Institute of Chartered Ac-countants of Nigeria (ICAN) needs to do a lot in sensitizing the northerners about the importance of the Institute’s examination to their future endeavours, says Commander of the 1 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Sokoto State, Brigadier-General Tammy Dibi.

He spoke while receiving ICAN President, Major-General Sebastian Owuama (retd.) in his office in Sokoto last week.

“There is need for a lot of sensitization in the north, especially about ICAN examination and education generally. It is an important thing because it is capacity building that everybody needs. Even if you want to sell pepper, education will make you different. ICAN has a lot to do in the north to sensitize people because their level of awareness is low”’ The Commander said.

While congratulating Owuama on his recent election as the pioneer President of Pan-African Federation of Accountants (PAFA), the Commander said Owuama had made ICAN, the Nigerian Army and Nigeria as a country proud for this feat.

Earlier, Owuama had told Dibi that he was in Sokoto State to inaugurate Sokoto and District Society of ICAN and also to interact with ICAN members to know the challenges facing them in the course of their professional duties, with a view to proffering solutions to them. He added that he would also use the opportunity to talk to the indigenes of the region on why they should register and pass ICAN examinations.

Owuama disclosed that his taking over as ICAN President has made the relationship between ICAN and the Nigerian Army blossom more than ever before, saying that the Nigerian Army has contributed immensely to the peace and security of the country.

This, he maintained, spurred ICAN into action by recognizing the Nigerian Army with a Merit Award at the 2011 Annual Dinner and Awards of the Institute.

The visit was part of the activities marking the Institute’s inauguration of a Sokoto and District society of ICAN in the state.

The ICAN President also paid courtesy calls on the Vice Chancellor of Usmanu DanFodiyo University (UDU), Sokoto, Professor Riskua Shehu and thereafter gave a career talk to the accounting students of the Institution. The Vice Chancellor promised to work hand in hand with ICAN, by encouraging students and staff of the Institution to register for the ICAN examinations and pass for the benefit of their future.

During a courtesy visit to the Auditor-General for Local Governments, Alhaji Abubakar Gidado Bodinga; Auditor-General for Sokoto state, Alhaji Yahaya Yusufu Nawawi; and Accountant-General for Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Abudullahi, the three government officials promised to bring ICAN’s crusade to the notice of the State governor whom they said would like to partner with ICAN on how to encourage and empower indigenes of the State to write ICAN examinations and become Chartered Accountant.

In the same vein, the ICAN President visited Kebbi state to also sensitize the youths of the state on the immense benefits of acquiring the ICAN qualification and accountancy skills for the development of the state.

At the Emir of Gwandu’s palace, the ICAN President and entourage were received by the Chiefs on behalf of the Emir who was said to have gone on pilgrimage to Mecca for umurah. He also visited the Commissioner for Finance and the Permanent Secretary of the state, who promised to do something to encourage their youths to register for ICAN examinations. They assured of the state government’s willingness to partner with ICAN on its Students Special Projects in the region.