NNEWI, NIGERIA (ANS) -- This year’s Career event of True Light Academy, Nnewi, took place in the campus on Thursday, 26th July, 2012 as scheduled in the school calendar for Career Day. True Light is an academic institution in Nigeria founded in the year 2010 in Nnewi, Anambra State, to provide dynamic learning that is active, interactive and creative for service that is relevant, efficient, productive and competitive for transforming society. The institution is an extension of a mother institution known as Evangel Academy, Mubi, Adamawa State, established in 1987.

The event followed a career counseling programme for Senior Secondary School students of True Light Academy which took place on Thursday, 28 June 2012. On this counseling day, senior students of the school met with a board of career counselors of the institution who counseled them on one to one basis after a session of careful listening and reviewing of their academic background, performances and their natural abilities in relation to their preferred career choices.

The Career day event featured variety of activities which include songs, drama and paper presentations by both staff and students. Students in Junior secondary classes and senior secondary were both present in the programme. Career Day event featured activities such as songs, prayers, paper presentations and drama. The entire secondary school students, junior and senior (7- 12 grade). However, it was only the senior students who received career counseling that presented papers on their various career choices. Teachers also made paper presentations on their career subjects. It was quite an interesting event which took the whole school day.

The following are some papers from teachers on their career subjects and from students on their career choices:

1. English language as my career subject- by Blessing Ibeh (Staff)

English is the Language of Britain, Ireland, N. America, America, Australia and some other countries according to Oxford Dictionary. However, it is a lingua franca, meaning that it is a shared language of communication used by people whose mother tongues are different. This is why it is said that English language is an official language.

Language is the system of communication in speech and writing that is used by people of a particular country or ethnicity. It is a medium of communication. Communication does not take place without a language. Therefore, language is the soul of communication. It is used in all forms of communication. It is used in recording our day-to-day activities. It is used for persuasion, transaction of business, and as a medium of instruction. Choosing English language as a career subject is a choice that will never be regretted.

Career, according to Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary is “the period of time that you spend in your own life working or doing a particular thing.” In my own words, a career is a series of job or activity one involves in doing for the rest of his/her life. Career choice should not be forced or compelled on people. It ought to be a decision taken because of the joy one derives from it. It is better taken based on knowledge acquired or knowledge willingly to be acquired. It is not to be taken because a friend has chosen a particular one. It needs directions, instructions and exposures to essential tips to avoid misdirection. As a matter of fact, that is why I am writing on the topic: English Language- my career subject.

English Language is a broad subject which covers other areas like Literature, Mass Communication, Linguistics, etc. It is about communication which is the activity or process of expressing ideas and feelings or giving people information. Also, it includes information either written or spoken (non-verbal and verbal). It exposes you to writing as well as reading, that is why I basically mentioned literature and mass communication as some areas covered by English Language. With the knowledge of literature, you can become an author of so many books, composer of songs, director of so many drama, etc. As a person that chooses English Language as a career subject, you are opportune to study Mass Communication, Theatre Art, Linguistics, Information Communication Technologies, etc.

Mass Communication exposes you to various jobs like News-casting in Radio or Television, Programme presenter, News writing (Journalism) for print media: newspapers and magazines, Editing work for books writers, writing of books, Photo journalism (Communicating using pictures), Secretarial work in various offices or companies, Working in telecommunication offices like MTN, GLO, CELTEL, etc. You can work as a Public Relations Officer in big companies and offices such as banks, manufacturing companies, Graphics and Art work which can be a self-employed work, Book Publishing, Advertising in Radio, Television, Newspapers, etc. Teaching or Lecturing in Schools, Colleges and Universities, etc.

Theatre Art exposes you to acting drama which in our present day is known as movie- Nollywood (Nigeria) and Hollywood (USA) which educates and entertains the entire society. Also, it exposes you to script writing, composing of songs, etc. The question always is, do you know your onion? If you do you will be marketable.

