Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered), Maitama chapter in Abuja has called on managers across various sectors to take a proactive role in advancing the principles and practices of effective management.
The institute emphasised the critical need for leaders to champion core values of integrity, transparency, and strategic vision to drive organisational success and contribute to national development.
The chairman of the branch, Engr. Abdul Lawal Zubair, made the call at the annual corporate dinner 2024 organised by the institute in Abuja on Thursday.
Speaking on the theme, “Managing Uncertainty: Leveraging Management Expertise in Overcoming Socio-economic Challenges,” Zubair noted that the event provided an opportunity to connect and reflect as it collectively advances the principles and values of effective management across all sectors of the nation.
“As we enjoy the evening’s agenda from insightful presentations and captivating performances to a delightful dining experience let us also take this moment to strengthen the bonds that unite us as professional managers and ambassadors of excellence,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to all attendees, stating that the dinner was not only a celebration of their achievements but also a tribute to the vision, resilience and professionalism that define them as members of this great Institute.
“This dinner provides an opportunity to connect, reflect, and recharge as we collectively advance the principles and values of effective management across all sectors of our nation,” Zubair added.
He also acknowledged the dedication of the dinner planning committee and the chapter’s executive for organising the event and thanked the sponsors and members for their support.
In his guest lecture, Prof. Zakaree Saheed, the director, Directorate of General Studies at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, called for the application of strategic management expertise to address Nigeria’s persistent socio-economic challenges.
Saheed said Nigeria has vast resources but noted the country’s struggles with infrastructure, unemployment, poverty, insecurity and political instability. He emphasised that a strategic application of management expertise organising, coordinating and optimising resources were keys to overcoming these challenges.
“Nigeria remains the largest economy in Africa, endowed with significant natural and human resources. Yet, it continues to grapple with inadequate infrastructure, low industrial productivity, and challenging business environments.
The country faces multifaceted socio-economic issues, including high unemployment, deficits in education, rising poverty, and insecurity stemming from insurgency and poor governance.
“These problems erode public confidence and economic stability, further compounded by political instability, which creates a climate of uncertainty for policymakers, businesses, and individuals.
“We need to address the root causes of these problems before we can find lasting solutions. This requires a strategic application of management expertise to navigate a sustainable path forward. By management expertise, I mean the ability to organize, coordinate, and optimize resources to achieve desired outcomes.
“I believe that a clearly defined vision and mission form the foundation of policy formation and the establishment of a national agenda. If we know what we want whether it is to become a technology-driven society, an educational hub, or an agricultural powerhouse—based on that, we can establish a national agenda,” he said.
Saheed also advocated for vocational training and entrepreneurship within the education system, suggesting that schools reintegrate hands-on projects like farming and home economics.
“Reforming the educational curriculum to align with industrial needs is crucial. There should be a paradigm shift from teaching entrepreneurship as a subject to producing entrepreneurs. Schools should focus not only on teaching entrepreneurship but also on creating an entrepreneurial culture. Let school principals return to the days when schools had their own farms,” he added.
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