Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has called on accountants across the state to continue upholding the ethics and values of their profession and to play active roles in actualising his administration’s vision of a new Abia.
Governor Otti made the call while addressing participants at the 2025 International Accounting Day celebration held at the International Conference Centre Umuahia, with the theme, “Excellence, Innovation and Impact”.
The Governor, represented by the Accountant-General of the State, Mrs Njum Onyemanam, commended accountants in the State, particularly those in the public service, for their commitment to accountability, transparency, professionalism and integrity.
He urged them to sustain their efforts and continually improve on their contributions to good governance.
“The roles expected of them (accountants) are what they are playing, but they have to sustain and also continue to improve on the momentum and the impact they are adding in governance.
“They have to continue to be more and more accountable, more and more value-adding, upholding the values and ethics of the profession”, Governor Otti stated.
He expressed appreciation for their contributions towards the success of his administration’s policies and objectives, adding that the State Government would continue to support their professional growth and ethical standards.
In his remarks, the Secretary to the State Government and a seasoned accountant, Professor Kenneth Kalu, urged accountants to embrace innovation and excellence in their professional conduct.
“Innovation has meaning when it makes life better. Innovation has meaning when it contributes to enhancing service delivery. That is why those who coined this theme said innovation and impact.
“So let us agree that the contribution we will make, one of the ways we can show appreciation for His Excellency, the Governor of the state, is to innovate in the roles we play, in the services we provide, in a way that will ensure that the results are better”, Prof. Kalu said.
Earlier in her address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mrs Obi Chianakwalam, described the theme of the event as apt and timely.
“It challenges us as professionals to rise above our routine, to uphold standards, to embrace innovation, to be willing to do new things, not just the old way of doing it, but to be open to changes and innovation.
“It reminds us that our true value lies in the impact we make. Every day we are working, we are there to make impact”, she noted.
Mrs Chianakwalam also commended Governor Otti for providing an enabling environment that encourages professionalism and ensures that things are done the right way.
The highlight of the event was a lecture delivered by Professor Chris Timothy, which drew participants from across the State’s Accounting and Finance sectors.