In Nigeria today, not to talk of the world, there are many role models whose career choice in English Language have enlisted in the book of notable records. People like Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka (writers of popular novels), Stella Chinyere Okunna, Odicha Ude (Mass Communicators, authors and lecturers), Aka Eze Aka (Newscaster), Chinedu Ikebueze and Osita Iheme (Aki and Pawpaw), Genevieve (great actors and actress), above all Professor Herbert Eze, among others.

How can one be successful or worthy of making it if one decides to choose English Language as a career subject? It demands a practical step. You can start now, make the choice, form the habit of reading and writing, gather information, ask questions. According to one of my lecturers, “know something about everything.” Join press club, dramatic or debate club to brush you up.

In conclusion, there is no public or private parastatal that does not need communication. Therefore, choosing English Language as a career subject gives you opportunity to work in any parastatal because language is a system of communication. Communication is the life wire of existence, choosing English language as a career subject is not going to be a regret, many people succeeded, I did, you too can.

2. Career in Mathematics – by Joshua Iroegbu (Staff)

Studying Mathematics seriously prepares you for any career (not just High School or College teaching or Pure Mathematics research). One of the reasons that mathematically trained people are needed in almost every field is that we are known for our excellent problem solving and critical thinking skills.

Why choose Mathematics or mathematics related profession? Mathematics teaches patience, discipline and step-by-step problem-solving skills. For those with a substantial background in Mathematics, an unlimited number of career opportunities are available. According to Jobs Rated Almanac, a 1996 publication of World Almanac Books of New York, careers that require strong background in Mathematics were listed as the five best jobs. They are: Software engineer, Actuary, Computer Systems Analyst, Computer Programmer, Mathematician. Almost all of the top fifty jobs in this “best” jobs list involved mathematical reasoning and knowledge. This was the result of the comparison of two hundred and fifty jobs classified according to: Income, Future outlook, Physical demands, Job security, Stree, and Work environment.

A list of professions associated with Mathematics are as follows:

1.Actuary: It assembles and analyzes statistics to calculate probabilities of death, sickness, injury, disability, unemployment, retirement and property loss, design, insurance and pension plans and ensures that they are maintained in a sound financial basis.

2.Mathematics teacher: Introduces students to the power and beauty of Mathematics at primary, secondary and tertiary levels of mathematics education.

3.Operation Research Analyst: Assists organizations (manufacturers, airlines, military) in developing the most efficient, cost-effective solutions to organizational operations and problems; this includes strategy, forecasting, resource allocation, facilities layout, inventory control, personal schedules, and distribution system.

4.Statistician: Collects, analyzes, and presents numerical data resulting from surveys and experiments.

5.Physician: diagnose patient illness, prescribes medication, teaches classes, mentor interns and conducts clinical research; students with a good mathematics background will find themselves being admitted to the best medical schools and discover that mathematics has prepared them for the discipline, analysis, and problem solving required in the field of Medicine.

6.Research Scientist: Models atmospheric conditions to gain insight into the effect of changing emission from cars, trucks, power plants, and factories; applies these models in the development alternative fuels.

7.Computer Scientist: Interfaces the technology of computers with the underlying mathematical principles of such diverse applications as medical diagnoses, graphics examination, interior design, cryptography and panel computers.

8.Cryptologist: designs and analyzes schemes used to transmit secret information.

9.Economist: Interprets and analyzes interrelationships among factors which drives the economics of a particular organization, industry or country.

10.Mathematics Professor: teaches mathematics classes, does theoretical research, and advises undergraduate and graduate students.

Other careers related to Mathematics include: Inventory strategist, Staff systems air traffic control analyst, attorney, Environmental mathematician, Robotics engineer, Geophysical mathematician, Ecologist, Designer, Geodesist, Photogrammenist, Civil engineer, Geomatics engineer, etc.

