A female lecturer has made history as the first chairman of the newly established Obio/Akpor District & Society of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) in Rivers State.
Chioma Obianuju Ojukwu, an associate professor and accomplished accountant, was officially installed at a grand ceremony led by ICAN’s 60th national president, Davidson Alaribe.
During the event, Alaribe raised concerns about the declining number of men in professional fields, urging Ojukwu to encourage young boys to pursue careers in accounting through ICAN’s “Catch Them Young” initiative.
Ojukwu, known for her passion for education and mentorship, has an impressive academic background.
She excelled in her studies from an early age, earning multiple degrees, including a PhD in Accounting from the University of Port Harcourt.
She initially worked as a senior internal auditor at the university before transitioning to a teaching role in 2019.
An author and fellow of several professional organizations, Ojukwu is committed to advancing professional development within ICAN.
She outlined plans to introduce refresher training, competency enhancement courses, and the Entrepreneurial and Successful Professional Accountants Scheme (ESPAS) to support accountants in the district.
She also aims to educate small business owners on financial management.
Kevin Obieri, co-chairman of the investiture, praised Ojukwu’s appointment as a major achievement and urged her to use the position to create opportunities for the district.
Meanwhile, Alaribe encouraged ICAN leaders to inspire young people to pursue professional qualifications early.
He noted a growing trend where young people prefer quick financial success over rigorous academic and professional training.
