1.  INTRODUCTION 

Today, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here to witness yet another epoch-making event in the annals of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) as it transits from the 13thto the 14th leadership under my humble self. It is with utmost deep sense of gratitude to the Almighty Allah and to you the members of ANAN that I assume this responsibility as the 14th President of this great Association.

I do not take for granted this awesome responsibility which you have placed on my shoulders, and I want to assure you that by the grace of God, this President shall steer this great Body to the path that leads to the noble goals and objectives which our founding fathers envisioned.

The Oath I have sworn to and the chain of responsibility I have just worn shall continue to be reminders of this assurance.  In line with this assurance, I have two quotations which I like to convey to you.

  1. “The Struggle Continues”
  2. “Keep Investing Systematically, Heavily in Members’ Interest”

Personally, I want to believe that life is a struggle not a competition; one has to struggle to be successful in life. ANAN did not start with me, many have struggled, 1-13 persons have made their marks and now I am the 14th President. I pray that I will have the vigour, the strength and wisdom to push on with the struggle to add value to what the past Presidents have put in place. How will I do that? The second quotation comes in “Keep Investing Systematically; Heavily in Members’ Interest”. If you want, let these two quotations be my two new names.

The Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) has become a beautiful bride locally and internationally. It is therefore our duty to continue to beautify it so as to continue to attract the desired attention. This brings forth the necessity for greater investment in our system and people. No one is in doubt as to the changing dynamics of the profession. We are confronted with the challenge of technology and the challenges of economic downturn. It is therefore necessary that our focus should be on how to address these realities. I am convinced that if we focus on Knowledge Creation, Infrastructural Development, Systems Development, Harmonization and Standardization, Innovation and Creativity, Mentoring and Internationalization of Operations; it will be a worthy investment of the Association.

2.  POLICY DIRECTION

a. Knowledge Creation

There has been significant emphasis on knowledge creation by our founding fathers. It is one of the tripod of professionalism; Others being Integrity and Experience. Knowledge is important for personal growth and professional development. It helps towards problem solving and assist in adaptation to changing environment and technologies. Certainly, knowledge helps towards improved decision making and judgment and also enhance creativity and critical thinking. We shall therefore continue to create the enabling environment both in the Nigerian college of accountancy for the professional knowledge and the university to ensure that our professional members are sound in knowledge. We shall also pay attention to our membership trainings to ensure that it impacts the desired knowledge considering the changing times and development of new knowledge.

b. Infrastructural Development

We must focus on stability, reliability and efficiency of physical and technological systems. We must introduce preventive, corrective, productive and routine maintenance. We have argued severally that we have system that encourages students to be in a school environment. We should therefore have the infrastructure. We should also not only provide but ensure they meet the standards we are setting for ourselves. Our students are postgraduate students. Our students are matured students; we must therefore provide facilities that meet their standards. We are concerned about our buildings, our roads, water supply, power, telecommunication services and digital infrastructure. We shall focus on maintenance of existing ones and their upgrades and also the supply of new ones. We are particular in making strong presence in the Federal Capital Territory and its environs.

c. System Development

A lot have been done by my predecessors. There is the need to have a system in place considering our history. We should be able to have a template for the development of the Association. Efforts therefore shall be done during my tenure to develop ten (10) years Development Plan. The six (6) of us in the Executive Committee should be able to have a vision that is well focused and reflect our dream for the position of the Association in ten (10) year’s time. A situation where every president comes with a two (2) year plan and what he or she is unable to do is abandoned is not the best for the Association.
 