Indigenous contemporary mathematics research activities in modern Nigeria were pioneered by Professors Chike Obi, Adegoke Olubummo and James Ezeilo who obtained their doctorates in mathematics from British universities in the 1950s. Others include: Sammani D. Abdullahi, Iya Abubakar, Adeniran Adeboye, Samson A. Adeleke, John O. Adeyeye, David I. Adu, Adeemi Kuku, Kenneth Nwabueze, Adebisi Agboola, Ezekiel O. Ayoola, to mention a few.

In conclusion, even if you do not choose a career in Mathematics, studying as much mathematics as you can is a good way to keep your career options open. Mathematics is an excellent foundation and is usually a prerequisite to study in all areas of science and engineering. Students in such areas as Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology, as well as Medicine, Law and Business also benefit from a solid background in Mathematics and Statistics. It will help you to better understand Science and Technology and their effect in our world.

3. Accounting as my career subject- by Nwadiogo Amobi (Staff)

Career is one’s life work. It is a job or profession especially one with opportunities for progress or promotion. Profession is career that you have been trained for and intend to do for several years. Examples of profession are: Teaching, Nursing, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Accountancy, etc.

Accounting did not develop as a chance phenomenon but in response to definite needs. It arose as a result of partnership on a larger scale. It was in the 19th Century that the awakening took place. Accounting is the skill of using book keeping method to produce statements which aids effective control of business, management decision and interpretation of business operations etc.

Book keeping is the act of recording money transactions so that the financial position of an undertaking (a business) and its relationship to its proprietors and to outside persons can be readily ascertained at any time. The profession of Accounting is Accountancy. The accountant utilizes information provided by the bookkeeper to prepare financial statement and advice management.

The Accountant is responsible for directing and coordinating the work of book keeping staff. He is responsible for designing and maintaining accounting system. The accountant prepares periodic account of profit and loss from book keeping records. His financial statements assist management in appraising past result and in formulating future policies. He uses accounting records to expose errors in management and policies and gives light on how to ratify such errors and introduces reforms. He must be competent.

The job prospects for Accounting which is my choice subject for a career is to work in a bank, firm/company, industry, hospital or any public or private institution, etc.

One of my role models in Accountancy is Mr. Peter Obi, the Governor of Anambra State, Nigeria. Another role model is Mr. Akintola Williams, the first Nigerian Charted Accountant, founding member and first President of the Institute of Charted Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).

4. Business Studies as my career subject- by Peace Gaius

My choice subject for a career is Business Studies. It can be defined as various ways in which businesses or companies are organized. Business Studies courses give you a broad overview of how the commercial operates. They usually cover a whole range of functions to give a firm foundation which can be applied in any sector or industry as well as developing the essential transferable skills that employers demand. It helps one to build technical knowledge and skills and have the opportunity to specialize through options.

The strengths cultivated through business studies include: (1) Understanding organizational behavior and structure. (2) A creative problem-solving approach and sound logical decision making skills. (3) Appreciation of the causes and effect of economic and other external changes. These attributes are much sought after by employers since they build commercial awareness and allow graduate recruits to start contributing to the organization quickly.

The course structure and ability also boost employability with presentations, group work, independent projects, and business simulation activities given ample opportunity for development by including modules which provide exemptions from some professional qualification. Field trips can also have the value of motivating students to pursue their studies with greater dedication having discovered how the subjects at school are tied to their future jobs and career. Field trip can also help in creating a good bridge between school and society, between school subjects and available jobs.

Job prospects of business studies include: Accounting, Marketing, and Human Resources. An accountant will work in the bank. Some role models in Nigerian society who have followed this career path in Business Studies to become successful in life are Prof. Charles Soludo, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the current CBN Governor and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, the current Minister of Finance and Economic Planning of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and former Managing Director of World Bank. So, whether you are a pastor, Lawyer, an Accountant or Medical Doctor, you are in business which involves economic reasoning and planning.

