The Minister of Finance in Nigeria, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has appealed to accountants to contribute their quota to national development through integrity.

Speaking at the opening of the 44th Annual Conference of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria on Tuesday, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala also asked members of the profession to pursue public interest rather than personal interest in the discharge of their duties.

She told a gathering of accountants from all walks of life and members of the institute to embrace professionalism at all times.

The conference was held to enable the participants discuss how to contribute their quota to national development as accountants.

Recognising the role of accountants in any economy, the Minister of Finance asked them to make integrity their watchword.

The Minister of Finance’s view was also supported by the Minister of Trade and investment, Olusegun Aganga, who also asked the accountants to make their books available for public scrutiny where necessary.

Officials of the Institute of Chartered Accountants ‎promise to expose errant members who defy professional ethics for selfish interest.

The president of the institute, Chidi Ajaegbu also stressed the need for the timely passage of the nations budget.

Globally, the role of accountants is said to be vital to nation building. It is expected that decisions that would be reached at the end of the three-day conference would help expose accountants to issues bothering on how best to bring in their expertise in sustaining development.