Chamberlain Peterside, economist and financial strategist, to create new breed of chartered directors in SS/SE

…Chartered directors to use corporate governance system to end collapse of corporations and institutions

…CIoD Tower’ to spring up in Garden City to create resource centre for efficient corporate governance capabilities

The Chartered Institute of Directors (CIoD) Tower is to be built in Port Harcourt to form a resource centre for management and corporate governance capability and development.

This is as senior public servants in the south-south and south-east are to be encouraged into the CIoD to create a new body of chartered directors that would acquire the capacity and competence to manage any public or private revenue making organization. This is to end the era of collapse of companies and organisations that sustain the economy.

In doing this, the CIoD in the zone would be answering a call by the national CIoD which has mandated all chartered directors in Nigeria to step up and sanitize Nigeria’s economic climate. The aim is to build a strong muscle for companies and economic organisations to end crashes due to mismanagement, poor governance structure, etc.

The man now mandated to lead the charge in the SS/SE zone is Chamberlain Peterside, who was crowned by investiture as new (5th) chairman of the CIoD South-South and South-East. Peterside PhD, whose prowess in financial strategy management and public finance administration plus investment expertise is famed around Nigeria and beyond is the pioneer Director-General of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency (RSIPA). He was once the Commissioner of Finance in Rivers State who led the economy of the state to over three global ratings, after laying the economic plan of the state as a key member of the Rivers State Economic Advisory Council of the era.

Now as the new Chairman of the CIoD in the two zones (SS/SE), Peterside has unveiled the plans to create new economic ninjas in the region.

Speaking after his investiture, the Opobo-born economic strategist said one of the key objectives of his administration would be to elevate the status of the institute in the zone by developing a distinguished ‘CIoD House’ in Port Harcourt.

“This will enhance our current operational infrastructure. A state-of-the-art CIoD House in Port Harcourt will not only serve as our administrative hub but also become a repository of corporate knowledge and the focal point for our activities. It will be an edifice we can all take pride in, capable of hosting corporate events, welcoming our members, and the general public to enjoy its modern facilities.”

He seems to be counting on the Rivers State government for the project, being a man who enjoys the ears of the state governor, Sim Fubara.

Reflecting on the CIoD, Peterside stated that his journey began nearly a decade ago. “I was already aware of the Institute of Directors as a global beacon of professionalism in corporate governance, engaging the Nigerian corporate community. I realized that joining the institute would offer me opportunities to learn more, engage with my peers, and enhance my understanding of the corporate environment, ultimately adding value to both the corporate space and society at large.”

He said he has actually experienced an exciting and very fulfilling journey. “The institute has truly lived up to its reputation. The quality of content, the interactions clearly demonstrate the value that this organization brings to the corporate world, at both national and state levels.”

As he takes over, he says the calendar of the institute is packed with schemes such as the executive training sessions, sectoral engagements, facility tours, social outings, and high-level government interactions.

He said the institute remains a leading advocate for upholding the ethics of sound corporate governance in Nigeria. “I am, therefore, proud to accept this leadership role and the challenges that come with it. I am committed to promoting the values and principles that the institute holds dear, both in our region and across the country.”

During his tenure, he said, “My team and I will work together assiduously to rally our existing members and attract new ones to expand our activities. A special focus will be on attracting members from the senior civil service and public service ranks to embrace good governance principles in the public sector, just like Barrister George had mentioned.”

He seems to be banking on the head of service of the various states especially the one in Rivers State. “Our focus during my service year will be encapsulated by the acronym ‘VMM’ which was invented by my able Vice President, Mrs. Theodora Leo Edochie. And this VMM stands for Visibility, Membership, and Mentorship. We aim to increase the institute’s visibility in the region and expand its presence, promote the vision and philosophy of the national body, mentor and groom the next generation of corporate leaders from amongst young professionals.

The new chairman mentioned upcoming activities to hit the ground running as educational sessions, professional development webinars, physical activities and social mixers, golf outings, social engagements, and events focused on youth and women.

“These are all thoughtfully designed for maximum impact. I encourage you all here who are members to elevate your engagement, and for those who are intending members, we would welcome you with open arms. Strengthening the institute and establishing more branch networks in our region and zone will be of primary focus over the next few years. I invite you all, therefore, to join us in making our branch stand out and our tenure remarkable.”