5. The subject I love teaching most- Paul Eze (Staff)

Economics is the subject I love teaching most. The subject has been defined in 1776 by Adam Smith, known as the Father of Economics, as an enquiry into the nature and causes of the wealth of a nation. In 1843, John Stuart Mill defined Economiics as the political science of production and distribution of wealth. In 1890, Alfred Marshall defined Economics as a study of mankind in the ordinary business of life. A definition of Economics that is generally accepted is the one put forward by Professor Lionel E. Robbins in 1993 which says that Economics is a social science which studies human behavior as a relationship ends and scarce means that have alternative uses.

Economics deals mainly with human activities and many departments in the university study Economics as a compulsory, such as Public Administration Department, Marketing Department, Economics Department, etc. Economics is a vital course which everybody ought to study. The following are my reasons for making Economics my famous subject:

1.It gives me satisfaction whenever I teach it.
2.It helps me know whether the economy of a particular country is growing.
3.A graduate of economics can never be jobless because an economist can work in any institution in the country.
4.It helps one to understand the basic economic problems which includes what to produce, how much to produce, how to produce, for whom to produce and how to tackle the problems.
5.The study of economics helps one to know how to tackle the problems relating to scarcity of goods and how to use alternative means to face them.
6.The study of economics helps one to manage their recourses and derive greater utility from its consumption because some people earn millions per month yet their families are dying of hunger, but with the study of economics one may be earning thousands per month with their families being satisfied.

Job opportunities of an Economist

A person who studied economics can work in any institution in the country as far as management and social sciences are concerned. One who studied economics to the best of his ability can work in a bank, insurance company, advertising company, firm or industry, oil company, hospital (as business manager), secondary/high school( as economic teacher), University (lecturer in economics), or in government as commissioner or minister of finance or economic planning.

Some role models in Economics

By role models in economics, I refer to those people that studied economics and become famous in their career occupying prominent position in Nigeria. Among them are: Professor Chukwuma Soludo who was born on 28 July 1960 in Anambra State. He studied Education Economics at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and later obtained a Ph.D degree in Economics. He became a professor of Economics in the same university. He lectured in other places such as, University of Cambridge, University of Warwick, Oxford University, the Brookings Institution, and many other international organizations. He became the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria from 2004- 2009 and later contested governorship post in Anambra State but unfortunately he failed.

Another person is Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala. She was born on 13 July 1954 in Ogwashiukwu, Delta State. She studied Economics at Harvard University, USA and in 1981 she obtained her Ph.D. in Regional Economics at the Massachusett’s Institute of Technology. Dr. Okonjo Iweala has worked in many places like Malasia, Cambodia and Laos as Accounting Director, as a Deputy Vice- President Middle East region World Bank between 2000- 2003, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Economy in Nigeria between 2003- 2006, Managing Director, World Bank- 2007 and presently she is the Nigerian Minister for Economy and Finance.

The third person is Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. He was born on 31 July 1961. Mallam Sanusi graduated from King’s College, Lagos in 1977 and Ahmadu Bello University in 1981 as an Economist. He has worked in many institutions which include Ahmadu Bello University as lecturer, First bank of Nigeria as Executive Director in charge of Risk Management Division and later became the Chief Executive officer (CEO) of First Bank. Presently, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Economics has produced many graduates in Nigeria and the list will be endless to mention here. I urge my students to see Economics as very essential and relevant with great potentials for transforming society and for job opportunities.

6. Career in Financial Accounting- By Godwin C. Godwin (Staff)

Accounting is basically regarded as a language of communication in an organization. I will like to define some terms:

1.Career is an occupation undertaken for a long period of a person’s life.
2.Accounting is the process which, through a system of principles and techniques, permits the recording, interpretation and communication of financial information, as aid to managerial decision making.
3.Accounts is defined as the excitement of the activities of trusted values by a master to a servant.
4.Accountancy is the field that studies this profession known as Accounting.
5.Accountant is the professional who practices accounting. By the virtues of this fact, the accountant interprets and communicates financial information to management to enable management take an informed decision over the trading activities of the organization.

