The Success Story of a primary school teacher who became a Fellow of Chartered Accountants (FCA) & Director In Ogun State Civil Service
SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE Man Of The Month: Prince Lawrence Adewale Adetona
By Charles Segun Adegbite and Daniel Ayokunle Joseph
Prince Lawrence Adewale Adetona, nicknamed Professor in view of his erudition and academic prowess, is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), and Institute of Administrators and Leaders(FIAL).
He is the National President of The Alumni Association of Sikiru Adetona College of Education, Science and Technology, (initially known as Ogun State College of Education; later renamed Tai Sholarin College of Education), Omu-Ijebu, Ogun State.
Adetona is also a Forensic Accountant, Tax Administrator and a Director in the Ogun State Internal Revenue Service, OGIRS, Abeokuta.
After practicing his first profession (teaching) in the private sector, he joined the OGIRS and rose through the ranks from the post of an Accountant in July 2004 and became a director in February 2022. Of course, he is still rising and has a lot of valuable services to offer the state civil service, for government to keep promoting him for higher responsibilities.
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Born on August 15, 1972, in Ijebu Igbo, Prince Adetona is of Ijebu Ode extractions; both in Ogun State. He attended Moslem Comprehensive High School, Imepe, Ijebu Ode, where he obtained his West African School Certificate in 1988.
He was thereafter schooled to become a teacher at the then Ogun State College of Education (now Sikiru Adetona College of Education, Science and Technology), Ijagun, Ijebu Ode. He obtained Nigerian Certificate of Education, (NCE) in Yorùbá and Social Studies. With that he became a teacher, and later the Head Teacher of Total Child Nursery & Primary School, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
CHARTING A NEW COURSE
Unsatisfied with that status and situation, he then launched a new offensive for himself by charting a new course in life, to become an accountant.
He consequently enrolled for the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) Accounting Technician Scheme (ATS) examinations, prepared for and later obtained the Associate Accounting Technician, AAT, of the Institute in 1998.
He proceeded to the Olabisi Onabanjo University (formerly Ogun State University), OOU, Ago Iwoye, to study Accounting.
Through strong determination and dint of hard work, he obtained a Bachelor's degree (BSc, Hons) in Accounting; graduating with a Second Class Upper Division, in 2003. He simultaneously qualified as a chartered accountant in his 400 level.
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In 2007 he became the Best Graduating Student at the Preliminary Inspector of Taxes Course organized by Joint Tax Board. He went further for mastery and came out as Best Graduating Student at Final Inspector of Taxes Course organized by Joint Tax Board in 2009.
With that his professional prowess in taxation, he qualified for and was inducted an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, ACTI, in 2010. He also became a Certified Forensic Accountant in 2013.
A PROFESSIONAL SCHOLAR
Not satisfied with that, he went for his Master's degree in Business and Applied Economics and came out with PhD grade from same university in 2013.
Today, he is not only a forensic accountant, but a holder of MSC, BSC(Hons), NCE, FCA, FCTI, CFAN and FIAL. That means, he is a member of these professional bodies: Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), The Institute of Administrators and Leaders.
He is a former Chairman of the Tai Solarin College of Education Alumni Association, Remo Branch. He soon became the National President of the Alumni Association of that his alma mater.
He spoke with Successful People Magazine on his leadership roles recently:
"I became the President of Alumni Association of Tai solarin College of Education in April 18 2022.
The Institution is now called Sikiru Adetona College of Education, Science and Technology. It was initially known as Ogun State College of Education, before it was later renamed Tai Sholarin College of Education by the Ogun State Government of Nigeria that owns and established it," he disclosed.
HIS MISSION
While explaining the mission of his team as National Executive Council of the association, he said:
"We are trying to redefine the whole essence of alumni association, to give it a new definition and make it to be more meaningful for every alumnus; especially for people who ask that what are the benefits in becoming an alumni association's member.
We are trying to redefine the whole essence of alumni association, to give it a new definition and make it to be more meaningful for every alumnus;
"So that they can know there are lots of benefits that one can gain from being a member; in terms of referral and networking. At least getting to know the caliber of people passing through that school and the assistance you can get from such alumni.
"There are a lot of opportunities and more importantly, giving back to the school that built us" he explained further.
THE CHALLENGES
According to him, "what I could have called a challenge is the way our members are dispersed around the world but thanks to Technology. We can see ourselves and talk to ourselves at any day and anywhere so, it is not really a challenge.
