ICAN PRESIDENT COMMENDS SANWO-OLU THEMES AGENDA
The National President of the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria, ICAN, Mazi Nnamdi Anthony Okwuadigbo has described the T.H.E.M.E.S agenda of the present administration as a policy that would engender all-round development in the state.
The ICAN President expressed this view on Wednesday at the 9th Annual Lecture of ICAN, Lagos State Public Service Chapter held at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja with the theme: “Making Lagos A 21st Century Economy: Prospects and Challenges”.
Okwuadigbo, who was represented at the event by the 1st Vice President of the Institute, Mrs. Comfort Eyitayo noted that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s government had demonstrated its resolve to tactically address myriad of challenges confronting the State since it assumed office a few months ago.
“Recall that the Governor, on assumption of office, signed Executive Orders on indiscriminate refuse dumping, Traffic Management, and Public works. To a greater extent and with the recent move by the Governor, one can confidently say that Mr. Sanwo-Olu is walking the talk beyond mere words”, the ICAN President stated.
He challenged Accountants in the employ of the State Government to complement the vision of the state government, saying that their large numbers in the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the State Government should be used to positively influence governance in the State.
In his goodwill message at the event, the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office, Mr. Samson Ajibade commended the Institute for directing the theme of its Annual Lecture on one of the pillars of the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The Head of Service assured the accountants that the state government will continue to give necessary support to members of the Association and also ensure that the profession continues to wax strong while attaining its prime position in the State Public Service.
Earlier, the Chairman of ICAN, Lagos State Public Service Chapter, Miss. Adebola Odubore, FCA, said that the lecture was designed to promote discussions that would impact on the economic growth, governance and prosperity of the State.
She maintained that though the successive government in the State had laid a good template for the development of entire sectors in Lagos in spite of several challenges confronting the State. Odubore opined that the future of the State is very bright as the various challenges appear very surmountable.
While highlighting some ways that will help make Lagos a 21st Century Economy, one of the Guest Lecturers, who is also an Organisational Management and Leadership Researcher and Consultant, Dr. John Ekundayo, posited that the task of making Lagos a 21st Century economy is a task not just for the Government of Lagos State but for all Lagosians.
He, therefore, called on the Organised Private Sector, OPS and the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to be up and doing as well as be actively involved in advancing the economy of the State.
According to him, it is not impossible that Lagos with an avalanche of prospects and challenges can innovatively navigate through them all and still emerge functional, productive, viable and sustainable economic powerhouse of Nigeria
He urged the state government to invest more in the Primary Health Care (PHC) with a goal to have one Primary Healthcare Centre, PHC per Ward within LGAs/LCDAs.
The event was attended by three former Heads of Service in the State, namely, Mrs. Josephine Williams, Mrs. Olabowale Ademola and Mrs. Folasade Adesoye; the Chairman of Lagos State Audit Service Commission, Mr. Waliu Onibon representative of the Lagos State Accountant-General, Mr. Jimi Ige and some Permanent Secretaries among other distinguished personalities.