IOD set to celebrate 40th anniversary
…To recognise CAC, SEC, NGX, others
By Seun Ibiyemi
The Institute of Directors Nigeria is set to celebrate its 40th landmark anniversary across the country.
The anniversary with the theme tagged “Celebrating 40 years of Visionary Leadership and Corporate Governance” would be held nationwide as all branches of the Institute located in Abuja, Port Harcourt l, Abeokuta and the headquarters in the Lagos will host various events.
Speaking during a press briefing in Lagos on Tuesday, the President & Chairman of the Governing Council, Institute of Directors Nigeria, Dr. (Mrs) Ije Jidenma said the Institute has deliberately chosen the theme to bring to the limelight the various contributions of IoD Nigeria at enhancing the quality of corporate governance since its inception.
Jidenma said that “there will be documentary during the flag-off that will speak to this, situating the subject within the context of advocacy in Nigeria’s corporate governance trajectories, and taking special note of the present status without losing sight of the future.”
She said, “I am delighted to inform you that the Institute leadership will pay a courtesy visit to President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, 16th March 2023 to brief the president about the milestone. This would be followed in due course by a major flag-off ceremony here in Lagos, where the anniversary logo and theme would be unveiled to the business world.”
Jidenma also said that the flag-off event will also recognise all the past presidents of the Institute as the representatives of other Business Membership Organisations (BMOs) present.
“Also, special recognition will be given to the strategic partners, particularly the regulatory institutions that have supported IoDs mandate to date.
“Which include the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) and a host of others.”
The climax of the flag-off will be the formal unveiling of the 40th anniversary Logo of IoD Nigeria, which will be done by special dignitaries.
The programmes will serve to increase stakeholders’ awareness of the imperatives of good corporate governance and best practices, while amplifying in the public domain the contributions of IoD Nigeria in this regard over the last four decades.
Lectures and discussions during the events will generate new thoughts and practicable ideas on corporate governance, leadership, ethics, economy, and business, especially with peculiar references to the Nigerian business environment.
It will provide fora to enlighten stakeholders on the Institute’s diverse advocacy, capacity development and membership engagement tools and platforms.
By amplifying its Young Directors Forum programme during the celebrations, the young directors will have opportunities to share their challenges and aspirations.
The awards to be given during the programme will inspire recipients and non-recipients to increase their commitment to service excellence and the ideals of good corporate governance.
The events’ platforms will adequately serve the business interests of sponsors that are strategic in promoting their companies’ products and services.
The anniversary celebrations promise to attract the largest gathering of Nigerian policy makers and creme de la créme of the Nigerian leadership in the private and public sectors, thus presenting for all attendees a good advantage for networking.”
Jidenma added that the programmes will help crystalise a deeper understanding of good governance, which will have positive effects on all sectors, including public institutions and regulatory agencies across various professional and business sectors.
“The media stand to source from the events, first-hand information, materials and reports that will easily make headlines, enhance their professional experience and foster their contributions to national development.
“The programmes will set the tone for IoD’s enhanced leadership role as an advocate of corporate governance in the coming years.”
Also speaking the Chairman of the 40th anniversary committee, Mr Samuel Yemi Akeju while giving the breakdown of the event said “the Institute has packaged a year-long programme of activities to mark its anniversary. This would be commence with a hybrid event on at 6.00 p.m. on Friday, 28 April 2023 at a Flag-Off Ceremony at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The flag-off ceremony will be attended by the creme of Nigeria’s business world and top public sector players, who will all converge to pay tribute to an Institute that has stood tall in the last four decades to protect the integrity of business and directorship.
On Saturday, 6 May 2023, the Institute will host a special edition of its Life & Fitness programme, “IoD Walk for Life.” The special 40 per cent edition of the Walk for Life programme will be hosted simultaneously in all the branches and Lagos. This would be followed a week later with the IoD at 40 Golf Kitty scheduled to hold at the Ikoyi Club, 1938 on Friday, 12 May 2023. The three branches of the Institute, ie. Abuja, Port Harcourt and Abeokuta will commemorate the anniversary with special 4oth Anniversary Luncheons in May 2023.
A special Anniversary Gala is scheduled to hold on the anniversary day, 17 May 2023, at the Eko Hotel & Suite, Victoria Island, Lagos. This Gala, which would be the climax of the anniversary will present an opportunity for the Institute to honour many individuals and organisations who have contributed immensely to the IoD story and journey.
In June 2023, two epoch-making events will hold as follows. The Institute will lay the foundation stone of its national headquarters, the “IoD Towers” on Wednesday, 14th June 2023 at the permanent site on Temple Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. A day later, on 15 June 2023, the Institute will host the 2023 Biennial Lecture at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
During the various events to mark our anniversary, the Institute would release a special documentary and an IoD @40 Publication. Both would outline and highlight the IoD story and journey from 1983 to date, with special features on the men, women and organisations that have contributed immensely to the IoD Nigeria success story.
The 2023 edition of our Annual Directors’ Conference, which will hold from Tuesday, 7 November to Wednesday, 84 November 2023 at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, will specially focus on the 40 years IoD journey and the impact of the Institute on the institutionalisation of good corporate governance and best practices in the Nigerian private and public sectors.
The grand finale of the 40th Anniversary of IoD will come up on Thursday, 14 December 2023,when the Institute hosts its Annual Director Dinner and Award at the Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
