By Jane Foster
The Rivers State chapter of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) has marked the 2023 edition its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Day with visits to some prominent institutions in the state.
The group on Saturday displayed its commitment to community service by generously donating food items, other household goods and textbooks to the Port Harcourt Children Home, Port Harcourt Remand Home and the Accountancy Department of Rivers State University (RSU) respectively.
The 2023 ANAN CSR Day with the theme, ‘ANAN For a Better Society’, commenced with a visit to the Port Harcourt Children’s Home, Borokiri, where members of ANAN led by State Chairman, Dr. Chidi Emmanuel Orlu, FCNA, presented a sizable collection of food items, sanitary materials and an oven cooker to support the children and staff.
The gesture was met with smiles and gratitude, emphasizing the significance of collective efforts in building a compassionate society.
Following this, the Rivers ANAN delegation proceeded to the nearby Port Harcourt Remand Home where they expressed solidarity with the young inmates, four in number.
Donations of essential food items and other household materials were also made to enhance the living conditions for these youths whose cases are said to be ongoing in court, reinforcing ANAN’s dedication to fostering a better future for them.
In his charge to the inmates, alternate Chairman of the Rivers ANAN CSR Day Planning Committee, Mr. Stanley Daopuye, FCNA, charged them to turn a new leaf when they leave the facility, even as he encouraged the lads to embrace good moral behavior to become better citizens.
Mr. Daopuye shared a personal story of how he became an accountant and urged the boys to strive to work hard, emphasizing that they too could tell their own success stories in the future.
From the Remand Home, Borokiri, the delegation proceeded to the Accountancy Department of Rivers State University (RSU), where they generously donated textbooks aimed at enriching the academic resources available to students.
Addressing the students gathering which had the Head of Department, Professor John Ohaka in attendance, Rivers ANAN Chairman, Dr. Chidi Emmanuel Orlu, said that October 14 of each year is set aside as ANAN CSR Day, noting that the philanthropic act is aimed to strengthen educational opportunities and nurture the growth of future accountants within the academic community.
He emphasized the significance of the theme for this year’s CSR Day, adding that as accountants, they hold a critical role in society by meticulously keeping records of financial transactions and ensuring financial integrity.
“Our profession demands that we uphold the highest standards of honesty, transparency, and accountability. It is this commitment to ethics and integrity that positions us as the custodians of financial truth in the eyes of society”.
Dr. Orlu stated that society looks up to them as accountants, to be paragons of honesty and rectitude in their practices.
“Our expertise in managing finances and maintaining accurate records places us in a unique position to influence positive change within our communities”, he said.
He went on: “We believe in giving back to the community that has supported us over the years. Today’s donations are a small token of our appreciation, and we hope they make a meaningful impact on the lives of those we have reached out to.”
In his response, Head of the Department of Accountancy, Prof. John Ohaka, CNA, expressed heartfelt gratitude to ANAN for the generous book donations and cash token.
He assured the delegation that the books would be judiciously utilized to enhance the academic experience for the students.
Prof. Ohaka also shared a moment of pride, revealing that under his headship, the Accountancy Department had produced its first-ever first-class graduate.
He expressed optimism that with the resource materials donated by ANAN, the department aimed to produce more first-class graduates in the near future.
Speaking to journalists at the end of the visitation in the RSU, Chairman of the Planning Committee, Mr. Joseph Apawari Uranta, CNA, expressed immense satisfaction with the outcome of the event and extended gratitude to the students of the Department of Accountancy for their overwhelming turnout and active participation.
He also commended the State Chairman of ANAN, Dr. Orlu, for his unwavering cooperation and support, which played a significant role in the success of the event.
He emphasized the significance of the theme for this year’s CSR Day, adding that as accountants, they hold a critical role in society by meticulously keeping records of financial transactions and ensuring financial integrity.
“Our profession demands that we uphold the highest standards of honesty, transparency, and accountability. It is this commitment to ethics and integrity that positions us as the custodians of financial truth in the eyes of society”.
He stated that society looks up to them as accountants, to be paragons of honesty and rectitude in their practices.
“Our expertise in managing finances and maintaining accurate records places us in a unique position to influence positive change within our communities”, he said.