For one day, the calculators were dropped, the ledgers were closed, and the accountants of Abia State took to the streets — not to audit, but to celebrate.
It was International Accounting Day, and Abia did not mark it quietly.
The day began with a road and health walk, led by the Accountant-General of Abia State, Deaconess Njum Nnennaya Uma-Onyemenam, FCA. Behind her walked Directors, Heads of Accounts Departments and accountants from across Ministries, Departments and Agencies — united, colourful, and in high spirits.
From the walk, the celebration moved to the JAAC Building, where the real message of the day unfolded: accounting is not just about numbers, it is about conscience.
In her address, Dr. Mrs. Onyemenam challenged her colleagues to look beyond figures. Accounting, she said, goes beyond presentation of numbers. What makes an accountant is integrity, ethical practice and a clear conscience.
“Accountants are custodians of public trust,” she said, reminding the gathering that every figure they present to government and the public must be accurate, credible and professionally prepared.
She commended Governor Alex Otti for recognising and supporting the accounting profession, and urged accountants to repay that confidence with dedication and effective service delivery.
The Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Uwaoma Ukandu, FCA, followed with a simple but firm charge: act professionally, act with integrity, always.
The message was echoed by the Zonal Chairman of ICAN, Eastern Zonal District, Mr. Okorie Samuel, who spoke on behalf of ICAN and ANAN. He described accountants as nation-builders whose accuracy and professionalism remain critical to credible financial management and national development.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Elechi Agatha Obi Chianakwalam, also charged accountants to ensure that every figure they present can be trusted by government and the public.
Dr. Chioma Orikara, Commissioner 11 in the Abia Civil Service Commission, added her voice to the call for professionalism and dedication.
But the day was not all speeches. It was also a day of learning.
Dr. Emmanuel Okpechi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Internally Generated Revenue, spoke on accounting and conscience in building national confidence. Mr. Fidelis Nwaeze, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Management and Reporting, took the audience through IPSAS accrual accounting and reporting. Rev. Sister Justina Obiagera Okafor, Director of Finance and Accounts Production, delivered a paper on Beyond Numbers: Periodic Proper Returns by MDAs.
And then, the celebration came alive.
Cultural dances by the Abia State Council for Arts and Culture lit up the venue. There were quiz competitions, games, prizes for winners, laughter, and finally, the cutting of the anniversary cake.
It was a reminder that behind every budget, every payroll, every financial report, there are men and women who carry the weight of public trust — and on this day, Abia chose to celebrate them.
Beyond The Figures: Abia Accountants Celebrate Integrity, Conscience And Public Trust
