Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has called on accounting officers in both private and public sectors to support the nation’s economic growth.

Mr Aiyedatiwa gave the charge on Saturday in Akure at the Award presentation and launching of ANAN Hall, as well as the investiture ceremony of the newly elected executives of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria in Ondo.

He said that accounting officers were central to the development of any nation, urging them to be transparent and accountable, while allowing financial discipline to guide their actions.

Mr Aiyedatiwa, who was represented by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Laolu Akindolire, stated that accountants must add value through strategic operations.

According to him, accountants must also add value through data-driven decision-making and be technologically adaptive.

He challenged accountants to rise to the demands of their profession, asking them to uphold the ethics of the profession and contribute to a just, equitable, and prosperous society.

He enjoined the new leadership of the association to prioritise mentorship, capacity building and knowledge sharing.

In his speech, the newly inducted state chairman, Stephen Omoloye, stated that the accounting profession had undergone a dramatic overhaul, which he said had brought an end to monopoly in the profession.

Mr Omoloye stated that the passion of the founding fathers had brought about a paradigm shift in standards and participation of members, with 1,300 confirmed as professional accountants in the state.

He promised to build on past successes, drive innovation, and be a servant leader of the association.

Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Tunde Akinsanmi, asked the ANAN new leadership to prioritise empowering younger members, so that they could face the challenges with confidence and competence.

Mr Akinsanmi urged the association to deepen its collaboration with government institutions, private sector stakeholders, and academic bodies.

 (NAN)