Deputy Director of the National Gallery of Art, Dame Nneka Ijeoma, has urged professionals to uphold integrity, protect their credibility, and diversify their skills to remain relevant and successful in today’s competitive environment.
Speaking during the meeting of the League of Anambra Journalists Abuja (LAJA) on July 2, Dame Nneka described herself as a professional who has successfully combined public service with entrepreneurship.
“I am a professional cake baker. I belong to the International Cake Exploration Society (ICES), and by the grace of God, I am now one of their zonal leaders,” she said.
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She disclosed that she initially wanted to decline the leadership position because of the demands of her office but accepted after members of the association encouraged her to serve.
Beyond her public service career, Dame Nneka said she is also a yogurt producer, event planner, and caterer, while remaining committed to her profession as a chartered accountant and a member of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN).
“Anywhere you call me, you will see me. But I still know that I have a profession. I am a chartered accountant by profession,” she said, encouraging professionals to continually acquire new skills without losing sight of their core careers.
She stressed that integrity and ethics remain the bedrock of every profession, noting that an individual’s reputation is invaluable.
“Your personality and your credibility matter. The ethics of the profession must always come first,” she said.
Reflecting on her career journey, Dame Nneka recalled that she began her professional life in banking.
“I started as a banker with First Bank Investment,” she said, adding that discipline, resilience, and continuous learning have been central to her success.
She urged young professionals to remain focused, uphold ethical standards, and embrace opportunities to develop multiple competencies, saying success comes to those who combine professionalism with hard work and integrity.
