ANAN Set To Establish Polytechnic In Keffi

The Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, ANAN has concluded plans to establish a Polytechnic in Keffi, Nasarawa state as part of efforts to widen the platform for training of Accountants as well as making the profession more attractive.

This is coming few months after the National Universities Commission, NUC granted the Association provisional licence for the establishment of ANAN University, Kwall Plateau state.

National President of the Association, Prof. Muhammad Akaro Mainoma, mni, FCNA spoke in Abuja on Saturday at a dinner organised by the FCT 1 branch in his honour.

The event also coincided with the launching of maiden magazine of ANAN FCT 1 branch, Accountants’ Voice.

The President hinted that the establishment of the Polytechnic is in partnership with a private organisation who will see to the day to day running of its affairs.

Prof. Mainoma whose tenure will wind up this month further stated that discussions have reached advance level with the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE to secure the operational license for ANAN Polytechnic this year.

“Site has already been determined. We are waiting for them (NBTE) to inspect and give us license. So very soon, you will also be hearing about ANAN Polytechnic in Keffi.

“While the Polytechnic will commence with about five different programmes including Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Accounting and others, our university for now is just for Accounting matters; taxation, financial management and related matters.

“Already, there is an advert for about 48 different programmes for the University, including Postgraduate Diploma, Masters degree in different fields as well as PhD courses” he said.

While enlisting the sustainability and improvement of some ANAN programmes and activities, decentralising its examination centre from Jos to seven new centres, attracting members of other professional Accounting bodies to ANAN, increase in number of local and international partnerships as well as relocating the association from a rented apartment to a befitting National Secretariat in Abuja as some of the things he accomplished in the last two years in office, the former Vice Chancellor NSUK expressed gratitude to the FCT 1 branch for recognising his efforts in repositioning the Association.

Mother of the day and MD/CEO Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation, NAIC, Folashade Joseph FCNA expressed gratitude to ANAN for the role it has played in training and educating professionals in the field of Accountancy for national growth.

She noted that irrespective of the challenges the Association has faced over the years, it has continued to train Accountants who are currently excelling in practice of the profession across the globe.

The NAIC boss stated that the economic diversification drive of the current administration through agriculture has continued to yield positive results, insisting that the improvement recorded in agricultural production across the various commodities and their value chain is a clear indicator to this.

While calling on Accountants and other professionals to consider a personal investment into agricultural production with the view of creating employment, generating income and filling the gap responsible for huge annual importation of agric produce into the country, Mrs. Joseph stressed that the fears associated with agricultural investment has been eliminated by the establishment of NAIC which she heads.

In his comment, the Acting Director General of National Broadcasting Commission, NBC Prof. Armstrong A. Idachaba congratulated ANAN for coming up with modalities that can assist in solving some of the problems confronting the country.

While commending the outgoing President of the Association for his fruitful stewardship, Prof. Idachaba applauded the FCT 1 branch for introduction of the magazine which he said will further enhance public knowledge of the activities of ANAN and attract goodwill to the Association.

Earlier in his address, Chairman of the occasion DCG Filibus Bitrus, Rtd., FCNA extolled the achievements of ANAN FCT 1 under the leadership of Mr. Wahab Shina Omoniyi.

He noted that the introduction of the magazine will play a vital role in entrenching transparency and accountability in the branch as well as bringing members close to its activities.

He said, “Since the inception of this current exco, the Branch has witnessed a significant and visible progress in terms of membership growth, capacity building of members, continuation of its existing corporate social responsibility projects which have continued to attract accolades, mentorship of potential Accountants on the need to uphold ethical values as well as according priority to senior members of the Branch who for years have remained assets to the Branch and indeed the Accounting profession generally.

“Through robust engagements with relevant stakeholders, members of the Branch have been exposed to modern Accounting and Auditing techniques which will not only assist in delivering effective service at workplace but differentiate them in ANAN’s efforts to support the government in keeping financial misdealings at minimal level in MDAs. These, show that ANAN FCT 1 is truly a leading light.

“Ladies and gentlemen, part of the milestones the branch has recorded is what we are here to celebrate today. The public presentation of the magazine Accountants’ Voice is part of a deliberate plan to bridge information gap and bring members close to the activities of the branch. Suffice to say that in any organisation or body where there is acute lack of information, it is akin to an individual without an ear, sight or voice. The role of information in the modern society cannot be over-emphasised. This magazine also has an enormous role to play in engendering openness and accountability as well as solidifying the confidence of members of the branch.”

Chairman of FCT 1 branch of the ANAN, Mr. Wahab Shina Omoniyi expressed gratitude to his team for offering the needed support in piloting the affairs of the branch despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic which was at its peak when the EXCO was elected.

While applauding members for their full support, Mr. Omoniyi who took over saddle of leadership September last year said their goodwill has among other things helped in the continuation of the branch’s scholarship scheme at Federal Science And Technical College Orozo, Abuja.

He added that exercise has been expanded to accommodate more students while educational materials have also been provided for them.

“Within this same period, in fulfilling the promise we made of building capacity across board, we have organised virtual trainings, since the pandemic could not allow for physical meetings. But now that the protocols have been relaxed, the physical training will continue” he said.

Mr. Omoniyi emphasised that the launch of the magazine will serve as a tool to showcase the activities of the branch as well as bridging the information gap with the general public.

He thanked the President of the Association, Prof. Muhammad Akaro Mainoma for setting the pace through visionary leadership which he said has helped FCT 1 branch in recording some of its achievements so far.