PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
ADDRESS BY
THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
- HON. (DR.) ANYIM PIUS ANYIM, GCON
AT THE
34TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE
OF
THE INSTITUTE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT OF NIGERIA
AT
ABUJA SHERATON HOTEL & TOWERS
THIS DAY, 31ST OCTOBER 2002.
PROTOCOLS.
I feel highly honoured to have been invited as Special Guest of Honour at this forum.
I believe that this invitation serves to underscore your appreciation of the place and relevance of the Senate and indeed the National Assembly in the provision of a conducive legislative environment for the cultivation and development of the nation’s human capital that will in turn facilitate the sustainable development of our nation.
I was fascinated by the theme of your conference which is Transforming Mission to Effective Performance, as I am aware that the bane of our national development has been our collective inability to convert our dreams and aspirations into accomplishments.
We have in the last 42 years after Nigeria’s Independence realised that our dear country is blessed with abundant natural and human resources.
Ironically, we have not been able to match our visions and dreams with our actions and achievements. While not leaving the blame of this National corporate under achievement on the doorstep of any group or individuals, I believe we are jointly and severally responsible for all errors of omission or commission. I would not add to the rhetoric, but would rather take this opportunity to offer a few suggestions on the way forward.
First, it is important to consolidate the initial efforts being made to overhaul the Nation’s education sector. This includes that necessary infrastructure and facilities that will make for sustainable and functional learning will be available at all levels of education from the primary through the secondary to the tertiary levels. The truth however, is that the resources required are enormous, given the decades of neglect of this important sector. Government has quite rightly invited private sector participation in the development of education. I commend the efforts being made by some companies, and would challenge others to join. Investment in education is an investment in the future of the country.
Secondly, institutional collaboration and co-operation especially among the government, the Industry (Private and Public), NGO’s and the academia to pool competencies and harness capabilities for national productivity and development should be consciously embarked upon.
There is an urgent need to involve not only tertiary institutions or workshops for science, technology and research but also to establish ways and means of funding, recognising and rewarding productivity, excellence, scholarships, inventions, discoveries in order to further encourage individuals, institutions and organisations to replicate and promote the winning culture.
Finally, we in the National Assembly are committed to giving legal backing through legislation to submissions aimed at ensuring the professionalisation of Personnel Management Practice to enhance workplace productivity and effective performance.
I want to assure you of the readiness of the Senate to support the laudable effort of your Institute in its pursuit of qualitative and professional human capital management. Such efforts will translate into a sustainable improvement in the Gross National Output of the nation and its socio-economic well-being.
Whilst wishing you fruitful deliberations at this conference, I am pleased to declare the 34 Annual Conference of IPMN open.