The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), has inducted new members into the Full Member-Executive and Associate-HR Practitioners’ routes respectively.
The CIPM which is Nigeria’s apex Human Resource(HR) regulatory body, is empowered by legislation to determine the standards of knowledge and skills to be attained by persons seeking to become registered as HR professionals and raising the standards from to time to enable effective and impactful practice of human resource management in Nigeria.
At the 61st induction ceremony which doubled as the first in the South East region, held at the Wonderland Event Centre, Umuahia, 13 members of the association were admitted into Full Member-Executive route, while 149 were inducted into Associate-HR Practitioners route respectively.
Giving his opening remarks, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of CIPM, Mallam Ahmed Gobir FCIPM, FNLI, acknowledged the attendees to the historic event which he said was the first-ever induction ceremony held in the Southeast zone.
Mallam Gobir said the induction in the South East region was a testament to the institute’s commitment to inclusion, growth and vision of excellence in people management, pointing that Abia State has indeed set the stage for an iconic milestone in CIPM’s journey.
Speaking on the theme of the ceremony, entitled, “HR Professionals Driving Transformation in Public Service.” the President said the theme calls for HR professionals, to step up, innovate, and take the driver’s seat in revolutionizing public service for a brighter future.
According to him, public service accounts for over 60% of employment in some regions in Nigeria, yet, many citizens still ask, “Why does public service feel slow and inefficient?. The answer lies in one word which is transformation. And who is better to lead that transformation than HR professionals like you”, he asked.
Mallam Gobir disclosed that as HR professionals, they are no longer just “people managers” but change architects, culture shapers and enablers of innovation.
He reflected on the words of Albert Einstein,who once said, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them”. He said the wise saying formed the heart of discussion at the induction because transformation demands fresh perspectives, bold leadership and the courage to disrupt the status quo.
The Chairman of the Governing Council while reminding the HR professionals of their roles, said they are to ensure that public service becomes not just a job but a mission-driven institution that inspires people to give their best.
He said Human Resource was not just about hiring people but about hiring the right people, creating the right culture, and sustaining the right processes. “If public service were jollof rice, HR would be the perfect mix of seasoning. Without HR, public service would be like plain rice—bland and uninspiring. But with HR, it becomes party jollof—bursting with flavor, great aroma, and something even worthy of an argument about being the best.
“As we make history here in the Southeast zone, I must emphasize how vital your contributions are to the growth of this region. The Southeast has always been a beacon of resilience, creativity, and excellence in enterprise. Imagine combining these traits with a robust HR strategy in public service, the impact will be phenomenal.
“There is a popular igbo saying that ‘He who has truth and justice on his side will always succeed’. Chinua Achebe also said that one of the truest tests of integrity is the blunt refusal to be compromised. Your integrity as HR professionals will determine how far you drive this transformation. As custodians of public service transformation, you must guard this integrity fiercely, using it to inspire trust, fairness and innovation in every corner of the system”,he added.
While commending the Guest Speaker and Chairman,Abia State Civil Service Commission, Dr Eno Jerry,for the role played in bringing CIPM to Abia, charged the newly inductees to challenge outdated systems, promote diversity, inclusion and fairness in recruitment and career progression. “Be the change agents who remind every employee, regardless of their role, that they are part of a bigger vision for Nigeria”,he said.
He said the 149 HR Practitioners and 13 Executive Route Inductees who are being welcomed into the Institute, represented a vital building block in the desired transformation, reminding them that transformation begins with them. “It starts with you and me. As HR professionals, you have the privilege of driving Nigeria’s public service into a future of efficiency, transparency and excellence.
“As you step into your new roles, know that you are not alone. CIPM will always stand as your partner, a guide and a support system. We will together continue to inspire change, nurture talent and elevate public service to a standard we can all be proud of”,he said.
In her lecture, the guest Speaker, Dr Eno Jerry, said transformation is the profound and intentional change
in processes, structures, or mindsets to achieve significant
and sustainable improvements.
In the context of public service, Dr Eno Jerry noted that it involves reshaping systems,practices and people to enhance efficiency, innovation,
accountability and responsiveness to the needs of citizens.
Mrs Ifeoma Agu
Dr Eno Jerry who was represented by a retired Permanent Secretary in the Abia State Civil Service and the former Abia State chairman of CIPM, Mrs Ifeoma Agu, said there is massive transformation ongoing in the Abia civil service, since the new Governor came on board.
According to her, Governor Dr Alex Otti has created a work environment that encourages fairness and transparency, where employees are recognized and rewarded based on their merits, rather than who they know. This, she noted, is a significant improvement from the past, where influence and connections often played a larger role in determining success.
She said the Governor is dedicated to
transforming the Public Service into a system of efficient and
effective ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), positioning the state to attract top talent across all fields and has provided the platform and
resources for them to thrive. For example, “The appointment of Pastor Eno Jerry Eze (PhD) as Chairman, Civil Service Commission and State
Focal Person, HCD.
Dr Eno Jerry equally pointed the non-interference and merit-based appointments, in the recent
selection of Permanent Secretaries in the state,as one of the many transformations going on in the managerial system of the State.
Reeling out other areas the State has recorded a shift, the Guest Speaker said there is shift in the status quo, thereby, promoting new ways of working and boosting efficiency through capacity building plans.
She reaffirmed that Abia state was making progress in public service reform,as in the last decade,where private organisations transitioned from
administration to strategic HR management as a key driver
of organizational growth, innovation and excellence in service delivery.”To achieve good governance and excellence in service delivery, public service must also transition to strategic HR management”,she added.
Meanwhile, the 162 inductees were officially presented for recognition and admitted into the professional grade of Full members and Associate members of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria.
In an interview with one of the Inductees, Mr Chionye Emeka Christopher, MCIPM, expressed joy over his induction, which he said was a dream come through and pledged to remain professional in the discharge of his duties, promising to contribute his quota in changing the narrative of Abia public service.
Mr Chionye Emeka Christopher
He commended the Governor of the State for digitalizing the Abia service, particularly in bringing a paradigm shift that has helped in professionalizing the sector, while appealing for a reversal in the eight years policy for Directors.
According to him, the original contract, stipulated 35 years of service or retirement at 60 years old. However, he said the new policy, mandates directors to exit after 8 years, constituting a breach of contract. He emphasized that this policy undermines the existing agreement, resulting in significant disadvantages.
Furthermore, he stated that the policy prematurely retires individuals before reaching their designated retirement age, thereby, removing experienced workers from the service. This, in turn, would lead to an influx of inexperienced workers, compromising the overall quality of the service.
He urged policymakers to reconsider the approach, emphasizing that it has caused more harm than benefit, and appealed for a more compassionate and human-centered approach.
Additionally, Mr. Christopher expressed gratitude to the CIPM for the recognition, and assured that the transformative initiatives undertaken would have a positive impact on their future career advancement.