Accounting provides information for decision making. Almost every business and organization needs accountants to measure performance and provide information for decisions. Accounting is the most practical subject in school, because it expresses what all of us do with money every day. We go to the supermarket and the petrol station and we want to know whether we can afford afford a gallon of milk, a dozen eggs, and five gallons of petrol. We don’t call it accounting, but that’s what it is.

Knowledge of accounting empowers business people across a wide range of discipline. Accounting is the very language of business, just as Mathematics is the language of science. To fully understand your business, you need to fully understand its accounting. Why do we need accounting? Asking that question of an accountant is like asking a farmer why we need rain. We need accounting because it is the only way for business to grow and flourish. Accounting is the backbone of the business financial world.

Why study accounting? Accountants are becoming needed in the business industry and play a very important role in the success of many businesses. Some of the gains in accounting are: Rewarding, Leadership and Variety. Careers in accounting are associated with very high salaries. A recent National Institute Study identified accounting as the most lucrative of all degree courses in terms of graduate’s lifetime earning capacity (The Times, 28 July, 2005). After gaining their professional qualification, many accountants move into senior management position in large scale firms. The Chief Executive officers (CEO’s) in many of the Nigeria’s leading companies are qualified accountants.

International accounting firms offer a bewildering array of career opportunities to suit all interests.Career opportunities in accounting include: Traditional audit and insurance work; Management consulting; Corporate Finance; IT Consulting; Tax Planning; Human Resources (HR) and Insolvency; Stock Trade; Corporate Finance Officer; Accountant; Account Assistance; Monitoring and Evaluating Specialist; EFCC: to mention but a few.

Professional accounting bodies in Nigeria are the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Association of National Accountants in Nigeria (ANAN). Some notable professional accountants in Nigeria are: Chief Akintola Williams, founding member and first president of ICAN, Hajiya (Chief) Maryam Ladi Ibrahim, Deji Richard Adeshile, Dr. S.O. Nzekwe, Mrs Ngozi Monica Okonkwo, Pastor Shola Isaac Adegbenro, Mr. Olutoyin Adepate, Mr Doyin Owolabi, Mr. Abel Asein, etc.
Accounting is the conscience of the business world. When handled with care and with respect, it performs as expected. When abuse occurs, and the system is circumvented or overridden because of dishonesty and greed, it doesn’t work correctly. Accounting is much like all other systems in place, they are only as good as the people using them.

7. My Future Career- By Eunice Nkeiruka Eze (Student)

Career can be defined as a job for which one is trained and one’s way through life, what one works at in life. I would like to be a medical doctor. My choice of this career rises from childhood when I had contact with some doctors. This contact gives me joy, happiness and a very favorable impression about this type of job.

A doctor is one who attends to people when they are ill. Doctors are very important in every society because they cure the sick and also help to maintain a healthy community. Anybody who wants to take up a medical must have an aptitude for science because much of the training to receive will be based on scientific knowledge. My passion for the choice to study Medicine for a career matches with the required subjects such as: English, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and I do well in these subjects.

The above subjects can be described as follows:

1.Biology: Bio means Life. Biology deals with the study of life of human beings and other living organisms. It is divided into divided into Botany and Zoology. Botany is the scientific study of plants and their structure. Zoology is the scientific study of animals and their behavior. A medical doctor is supposed to know everything concerning the life and behavior of organisms in their habitat and how they interact with one another and also the classification of plants based on their uses (Agricultural classification), based on similarities (Botanical classification) and based on their life cycle.

2.Physics deals with the study of behavior of matter with relation to energy. It is also the scientific study of force such as heat, light, sound etc., of relationships between them and how they affect objects. It studies natural forces and things that are not alive. A medical doctor suppose to know everything concerning measuring equipment like thermometers, their thermometric substance and their physical property and to know the appropriate thermometer for measuring human body (clinical thermometer) ranging from 35 degrees (Centigrade) to 45 degrees (Centigrade). A doctor is should also know the anomalous expansion of water (behavior of water), states of matter, to enable him carry out scientific experiment.

