Ini Billie, Uyo
Mrs Chinonyerem Ini Ememobong has been elected as the first female chairman at the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), Akwa Ibom State.
Mrs Ememobong who is the third Chairman of ICSAN and the immediate past Vice Chairman, succeeds Mr Ime Asibong after a two-year tenure.
Speaking after her investiture on Tuesday in Uyo conducted by Justice Ntong Ntong, Ememobong said her election was an opportunity to dictate history by positively changing the face of Corporate Governance in her jurisdiction.
The maritime law expert said lack of transparency and the utilization of unskilled personnel was the bane of the nation’s development trajectory.
She mentioned that her administration is poised at changing such a displeasing narrative through extensive sensitization campaigns and frequent training.
She acknowledged the contributions of past leaders of the organisation to the development of the institute and pledged to run an all-inclusive government to actualize its desired goals.
“Permit me to quickly state that it is our administration, not my administration. Our knowledge of corporate governance would have come to nought if we personalise powers in ICSAN. The chairman is merely the rallying point of the chapter.
“In this regard, it is needful to appeal to other Executive Committee members and indeed the entire members of ICSAN in Akwa Ibom State to see me as first amongst equals.
“I will welcome advice, observations, and questions amongst other time-tested processes of leading a credible institute like ours,” she stated.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman on the occasion and Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Moses Ekpo declared Mrs Ememobong’s elevation as a testimony of dedication and hard work.
Ekpo who was represented by Mrs Rosemary Inyangubong expressed optimism that Ememobong would bring her wealth of experience to bear in driving the institute to desired its height, and called in members to fully support the Chairman to succeed.
Delivering the keynote address on “Migrating from Politics to Governance: The Role of Administrators in Nation building”, Prof. Aniekan Brown from the University of Uyo identified accountability, leadership
integrity, stewardship, and transparency as pillars of good governance.
Brown regretted that politically motivated corruption has affected nation-building.
He indicted administrators who have been found wanting on issues of transparency, integrity and stewardship and called for drastic measures on the part of ICSAN to liberate the nation.
He applauded the institute’s choice of a woman to pilot its affairs, saying, “Let me commend you for assimilating women into the mainstream of development plan. We cannot go very far if women are not part of the mix”.
He tasked the institute to revisit the concept of civil servants being card-carrying members of political parties and playing active roles in partisan politics.
On his part, representative of the President/Chairman of Council, ICSAN, Mr Taiwo Owokalade and President-elect ICSAN, Mrs Funmi Ekundayo said the institute is a multi-skilled professional body, and expressed confidence in the new chairman’s capacity to build on existing legacies and take the chapter higher.
The President-elect said the national body was very proud of the state chapter.
“I have no doubt that the new chairman would continue to enjoy support of members,” she said.
Also speaking, patron of the institute and chairman, Ibom Power Company, Mr Etido Inyang, said ICSAN is distinguished in its role of qualifying Chartered Secretaries and Administrators for corporate governance and administration in both the public and private sectors in Nigeria.
He advised the incoming administration to work closely with past leaders for optimum impact.