Competence, Character, Service Must Drive Impact – Institute

The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) has charged human resource professionals to combine competence, character and service in delivering measurable impact to their organisations, ministries and communities.

The president and chairman of the Governing Council of CIPM, Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, gave the charge at the Institute’s 72nd Induction Ceremony, held virtually with the theme, “Building High-Impact Competencies for Effective Service and Ministry.”

Gobir, who spoke to 57 newly inducted professionals, said their admission into the Institute was more than professional recognition, stressing that it came with a responsibility to contribute meaningfully to the growth of the HR profession and society.

He said the rapidly changing nature of work had made continuous learning, professional development and adaptability critical for professionals seeking to remain relevant and effective.

According to him, professionals must distinguish between merely being busy and making a meaningful impact.

“Competence equips you with the tools, character guides your conduct, service provides the opportunity, and impact is the result when all three come together,” he stated.

The CIPM president urged the new members not to become preoccupied with titles and positions but to focus on the value they create wherever they find themselves.

“Do not merely occupy positions; bring value to them. Do not be satisfied with titles; strive to become worthy of them. Do not ask only what your organisation can do for you. Instead, ask what will become better because you are there,” he said.

Gobir further reminded the inductees that their CIPM qualification carried responsibilities beyond professional recognition, urging them to uphold the Institute’s standards, maintain their membership in good standing and participate actively in its activities.

He also stressed the need for continuous learning and development as a foundation for sustained professional growth.

Delivering the keynote address, the guest speaker, Dr Oluyemi Adeosun, described competence as a critical foundation for effective service and professional excellence.

Adeosun explained that competency comprised the combination of knowledge, skills and behaviour required to perform a role consistently and to a high standard.

“Ministry requires more than passion. It requires competence, character, and capacity. Passion may inspire the calling, but competence enables effective delivery,” he said.

He urged professionals to go beyond merely acquiring competencies by regularly assessing their ability to apply them effectively.

According to him, professionals must understand the competencies required for their roles, assess their existing capabilities, identify gaps and deliberately bridge those gaps through learning and development.

Adeosun added that excellence was not an occasional achievement but the outcome of consistently applying knowledge, skills and appropriate behaviours to deliver superior performance.

Gobir, however, urged the inductees to seek mentors who could support their professional development and, in turn, mentor others.

He noted that progression within the Institute from Associate Member to Full Member and ultimately Fellow required dedication, competence, discipline and commitment.

He urged them to carry the CIPM name with pride, courage and integrity, stressing that the ultimate measure of their induction would be the positive difference they made in the lives of people, organisations and communities they served.

A total of 57 professionals were inducted into the Institute, comprising one inductee through the Executive Route and 56 through the HR Practitioners’ Route.