We have seen past projects that could be completed within six (6) months but are allowed for six (6) years. If we have a system, we shall not have such experiences. We must work together with our Branches and Chapters and ensure that we have a uniform system. That is what system development is all about.
 
d. Harmonization and Standardization

There are processes aimed at achieving consistency and uniformity. We need to minimize differences and inconsistencies. We need to work towards capability. We need to allow flexibility and adaptation. We need to work with others with similar interests. We need to improve efficiency and reliability. We need to have simplified maintenance and updates. We are more particular about Technology, Processes, Regulation and Quality Assurance.

e. Innovation and Creativity

Innovation and creativity are essential for personnel and professional growth. We are bothered about the skill levels of our members. We must design programmes that address the skill gap considering the ever-changing work environment. We are going to pay attention to social skills and competencies. We shall ensure that we use technology to our advantage. We shall equip members with adequate emotional intelligence, utilize artificial intelligence and ensure that they have problem solving skills.
 
f. Mentoring
Mentoring has the benefits of improved confidence and self-awareness of the mentee, enhanced skills and knowledge, increase networking opportunities, better decision-making and problem solving skills and leadership development. In our situation where practice is hallmark of the profession, you must encourage the younger ones to be attached to the experienced ones so as to ensure continuous relevance. We shall encourage firms to operate together so as to create mega firms. We shall specifically look at Guidance Support, Development, Networking and Role Modeling.
 
g. Internationalization of Operation

We shall continue with the ongoing efforts to be visible at the international sphere. We shall pursue with Vigor higher presence at IFAC, PAFA and ABWA. We shall continue with the effort to mentor other African Countries to adopt our model of professionalism. We shall be at the vanguard of protecting our training mode at the international arena.

3. SPECIFIC ISSUES

Specifically, I have reduced my aspiration within the next two years to focus on the following:

a. Keeping the Tradition:

ANAN has a cherished tradition that must be protected and enhanced. A system of rancour free transition with consensus building at all levels of Management. This must be maintained.

b. International Visibility:

We have been paying our dues and participating in international programmes. We must however advance beyond just participating to real players in international events. We must see our members making presentations and participating fully in discussions and leadership.

c. Security and Computerization of Examination Processes:

Attempts have been made in the past to computerize our examination processes but we are not yet there. If JAMB and other lower-level examinations could be carried out through the CBT, we have no excuse not to computerize our own system. We shall endeavour to address whatever challenges that have made it impossible to have part of our examinations done through Computer-based system.

d. Harmonization of Vision: 
A situation where we are beginning to have abundant project or projects not maintained is not acceptable. We will harmonize our vision and put into consideration a system of continuity that no matter what, no project should be abandoned. In that light, I shall set up a committee for ten (10) year rolling plan detailing the capital needs of the Association and roll them over 10 years. All those in the line of succession shall be members of the committee. So that major projects they may wish to carry out during their tenure can be incorporated.

We shall also continue with vigor the idea of obtaining land for the development of the University particularly for the undergraduate courses in Abuja.

We are equally worried about the development of staff particularly college staff. We shall therefore think out a system where they could also be staff of the University so that the career path can be well defined and they can rise to be Professors while working in the College.

e. Integration and Diversity:

We shall continue the cooperations and collaborations with other Professional bodies, Establishments, Women groups and other bodies to improve our systems. We are desirous of diversification and placing the Association beyond the current status. 

f. Measures to Reduce Cost of Operations and Ensure Value for Money:

There have been efforts in the pasts to find areas of reducing cost of operations. There has been reports that were never implemented. Time has come now that we must reduce cost of our operations. In the light of this therefore, we should expect actual financial discipline aimed at reducing costs of operations. We shall only spend when it is necessary to spend.

g. Improvement of Quality of Members:

The idea of MCPD and MPPF are measures to update members on current status of the Discipline. We shall however empower the Zonal Leaderships of the Association to develop programmes that shall enhance the quality of our members. We shall also endeavour to do a study on the training needs of members and the challenges associated with their professional practice and develop programmes that shall address such limitations.

4. CONCLUSION

This regime shall consolidate the efforts done by the past presidents and shall be willing to continue with the programmes and projects we have started. I have been in Council for the past ten (10) years and I have been part of the decisions of Council. Therefore, one cannot be said to be ignorant of events. We shall therefore ensure progress of the Association at all costs.

CHIEF HAJIA ZUWAIRA TALATU KISHIMI, B.SC, MBA, CPA, IRELAND, FCNA 

14th President and Chairman of Council Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN)