By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, ICSAN, Akwa Ibom State chapter, has inaugurated a new executive committee to pilot the affairs of the Institute for the next two years.
The election of the new executive committee members formed part of activities that marked the institute’s 6th Annual General Meeting(AGM), which took place on Friday, February 25, 2025 in Uyo.
The 9- member executive committee which takes over from the Mrs Chinonyerem Ini Ememobong-led administration, is headed by a magistrate in the Akwa Ibom State Judiciary, Mrs. Theresa Nkiru Ntong, Esq.
Other members are Imelda Aba, vice chairman; Inemeawaji Abasiubong Ettang, general secretary; Osinachi Samuel Udo, treasurer; Unwanaobong James, assistant secretary; Peace Ekerenam, financial secretary; Maria Akpan, mobilisation secretary; Inyeneobong Edem Etuk, publicity secretary, and Harry Ekpo, legal adviser.
At the investiture ceremony which took place, Friday, at the Judiciary Multipurpose Hall, State Judiciary Headquarters, Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo, the national president and chairman in Council of ICSAN, Mrs Funmi Ekundayo, who was represented by the vice president-elect, Mr Francis Odewale, congratulated the outgone chairman of the chapter, Mrs Chinonyerem Ini Ememobong, for a job well done, saying, despite her stay in London, she was able to coordinate the activities of the chapter effectively and efficiently.
Ekundayo described the emergence of the new chairman of the chapter, Ntong, as a testimony of capacity and merit, having served as vice chairman in the immediate past administration but presiding over the activities of the chapter on behalf of the chairman, stressing that noting less is expected throughout her administration.
She urged the new chairman to ensure she consults her executive when making decisions, give everybody a chance, and also carry everybody along in the scheme of things.
The chairman, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Service Commission, Mr. Godwill Umoh, Esq, who chaired the event, while welcoming all to the investiture ceremony, recalled that ICSAcN had existed as far back as 1966 before it became chartered.
Umoh, who noted the highest number of women in the executive, saluted the chapter for making it more women affair, expressing believe that the State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, will be impressed with the hierarchy of inclusiveness, even as he congratulated the executive who have been found good enough to be elected.
Presenting a keynote address themed, “Good Governance Ethics and Sustainability: The Panacea For National Development”, the executive director, and chief operating officer, Ibom Airlines Limited, Mr George Uriesi, described good governance as a process of measuring operations and affairs of public institutions, while ethics, especially in business, refers to the morals and principles that the institutions choose to operate on.
Uriesi identified cultural challenges as the reason for bad governance, and stressed the need for institutions to build the right culture if good governance must be sustained, as building the right culture is leadership.
The outgone chairman of ICSAN, Mrs Chinonyerem Ini Ememobong, in her valedictory speech via zoom, expressed her appreciation to God for his unending grace, wisdom and strength throughout the past two years of her stewardship, recalling that leading the foremost governance professional institute in the State had been both challenging and immensely rewarding, and that though obstacles were inevitable, her executive responded to them and defined their tenure.
Ememobong said with the support, dedication, and resilience of her executive committee and the entire membership, they did not only stayed the course but raised the bar.
She highlighted some of the significant milestones achieved during her tenure as, introduction of the EXCO retreat; annual chapter summit; secretariat upgrade; NYSC posting approval; enhanced publicity and visibility; financial prudence and stability; timely reporting to the national body; linkage programme with tertiary institutions; organising special outreach programmes for children across the three senatorial districts of the State as part of the chapter’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR); as well as hosting the National Public Lecture in 2024.
According to her, despite the successes recorded, her administration could not deliver on one of the high points of her original manifesto, which was the construction of a new Chapter Secretariat, expressing confidence that while it remains a key aspiration, her successor will give it the required attention and see it to fruition.
She thanked her executive members, the national body, pioneer chairman of ICSAN, Mr Aniedi Amos, stakeholders, and all chapter members for their trust, collaboration, and steadfastness, while congratulating the new chairman and the new executive committee on their emergence, and urging them to build on the legacy created by her administration and take the Chapter to even greater heights, saying, though her tenure has ended, her commitment to ICSAN remains unshaken, as leadership is transient, but service is eternal.
In her acceptance speech, the new chairman of ICSAN in the State, Ntong, expressed gratitude to her predecessor, Ememobong, the founding chairman of the Institute, Akparawa Aniedi Amos, past chairman of the Institute, Mr Ime Asibong, Esq, as well as past and current executive committee members, for their contributions to the institute.
She said as they step into a new chapter, “new vision, new realities” reflect a bold aspiration in her mind, as her administration intends to, by God’s grace, promote the core values of ICSAN across private, public, and not-for-profit sectors; foster professionalism, collaboration, and innovation; build on the foundations laid by her predecessors to pursue inclusive governance, improved member engagement, enhanced visibility, a more robust lecture centre, a wider outreach programmes, a recognition and reward system for deserving members, as well as the introduction of mentorship initiatives to nurture students and new members, focusing on capacity building, and continued professional training.
Ntong, who is the fourth chairman of the institute and a distinguished legal practitioner with deep expertise in corporate governance, legal administration, and banking, enjoined her executive members to be active partners in the journey, as their ideas and energy will shape the administration’s success.
The event featured the presentation of the chapter’s magazine, “The Administrator”, unveiling of the proposed chapter secretariat building, and presentation of awards to deserving individuals who have contributed to the growth of the chapter.
Highpoints of the event was the investiture of Ntong as the State chairman of ICSAN, and her predecessor, Ememobong, into ICSAN’s Hall of Fame.
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