One of the accredited study centres of the Nigerian College of Accountancy, Sikiru Olaribigbe & Associates, SOA at the weekend played host to the course 27 of SOA professional students who recently concluded their 2 years course in the accounting profession.
The course 27 students are the 15th set to be graduated since the centre was licensed by the Nigerian College of Accountancy, Kwall in Plateau State, a postgraduate school owned and operated by a leading accountancy body in the country, the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, ANAN.
The freshly baked professional accountants and the management of Sikiru Olaribigbe & Associates as well as their invited guests and well wishers had a good relaxation mood away from the seriousness of academic activities and the art of figure computation at the prestigious AFRI Hotel in the heart of the nation’s capital Abuja.
Addressing members of the course 27 of the centre, chairman of the occasion, Mr. Wahab Shina Omoniyi, FCNA while congratulating them sounded a note of warning that certain conducts which were in the past condoned no more have a place in the profession.
Mr. Omoniyi who doubles as the chairman of Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, ANAN FCT 1 Abuja branch urged the course 27 members to imbibe skills and competence as their watchword.
“It is only when you hold skills and competence as watchword that you can raise your head above water and broker new grounds in the noble profession, that is when you can proudly call yourself the real professional.
“It is not difficult to do, all you require is to imbibe discipline. I applaud you for enduring the rigours of the academic tasks, but this time, you need even higher competence to apply the rudiment of the practical aspect of that knowledge you have acquired” he said.
He encouraged them to hold tenaciously the ethics of the profession at all times and avoid sharp practices capable of bringing their good names to disrepute, stating that disciplinary measures will be fully activated when necessary to serve as a deterrent to others.
In his remarks, the Engagement Partner Sikiru Olaribigbe & Partners, Prince Batula Ola Sikiru who is also the centre coordinator assured that the centre will continue to be outstanding in raising thoroughbred accountants who will be the torch bearers of the profession in Nigeria and beyond.
He said the centre which started about 15 years ago has produced no fewer than 15,000 accountants who are part of the drivers of the nation’s economy.
Prince Sikiru said old students of the centre have earned good names for themselves by imbibing integrity, urging the 15th set to remain its good ambassadors as they set out for their practice.
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of ANAN in charge of Education and Training, Mr. Rahman Bello called on the graduands to make efforts to associate with one of the over 40 branches of the association across the country.
This he said will assist them in keying into the activities and programmes of the association, get fellowship nomination and other rights and privileges due to members.
Bako Salihu Usman, the class governor of course 27 said it was challenging though a rewarding experience to undertake the course.
He added that the constant journey from Abuja to Plateau State where the college is located made it even more tasking, in addition to the rigouros tests and examinations.
Highlight of the event was the symbolic handing over of candle light from course 27 to course 28 members.
