By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar
The Calabar and District Society of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has commissioned a permanent secretariat in Calabar after operating for 60 years without an office of its own.
The Calabar district, regarded as the second oldest ICAN branch after Lagos, had operated from rented facilities throughout the period.
The newly completed secretariat is expected to serve as a hub for learning, mentorship, professional development and collaboration among accountants in Cross River State. Plans are also underway to establish an ICAN examination centre in Calabar.
Governor Bassey Otu, represented by his deputy, Dr Peter Odey, commissioned the facility on Tuesday in Calabar and described the project as a landmark achievement for the accounting profession in the state.
He commended the leadership and members of ICAN for successfully completing the project, urging them to continue producing competent and ethical financial professionals capable of promoting transparency and accountability in governance.
Otu also expressed appreciation to the state Accountant-General and her team for their contributions towards the completion of the secretariat.
According to the governor, his administration remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote professional excellence, institutional growth and human capital development.
“There is need for ICAN to continue breeding highly skilled and ethical professionals who will contribute meaningfully to prudent financial management and sustainable development in both the public and private sectors,” he said.
“We want to see more ICAN graduates in Cross River because the few chartered accountants we currently have in government have distinguished themselves in their various fields. The more ICAN professionals we produce, the more balanced our books will become.”
In remarks delivered by Associate Professor Obal Usang, the ICAN President and Chairman of Council, Mallam Haruna Nma Yahaya, described the commissioning as a celebration of vision, sacrifice, professionalism and collective achievement.
He said the secretariat represents a lasting legacy for the accounting profession in Cross River State and would provide a platform for innovation, mentorship, collaboration and continuous professional development.
Earlier, Chairperson of the ICAN Calabar and District Society, Dr Mrs Glory Tony Effiong, described the completion of the project as the fulfilment of a long-standing dream and the signature achievement of her administration.
She thanked Governor Otu for supporting the project and also appreciated members, friends and stakeholders whose contributions ensured the successful completion of the edifice.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Project Development Committee, Elder Nicolas Dan, described the project as a historic milestone, noting that it marks a new chapter for ICAN members in Cross River State after decades without a permanent secretariat.
