Assistant Director in charge of Internal Audit at Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS), Mrs Omolara Mulikat Ojulari and a Senior Lecturer at the Deparment of Accounting, University of Ilorin, Dr. (Mrs) Khadijat Adunola Yahaya have emerged as the pioneer Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Ilorin chapter of the of the Society of Women Accountants of Nigeria (SWAN) respectively.
Other executive members of the SWAN included Mrs Mojirola Afolayan as Secretary, Mrs Ronke Anwa-Lawal Olaleye as Treasurer, Hajia Bilikisu B. Lawal as Public Relations Officer while the position of Financial Secretary goes to Mrs Moyinoluwa Owolabi.
Administering the inauguration, the National Chairperson of the Society, at the Water Lake-View, University of Ilorin, last Thursday, Mrs. Folakale Onabolu, commended the Ilorin chapter of the Society for her outstanding achievements since its formation a few years back.
Mrs Onabolu, who was represented by Mrs Njeoma Sam-Oburu, said the Ilorin chapter was the 2nd to be inaugurated and the 9th in the entire country.
She added that the idea behind the formation of SWAN was not to compete with any professional organization in the field of Accountancy but complement the activities of the Institute of Chattered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and, most especially, to stimulate the interest of women in Accountancy as a profession.
She therefore urged the Ilorin chapter of the Society to continue to make her impact felt in the calibre of emerging female Accountants and the quality of their service delivery for the growth and development of the nation.
In his remark, a Professor of Business Administration at the Crown Hill University, Kwara State, Professor Muritala Olakitan Awodun said the reason Nigeria is being described as one of the 15 failed or failing countries in the world is because the nation is running a cash and carry economy.
Awodun, who is also an Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS) said the nation’s economy needs to move out of its one-directional mono-culture of oil and gas revenue sharing dismal state, and embrace entrepreneurial skills and robust women empowerments that have capacities to paly invaluable roles in the country’s economic revolution and transformation.
Awodun who was the Guest of Honour at the SWAN event, said the cash and carry style of the economy has practically paralysed industries, business creativity, and business entrepreneurship including women empowerment in Nigeria.
“Over the years, we run a cash and carry economy that kills industry, business creativity and entrepreneurship and has rendered Nigeria into a land where there is water, water, everywhere with none at all to drink” he lamented.
Awodun who spoke through a Director of Corporate Affairs of the KW-IRS, Mr Lekan Rotimi advocated for women empowerment, saying that women empowerment is a gateway to sustainable development.
In his goodwill message, the University Bursar, University of Ilorin, Mr Hakeem Sonde, who was represented by a Deputy Bursar, Mr. M.A.Dere,congratulated the chapter on its formal inauguration.
He urged the body to be prepared to conquer teething challenges that may face her and urged all the members of the Society to be ready to serve as models for younger ones so that the nation would produce more female Accountants who will serve the nation with integrity.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Ilorin District of the Institute of Chattered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Pastor Abel Aiyedogbon, commended the University of Ilorin for its numerous contributions in the production of distinguished Accountants who are contributing meaningfully to the progress of the nation’s economy and particularly for hosting the investiture within its colourful campus.
Speaking with news men on the sideline of the event, Dr (Mrs) Khadijat Yahaya expressed joy on her emergence as the Vice-Chairperson of the body.
She explained that her organisation will not relent in her efforts at assisting the society in several ways possible.
She added that the body would continue to stimulate and support the desire of younger females to take up Accountancy as a profession through enlightement programmes, advocacy, award of scholarships among other interventions.
Dr. Yahaya also disclosed that the body will continue to extend her helping hands to the less-privileged by offering support to the motherless babies home, indigent students and students of the Kwara State School for Special Needs, to ensure that the nation is fully developed in order for it to attain its destined greatness.
The event was graced by many dignitaries including the Head of Service, Kwara State, Mrs.Susan Modupe Oluwole represented by Hajiya Bola Alaya; and several professional Accountants from within and outside Kwara State.
