Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has charged accountants to lead the war against corruption and other vices inimical to the economic growth of the country by deploying their professional training in repositioning Nigeria’s economy.

Ikpeazu, who handed down the charge in Umuahia, said the accountants could do this through blocking all revenue leakages and guard against misappropriation of public funds.

The Accountants, under the aegis of Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) converged on Michael Okpara Auditorium for the 4th session of their 2015 Mandatory Continuous Professional Development Programme. The programme also included the induction and orientation of new members.

Ikpeazu, represented by his Deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, noted that given the sensitive nature of the position accountants occupy in the public service, they were placed to show the way in stamping out corruption because they monitor revenue generation and expenditure, especially now that all the tiers of government were grappling with efficient handling of available resources.

The governor informed his audience that the administration under his watch in Abia has embarked on biometric audit of civil servants in the state’s employ and effects payment of salaries accordingly to save cost and improve the Internally Generated Revenue of the state.

He called for training and retraining of ANAN members which would translate to updating them on latest trends in the profession and global requirements.

Ikpeazu expressed government's readiness to partner ANAN, saying that the synergy would bring about prudent management of funds and other resources for efficient delivery of democracy dividends to Abians and promised to provide land for them to build their secretariat.

ANAN President, Mr Anthony Chukwuemeka Nzom, enjoined Accountants in Abia to assist government through provision of timely and credible information, as well as support implementation of policies that promote the welfare of citizens.

Welcoming the participants, Abia State chairman of ANAN, Chief Emma Igwe, acknowledged the steady growth of the association since it came into being in the state in 1996 and lauded Ikpeazu for his support to the association.

ANAN also used the occasion to present a souvenir to the Deputy Governor who is also a Chartered Accountant. Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Finance, Elder Bernard Ognonna, the Accountant General of Abia State, Sir Gabriel Onyendilefu, ANAN executives from different parts of the country and other stakeholders were present during the occasion. The programme ends today.

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