By Henry Uche
The Executive Secretary/CEO of Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) Ambassador Shuaibu Adamu Ahmed, has charged the newly inducted members of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) to be carriers, preachers and apostles of moral values, ethics and acceptable behavior anywhere they find themselves.
The FRC boss who made this charge at the 2022 annual induction ceremony of the Institute in Lagos, maintained that values and ethics remain the bedrock for sustainable economic growth, development and sustenance.
According to him, three things stand out for the ICSAN members and other professional bodies viz: Imbibing laudable values as a person and a governance professional; being guided by good codes of ethics and upholding good corporate governance and ethical values, noting that they are prerequisites for building sustainable companies, attainment of goals and objectives of Governance Professionals and for national development.
With the theme: “Entrenching The Values and Ethics of a Governance Professional in the Nigerian Business Terrain” Adamu stressed the need for Training and Development for people to meet future challenges both in the private and public life.
“Obviously that there is a nexus between values and national development. We recognise this nexus, thus we must support training initiatives. Some values include: Equal justice, equal opportunity, and equal dignity without discrimination, hard work, a spirit of competitiveness and a strong work ethic,”
He decried the level of penury and agony in the country which according to him was partly due to lack of lack of professional values and personal values among Nigerians, “Nigeria is the most populous country and the largest economy on the African, but our economy has underperformed over the years. Nigeria was tagged the poverty capital of the world in 2017 according to the World Poverty Clock, a Global Provider of data on poverty and related metrices. Despite the abundant human and natural resources, Nigeria is bedeviled by lack of professional values and personal values,”
“For Nigeria to be set on a firm path to sustainable growth, the real journey starts with each individual person and professionals. Each of us must espouse laudable goals for ourselves, our families, and companies, thus forming a bedrock of society with enviable values that will translate into sustainable growth for companies and ultimately, a solid macro economy like those of the advanced countries.
He charged Nigerians to Imbibe the act of “Acting honestly,” in good faith and in the best interests of their employers and Nigeria at large, in accordance with legal requirements and agreed ethical standards. “If you are a director, you owe a fiduciary duty to your Company, as Governance Professionals you should always act with a duty of care, skill, diligence and loyalty in fulfilling the functions of your offices and exercising the powers attached to those offices.
“Diligence in everything we do is Key. As Governance Professionals, you should seek to promote public awareness of essential corporate values and ethical practices that will enhance the integrity of your immediate business environment and the wider Nigerian economy. You should be good governance ambassadors for the Institute and wherever you find yourself, whether at home in Nigeria or abroad.
“Always encourage the reporting of unlawful or unethical behaviours and actively promote ethical behaviours and the protection of those who report violations in good faith; and Consider it your obligation to comply with the principles of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of your Company and professional institute at all times. It’s expected of you to strive to adopt, implement and comply with best practice of corporate governance and ethical values as you join the league of Governance professionals,” he added.
In his address, the President/ Chairman of Council, ICSAN, Taiwo ’Gbenga Owokalade, told the newly inducted members that it was not yet uhuru, hence ICSAN would not hesitate to severely discipline any member found guilty of any unprofessional conduct.
According to him, the continuity of their membership is dependent on the practice and maintenance of acceptable standards, he urged them to strive for continuous education and adherence to values and ethics.
“It is trite that overwhelming majorities of problems besetting Nigeria to day emanated from dearth of ethical of integrity and uprightness in the land
“Any member found guilty of gross misconduct in defiance of dictates of ethics will have his or her membership withdrawn. There are a lot of benefits accrued to you, do not let any misconduct deprive you these benefits. At the same time, you must live up to your responsibilities in a timely and most professional manner,” he charged.