There’s mess to clean up in Nigeria, Buhari tells Accountants

President Muhammadu Buhari says his service as a military Head of State and a civilian leader has afforded him the opportunity to see the system of accountability in the country and the mess to be cleaned up.

The President said this Friday while receiving a delegation from Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) led by the President, Mrs Comfort Olu Eyitayo, at the State House, Abuja.

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President Buhari, who noted the contributions of the institute in ensuring probity, accountability and transparency, urged more diligence and professionalism.

“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 in a statement issued by his spokesman, Femi Adesina

The President, who said professionals in various fields, especially accounting, provided the strength and framework for thriving economies, assured that his administration would continue to engage experts to gain measurable and reliable results.

Buhari, who described ICAN as a “social stabilizer” of the economy, 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, Hajiya Zainab Shamsuna 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, who said ICAN had, over many years, played a key role in the domestication of some international policies in the country, urged more interest in Finance Act implementation.

The President of ICAN appreciated President 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 specialized 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.

She said ICAN was taken aback by a memo that emanated from the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, stating that professional certificates would no longer be used as qualification for entry level into the nation’s civil service.

“This, to say the least, is a most unfortunate development, because encouraging professionalism across all levels of government would give traction to the quality of service delivered by our civil servants.

“We appeal to you (Buhari) sir to use your esteemed office to analyze the merits and demerits of this decision and direct that it should be retraced,” the association pleaded.