Lagos Backs ICAN Entrepreneurship Scheme for Young Professionals

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The Lagos State government has promised to support the entrepreneurship scheme to be established by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) for young professionals.

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while receiving the delegation of the institute on Monday, said he was impressed with the programmes of the organisation.

He described the accounting profession as noble and of high integrity, stressing that every organisation, both public and private, need trust, accountability and transparency for sustainable social and economic development in the country.

“For us in Lagos State Government and in the public service of the state, we consider our role here as one of trust. Trust in governance is one of our key objectives here. We believe that we are in a position of trust.

“We are in a position where we need to continue to hold ourselves accountable and hold ourselves answerable to the voting public that elected us into office.

“But more importantly, to be able to hold on to the tenet of ensuring that everything we do, we can account for it; be it infrastructure, financial and human capital,” Mr Sanwo-Olu told the leader of the team, Mrs Comfort Eyitayo, who is the president of ICAN.

The Governor, while commending Lagos State Public Service for having its own arm of ICAN and chartered accountants in the civil service, disclosed that Lagos State Government has one of the largest chartered accountant members in the country aside from the banks, which are in the private sector.

In her remarks, Mrs Eyitayo commended Mr Sanwo-olu for the massive infrastructural projects in the state and regards for professionalism across all sectors.

“You have demonstrated to us in clear terms your special regard for professionalism and professionals across all fields. This is visibly reflected in the way you have engaged professionals as you pursue the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of your administration.

“It is not surprising that Lagos State is witnessing massive infrastructural developments, some already completed and other ongoing projects. You are equally building a State that would be highly connected thereby positioned to become a 21st-century economy.

“It is noteworthy that Lagos is already the biggest technology hub for start-ups and its ecosystem in Africa. One of the drivers of this enviable status of the State is the expansion of broadband access to every part of the state,” she said.