Soetan, Nwokafor task accountants on ethics, entrepreneurship

The 52nd President of the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN), Deacon Titus Alao Soetan has said unless members of the body rise up to the challenges of employment in the country, the country’s high unemployment rate may not see meaningful reduction.

In the face of the country’s current economic shortfall, Soetan, during a visit to Lagos Mainland District of the institute in Lagos also stressed the need for members of the body to prioritize professionalism as part of quota to fast track economic recovery.

“Don’t disappoint the profession. We must work hard like our father so that we can have something to pass on to the next generation.

“We have chosen the right profession but we must provide jobs. Our members should not be looking for job. We should be employers of labour. We need to be entrepreneurs. We need to be industrious so that we can better our lives and the country,” Soetan said.

The president, who said the membership of the institute has increased to above 40, 000 disclosed that the body would partner with necessary educational institutions to train students and ease the process of becoming a chartered member.

Chairman of Mainland District, Amobi Nwokafor, lauded government’s initiatives championed to get the nation’s economic back on track.
He however, called for proper implementation of the recently launched Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of the federal government.

Nwokafor said: “It is a good starting point because it took many years for us to get to where we are today. The solution will take sometimes to materialize. It cannot be a one off policy; it must be a continuous and regular exercise to get us back to the right direction.”

Nwokafor, also described the whistle blowing initiative of government a welcome development, stressing, “we need to mange them so that their safety and security is not compromised.”

He said the essence of the yearly event, which included a visit to Grace Polytechnic in Lagos and MRS Oil was to entrench ICAN’s activities at the grassroot and strengthen activities of the body.

He noted that the districts would remain active and foster relationship that would enhance its members.

Nwokafor said the current economic situation impacted negatively on the group’s capabilities, particularly in the area of training members.