▪️By Roberts George Orji
To partner State Government in affairs concerning the women and ensure their voice is heard
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has inaugurated the Enugu State chapter of its women wing, the Society of Women Accountants of Nigeria (SWAN).
The Chapter, the 16th of such in the nation, was inaugurated amidst pomp and fanfare with the investiture of the chapter chairperson, Mrs. Ifeoma Catherine Otiji, fca, and the swearing is of an eleven member maiden executive committee.
The society, membership of which is automatic for all women accountants upon attainment of charter status, is charged with overseeing the maintenance of probity and integrity among women accountants in the performance of their accounting duties.
In her inaugural cum acceptance address, Mrs. Ifeoma Catherine Otiji, the pioneer chairperson of the SWAN, Enugu chapter, appreciated the contributions of the parent body, ICAN, in the establishment of SWAN, paying glowing tributes to ICAN’s 57th President, Mrs Comfort Eyitayo and members of ICAN’s governing council for their encouragements to the women accountants.
Mrs Otiji presenting her inaugural address
Mrs Otiji assured the women group of her readiness to discharge the enormous responsibilities thrust on her to her utmost best, not being unmindful of the enormity of the tasks the new responsibility places upon her and the other members of her executive committee.
“In line with the objectives of SWAN, the Enugu chapter has set out more goals and objectives as we enter this dispensation “, Mrs Otiji States, “including continuing knowledge acquisition, training, intellectual growth, health education, and professional capabilities of members in order to make them excel and remain relevant in the society”, she further stated.
Women, she promised, would also be “encouraged to undertake projects that enhance their image in the profession while the youth would be mentored in secondary and tertiary institutions enlightening them on the paths that lead to becoming chartered accountants and conducting other trainings and career talks”.
Presenting Mrs Ifeoma Otiji (middle), Pioneer Enugu Chairperson of SWAN, by the 10th National Chairperson, Mrs Catherine Nwamara Nnaji
For ICAN itself, “maintenance of increased awareness and impact of ICAN programme(r)s would be intensified.
“Members of Enugu & District Society would be encouraged to participate actively in the affairs of the District assuring them of valuable assistance and support where necessary”.
The chapter chairperson also assured the state government of readiness to contribute on issues that affect women and ensuring that women’s voice is not ignored but rather project the ideals of enhanced womanhood in a gender-sensitive arrangement.
SWAN Enugu Chapter
She also assured that her chapter would organize lectures from time to time for business groups to imbibe good accounts record keeping and accounts preparation while the general public would find in her organization a ready partner and platform through which the benefits good accounting practices could always be accessed.
Also in a brief speech, the Investiture Committee chairperson, Mrs Obodo Josephine Oriaku, called on all SWAN members to rally round the new SWAN chapter president to enable her succeed in piloting the affairs of the organization very well.
Cutting of cake
According to her, successful persons rarely reach their targets alone.
“It is through team work, perseverance, persistence, determination and total commitment that good goals are attained”, adding that since there was much work at hand, there was no room for anyone to stand aloof.
Exco taking oath
Awards recognizing the contributions of some women in the society to the advancement of women in general, were given to a number of women in the state. They included Her Excellency, Hon Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, the Deputy Governor of Enugu state, Njum Nnennaya Uma-Ozoemenam, Chef (Mrs) Hazel Barbra Kalu and Dr. Bernardine Ngozichukwu Nweze.
Other recipients included Deaconess (Dr.) Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo, Chief Princess Adaukwu Ottawa and Chief (Mrs) Amaka Anajemba.
Elder (Dr) Kalu Uke Kalu fca and wife
Inaugurating the Enugu chapter at Oaklands Hotel Enugu, SWAN’s 10th National Chairperson, Mrs. Nwamara Catherine Nnaji, also swore in the eleven-member executive committee.
The inauguration which was chaired by Dr. Emmanuel Okpaloka fca was graced by dignitaries that included Emmanuel Nnamani, ICAN Chairman, EDS, Elder (Dr) Kalu Uke Kalu FCA, former Chairman of Union Bank of Nigeria plc., Chief S. Uche Chigbo, fca , one of the first set of Chartered Accountants in Enugu and a host of other professional nail accountants.
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