Abdallah, Ihensekhien Honoured, Partner SWIT to Drive Tax Awareness

By Rosemary Okoduwa

The Edo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Eugenia Abdallah, and the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Joy Ihensekhien, have been honoured as Ambassadors of the Society of Women in Taxation (SWIT), in recognition of their steadfast support for initiatives that advance tax awareness, women’s empowerment, and inclusive socio-economic development.

The honour was conferred during a courtesy visit by members of the Society of Women in Taxation (SWIT), Edo State Chapter, to the Ministry in Benin City, where both parties also explored avenues for strategic collaboration.

In her remarks, the Commissioner, Mrs. Abdallah represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Ihensekhien expressed appreciation for the recognition and commended SWIT for its sustained efforts in educating women and the wider public on the importance of taxation as a vital tool for national development.

She emphasized that taxation remains a critical pillar of sustainable governance, noting that ongoing tax reforms by the state government are deliberately designed to strengthen public institutions, enhance service delivery, and improve the overall quality of life for citizens. According to her, when citizens especially women are well-informed about their civic responsibilities, they are better positioned to contribute meaningfully to societal progress.

Mrs. Abdallah further noted that empowering women with knowledge of taxation not only encourages compliance but also promotes accountability and transparency. She reaffirmed the Ministry’s readiness to collaborate with SWIT on impactful initiatives.

Earlier, the National Chairperson of SWIT, Chief Dr. Caroline Ndubuisi, highlighted the organisation’s mission and structure. She explained that SWIT, the female arm of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, is dedicated to supporting and encouraging women to pursue careers in taxation, while promoting professional excellence, continuous learning, and broader tax awareness across sectors.

Dr. Ndubuisi reiterated the organisation’s commitment to partnering with the Ministry in key areas such as taxpayer education, policy advocacy, and revenue optimisation, stressing that SWIT aims to foster integrity, inclusivity, and sustainable growth within the tax system.