NSUK Hosts Investiture of 7th ICAN Lafia District Chairman, Inaugurates New Executive

Nasarawa State University, Keffi on Friday, June 27, 2025 hosted the investiture ceremony of Mr. Akwaden Stephen Thomas, FCA, as the 7th Chairman of the ICAN Lafia and District Society.

The event, held at the S.B. Mohammed Auditorium, School of Postgraduate Studies, also saw the inauguration of the association's 2025/2026 executive committee members.

The ceremony attracted a distinguished array of guests, including prominent figures from academia, traditional institutions, and members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).

The Vice-Chancellor of the University Professor Sa'adatu Hassan Liman (Fellow: UNESCO, ACLS, FIIFP) represented by the immediate past Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic designate, Professor Muhammad Maikano Ari, extended congratulations to Mr. Akwaden Stephen Thomas on his well-deserved appointment, commending his contributions to the growth of NSUK. Professor Ari reaffirmed the university’s unwavering commitment to supporting ICAN and urged the new chairman to execute his mandate with diligence, dedication, and integrity.

In his welcome remark, the 61st President of ICAN, Mallam Haruna Nma Yahaya, Ph.D., FCA, represented by Dr. Abdulrasheed Balogun, encouraged the new chairman to approach his mandate with humility and a strong sense of responsibility. He emphasized ICAN’s commitment to advancing the professional interests of its members in Lafia and the surrounding areas. Dr. Balogun also urged the newly inaugurated executive committee members to align with ICAN's 10-point strategic agenda, focusing on digital transformation, youth engagement, and global integration to amplify ICAN’s presence and position the district as a transformative force in Nasarawa State.

In his acceptance speech, the newly invested Chairman, Mr. Akwaden Stephen Thomas, FCA, expressed profound gratitude to the district’s founding fathers and his immediate predecessor, Adekogbe Qudus Babatunde, FCA, whose leadership he described as inspiring and impactful. He also extended his appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sa'adatu Hassan Liman, for graciously hosting the remarkable event at NSUK.

Mr. Thomas outlined his administration’s vision, which will be anchored on; Increasing student membership and youth engagement, Organizing regular and relevant Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programs, Enhancing community outreach and public enlightenment, Building academic and institutional partnerships and Strengthening institutional legacies and projects.

The newly inaugurated EXCO Members for the 2025/2026 term include; Adokwe Danladi Moses, ACA – Vice Chairman, Titus Ashiki Haruna, ACA – Secretary General, Abiodun Abayomi, ACA – Assistant Secretary General, Bako Joseph Garkiye, ACA – Treasurer, and Maku Bamayi Tanimu, ACA – Financial Secretary.

Other inaugurated Exco Members are, Bamidele Sunday Mogaji, ACA – Technical Secretary, Yusuf Dauda Sabo, ACA – Social/Publicity Secretary, Umeozuhu O. Loveline, ACA – SWAN Representative, Ovye James Aboki, FCA – Ex-Officio 1, and Stephen Yakubu Azizi, FC – Ex-Officio 2.

The high point of the event was the ceremonial cutting of the cake, followed by the administration of the oath of allegiance to the new executive committee members by the 7th Chairman of ICAN Lafia and District Society, and other principal officers of the university. A group photograph concluded the memorable occasion.