President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Malam Tijani Isa, says that Nigeria’s economy can be redeemed only by a government that is elected into power through free and fair elections.
Isa said this in Lagos during the 17th Western Zonal Accountants’ Conference of the Institute which was held at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Topo, Badagry with the theme: “Professional Accountants Uncertain Economy and Sustainable Development”.
The ICAN president asserts that an administration that takes office with a vision and a plan to improve the populace will unquestionably revive the economy. He said the economy won't get far as long as the government is based on monetary or military incentives. He noted further that Nigeria is endowed with all the resources it needs to thrive, but the challenge is that these resources are not used effectively.
Isa lamented that being the fifth-largest crude oil provider in the world, our refineries are incapacitated, and we are unable to refine enough locally. He stressed the need to have a leadership that has vision and focus, as only then can the country’s economy move forward.
The theme of the conference, according to the president, was relevant and timely as it gives the people the chance to analyze crucial contributions to sustainable development in light of the volatile economic climate as a whole, and offers a rare opportunity to reconsider changing responsibilities in national growth.
According to Isa, the New Normal presents a challenge for accountants to use their professional expertise in laying out a more stable, inclusive, and sustainable future.
He said that the nation faced a variety of difficulties, including high inflation, a rising debt load, rising unemployment and underemployment, and unsolvable security issues, and as such, accountants must help the country and enterprises to use the scarce resources as effectively as possible to achieve organizational and national goals and objectives.
The theme, according to Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), was extremely pertinent at the time because the economy was the main topic of discussions during the campaign. He added that although he did not have the same level of competence as many of those present at the conference to speak on economic issues, he was well enough educated to know that accountants, like many other professionals, are partly to blame for the perilous state of the country today.
The Western Zonal Chairman, Alhaja Kafilat Hassan, in her remarks, advised conference attendees to make the most of the opportunity presented by the broad group of registered delegates to forge new business connections.
