Governance professionals hold key to corporate survival, national growth, ICSAN tells inductees

New inductees into the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) membership have been told of their pivotal role in strengthening organisations and national development, with the charge that, as governance professionals, they are the conscience and lifeblood of companies, whose commitment to sound corporate governance is essential for businesses’ long-term sustainability and the nation’s progress.

The charge was made by Uto Ukpanah, President of ICSAN and Veronica Ekundayo, Head of Dept, Private and Commercial Law, Babcock University, on Thursday at the induction of 225 graduates and 444 associate members into ICSAN.

In her powerful message to the inductees and other ICSAN members, Ukpanah, who looked at the nation’s abundant resources and boundless opportunities, said quality of governance in public and private institutions remains a defining factor that will determine how these opportunities are realised.

She therefore sincerely advised the inductees that “as chartered secretaries and administrators, you are called not merely to witness leadership but to influence it, not merely to observe governance but to strengthen it, and not merely to administer systems but to help transform them”.

She reminded them that ICSAN stands as a trusted authority in governance and corporate practice; a professional home for thousands of governance professionals and a strategic partner in Nigeria’s economic and institutional development

While encouraging them to embrace lifelong learning in their professional journey, the Institute president also told them that the future belongs to professionals who are adaptable, digitally competent, globally informed, and ethically grounded.

According to her, around the world, institutions are being tested by rapid technological advancement, changing regulatory expectations, economic uncertainty, environmental challenges, and increasing public demand for transparency and accountability. “These realities have elevated the relevance of governance professionals beyond traditional administrative functions”.

She said organisations now require professionals who possess not only technical knowledge but also sound judgement, ethical courage, strategic insight, and the ability to inspire confidence.

Veronica Ekundayo, in her lecture at the event entitled “The Chartered Secretary as a Catalyst for Ethical Leadership and National Development” told the new inductees that what is being given to them is not the certificate but a place at the table where Nigeria’s largest companies decide what to do with their billions. A table where the regulators decide what rules the next generation of businesses will live under. She therefore charged them to uphold good governance, be the custodian of corporate integrity, be the board’s trusted adviser, the voice of compliance, the compass that keeps the board on course and the board risk radar.

Ekundayo associated chartered secretaries as yeast of corporate governance and engine oil of a car; without them, even the most expensive engine will fail.

While advising them that they should bring order where there could be confusion, transform compliance from a burden into a culture. Preventing friction before it becomes conflict and keeping organisations moving without taking over the driving seat, Ekundayo told them not to compromise their conscience, and they should keep their values to keep the company’s secrets.

Ehis Ekwuebo, who was inducted as an associate of ICSAN, told BusinessDay that he is delighted and that the profession has increased his knowledge as a secretary. Also, Nasara-Danmallam Uduak said the induction means a lot to her. She is currently the company secretary to some companies.