President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Mallam Tijjani Isa, has described female accountants as the invaluable assets being used by the institute to achieve its mandate.
Isa said this while speaking at a presidential luncheon, organised in his honour by the Society of Women Accountants of Nigeria (SWAN) in Lagos on Sunday.
“There is no denying the invaluable contributions of SWAN members to the achievement of the institute’s mandate, either through their participation as members of the governing council, council committees or staffers of the institute.
“Indeed, your participation at the various levels of leadership of the institute have brought unique perspectives and diversity into our activities.
“We are reaping the benefits of the vast pool of talents, energy and commitment that women bring to the table in our different programmes,” he said.
According to him, SWAN has positively impacted female chartered accountants and the accounting profession through its many laudable projects.
Isa noted that over four decades, the institute had constantly supported female accountants and encouraged young girls in tertiary institutions to join accounting profession.
The ICAN president stated that the grooming of budding female accountants by the institute and provision of career direction and guidance were impressive and commendable.
He reassured the female accountants that the institute would continue to accord great respect and recognition to all of them.
Isa noted that the institute’s history would remain incomplete without SWAN members, adding that ICAN’s future was optimistic because of them.
“It is for the attainment of this bright future that we consciously ensure that we follow the principle of diversity and inclusion, because we treasure the unique insight that women bring into decision-making,” he said.
Isa, who expressed delight to be at the luncheon organised in his honour, thanked the SWAN national leadership, led by the Chairperson, Mrs Nwamara Nnaji, for according him the honour.
In her address of welcome, SWAN national chairperson congratulated the ICAN president, noting that the luncheon had given female accountants sense of belonging to interact with their president.
Nnaji assured the ICAN president of SWAN’s total commitment to the institute’s cause and assistance in whatever way to ensure an impactful tenure.
Although she described most of the activities carried out by SWAN to project ICAN’s image as tasking, Nnaji, however, expressed optimism that Isa would play his part in ensuring that the association continued to ‘swim’ and not ‘drown’.
“Our dear 58th president is quiet, humble, easy going and yet a very understanding person. He has listening ears and always willing to assist. So, he is indeed worthy to be celebrated.
“As we look forward to the 52nd Annual Accountant Conference, coming up in Abuja from Oct. 10 to Oct. 14, with the theme: “Nigeria: Adopting Sustainability for Economic Reporting.
“We are hopeful that our great institute, ICAN, will, as usual, bring out a well-researched communique that will continue to assist in the development of the Nigerian economy,” she said.
In his lecture, the Guest Speaker, Dr Adebola Akindele, stated that every industry had been impacted by evolution and technology, stressing that accountants cannot afford to be left behind.
“Human beings develop along with the developments around them, while improved technology helps us as human beings,” Akindele said.
According to him, accountants must embrace artificial intelligence and use it to their advantage so as to remain relevant in the present and future era, amidst its disruptive features.
The don also urged accountants to mobilise themselves to rise to key position in governance in order to contribute to national development.
