ICAN to assist Buhari tackle corruption

The President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Mr. Chidi Ajaegbu, says the professional body is prepared to collaborate with the incoming administration to wage a war against corruption.

President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Mr. Chidi Ajaegbu

The ICAN boss spoke in Lagos at the conferment of fellowship awards on some members of the institute.

Ajaegbu, who noted that ICAN was established on the principles of discipline, integrity and accountability, said the profession was better equipped to offer technical assistance to fight against corruption.

He said, “The major part of agenda of the incoming President is fighting corruption. And I think that more than any other professional, our profession is far better equipped to give technical support to the incoming administration.”

Noting that forensic accounting was designed and tailored towards the investigation of corrupt practices, the ICAN president said the institute would be making presentation to the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, soon on how the body could assist the government to tackle corruption.

“The body language of the President-elect is good. Of course, one key thing is that there will be a need for the government to also manage the expectation of the people in terms of delivery,” he added.

Ajaegbu advised Nigerians to be patient with the incoming administration, just as he urged the citizens to collaborate with the incoming administration in the fight against corruption.

The ICAN leader, however, urged the fellowship award recipients to continue to fly the profession’s flag of honesty, integrity and excellence.

The fellowship award was conferred on 477 recipients. It was the 13th edition since it commenced in 2003.

Maintaining that the conferment of the fellowship award was in line with the global practice, Ajaegbu said it showed that the recipients had demonstrated unwavering commitment to accountability, transparency, honesty and integrity.

The virtues, he said, were necessary to building an upright society.

According to him, the fellowship award is the highest professional status that can be attained by any member of the accountancy professional worldwide.

Ajaegbu said, “As you will agree, with challenges of our time, economic re-engineering, political rebirth and social renaissance demand that we proactively impact the governance process of our dear nation with our expertise as part of our mandate.

“Generations yet unborn will not forgive us if we shirk the historic responsibility of helping the nation not only to redefine its values but also to promote compliance.”

ICAN to assist Buhari tackle corruption