The President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Hajia Queensley Segoshime, has charged members to prioritise ethical practices and protect the integrity of the accounting profession.
Segoshime gave the charge at the investiture of Mrs Salome Ajayi as the 26th Chairman of the Ibadan & District Society of ICAN on Saturday.
Represented by an ICAN Council Member, Mrs. Olaitan Babatunde, the president urged the district society to align its programmes and activities with the strategic agenda of ICAN.
According to her, this will widen access, raise standards, defend accountability, build partnerships, strengthen governance, and advance members’ welfare.
She appealed to all members of the district to lend their support to the new leadership as it steers the affairs of the district in the year ahead.
“It is important to remember that leadership is a shared responsibility, and those who follow today may well be called to lead tomorrow,” she said.
In her acceptance speech, Ajayi promised to prioritise members’ capacity building through continuous professional education programmes.
She added that her administration would build strong intergovernmental relationships, promote public awareness, build on existing social welfare initiatives for members, and embark on a membership drive through the ‘Catch Them Young’ initiative.
Ajayi also promised to collaborate with other executives to deliver a legacy project in the name of the district and also encourage community outreach in order to give back to society.
“We will strengthen mentorship within this district by giving our seasoned fellows a structured platform through the Young Accountants Forum to guide, encourage, and invest in newer members who represent the future of this noble profession.
“I cannot do this alone. I need the wisdom of our revered past chairmen, the Board of Patrons, elders, and the support and prayers of both members and executive members,” she said.
Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Zacharia Buba-Yaduma, the Director-General (D-G) of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) tasked the new chairman and other executives to see their elevation not as mere position but rather as a calling to higher responsibilities.
Buba-Yaduma, while soliciting members’ support, urged the new executive members to see their new roles as an opportunity to serve and not to be served.
The highlights of the event included the decoration of the new chairman and the swearing-in of new executive members.
