Accountants must champion sustainability, says FCMB boss

•Visually-impaired individuals celebrate bank’s inclusiveness

The Managing Director of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Yemisi Edun, has urged accountants to make sustainability accounting a cornerstone of their practices.

Delivering the keynote address at the Western Zone Conference of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Edun stressed the need for sustainable practices to build trust, foster development and drive positive environmental and social impact.

“Consumers, investors and regulators are demanding more from businesses. They want transparency, accountability, and a commitment to a sustainable future. Accounting principles provide the framework for achieving this balance, ensuring businesses thrive while considering the needs of future generations,” Edun said.

She urged accountants to become sustainability champions, recommending lifelong learning and adopting technology for accurate measurement and reporting. She harped on promoting ethical practices to combat waste and corruption, leading with integrity and transparency and future-proofing skills by adapting to emerging trends.

According to her, this is how accountants can equip them to stay relevant and drive positive environmental and social impact alongside financial success.

Meanwhile, FCMB has reached out to hundreds of visually-impaired students and adults at two schools and two centres in Lagos to share the message of love.

Titled ‘A Different Kind of Love’, the initiative reflected FCMB’s dedication to inclusivity and empowerment, the bank said. As part of the event, it donated N5 million, white canes, essential food items and household materials to the Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind Vocational Training Centre in Oshodi.

Similar donations were made to the Bethesda Home for the Blind in Mushin, Pacelli School for the Blind in Surulere and Nigeria Farmcraft Centre for the Blind in Isheri-Olofin.

Students and teachers expressed their heartfelt appreciation to FCMB for the thoughtful and inclusive celebrations. Akinjide Akinpelu, a visually-impaired teacher at the Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind Vocational Training Centre, expressed his gratitude for FCMB’s consistent support for the centre and its kindness towards the visually-impaired community.

Badru Asif, a student at the Pacelli School for the Blind, also expressed his deep appreciation to FCMB for organising the programme. He acknowledged and appreciated the bank’s efforts, offering prayers for its continued success.

Emeka Okeke, a student at the Bethesda School for the Blind, shared his inspiring story of overcoming blindness to pursue higher education. The graduate of the University of Lagos expressed his gratitude on behalf of his peers for the gifts and the unique celebration.

Similar sentiments of appreciation were echoed by Ahmed Ishola Kareem of Bethesda Home for the Blind and Omoniyi Sule of the Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind Vocational Training Centre in Oshodi.

During an outreach, Group Head of Corporate Affairs of FCMB, Diran Olojo, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting a broad spectrum of communities and stakeholders. He emphasized FCMB’s aim to create a sustainable and progressive society with equal opportunities for all.