ICAN Inducts Hajiya Seghosime Its 62nd President, As Gov Okpebholo, Dangote, Oshiomhole, Minister Oyedele, Others Eulogise Her Qualities
A change of guard this week took place at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) where Hajiya Queensley Soforatu Seghosime took over from Mallam Haruna Nma Yahaya, as the 62nd President and Chairman of Council of the country’s foremost accounting professional body in Lagos.
In the colourfully dignified ceremony that held on Tuesday at the ICAN Council Chambers, in Victoria Island, Lagos, eminent Nigerians poured encomiums on the new President and on the institute.
Goodwill messages poured in from associates of Seghosime and ICAN, including: Edo State’s Governor Monday Okpebholo, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, Billionaire Businessman Aliko Dangote and the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) of Nigeria, Dr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi.
HAJIYA QUEENSLEY SOFORATU SEGHOSIME
The new ICAN President, Seghosime, pledged to strengthen the institute’s governance, promote sustainability, advance members’ welfare and uphold the highest standards of ethics and professional discipline.
Seghosime said: “We will strengthen our institution. Governance, operational excellence, performance management, data-driven decision-making and service delivery will receive renewed attention. A great vision requires a great institution like ICAN.”
Furthermore, she expressed commitment towards using her tenure to champion members’ welfare by strengthening engagement, mentorship, professional mobility, recognition and career development opportunities.
Emphasising that integrity would remain at the heart of the accounting profession, Seghosime said that her administration would strengthen ethical compliance, professional discipline, quality assurance and continuous ethics education.
“These are not merely programmes. They are commitments. They are responsibilities. They are our promises,” she said. “Our relevance must never be measured only by the number of members we produce, but by the value we create, the confidence we inspire and the impact we make.”
ICAN FIRST DEPUTY VICE PRESIDENT, MAZI ETOFOLAM FELIX OSUJI
ICAN’s First Deputy Vice President, Mazi Etofolam Felix Osuji, eulogised the sterling credentials of the new President.
Osuji said Madam Seghosime’s “distinguished career in taxation, public finance, governance and professional service has prepared you for this historic responsibility. I am confident that your Presidential Year will strengthen our institution, deepen member value, uphold ethics, advance digital transformation, promote sustainability, expand strategic partnerships and enhance ICAN’s national impact. I assure you of our loyalty, prayers and unwavering support.”
ICAN 61ST PRESIDENT, MALLAM HARUNA NMA YAHAYA
Delivering his farewell valedictory address, the 61st President, Yahaya, credited his tenure for achieving its set 10point agenda, which embraced: Digital Transformation of Professional Examinations, Revitalisation of the ICAN Brand. Engagement and Retention of Gen Z, Enhancing Member Employability, Empowerment of Small and Medium Practitioners (SMPs) and Advancement of Global Certification Pathways and Global Relevance.
Others, he said, were: Thought Leadership and Policy Advocacy, Institutional Capacity Building, Support for Regulation, Transparency and Anti-Corruption Efforts and Celebration of ICAN at 60 and Future Positioning.
MINISTER OF FINANCE, TAIWO OYEDELE
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy commended ICAN for its role in nation-building through the promotion of professionalism, integrity, accountability and excellence in financial reporting and governance.
Describing accountants as not only custodians of financial information but of trust, he said their responsibilities extended to ensuring that resources were managed responsibly and institutions remained accountable to the people they served.
According to Oyedele, the country’s ongoing economic reforms would require professionals who upheld the highest standards of ethics, transparency and public service, expressing confidence that Seghosime’s leadership would further strengthen ICAN’s relevance and contribution to national development.
SENATOR MONDAY OKPEBHOLO
Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, represented by the Chief of Staff, Alhaji Yakubu Musa Oshiorenua, said ICAN occupied a strategic place in national development. Beyond producing highly skilled professionals, it continues to make significant contributions to strengthening governance, transparency, accountability and public sector performance in our country.
The Edo Governor said: “One initiative that deserves special commendation is the ICAN Accountability Index. Through this important assessment, ICAN has demonstrated that professional bodies can contribute meaningfully to improving governance by promoting transparency, measuring performance and encouraging healthy competition among public institutions.
“As a State, we are encouraged by Edo State’s performance in the Accountability Index and the recognition of efforts being made to strengthen public financial management, accountability and responsible governance. While we acknowledge that there is always room for improvement, such independent assessments provide valuable feedback that helps governments measure progress and identify areas for further action.”
SENATOR ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE
The Senator representing Edo North in the Nigerian Senate, Adams Oshiomhole, lauded the new ICAN President and praised Seghosime for focusing on hope and solutions rather than dwelling on societal challenges.
He expressed confidence that ICAN would continue to uphold the values of integrity, competence and professionalism.
Oshiomhole further advocated greater participation of women in leadership positions, saying Nigeria would achieve better results when both men and women are fully empowered to contribute to national development.
ALHAJI ALIKO DANGOTE
Executive Director of Dangote Group, Ms. Fatima Dangote, who represented Aliko Dangote, described Seghosime’s emergence as a celebration of character, resilience, integrity and purposeful leadership.
She said the new President had consistently demonstrated wisdom, discipline and an unwavering commitment to excellence throughout her professional career.
Dangote expressed confidence that ICAN would continue to grow in relevance and responsibility under Seghosime’s leadership, adding that her emergence would inspire young professionals, particularly women, to pursue excellence through hard work, integrity and perseverance.
