Abuchi Onwumelu, Awka
Former Nigerian Minister of Power,
Prof. Chinedu Nebo has thrown his weight behind President Mohammadu Buhari’s
anti corruption war, economic reforms and development in the country,
especially on the public sector financial management and the single treasury
account policy for government revenue generating units.
Nebo, who chaired the 2015
International Conference of the Department of Accountancy, Faculty of
Management Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, in his remarks, described
corruption as a killer and urged all Nigerians to support Mr. President’s anti
corruption crusade.
The theme of the conference is: “The
Challenges of Socio-Economic Reforms and Development in Nigeria-The Role of
Professional Accountants”
According to him, “Corruption is not the only socio-economic reforms and development challenge in Nigeria, incompetence is another problem.
According to him, “Corruption is not the only socio-economic reforms and development challenge in Nigeria, incompetence is another problem.
'When you put incompetent person in a
position, that is also corruption because they cannot perform but end up
stealing the national wealth and resources. So, let us join the present
government’s effort in cleaning Nigeria off corruption, by enthroning
meritocracy and excellence instead of mediocrity in our national life,' he
said.
Prof. Nebo, who was also the former
Vice chancellor of University of Nigeria Nsukka and Federal University, Oye
Ekiti respectively however charged the professional accountants to help in
salvaging the nation by ensuring g probity, accountability and keeping of books
in a way that abhors corruption for economic sustainability and development.
'If all Accountants don’t allow
corruption to happen, it won’t happen but once Accountants compromise, they
become part of the whole doldrums,' he concludes.
For his part, the Vice Chancellor of
the University, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku, represented by the DVC Administration,
Prof. Innocent Onyeleli challenged the Accountants to carry out, what he
described as academic evangelism to the society by teaching them how to create
wealth and manage finances rather than allowing the innovation to die in the
class room.
He described Nigeria as a country
blessed with rich human and natural resources and have all it takes to be the
best nation in the world but blamed its woes on corruption.
He urged the professional accountants
to rise to their challenges of impacting the right knowledge on the people.
Earlier in his address, the Head,
Department of Accountancy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Dr. Ngozi IJeoma
said the 2015 conference is designed to produce discoveries that aimed at
providing enduring solutions to numerous economic challenges facing the growth
and development of the Nigerian economy.
She however expressed optimism that
the conference will come up with strategies and options for professional
Accountants in ensuring sustainable socio-economic growth of Nigeria, arguing
that the early economic reforms in Nigeria failed because of inconsistency and
lack of implementation.
Other highlights of the opening
ceremonies of the conference include lead paper presentation by Prof. Jane
Ande of University of Jos, Plateua State entitled:”An Assessment of Risk
Management Report in Financial Statements: A challenge to Auditors” and another
by Prof. A. E. Okoye of University of Benin entitled: “Socio-Economic reforms
and Development-Role of the Professional Accountants”.
The discussants in the conference
were Prof B.C Osisioma and Prof. F.O.Okafor .