SWAN restates commitment to women’s role in development

Women have restated their commitment of full participation in socio-economic and political development of the country.Stating that they are capable of handling the governance of the nation, they submitted that they are ready to occupy strategic positions in government and the nation at large.

They made the assertion over the weekend at the 40th anniversary celebration of the Society of Women Accountants of Nigeria (SWAN) in Lagos.Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, who noted that women were better leaders, urged them to stand their ground and take their rightful positions in the country as presidents, governors and other key positions.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Yetunde Onanuga, he commended the women accountants on their 40th anniversary and the heights to which they have taken the profession, noting that they have improved the profession a great deal.

President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Mallam Ismaila Zakari, noted that SWAN has been very influential in the progress and development of the accounting profession in Nigeria and the world. He said women individually and collectively have been major actors in the rights of civil societies through their pressure for increased awareness of gender equality in issues and well being of all in national and global decision making process.

He said the result of the Beijing Conference was that women entered the labour force in unprecedented number thereby increasing their potential and ability to participate in decision making at various levels.

The ICAN boss stressed that the society has positioned women in the accounting profession as majority of them hold key positions in government while some of them are aspiring to contest for governorship elections.

Zakari said with their input, there are a lot of graduates who are venturing into the profession in the country.“We have many chartered accountants who have served in corporate organisations as chief executives. The objective of SWAN is to encourage and assist women in the accountancy profession to inform the public about their achievements and abilities in the profession, promoting intellectual growth and administration of knowledge in the world.”

National chairperson, SWAN, Folake Onabolu who encouraged women participation in politics, stated that they were doing a lot on the emancipation of women and creating a formidable force to move the nation forward.

She said women excel if they are given the opportunity, stating that Nigerian professional women have come a long way in moving the country forward.“We play a major role as SWAN members. We are the salt of the institute. We have always excelled as we participate in full force. We are at the fore front. If women are given the opportunity, we know we are going to do better,” she added.