NIM says attitudinal change more important than restructuring

Rabi Umar-Sodangi, Chairperson, Nigerians Institute of Management, North West, says attitudinal change towards promoting integrity, transparency and handwork is more important than the current clamour for the restructuring of the country.

The chairperson made the remark at the closing ceremony of the 2017 NIM North West Summit in Sokoto on Friday.

Umar-Sodangi said positive attitude to life and the nation would eliminate all the barriers inhibiting the growth and development of the country.

Umar-Sodangi said Nigeria must use its vast population to impact positively on political and economic life of all sections of the country instead of creating barriers under the guise of restructuring.

The chairperson, who traced the history of the nation’s restructuring since colonial era, said Nigerians must have a broader perspective on the issue of restructuring to take informed decision.

In his lecture titled: “Political Economy of the Restructuring Debate,” the lead speaker, Prof. Nasiru Yauri, blamed political elites in Nigeria of manipulating regional and religious sentiments to have easy access to national resources.

Yauri, a Professor of Economics and former Vice Chancellor, Katsina University, said current agitation for restructuring was not borne out of genuine desire to add value to the life of ordinary Nigerians.

According to him, the agitation is stoked by selfish political elites, whose agenda is to ascend political relevance and have access national resources to the detriment of the larger populace.

He said: “Joint struggle of fighting corruption is better than all the clamours for political or economic restructuring in Nigeria as the looters irrespective of religion and tribal sentiments jointly plundered the nation’s wealth.

“Our great challenge is managing greedy, selfish, opportunistic Nigerians that polarized the economy to their gains.”

Earlier, the Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, appealed to NIM and other professional bodies to allow civil servants in the state to register with them, to improve their productivity.

Tambuwal, represented by the state Head of Service, Dr. Buhari Bello, noted that the state was short changed in accessing suitable job vacancies in the past due low training value of its indigenous workers.

He urged NIM to encourage state and local government workers to enrol on its platform, to enable them acquire relevant modern management techniques.

Tambuwal said: “Our people were short changed in the past as they could not access many opportunities that required professional affiliation.

“The present administration ensures continues partnerships with various professional bodies and encourages all cadre of workers to register with professional bodies to enhance productivity in the service.”

The Summit Local Organizing Committee Chairman, Sada Suleiman, commended various speakers and the National President of NIM, Prof. Munzali Jibril, for their efforts toward shaping and encouraging productive management in the country.

Others who delivered lectures on various topics were Prof. Sani Bagudo, Prof. Aisha Madawaki and Prof. Bayero Sabir.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that 56 professionals from various organizations in the North West, students, workers, traditional rulers and government officials attended the event.