THE Delta State Forum of Accountants, the umbrella body of accounting professionals in the Delta State Civil Service, has organized a lecture to educate students drawn from different schools on reasons they should study accounting and various means of entry into the noble profession, which was part of a two-day programme of activities lined up by the Forum to mark the 2024 International Accounting Day.
The Delta State Forum of Accountants is composed of members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), the two recognized professional accounting bodies in the country, who came together under the auspices of the Forum to prepare the participating students on attaining a bright future through the accounting profession.
Chairman of the Forum, Mr. Charles Isiayei welcomed the representative of Mrs. Joy Enwa, Permanent Secretary/Accountant-General (AG) of Delta State, in the person of the Deputy Accountant-General, Mr. Innocent Okunbor to the lecture, as well as other members of the high table, including Chairman of ANAN Asaba branch, Mrs. Victoria Omamerhi-Chukwurah FCNA, Mrs.MusoiAnyafulu FCNA, who is the Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA), Delta State Ministry of Trade and Investments, immediate past chairman of ICAN, Asaba and District Society, Mrs. Mary Aganoke, among others.
To set the tone for the lecture, Isiayei using himself as an example, sensitized the students on keeping proper records of their expenses and spending wisely, which he described as the foundation of accounting practice.
The Deputy AG, Mr. Okunbor provided useful insights into the accounting profession, the journey to becoming professional accountants and what it takes to excel, while offering fatherly advice to the students, especially on the need to study at all times, as well as to strive to be outstanding in character and in learning. Okunbor urged the students to shun misconceptions about accounting which could discourage them, noting that it is not a difficult course of study and that accountants are not stingy, but prudent in spending, adding that no one can go far in life without being prudent in their expenditure.
DFA, Delta State Ministry of Trade and Investments, Mrs. Anyafulu provided huge inspiration to the students with her background in business and passion for prudence and judicious use of resources, saying that this made her financially independent even at an early age. She urged the students not to wait to become adults before trying their hands in business, urging them to go into areas such as hair braiding, photography and sundry skills, while keeping their eyes on their studies.
The lectures were delivered by two resource persons drawn from ICAN and ANAN memberships, AkporedafeOkeoghene Judith and Deacon (Prince) Morgan Odiwe FCNA respectively. Akporedafe educated the students on the ATP programme, which she described as the Accounting Technical Scheme, admonishing them to embark on this programme regardless of their age and class or even their intended course of study, adding that the ATP would allow them to combine other professions with accounting, thereby expanding their opportunities in life. On ICAN membership, she said ICAN has the foundation stage for those who did not study accounting at the degree level and others for accounting graduates, adding that professional membership such as ICAN will give them an edge over others.
On his part, Odiwe describing himself as a professional accountant of the ANAN extraction, sensitized the students on the path to membership of the professional body, while saying that ANAN has grown in leaps and bounds over the years with branches across the globe and collaboration with reputable professional bodies around the world. Odiwe dissected the stages towards ANAN membership, such as the conversion programme and others, while giving the students the benefits of joining the professional accounting body in future.
Recall that on the first day of the commemoration of the International Accounting Day by the Forum, the members embarked on a road walk in Asaba which was attended byDelta State Accountant-General/Permanent Secretary (AG/PS), Mrs. Joy Enwa. She led the public sensitization on the accounting profession which took members of the Accountants Forum, Delta State on a 10km walk from the workers secretariat to the Interbau roundabout and back, followed by an address to the accountants by the PS/AG where she admonished them to be committed to their jobs at all times and to always support Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration to achieve the MORE Agenda in its entirety.
The Public Relations Officer (P.R.O.) of the Accountants Forum, Mr. Omovo Charles Bonaventure, a Certified National Accountant (CNA), said the reason for the annual celebration is to create awareness on the role of accountants.
The schools included Government Model Secondary School, Asaba, Women Affairs Secondary School, Okpanam High School, Okpanam and West End Secondary School, Asaba. Those who asked questions included Miss Helen Ojih who sought clarification on the ATS programme with a response by the guest lecturer, Akporedafe.
During the ‘Catch Them Young’ lecture on Tuesday, November 12, a professional accountant, Mr. Timothy Bokomieye took charge of the proceedings as the moderator, ensuring its success.
