Andrew Imolorhe, a respected clergy, technocrat, entrepreneur, mentor, and life coach, has been investitured as the 4th Chairman of the Bonny Kingdom and District Society of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).

He succeeds Victor Ibigoni Jumbo, PhD, the 3rd Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) Bonny Kingdom and District Society (BKDS).

His investiture was conducted by the 60th President of ICAN, Chief Davidson Alaribe, PhD, supported by the second and third Chairmen of ICAN BKDS, Matthew Pepple, and Dr Victor Pepple, at the Banquet Hall of NLNG Residential Area, Bonny.

Imolorhe subsequently inaugurated members of the 2024/2025 Executive Committee which included Vincent Nwakanma; Vice Chairman, Adekunle Adewale; General Secretary, Chidozie Iroanyna; Financial Secretary, Abraham Benson, Technical Secretary, Esther Ndukauba; Treasurer, and Adaobu Mini-Philips; Ex-Officio 4/SWAN Representative.

Speaking before the inauguration, Chief Alaribe stated that leaders who have served should support and not suppress their successors in office, pointing that part of Nigeria’s problem stems from the failure of outgoing leaders to actually leave the stage for those who succeed them to function fully.

He further explained that the trend was to also give young people the opportunity to interact with professionals in the field and pursue careers in Accounting, noting that this has ensured the country never lacked professionals managing its financial sector.

He called for mainstreaming of oil and gas accounting with a view to expanding the scope of opportunities for ICAN members to practice in the oil and gas sector, expressing gratitude to the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) and the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny for their support to ICAN in Bonny Island.

Earlier, Chairman of the occasion, Furosia Wilcox, who is also the President, Bonny Kingdom Titled Citizens Assembly, congratulated the incoming and outgoing Chairmen, noting that from his days in the board of the Bonny Utility Company when Pastor Imolorhe was the Accountant there, he had known him as a man of integrity and transparency.

“I was a member of the pioneer board of directors of the Bonny Utility Company (BUC). Pastor Andrew Imolorhe was the Accountant all through the period I served on the board. No doubt you have made a good choice to pick him as the next chairman of the district.”

“I want to congratulate members of the district for your wise decision. You have a man of deep integrity and transparency in the discharge of his responsibilities. It is my prayer that he will expectedly take the district to the next level.”

He praised the outgoing Chairman, Dr Victor Jumbo for a successful tenure in office, describing him as “asset to Bonny Kingdom”, expressing the hope that ICAN BKDS benefitted from his immense wisdom and capabilities.

“I’ve had cause to work with him in the Bonny Kingdom Development Committee and I can truly say that he is an asset to any environment where he is engaged, and, obviously, the Bonny District of ICAN would have benefitted from his experience, his diligence, his hardwork and honesty.”

In his acceptance speech, the newly investitured Chairman of ICAN Bonny Kingdom and District Society, Andrew Imolorhe expressed gratitude to the various stakeholders who made the day possible, pledging not to disappoint their expectations, expressing the optimism that the work done by his three predecessors would make his administration’s efforts easier.

“I hereby humbly accept the election result that made me the 4th Chairman of ICAN Bonny Kingdom and District Society. On behalf of the 2024/2025 executive members of the BKDS, I am grateful to all my professional colleagues for the privilege given us to serve for the next one year. We shall not disappoint you for the confidence and trust on us.”   

“Our job has been made easy by the assiduous work behind the curtain carried out by the past three administrations through the programs and projects embarked upon and still ongoing. We shall attempt to progress further and get some to a logical conclusion by the grace of God.”

He stated that his administration’s policy thrust will be anchored on an acronym “DIAMOND”, which includes Digital Institute, innovation and research, advocacy and communication, membership drive, operational efficiency, networking opportunities, and developing capacity.

In his Valedictory Speech, the outgoing Chairman of ICAN BKDS, Dr Victor Jumbo expressed gratitude on behalf of the 2023/2024 executive of the ICAN BKDS for the support it received.

He stated that his administration was able to fulfil some of the commitments made at his investiture including membership mobilization, monthly meetings, review of registration and annual subscription fees, visit to the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, and installation of the district’s signpost.

Earlier, in his Welcome Address, the Chairman of the Investiture Committee, Vincent Nwakanma asserted that ICAN Bonny Kingdom and District Society has “demonstrated exceptional dedication, hard work and commitment to upholding the highest standards of our noble profession in their various walks of life and in the District”.

He noted that integrity, competence, accuracy and accountability are values that remain the bedrock of ICAN as an institution, stating that “we are proud of members who embody them in their daily activities”.     

Highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to members of ICAN BKDS and other notable personalities. The ICAN members had earlier in the day attended a Special Thanksgiving Service at the St. Stephen’s Cathedral Church, Bonny.