The Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service, AKIRS, Mr Okon Okon was among the 14 distinguished personalities who received an Award of Excellence by the International Federation of Accountants, IFAC.
The AKIRS Boss was honoured on Saturday during the 2021 International Accountancy Week Serminar/ Award night at Watbridge hotels and suites, IBB Way, Uyo.
Speaking on the theme “The role of Accountants in Economic Development in Akwa Ibom State” , Mr Okon Okon who was the keynote speaker of the event highlighted the significant impact accountants have played over the years in boosting the Akwa Ibom State economy and beyond.
His words, ” There are many accounting and audit firms across Nigeria and in Akwa Ibom State today that have equally contributed in employment creation, revenue generation and to the economic growth of the national and sub-national economy.
“At the national level, we have the likes of KPMG, Ernst & Young, Deloitte Nigeria and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Nigeria, BDO, McKinsey & Company Nigeria, amongst others, that are providing multidisciplinary professional services within the Nigerian business community, helping to transform their operations and performances, and therefore, driving growth of the Nigerian economy.
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“In Akwa Ibom State, we have over 190 registered firms of Chartered Accountants, working for the advancement of the state economy.
“I am pleased to note that our ability, as a State, to deliver on infrastructural development, massive industrialization drive and across other layers of our development paradigm, especially in the last couple of years, bears full imprints of your highly esteemed profession.”
Okon commended Mr Udom Emmanuel for his developmental strides in the state , noting that the governor’s financial prudence and fiscal responsibility emanated from his wealth of experience in Financial management and Accounting.
“As you are aware, His Excellency, our Governor, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, is a man with extensive accounting, banking, financial management, economics and taxation background.
“As an astute administrator, and a Chartered Accountant, with in-depth knowledge of income optimization, financial control and strategic planning, he has continued to place high premium on financial prudence and fiscal responsibility in order to deliver the dividends of democracy to the good people of Akwa Ibom State.
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“Indeed, the performance of His Excellency, amidst the challenging times, gives us a good summary of how much our State has benefited from this noble profession – Accountancy. ”
The Chairman also hinted that the proficient accounting techniques and structured in Akwa Ibom has ranked the state as one of the best performing states in sub-National Budget Transparency and among the top 5 states in the federation in the adoption of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) by the Governor’s Forum.
Similarly, the AKIRS Boss said that the financial transparency and accountability of the Udom Emmanuel administration has led to a significant milestone in the State’s IGR which generated as much as N30.70 billion in 2020.
“Consistent with the hallmark of financial transparency and accountability of the present government, we were able to achieve significant milestone in our first year in office, by growing the State’s IGR from as low as N14.79 billion in 2016 to N16 billion by 2017.
” By 2018, we moved State’s IGR further to N24.21 billion and then to a historic record of N32.2 billion in 2019, representing over 2 times the highest annual IGR (about ₦15bn) in the first 30 years of the creation of the State.
“Despite the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on businesses and the generous tax waivers from the State Government to cushion the impact of the pandemic, we were still able to generate as much as N30.70 billion in 2020. ”
While lauding The institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, Uyo, District Society and Association of National Accountant of Nigeria, ANAN, Akwa Ibom branch for sustaining an enviable standard over the years, he however, urged the professionals to continue upholding salient values and professionalism which they have cultivated over the years, adding that the progress of the state depends largely on their professional expertise.
People who also spoke in the occasion include Engr Oliver Ebong( Chairman of the Occasion), DCNS Eno Akpan ( Chairman, ICAN Uyo, and District Society), Mrs Stella Effiong (Chairman ANAN, Akwa Ibom State), Dr Magnus Chukwuekezie (Chairman Planning Committee), among others.
Distinguished personalities who made the awardee list were – Dr Nsikan Nkan ( Commissioner for Finance), Pastor Sunday Ibuot( Special Adviser, Bureau of Political/Legislative Affairs and Water Resources to Akwa Ibom State Government), Dr Glory Edet( Commissioner for Agriculture), Pastor Umo Eno( Commissioner, Ministry of Lands and Water Resources), Pastor Uwem – Andrew ( Accountant General, Akwa Ibom State), Hon. Justice Ekaette Obot( Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State), Rotn. (Prof) EmemAbasi Bassey (National Assistant Secretary of the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria, Chairman Medical and Dental Consultants of Nigeria, UUTH Chapter), Dr Emmanuel Abraham ( Proprietor of Topfaith International Secondary School and Topfaith Legacy College, Ibiakpan, Ikot Ekpene).
Others include, Dr Elijah Akpan( a Clinical Pharmacist), Sir U. H. Isobara( Former Chairman Forum of Accountants General in Nigeria), Mr Nsikan Jonny ( Managing Director/CEO of Nsik Motors Limited-Operators of Akwa Ibom State Transport Company Limited), Imo- Abasi Jacob, SNR( Chairman board of Directors of Ibomair), Elder Okon Okon( Director of Finance and Accounts and Acting Bursar at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria) and Late Jumbo Etukudo.
