Abuja: Hajiya Sofuratu Seghosime, President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), has urged the newly inaugurated Zaria and District Society leadership to prioritise innovation, accountability, professional excellence, and measurable impact. Seghosime gave the charge during the investiture of Malam Shehu Abdulwahab as the 12th Chairman of the Zaria District Society.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the president, represented by Prof. Salisu Abubakar, described Abdulwahab’s emergence as a recognition of competence, integrity, leadership capacity, and dedication. She emphasized that the administration’s success should be measured by the value created for members, students, the accounting profession, and society, rather than the number of meetings held or ceremonies organised.
The president expressed confidence that Abdulwahab’s leadership would advance the institute’s ‘WE ARE ICAN’ agenda. This initiative aims at expanding access, strengthening governance, embracing technology, promoting sustainability, enhancing welfare, and protecting professional integrity nationwide. She urged the executive committee to prepare a clear implementation plan aligned with ICAN’s strategic priorities, including measurable targets covering student enrolment, membership engagement, technical programmes, corporate social responsibility, and stakeholder relations across the district.
Seghosime also appealed to members of the Zaria district society to support the new leadership, stressing that effective leadership requires collective responsibility, active participation, and commitment from every member of the institute. The president commended the outgoing chairman, Mr Oyewale Kayode, and his executive committee for demonstrating dedication, exemplary leadership, and commitment that strengthened the growth, relevance, and professional standing of the district society.
Furthermore, she announced the appointment of Mr Jamiu Olakisan as District Coordinator for the Zaria district society, directing his integration into official communication channels to enhance coordination and operational effectiveness immediately. The president urged the district to commence early mobilisation of members, students, and stakeholders for the 56th Annual Accountants Conference in Abuja from Oct. 18 to Oct. 23, 2026, for participation. She described the conference as Africa’s largest gathering of accounting professionals, providing opportunities for learning, networking, policy engagement, and strengthening professional relationships among practitioners from Nigeria and other participating countries annually.
Former Ahmadu Bello University Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ahmed Doko, described accounting as a noble profession, emphasizing its role in reminding individuals of their relationship with God through accountability for actions and reconciliation with the Creator. Doko, the event’s special guest of honour, advised the incoming chairman to carry members along by explaining decisions, resolving disagreements through dialogue, and promoting inclusiveness to strengthen unity within the district society.
In his valedictory remarks, outgoing Chairman Oyewale Kayode highlighted that his administration strengthened professionalism, transparency, stakeholder relations, financial discipline, mentorship programmes, and members’ participation through the collective support received during his tenure.
Abdulwahab, in his acceptance speech, promised to strengthen the ICAN brand by promoting professionalism, innovation, capacity building, mentorship for young accountants, strategic partnerships, and initiatives aimed at enhancing members’ welfare and professional development. He added that the district society under his watch would consolidate on the achievements of past leaderships by promoting professionalism, innovation, and impactful services, prioritising capacity building, mentorship for young accountants, and strategic partnerships to enhance members’ welfare and development.