President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said his administration has made bold strides on several fronts in his transformation agenda, especially in the power sector, agriculture, oil and gas, as well as job creation.
According to him, his administration created 1.2 million jobs last year.
Jonathan said this while opening the 44th Annual Accountants Conference in Abuja, where he said although the nation was blessed with world-class professionals, some of them had failed to add value to the efforts toward nation building by placing their personal interest above the public good.
Represented by the Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance at the conference, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said, “You must understand that professionalism means supporting good policy that is in the wider public interest even when it does not necessarily benefit the immediate interests of you or your own association.
“Professionalism also demands being constructive in criticisms of policies you do not support without personalising issues. In the course of this weeklong conference as you revisit the ethics and body of rules governing your profession, I hope you would also discuss these matters as they relate to the promotion of the public interest.
“Unfortunately, I have also come across some Nigerian professionals whose actions have fallen short of professionalism in the course of my work. There are professionals who resort to blackmail and abuse of government and individuals when they fail to win contracts that are competitively bid.
“There are individuals/professionals who have resorted to divisive ethnic and sexist sentiments to blackmail and undermine the government when policies did not favour their narrow interests. For example, so-called “professionals” have attempted to undermine new approaches designed to put this country in tune with international good practice”.
Speaking further, President Jonathan said his work on key sectors will transform Nigeria.
“In the oil and gas, we have completed work on important projects such as the 136km gas pipeline from Oben to Geregu, the 31km pipeline from Itoki to Olorunshogo and the acquisition of 250 square kilometers of 3D-seismic data for the Chad basin.
“In addition, government has also initiated the Ogidigben Gas Industrialisation Project, which will provide a petrochemicals complex in Delta State.
He also said that the current focus on the power sector would change the fortunes of Nigerians.
ICAN President, Mr. Chidi Ajaegbu, in his address, charged chartered accounts in the country to defend the public interest in the discharge of their duties.
“As conscience of the society, professionals and in particularly, chartered accountants are required to consistently act, promote and defend the public interest. Indeed, great societies are built by professionals driven, not by personal interest, but by altruistic service to all.”
