Firm’s boss canvasses robust human capital for Nigeria’s development

The Group Managing Director, Flour Mills Nigeria (FMN) Plc, Paul Gbededo, has advocated a value-oriented workforce to attain the nation’s quest for economic competitiveness and industrialisation.

He argued that the major factor that inhibits the country’s human resource is the non-entrenchment of humanistic values such as self-direction, integrity, leadership, ownership, teamwork, benevolence, patience, humility, diligence and the likes in the development of her human capital.

Gbededo, who spoke at a research and development fair organized by the University of Ibadan ahead of its 68th Foundation Day and convocation, charged the academia to play a pivotal role in re-engineering the nation’s value system for productivity.

The Flour Mills’ chief executive, who chaired the event, regretted that the country’s human resource, which ordinarily should be to her advantage, has, however, turned a major obstacle to her path of greatness.

Citing the 2014 World Economic Competitiveness Index report that only appreciated Nigeria’s market size out of the available 12 indices due largely to her 170million population strength, Gbededo pointed out the nation’s two other foibles namely parlous infrastructure and endemic corruption.

Referencing his organization as a model in entrenchment of humanistic values, the Flour Mills chief said people – their most treasured asset – had been roundly blended to engender result while not compromising professionalism.

He relished that the right combination of local and expatriate employees over the years has fostered mutual respect and exchange that had made, “FMN a family of achievers.”

Gbededo, however, praised the founding fathers for their “strong thoughtful values encapsulated in the institution’s motto: ‘Recte Sapere Fons (for knowledge and sound judgment)’.”

He submitted that the proliferation of higher institutions in the country only boosted quantity but added little or nothing to the quality of their products.