The Bayelsa state Accountant General, Madam Tokoni Ifidi has advised the state chapter of the Society of Women Accounts of Nigeria (SWAN) to introduce Accounting Technician Scheme (ATS) in secondary schools to groom accountants from the basis.
The first female Accountant General in the state gave the charge during the inauguration of the state chapter of SWAN in Yenagoa, the state capital, noting that the inauguration of the Bayelsa chapter was long overdue.
She described the newly sworn-in Chairperson of SWAN, Mrs. Pauline Sawyer as a brilliant, hard working, discipline, resourceful and result oriented first female chartered accountant of Bayesla State in Public Service and expressed confidence in her ability to offer purposeful and credible leadership to the association.
The AG informed that the ATSÂ would enable young females to start accountancy profession before getting to the university and commended one Miss Preye Ombu of Federal University Otuoke for qualifying as a Chartered Accountant as an undergraduate.
Noting that there are few Bayelsa female accountants, the AG who doubles as SWAN patroness urged the young ones to embrace the ATS and become chartered accountants before graduating from the university which, she stressed, would increase their skills in various aspects of life .
She thanked the National Chairperson of SWAN, Mrs. Nwamara Nnaji for her contributions to the promotion of gender as well as the establishment, development and growth of SWAN.
During the inauguration of the state SWAN as well as the investiture ceremony of the state chairperson and the Executive Committee Members, the National Chairperson, Nnaji, charged the newly inaugurated executive committee members to work as a team to uphold the dignity and integrity of the accounting profession.
She commended the Bayelsa SWAN members for their commitment and working assiduously to have the chapter formally inaugurated, and presented the certificate of inauguration, a copy of the constitution and a token to the state chapter on behalf of the National Secretariat in accordance with the statues of the institute.
Those inaugurated include: Mrs. Pauline Sawyer, Chairperson, Mrs. Tonye Buseri, 1st Vice Chairperson, Mrs. Doubra Ofoni, 2nd Vice Chairperson, Azibolonami Edum, General Secretary, Dr. Mrs. Julia Ogboin, Assistant Secretary, Mrs. Vivian Ifeoma Babajide, Financial Secretary, Mrs. Ebikewenimo Bidein, Treasurer.
Others are: ofonime Asemota, Membership Secretary, Mr. Ebiladere Ate, Welfare Secretary, Precious Fetonghan, Publicity Secretary and Mrs. Philomena Ifem Tabowei, Ex-oficio IPC Yenagoa and District Society.
In her acceptance speech, the Chairperson, Mrs. Sawyer glorified God for actualizing the inauguration of the Bayelsa State Chapter of SWAN and described the association as the female wing of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
She said the objectives of SWAN was to assist ICAN protect its Charter status and interest of female members, promote and maintain high standard efficiency and professional conduct, encourage females to join accountancy profession and acquaint the public with the abilities and achievements of females in the profession.
She encouraged members to participate actively in the activities of ICAN and other professional accountancy organizations, promising to work with the committee and members to achieve set goals.
The pioneer Chairperson revealed that she had been acting for over ten years before the formal inauguration and thanked God for the grace to provide the required membership of 25 to 30 for the State Chapter to be recognized by the National Institute.
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