BY: EMMANUEL CHUKWUMA, ENUGU.

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has challenged accountants on sustainable values and his dreams and aspirations of a new Abia, where endless opportunities are made available to the citizenry.

Governor Otti made this submission at the 2025 International Accounting Day celebration held at the International Conference Centre , Umuahia, with the theme, “Excellence, Innovation and Impact”.

The Governor, represented by the Accountant General of the State, Mrs Njum Onyemanam, noted that the accountants in the state are already playing the role of accountability, transparency, professionalism and integrity and stressed the need for them to sustain same.

“The roles expected accountants to play is what they are playing, but they have to sustain and also continue to improve on the momentum on the impact they are adding in governance.

“They have to continue to be more and more accountable, more and more value adding, upholding the values and ethics of of business”, Gov. Otti stated.

Governor Otti, who appreciated the contributions of the accountants in the state, particularly those in the state public service, commended them for their roles in achieving the policy thrust of the administration.

Speaking, , the Secretary to the State Government Professor Kenneth Kalu urged accountants in the state to appreciate the value of excellence, innovation and impact.

“Innovation has meaning, when it makes life better. Innovation has meaning when it contributes to enhancing the service delivery. That is why those who coined this theme said innovation and impact.

“So let us agree on the contribution we will make, one of the ways we can show appreciation for His Excellency, the Governor of the state, Dr. Otti, is to innovate in the roles we play, in the services we provide, in a way that will ensure the results are better”, Prof. Kanu stated.

He stressed on the need for them to reflect on the theme of this year’s celebration, saying that, in today’s world, what makes the difference is the ability to innovate.

In her address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Obi Chianakwalam said that the event with the theme, “Excellence, Innovation and Impact” could not have come out better than now, saying that, “It challenges us as professionals to rise above our routine, to uphold standards, to embrace innovation, to be willing to do new things, not just the old ways of doing it, but to be open to changes and innovations.

“It reminds us that our true value lies in the impact we make. Every day we are working, we are there to make impact”, she noted.

She commended Governor Alex Otti for providing the enabling environment as well as ensuring that things are done properly.

The event which featured a lecture by Professor Chris Timothy, cutting of cake and attracted participants across the state, while the accountants had earlier participated in a road walk to herald the celebration.