……enjoins them to make their contributions count in all areas of life
…..as female tax practitioners confer association’s Ambassadorial honour on her
Women professionals and politicians have been advised to see themselves as people with a divine mandate to effectively contribute to societal transformation rather than fighting for equality with men in any area of life.
Secretary to Ondo State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, while addressing women at the investiture of Hon. Idowu Otetubi as 3rd Chairman of Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Akure and District Society described as unbiblical and ungodly the saying “what men can do, women can do better”.
Odu said unhealthy rivalry with men has the potential to distract women from being real drivers of a better society using the unique qualities given to them by God to influence all round transformation.
Princess Odu appreciated men in Ondo state for always identifying women who have capacity to excel, and supporting them to get to any height humanly possible, emphasizing that such disposition will continue to make Ondo state a pacesetter state.
“I wish to sincerely thank men for giving us the wings to fly. We promise not to disappoint you as we go about doing the responsibilities we take on.”
The first female Secretary to Government in Ondo state specially acknowledged the role being played by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, CON to build the confidence of women in the state to aspire to any position they desire of n life, stressing that Arakunrin Akeredolu is not just the Governor of the state but a truly loving father to everyone in the state.
“Governor Akeredolu is truly a father who never discriminates, and who goes the extra mile to ensure that every resident of the state is lived and feels loved.”
She noted that women all over the world are changing the narrative in governance and at various levels of professional endeavour, stressing that Nigeria cannot be different.
“Women are very transparent, very dedicated and very reliable. We congratulate the men who are doing great things in their various callings, and we are glad to announce that women have woken up and are now physically , mentally and spiritually ready to join them in the boardrooms while still proudly keeping our place in the kitchen.
“I am not one to say what a man can do, a woman can do better, rather my belief is that what men can do women can do as well.”
Princess Odu, who emphasized that many Nigerian women have developed sound leadership capacities over the decades, noted that the time to try them with real executive powers is now.
She assured that any woman who is given a position of very high responsibility in Ondo state will deliver because women in the state are resolute about making a statement that their gender has enormous capacity to advance the course of society.
Odu harped on the need for more women to show deliberate interest in leadership positions, noting that the world needs the touch of women now than ever before.
She commended the new Akure and District Society Chairman of CITN, Idowu Otetubi, for being a great son of Ondo state and expressed confidence that his tenure will be very successful.
At the event, Princess Odu was honoured as Ambassador of the Society of Women in Taxation, SWIT.
Conferring the honour, the National President of the Association, Mrs Bosede Ikanoba described Princess Odu as a pride to the womenfolk.
“Women who contribute massively to societal development like Princess Odu deserve to be celebrated and given greater responsibilities, because such women are always willing to do more and they serve with great sincerity”
Mrs Ikanoba enjoined other women to emulate the Ondo State Secretary to Government.
The SWIT National chairperson also inaugurated the Ondo state chapter of SWIT with a charge to members, and especially the executives to work for posterity
In his remarks the Chairman of the occasion and member of the CITN Council, Prince Ishola Akingbade, noted that Akure and District Society of the institute is a source of pride to CITN, and expressed confidence that the performance of the district will be further enhanced in the next two years considering the pedigree of the new Chairman, Idowu Otetubi.
In his acceptance speech, the new Chairman of CITN, Akure and District Society, Idowu Otetubi, promised to give a good account of himself during his tenure, with a pledge to work with government to drive tax reforms.
He commended the Akeredolu administration for being deliberate about tax matters, noting that it will FasTrack all round development in the state.
A lecture was delivered by the Chairman of the State Internal Revenue Service, Mr Tolu Adegbie who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Revenue, Chief Femi Feyide.