3.Chemistry deals with the composition, properties and end uses of matter. It is also the scientific study of the structure of substance as they react when combined or in contact with one another, and how they behave under different conditions. It is divided into organic and inorganic chemistry. A medical doctor is supposed to know the physical and chemical changes of chemistry in our daily life including the elements, compounds (two or more component elements you put together to have a compound), and mixture with the constituent element and all the separating technique, atoms, molecules and ions, etc.

Doctors show special and peculiar quality or character which make me choose medicine as a career. Doctors bear trouble without complaining, and they allow others to think or act as they please even when they seem to be wrong. They love the whole human race and are desirous in taking in taking disease completely out from the roots and the suffering it brings about. They have a scientific attitude to life, disease and death.

Good medical doctors are friendly people. They listen patiently to the sick in order to relate particular symptoms symptoms with particular diseases. Sometimes the thoughts of a suffering patient in a ward will keep a good doctor away from his or family. They give encouragement to the sick and the wounded even in near death situations and do their best to revive such patients.

Doctors are very careful people. They are very careful in the prescription and use of drugs in their treatment of people. The way doctors inject young children when they scream and flex their muscles at the sight of an injection needle and syringe is a fascinating aspect of a doctor’s carefulness. Doctors are very careful when performing a surgical operation such as brain operation, appendix, etc.

I would like to belong to this group of careful, dedicated people so that I can have the opportunity to use carefulness as an instrument for saving human lives.

8. What I choose as my future career- Ifeyinwa Okafor (student)

Career may be defined as a series of roles played by a person, the choice and success of which are determined in a part by natural ability, interest, values, needs, prior experience and the expectation of the person in question.

As for me, I would like to be a business administrator. Business administration is the study of managerial techniques to increase the productivity of a business organization or firm. In order to achieve productivity and sale promotion, the manager must act in variety of roles which enhance business administration and management. A person who wants to study business administration must have the following qualities:

1.The heart to bear risk- risk taking.
2.Leading and employing of people
3.Ability to sell goods at profitable prices
4.Organizing and managing production and buying

Before you can become a successful business administrator, you must pass well in the following subjects, and these are subjects of interest to me. They are: English language, Mathematics, Commerce, Economics, Government and Accounting. These subjects match my career choice to become a business administrator.

Let me comment briefly on each of these subjects and how they relate to my career interest. English Language is a general language to every career because in every career one must know English and communicate in it both in speech and in writing. In mathematics an Accounting, you must know how to calculate and balance the credit and debit sides well. Economics teaches the production and distribution of goods. Commerce teaches the aids and ancillaries to trade which the business administrator needs to know among others. Government teaches you to know what’s happening in society in recent times for the purpose of knowing what to produce, how to produce and for whom to produce.

I choose to be a business administrator, among other things, to:
1.earn a living
2.make profit and remain in investment- bound activities.
3.produce and supply want-satisfying goods and services to the society.
4.help in the development of society.
5.encourage the devoutness of people in such areas as politics, religion, etc.
6.be a good corporate citizen.

For me to realize the dream of my career choice to be a business administrator, first I must study hard to pass my Senior Waec examination and then proceed to the University to study Business Management. I hope to do further studies up to the Ph.D. level. I believe that I am a great star that needs to show the power of God in me in our production industries. I think by the grace of God I will be a successful business administrator. What makes this career very interesting to me is that after studies, I can work in the bank, manufacturing industry, government establishment and other institutions.

