History was made in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory on Saturday, April 29, 2023 following the unveiling of the13th President of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Dr. James Ekerare Neminebor.
In his post inauguration speech, the new ANAN helmsman declared that his emergence would mark the beginning of a new dawn.
Dr. Neminebor who took over from 12th President, Professor Benjamin Osisioma, emphatically noted that number 13 indicates a new beginning, stressing that 13 means first after a dozen.
The renowned Bayelsa-born bean counter, promised that ANAN in his tenure will not only wear a new corporate outlook but would vigorously pursue its core values and visions.
He disclosed that one of the immediate tasks of his administration is to make extensive moves to improve corporate governance in the association as well as overhaul its entire administrative machinery.
An alumni of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (now Rivers State University), Dr. Neminebor added that another important task would be to build additional structures while working out existing arrangements for the ANAN University and the Nigerian College of Accountancy, Jos, to co-exist.
At the landmark event which attracted the crème-de-la-creme of the society, including the President of Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Benjamin Okaba and Accountants of repute across the country, the ANAN boss promised to bring his wealth of experience and proficiency to the globally acclaimed association.
In his farewell address, ANAN’s 12th President, Professor Benjamin Osisioma went religious, noting that he had ‘fought a good fight of faith, finished the race and kept the faith’, adding that a better, stronger and well-positioned ANAN had been handed to the 13th President, Dr. Neminebor.
He however, gave a caveat that succeeding administrations of ANAN should endeavour to ensure that the ancient landmarks of ANAN that were put in place by the founding fathers are not tampered with but cherished.
These he noted include; ensuring that the Nigerian College of Accountancy continues to exist, continuing the rigorous professional training programmes of ANAN as well as maintaining the existing succession line in ANAN that is devoid of bickering; and maintaining the religious and ethnic balance.
The journey of Dr. Neminebor in ANAN started 28 years ago when he registered as a member of this professional body in1995. Out of the 28 years he has spent in ANAN so far, the last 14 years were as a Council member, culminating in his becoming the President in 2023.
Thus, his steady and meteoric rise to the zenith of ANAN has not been a walk in the park but absolute dedication and commitment to the ideals of service and excellence. And in the course of his sojourn in ANAN, he has held so many critical positions, including being an Executive Council member, beginning in 2015 as the Membership Secretary. This actually, was the commencement of his ascension to the coveted ANAN throne.
Dr. Neminebor was born in 1958 in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. He had a Higher National Diploma and Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration (Management) degree, all from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port-Harcourt. In view of his career goals and aspirations, he finally climaxed his educational pursuits with Master’s and doctoral degrees in Accounting from the Anambra State University, Awka between 2016 and 2020.
It is also interesting to note that Dr. Neminebor has not only limited his life to the practice of Accounting. He has also been serving in the Rotary Family. He is a Rotarian of very high standing, having served as President of the Rotary Club of Yenagoa and Assistant Governor, District 9140 of Rotary International in Nigeria and also the current President of the Yenagoa Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture.
He is also a recognized personality in traditional circles as he is a High Chief of Tuomo and Kerebiri- Mein Kingdoms of Delta State. He is married with children.
