Back in University (1995) my Head Of Department Professor Benjamin Osisioma was named Head of the ANAN College Jos and encouraged his lecturers and students to consider joining the body. ICAN was off course the preferred choice considering its influence in both the private and public sector. Based on this, ANAN have for years fought for recognition while ICAN allegedly tried its best to make its perceived enemy even more irrelevant.
This shocked many of us intending Accounting Professionals who thought the interest of both respectable bodies was best served when they cooperated. Fifteen years or so downline and they have finally ended hostilities to embrace peace. The article below was culled from an ICAN journal which many years ago I wouldn’t have dreamt of ever seeing.
The cordial relationship between the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) got a boost recently as the two bodies have come together to find ways in which the economy can be improved in the country.
This agreement was reached at the office of ANAN when the President of the Association, Hajia Maryam Ladi Ibrahim played host to ICAN President, Mr. Adedoyin Owolabi who paid a courtesy call to ANAN head office, during his visit to Lagos Mainland & Districts Society of the Institute.
In her welcome address, the ANAN President said it is important for the two bodies to let the old times of rivalry pass away in order to protect the profession they both stand for and the economy at large. She added that where there is cooperation among the two bodies, they can play advisory role to the government.
Her words, “We should let go of the way it used to be for the sake of the profession, if there is cooperation between us, we would be able to play advisory role to the government.”
According to her, the areas where the two bodies could collaborate to improve the economy include budget implementation and monitoring, joint workshops, as well as ensuring that holders of foreign certificates of other accounting bodies are duly registered first with ICAN or ANAN before proceeding to Financial Reporting Council.
Responding, the ICAN President assured the Association of a good working relationship especially in technical areas of the profession. He promised that “whatever assistance ICAN can render would be willingly offered”.