Adetunji Oyebanji gives more charge:

Adetunji Oyebanji, president of CIoD, who charged chartered directors all over Nigeria to step up and change Nigeria’s economic climate, further charged them to rise up and rescue the Nigerian Economy.

Oyebanji, who crowned Peterside, said the chartered directors have the training and capacity to create certified and reliable corporate governance structure that can guarantee the survival of corporations.

He said the CIoD experts have the capacity to draw up codes that must be followed by any chartered director in both private and public corporations so that incorporated organisations would no longer fail.

The CIoD President said there is need for the members to become very active and build a canopy of strength on corporate governance that would boost the private sector and promote the economy.

He said he wants to see quality programmes, growth, and the development of the members to be trusted with leadership of both the private and public institutions, saying the landscape of corporate governance is always growing.

Calling for a new surge of advocacy, Oyebanji said he expects programmes that would give maximum impact on members and their businesses such as breakfast forums, roundtables, etc. He harped on training, saying this should be so intensified that chartered directors would acquire a new level in competence and character.

He urged them to push for young directors programmes that would develop them into strong directors and business managers. “Today, we are investing on a new chairman, and we expect outcomes through partnerships, mentorship, strengthening of corporate governance strategies, etc.

“The CIoD has built stronger branches. They are beginning to bubble. We urge you to build on the successes of your predecessors.”

Oyebanji said what took place in Port Harcourt was more than an inauguration but a step in boosting corporate governance.

In his welcome remarks, John Mbata, chairman of the occasion and President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, said strong institutions inspire confidence, attract investment, protect the rule of law, create opportunities, and endure beyond political cycles and individual tenures.

He however said behind every strong institution are competent, ethical, courageous, and visionary directors.

He expressed confidence in the new chairman, saying “From the vision he has articulated to me previously and other situations that we have operated, it is evident that this administration seeks to build not merely a successful tenure, but a lasting legacy.”

He reminded the members that a director must demonstrate integrity. “A director must exercise sound judgment. A director must ask difficult questions. A director must always place the long-term interest of the institution above personal interests.

“Nigeria needs more directors who are guided by principle rather than convenience. Chartered Institute of Nigeria must continue to lead this transformation. The South-South and South-East regions possess extraordinary human and economic potential. We are blessed with entrepreneurs, professionals, innovators, with abundant intellectual resources.

“Our challenge is not a lack of potential, but ensuring that our institutions are governed with vision, discipline, transparency, and accountability.”

George Etomi, keynote speaker, who is indicated as one of Nigeria’s foremost commercial and transaction lawyers who said his firm worked for the Nigeria’s defunct airways, poured lamentations over poor governance structures.

He named five examples of major collapses with the Nigerian Airways and Ajaokuta as heartbreaking. He said the Nigeria Airways had 36 aircraft whereas Emirates airline had six, but today, the reverse worse than the case with Nigeria Airways nowhere to be seen, while Emirates is everywhere in the sky.

He revealed that one single decision made by a newly appointed Managing Director of the Nigeria Airways in the days caused big crash that cost the country.

He said the well trained pilots that left Nigeria became the pillar that built airlines in the middle east, saying Nigeria bought the last copy of DC 10 produced by the makers and that Nigerian pilots made waves driving the biggest planes in the middle east.

He called for a gathering of chartered directors to plot a blue print and framework for corporate governance that must be enforced. He offered to play any role allotted to him in seeing this comes to fruition, saying it is the only way to save the Nigerian economy.

Ends/

PHOTOS:

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Chamberlain Peterside, new chairman, CIoD, South-South/South-East

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Adetunji Oyebanji, CIoD President in PH, gives fresh charge to chartered directors to create new economic climate

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CIoD topnotchers at the investiture in PH

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Top guests at the CIoD investiture in PH

Agomuo Zebulon
Fri, Jul 10, 4:00 PM (2 days ago)
to Aghaeze, Monday, Aghaeze, BD, BusinessDay, Agomuo, me

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ZEBULON AGOMUO,
Editor, BDSUNDAY
Coordinator, Politics desk
BUSINESSDAY NEWSPAPER (BusinessDay Media Ltd.)
Lagos-Nigeria
08023283822, 08054691823
[email protected], [email protected]

Chamberlain Peterside, economist and financial strategist, to create new breed of chartered directors in S/South, S/East