ICAN President Reports Head of Service to Buhari For Stopping Professional Certificates for Joining Civil Service
The President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) on Friday reported the Head of Service, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan to President Muhammadu Buhari over a memo abolishing professional certificates as entry qualifications into the civil service.
President of ICAN, Mrs. Comfort Eyitayo, while speaking at the State House, Abuja, said ICAN was taken aback when the memo emanated from the office of the Head of Service.
ICAN had earlier described the policy as killing professionalism in the country. The institute had explained that the policy would negatively affect children of the poor, who could not obtain formal education due to financial challenges but decided to pursue professional qualifications through private studies.
Eyitayo, while speaking before the President, urged him to use his good offices to reverse the decision .
The president of ICAN appreciated Buhari and his administration in adhering to best accounting principles and practices to secure and revive the economy, particularly reverting to the January to December budget calendar.
Eyitayo said the institute had established seven faculties to train accountants in specialised fields, which include forensic accounting.
According to her, Forensic Accounting, working with security outfits, could be used to reduce the security challenges facing the country by tracking all monies used in committing crimes and payments.
The ICAN president pledged to keep supporting the nation building efforts of Buhari and his administration, especially in sensitisation on monetary policies and taxation.
While responding, President Buhari said professionals in various fields, especially accounting, provide the strength and framework for thriving economies.
Buhari noted the contributions of the institute in ensuring probity, accountability and transparency, urging more diligence and professionalism.
He therefore assured that his administration would continue to engage experts to gain measurable and reliable results.
“Having served as a military Head of State and returned to politics to serve as a President, after losing three elections, I have seen the system of accountability in the country, and the mess to be cleaned up,’’ he said.
While describing ICAN as a “social stabiliser” of the economy, the president said he would go through reports and recommendations of the institute on inclusivity and strengthening the nation’s accounting system for growth.
In her remarks, the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, congratulated the President of ICAN and the new management.
“As a female President in a male dominated environment, you are an example to our young girls of what can be achieved through diligence and excellence,’’ she said.
The minister noted that ICAN had, over many years, played a key role in the domestication of some international policies in the country, urging more interest in Finance Act implementation.