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Strong institutions key to transforming nations, says NIM boss

By Gloria Ehiaghe
04 September 2018   |   4:18 am
Nigeria will record speedy economic growth when she focuses more on building strong institutions rather than strong men, the President and Chairman of Council...

Olukunle Iyanda

Nigeria will record speedy economic growth when she focuses more on building strong institutions rather than strong men, the President and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), Prof. Olukunle Iyanda has said.

He argued that building strong institutions has helped many nations become economic giants within a short period of time.

He cited countries such as Turkey, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and China that have transformed from underdeveloped to developed nations, as a result of their appropriate structural organisation and determined leadership, stating that these countries have reengineered both their leadership and mind-set and re-orientation of the citizenry to emerge models for other nations to replicate.

Iyanda, insisted that Nigeria must toll the path of successful nations in her search for national development.

The NIM boss stated this ahead of the institute’s 2018 Annual National Management Conference, holding at Afficent Event Centre, Kano from the 16 to 18 September, with theme, ‘Re-engineering Leadership for National Transformation’.

According to Iyanda, the current agitation for a better country influenced the choice of the theme of the conference.

He said the conference would provide a platform to address burning management issue that is considered of national importance with a view to arriving at a solution, which will be forwarded to all key stakeholders.

His explanation: “Re-engineering is about pragmatic and radical change. It is an intensive, top-down, vision-driven effort that requires nonstop participation and support. Succinctly put, re-engineering helps any organisation, whether a country or business organisation, to be where it needs to be given its endowments, competencies and capabilities.

“One re-engineering element that Nigeria needs is a shift from relying on ‘strong men’ rather than strong institutions. Strongmen are human, and therefore mortal. Strong institutions are immortal and more enduring.

“They are less susceptible to manipulation and corruption. Being inanimate, they do not have personal ambitions that can lead to decisions that are motivated by basic human characteristics as self-serving and self-aggrandisement.”

He added that the institute would continue its efforts of improving management practices both at the micro corporate level as well as at the macro governmental level.

He added: “As we journey into the future, we will neither relent in our quest to bequeath a well-trained and productive workforce to the nation nor will we be tired until mismanagement, maladministration, corruption and other social vices which have hampered Nigeria’s development are exceptions rather than the rule in our country.”

With over 2,000 persons expected at the conference, it will be declared open by the Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Gandudje, while Prof. Kamilu Sani Fagge of the department of political science, Bayero University, Kano will be presenting the main theme paper.

The Director General, Institute of National Transformation, Prof. Vincent Anigbogu and Mrs. Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, the Founder/Chief Executive Officer of RISE Networks will present the two sub-theme papers.

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