Human capital development: ICAN Obio/Akpor records bounties in first year

Human capital development drive seems to mark the one year of activities of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) in Obio/Akpor District & Society.

The District which has been in the news for all of its first one year, is led by someone considered vibrant, Chioma Obianuju Ojukwu, a senior university lecturer (Uniport), a first class academic in her secondary and tertiary education, and wife of a chief as well as a Lady in the Church.

Delivering her state of ICAN report, Ojukwu mentioned organizing highly impactful and well attended quarterly webinars/luncheon series attracting over 1000 participants in all.

The empowerment drive for human capital development is said to have a sensitive part, the ‘Catch Them Young/Career Talk Programme’ that focuses on secondary schools. This took them to schools in each of the quarters in 2025. “We started with Olobo Premier College Choba on 19th March, 2025, Word of Faith Group of Schools at Woji Town on 25th June, 2025, Excellent Montessori in Mgbuoba on 17th of Sept. 2025 and Archdeacon Crowther Memorial Girls’ College (Elelenwo Girls) on 14th Nov. 2025 all in Obio/Akpor LGA. In each of them we shared writing materials and gave them career talks on accounting and educated them on financial literacy and accountability.”

As part of Corporate Social Responsibility, Ojukwu said ICAN carried out financial literacy/public sensitization programme around Choba, Alakahia and Rumuosi areas for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) on Nov. 10th 2025 to mark International Accounting Day Celebration.

She mentioned welfare interventions carried by the District.

“Our District made giant strides at the last ICAN Annual Accountant’s Conference at Abuja, coming back home with six trophies; 1st Prize Trophy as the Overall Best Performing District in District Parade/Drama/Stage Drama Performance (Small Districts Category) and 5 different Individual Sports Competition by members of the District.”

She said they paid many courtesy visits to preach the message of ICAN. Another milestone was marking the one year with many events especially the intra-university debates that led to big awards.

She showed avenues of partnership with bodies that are keen on helping to build capacity and human capital reservoir. “Our members are available to offer technical advisory support on internal controls, budgeting, and financial planning to aid the smooth running of organisations.”

She mentioned needs of the District thus: “We need financial support to acquire an 18-Seater Bus to support the mobility of our members, especially for official engagements, community outreaches, and professional assignments within and outside the State.

“The District needs an Office Space in any central place in Obio/Akpor LGA. Considering the high cost of rent and funds for keeping the staff, we solicit for financial support to have a well-furnished office space that we can maintain as our District Secretariat.

“We respectfully seek your support in sponsoring members of ICAN to attend ICAN and other Conferences, Workshops, and Professional trainings, both within and outside Rivers State such as the Zonal Conferences, Annual Accountants Conference (AAC) in Abuja in Oct. 2026 and International Conferences.”

She said many persons and groups helped the District to create the feats and named the chairman on the Occasion, Peter Chukwudi Agbaetuo, a pastor, and all the esteemed guests of honour. “I thank the members of the newly constituted Body of Patrons of the District for accepting to play this important role as stated in the Institute’s District Bye Law for us.

“The twelve awardees approved by ICAN, I say a big thank you for accepting the Awards and supporting this District thus far. May God continue to bless you. I sincerely appeal that you continue to support us whenever we call upon you or even on your own will.

“In a special way, I thank all the Assessors of the Debate Competition especially, Hon. Justice Opufaa Ben-Whyte Judge, High Court Rivers State who graciously accepted to be our Special Guest Judge of the competition and all the distinguished Panel of Judges and accurate time keeper for successfully conducting the assignment.”

In his speech, the 61st president of ICAN, Haruna Nma Yahaya, who was represented by Njum Nnennaya Uma-Onyemenam, who is the Accountant-General of Abia State, described the District Chairman (Chioma Ojukwu), as one dedicated to growth of ICAN.

She said the chairman is an exciting person full of humour, saying the feats were a reflection of District’s commitment to upholding the values of ICAN. “She has pursued professional development initiatives plus massive turnout each time she rolled out her programmes. The Catch Them young, her welfare programmes, trophies won in Abuja, etc, are evidence that she was always on her feet.”

In her welcome remarks, Adaobi Akuagba, chairman of organizing committee, said the event was not only to reflect on the achievements of the past year but to lay foundation for the future.