9. My future career- Chiemerie Ezeoke (student)

Career is a series of jobs that a person has in a particular area of work usually involving more responsibility as time goes on. My career choice is to become an accountant. An accountant is a person whose job is to keep or check financial accounts. I strongly say that I will be an accountant because since my childhood, I have been saying so. My subjects of interest also match with my career choice in Accounts. They are: English, Mathematics, Accounts, Economics, Commerce, Government including Biology, Igbo and Christian Religious Studies (CRK) which may not be required subjects for the study of Accounts in a higher institution.

Let me define these my subjects of interest and show how they match with my career choice to study Accounts. Economics deals with study of how a society organizes its money, trade and industry. Commerce deals with trade especially between countries. It is the buying and selling of goods and services, etc. English deals with language originally of England, now spoken in many other countries. It is used as a language of international communication. Mathematics deals with the process of calculating using numbers. Igbo is the language spoken in South Eastern Nigeria. Biology is the scientific study of life and the structure of plants and animals. These are the subjects that match my career choice and I perform well in them.

I desire to be an accountant because I want to protect my countries money from fraudulent practices. I will be glad to be a fearless accountant and publicly expose fraudulent people and practices. I want to help in managing well my country’s economy. This is why I want to be an accountant.

10.My future career- Chinaemerem Arazu (student)

Career simply means the series of jobs a person has in a particular area of work, usually involving more responsibility as time passes on. What I want to be in future is an accountant. An accountant is a person whose job is to keep or to check financial accounts. I want to be an accountant because since my childhood I have interest in this career and also I am doing well in the subjects that match this career. These subjects are: Accounts, Economics, Commerce, English, Mathematics, Government, including Biology and Christian Religious Studies (CRK).

The subject of Accounts deals with an arrangement someone has with a bank, etc to keep money and make withdrawals; it takes one who knows Accounts to keep the statement of the account and others in proper balance. Economics is the study of how a society organizes its money. An Accountant is supposed to know Economics in order to organize money very well. Commerce deals with trade especially between countries. It is about buying and selling of goods and services. An accountant should know Commerce so as to understand business and trade very well. English Language is originally from England and today it has become an international language commonly used in business transactions. The knowledge of this language for business transaction is essential for an accountant. Mathematics involves calculation of money. Since an accountant will calculate money, he/she needs to know Mathematics.

Government deals with a group of people who are responsible for controlling the state or country. An accountant needs to know about government and what goes on in it in relation to his company or organization’s welfare. My subjects of interest and good performance include: Biology, Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) and Igbo Language. Biology is the scientific study of life and structure of plants and animals. CRK is the study of Christian Religion in relation to other religions. Igbo is the study of Igbo language, a language spoken by Ibos in south eastern Nigeria. Knowing something about life, religion and other languages beyond the official language, English, will be helpful the accountant to better serve in his business environment.

I choose to have a career in accounting for I have a passion in it and I perform well in the subject and others related to it. I want to be among responsible people that take good charge of my country’s money, and since my childhood it has being in my mind that I will be among those who will cater for Nigeria. I am not choosing this career to wear suit or ride cars like those who walk in the bank. Rather it is to work with gentle and responsible people who I admire their commitment to duty that makes me desire this career.

Reach Prof. Eze by email at herberteze@juno.com

Nigerian-born Herbert Eze has seven years of marketing experience and twenty years of pastoral/teaching and political experience. He served as School Director in Evangel Academy while pastoring a church in Mubi. He has held offices as Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Mubi and Chairman, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Mubi Zone. Eze was elected in the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for two tenures to serve as State Delegate for Yelwa Mubi during the Third Republic in Nigeria. He holds a Ph.D. degree in Intercultural Studies from Fuller Seminary and is a candidate for Ph. D. Intercultural Education from Biola University, La Mirada, California. For three years, Eze has taught Social Science and World Religion courses at the University of Phoenix Southern California. He also serves as adjunct assistant professor of Intercultural Studies at Hope International University, Fullerton, where he teaches Cultural Anthropology. Herbert M. Eze can be contacted by e-mail at: HerbertEze@juno.com