversify the economic base away from oil dependence”, which articulates what we have to do to create a better future for our people.
“But of course, we recognise that there will always be some people left behind. That is why as a government we have introduced the Social Investment Programme under which we are bringing jobs and relief to many of our unemployed youth, the poor, the excluded and the vulnerable in our society.”
On the issue of security, the President disclosed that fighting insecurity and other crimes required the collaboration and cooperation of every citizen.
“We all have a shared responsibility to provide credible information to our security agencies.
“We must preach and promote peace within our communities and hold on to the core values of honesty, probity, hard work and our neighbours’ keeper that define us as a people with esteemed values and as a nation where peace and justice reign,” he noted.
Also speaking, Mr. Razak Jaiyeola, ICAN President, said as professionals, accountants, by their public interest mandate, are eminently positioned to champion the rebirth of a new Nigeria.
He bemoaned the fact that the common wealth of the country had been plundered by a few unscrupulous individuals, which had resulted in a sense of economic insecurity for the average Nigerian and the masses.
He said: “The repatriation of young educated Nigerians from landlocked, less endowed African countries and rescue of many others from the horrors of the Mediterranean Sea, exemplify the pain, tragedy and distrust in public governance, however well intentioned.
“Even in the pursuit of profit, the welfare of the people is sacrificed by corporate entities. Due to untamed, poorly controlled and unethical mining practices, the exploitation of crude oil in Nigeria has led to the infamous Dutch Disease.
“The exploration and mining of the nation’s wasting natural resources caused great negative externalities which manifest in environmental degradation, impaired ecosystem, air, water and noise pollution making it difficult for the environment to play its triple functions of food provider, waste assimilator and life sustainer for the present and future generations.
”Even as the nation strives to curb wastes through computerisations, some hawks and criminals are lurking in the corners seeking to hack into systems, cause conflict between nations, losses to businesses and pain to genuine investors.”