"Our main goal is to redefine the whole essence of alumni and give it a beautiful face, a beautiful meaning. To make it meaningful, especially for that school. Don't forget the college has passed through about three transitions now.
"So, there is this nomenclature challenge. Some will say I attended Ogun State College of Education while some will say I attended Tai Sholarin College of Education. Presently, the college is now Sikiru Adetona College of Education, Science and Technology (SACOETEC). But we are trying to let every alumnus and alumnae know that it is still the same college of education.
"How to unite our members fully, is a priority. To unite every set, to build our alma mater and give back to the college."
"The alumni association has been in existence since 1982 and all the presidents that served before me did their bits to achieve this much sought unity."
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"We inherited three legacy branches of the association. We are trying to have a diaspora branch so we are working on that. We have members in the United Kingdom, USA and Canada, etc, we are trying to bring everybody together," he explained.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Within the short time he became the national president, he and his team created five more branches, Abuja, Ota, Ibadan, Lagos and Ikorodu, thereby bringing expansion to the association.
We are trying to have a diaspora branch so we are working on that. We have members in the United Kingdom, USA and Canada, etc, we are trying to bring everybody together,"
According to him, the need to create those branches was already stated in the constitution of the association.
"So, when we came in, creating those branches didn't require constitutional amendment because it's already in our Constitution".
"Also, we have developed the association's website and it is now live," he added.
"In terms of documentation, we have registered the association with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as well as Joint Tax Board (JTB), in accordance with the relevant extant laws of the country."
"Not only that, we are currently working on the alumni building. My predecessor laid the building foundation. We just concluded the reinforcement of the foundation. We are about mobilising resources for its construction and we are going to need the support of the members and Sets."
"Through the support from individual members, Sets and Branches, we have also attended to financial needs of some members," he concluded.
MESSAGE TO MEMBERS
His message to the members is that we need to work together as one indivisible association, to ensure that we do not only help ourselves as an alumni family members, but to give back to the institution that shaped us.
"One of the things we are trying to encourage member to do, especially at the set level is to come up with a programme that will benefit their members.
"For example, in my own set- 1993 Set, we have a cooperative society that give loans to members, whenever they are in financial needs.
"We encourage others to do something like that, apart from the usual annual reunion programmes. So, let us see how we can help ourselves very well in our various fields. Some members are still facing certain serious challenges.
One of the benefits of becoming an alumni member is to have people who can assist you when you need it.
"One of the benefits of becoming an alumni member is to have people who can assist you when you need it. As an alumni association, we are going to have representation in the governing council of the college.
So, through that channel we are able to give our own advise and contributions to educational growth of the state", he said.
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Speaking on the response he has been getting from the institution's leadership; that is the College of Education, he said: "It has been fine, cordial and harmonious. We are partners in progress. We are not competing for anything. So, they are the administrators, our is just to provide additional assistance to whatever they are doing".
The tenure of each administration is two years, which is renewable for another two and final years.
HIS GOALS FOR THE ASSOCIATION
In the next two years we are looking at a more united alumni association that's working together for the common goal of members and the college; that is our goal. We don't want to hear I belong to this I belong to that. No.
APPEAL TO MEMBERS
"Let's just work together to achieve the goal because if we are united it will make things easier. But if we go our individual ways, there wont be that coercion. There won't be that united front. We need to be focused in making our association great.
"So, our big project now is completing the alumni building- the national secretariat. We are definitely going to need the support of every member, every set and every branch. So, we therefore appeal to all members that when we call on you, please answer us.
WHY HE IS NOT A TEACHER
He told Successful People Magazine, "I studied Yoruba /Social studies. I actually taught briefly both in Ijebu-Ode and Lagos before I developed interest in accountancy. Today I am a chartered accountant and a tax administrator. We have cases like that.
"Some of us that went to that college of education are medical doctors today. It happens like that. So, whatever I become today, I give it to that college who laid the foundation.
"In fact, the current commissioner for education in Ogun State, attended the college. As a matter of fact, we have so many members who are doing fantastically well in their chosen career and profession," he added.
Some of us that went to that college of education are medical doctors today. It happens like that. So, whatever I become today, I give it to that college who laid the foundation.
Prince Adetona, who is nicknamed, "Professor" apparently because of his erudition, is also a community leader in the town where he lives, and a member of Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC).
In recognition of his relentless efforts in transforming his life, developing his leadership skills and contributing to the development of his community, his State and his alma mater at national level,
PRINCE LAWRENCE ADEWALE ADETONA is our:
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