I
am an ardent believer in the axiomatic expression that “all progress occurs
because people dare to be different”. It is for this reason that achievers will
always be celebrated. If for no other reason for their courage to be different.
The huddles, some self-inflicted and others externally motivated that have
always characterised the emergence of every hero, have more often than not
limited many people from daring.
The
founders of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), are
National heroes. They are heroes, not just for the ability to overcome the
numerous opposition that witnessed the establishment of the Association, but of
course for their foresight and legendary roles in ensuring that the process of
grooming the Professional Accountant in Nigeria, right from the inception of
the Association, was fundamentally and firmly rooted. Their efforts culminated
into the creation and establishment of a Postgraduate School, by the
Association for the training of Professional Accountants, in the Country. The
impact of that decision taken many years ago, on the Nigerian economy of today,
can never be over emphasised.
The
saying that “there are successful men but no great ones” reminds us all of the
difference between successes hinged on political leanings and inclinations and
successes that emanated from efforts targeted at elevating the ideals of a
society and creating an enabling environment for building lasting economic
blueprint for both economic and social transformation of a society, as against
building individuals. The founders of ANAN are not just successful, but by all
intent and purposes “great”.
As
the ANAN, and the Nigerian College of Accountancy, Training Arm of ANAN, awaits
the arrival of the President of the International Federation of Accountants,
(IFAC), Olivia Kirtley, and the World Bank President, Jim Young Kim, to the permanent
site of the Nigeria College of Accountancy, mention must be made that history
is being made and honour reposed, not just on ANAN and its founders, but to
Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
With
the President of ANAN, Mr. Anthony Nzom supported by other Council members and
the entire Association, leading and the Director General of the Nigerian College
of Accountancy, Dr. Joseph F. Adebisi, Ph.D. followed by the staff and students
of the College, there is no doubt that the visitors will be heralded with a
resounding welcome. The hospitality, for which the wonderful people of Plateau
State and Nigerians are well known for will be on display throughout the period
of the visit, between November 30, and December 2, 2015.
The
Nigerian College of Accountancy, located in Kwall, Miango, Plateau State, will
play host to the visitors. During their visit, they will inspect facilities at
the Nigerian College of Accountancy. This indeed, will be an epoch making
event.
Beyond
the inspection of facilities at the Nigerian College of Accountancy, Kwall, by
the two august visitors, the visit is very important, particularly, for the
numerous interest and appeal that the visit represents and will generate.
Before anything else is said in this regard, it is necessary to underscore the
implied meaning of this visit.
I
make bold to say that the visit of the two international bodies is nature’s way
of not just compensating but also eulogising and endorsing the dogged,
enterprising, liberating, leadership, goal-oriented and emancipatory role of
the founders of ANAN. It also teaches us
as a people the type of success that worth’s celebrating.
The attributes enunciated above define the character and
personality of the founders of ANAN. To say that these attributes are what
Nigeria needs in the struggle to overcome corruption, and elite-colonialism, that
have given birth to sectionalism, religious extremism and other harmful
socio-economic practices is to state the obvious. While elected representatives
of the people build boreholes that stop running less than three months after
construction, with millions of Naira, belonging to the people and dominate the
media with their so called success stories, the founders of ANAN laid a
foundation that has attracted the attention of the two world bodies.
The contributions of the founding fathers of ANAN is appreciated
if we consider some legendary roles the Association has played towards
liberating the Nigerian economy from the shackles of ignorance, poverty, and unemployment.
ANAN, at the wake of the V20:20:20, assembled some of her best
brains and commissioned them to perform a national socio-economic rescue
assignment. After series of meetings, the group, came out with a compendium,
detailing practical approaches and commendable engagement patterns, essential
for the realization of the Vision 202020, and making the huge investments of that
policy framework an organic part of our dream as a Nation. This document was
presented to the Federal Government of Nigeria, for whom it was prepared. This
was at no cost to the Government.
Towards fulfilling her self-imposed mandate of advancing the
science of Accountancy, ANAN has built and commissioned Accountancy research centers in some Universities, in Nigeria. The aim, which anybody could reason
is to promote academic research in the field of Accountancy. The implication of
this to the development of accountancy and the Nigerian economy is too obvious
to mention.
Unlike most organisations, the Association, ANAN, understands the
principle of social responsibility and the importance of such in building a healthy relationship with a host community. For this reason the Association has made it a top
priority to ensure that the community hosting the Nigerian College of
Accountancy, feels her impact, by ensuring that the community benefits maximally from the Association. This is why
ANAN and the Nigerian College of Accountancy have designed an economic blueprint aimed
at empowering and re-positioning the Kwall Community, economically. In this
regard, the Association has designed and developed a market, in a large expanse of land, where many blocks of shops, have been constructed
and donated to the Community. In addition to this is a Motor
Park and a Police Post. The community manages the Market and the Motor Park and generates revenues from them.
ANAN President Chief Anthony Nzom, cutting the tape at the entrance of the Market
DG, Nigerian College of Accountancy, Dr. Adebisi cutting a tape, at the ceremony
The Traditional ruler of the community, cutting a tape at the ceremony
Signing of papers at the DG's office
Exchange of pleasantries at the DG's office, after signing of papers
In my book “entrepreneurial development and Business Planning”
(recipe for sustainable economic growth, in an emerging economy, 2009”) I
reasoned that “no country ever attains economic development by merely
advocating it, but by engaging in consistent, purposeful and practical action
that, can stimulate human potentials and ensure development”. I still belief this, and call on other well meaning people and organisations to emulate ANAN, and where possible surpass her records.
ANAN contributions to Accounting education and research, community
development, and indeed her doggedness in championing change initiatives, promoting
collective growth, cross-sector-partnerships, and pioneering efforts in
Nigeria’s development are legacies, very significant and priceless in
sustainability change initiatives.
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