CIBN, APBN task govt on strengthening of professional bodies

In a bid to smoothen public-private synergy especially in the area of policy formulation and implementation, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) have tasked government on the need to strengthen professional bodies to such end.

According to the professional bodies, role of such bodies in the attainment of economic development cannot be over-emphasised, hence the need for government to strengthen professional bodies especially those created by Acts of the National Assembly in order to utilise their services in their policy development and implementation programmes.

Speaking during a meeting between the APBN and CIBN in Lagos on Tuesday, the President, CIBN, Otunba (Mrs) Debola Osibogun noted that the best asset of any nation is in the quality of its human capital and professional leadership, adding that empowering professionals would enhance their capacity to contribute to nation-building.

Indeed, Osibogun in her agenda for the Buhari administration identified the implemention of the Competency Framework through regulatory and professional bodies within the various sectors of the economy to encourage services of professionals as well as strict implementation of the Code of Conduct, Corporate Governance and Whistle Blowing Guidelines in both public and private sectors.

Furthermore, she emphasized the need for the enlisting of qualifications/certificates of all professional bodies established through an Act of the National Assembly/Parliament in the schemes of service in government to give equal opportunities and inculcate professionalism into the business of various government Ministries, Departments, Agencies and Parastatals.

On his part, APBN’s President, Foluso Fasoto urged government to address issues bordering on rule of law, security, economy and promotion of professionalism.

He said: “An economy that is almost solely dependent on oil will lead to various economy distortions and troubles. This calls for a drastic diversification of the nation’s economy by tapping the great potentials and opportunities in the other non-oil sectors such as Agriculture, Manufacturing, Power, Services, Tourism, Entertainment, Information and Communications, Mining and Solid Minerals, etc.

These will help to address the nation’s dwindling economic fortune occasioned by falling crude oil price as well as create jobs for the teaming youths and job seekers.