Associations & Practice | |
Associations & Practice | |
2871 VIEWS | |
![]() |
Monday, August 10, 2020
/ 11:15 AM / Bukola Akinyele for WebTV / Header Image Credit: ICPSP
The Institute for Corporate and Public
Sector Professionals (ICPSP) over the weekend called for a repositioning of
Nigeria's socio-economic structure to address the rising tide of poverty and
improve investments in Healthcare, Technology and Education.
This was part of the submissions at the
2020 conference of the ICPSP which had as its central theme "Lessons From
COVID-19 Sharing Ideas With Experts".
The keynote speaker Professor Babatunde
Yusuf, the Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, Lagos State University, LASU
in his presentation identified the following as major challenges Nigeria
was grappling with before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic;
Professor Yusuf decried the level at which
corruption had plagued the nation stating that it had become the root of
Nigeria's socio-economic challenges. He noted that abuse of power was observed
in almost all the arms of government in the federation.
In terms of the economic impact of COVID
19 on Nigeria, the scholar highlighted the following developments in the
country;
He also observed that this affected
Nigeria's foreign trade as the pandemic brought massive disruptions to global
trade.
The University Dean pointed out that manufacturers who relied on imported inputs in
Nigeria, faced production challenges and reduced importation of food and
pharmaceutical products; thereby putting a heavy burden on households and the
healthcare system. He said Nigeria lost 80% of its exports as crude oil
prices fell.
Speaking on the way forward for the
nation, Professor Yusuf urged the government to take the following steps of
supporting the healthcare system, providing incentives and safety to the most
vulnerable, reducing the cost of governance & improve transparency at all
levels, prioritize massive investment in infrastructure through the local and
international bond market, investments in a localized ICT industry and
fast-track the restructuring of the economy towards agric development.
The lead speaker at the conference Mr. Olanrewaju Sharafa, the Principal Lecturer & Head of Division Adult
Learning, Research & Enterprise, Tower College of Further & Higher
Education, London, the United Kingdom in his presentation said Nigeria and
Africa must give top priority to the prevention of extreme poverty post-COVID
19.
He cited Professor Stephen Devereux of the
University of Sussex who argued that nations with a strong commitment to "social protection"' are more likely to experience poverty reduction.
Giving further insight into the matter, Mr. Sharafa defined "social protection" as policies and programs designed to
reduce poverty and vulnerability.
He called for increased scrutiny of the
government's palliative spending during and after COVID 19 across the
African continent
The scholar believed the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) was the right response to the great challenges of the
21st century.
This according to him was due to the loss
of trust in institutions of all kind, and, in some countries, the loss of faith
in governance.
He was of the view that the conference had
the mandate of charting a pathway for the nation, covering four dimensions of
the SDGs namely;
Speaking further he advocated reforms in
the judiciary and criminal enforcements to strengthen the fight against
corruption in Nigeria and across Africa.
For the dream he had for Africa and the
legacy he would like to leave behind Mr. Sharafa coined the three-letter word "PEG" which encompassed his advocacy for an Africa emancipated from the
shackles of poverty, experiential quality "education" which would not be a privilege
but a right and a continent where good "governance", transparency and
accountability underpin activities both in the private and public sector.
The conference featured three-panel
sessions which discussed extensively key areas like Education, Professionalism
and Health (Panel 1), Economic recovery, SMEs and ICT (Panel 2) and the
Role of the Third Sector during and after the COVID 19 pandemic (Panel 3).
A panel of discussants Dr. Oluseyi
Olanrewaju, Chief Agnes Funmilayo Sessi and Dr. Folasade Airebamen in the
first-panel session chaired by Mr. Taiwo Moshood Folaranmi discussed
extensively and agreed on the following;
For the second panel chaired by Dr. John
Biyi Oyetade with Dr. Sofayo Toyese, Dr. Jackie Jiaqi Chai (Malaysia), Dr. Ojodu
Hameed and Mr. Michael Alaatise discussed extensively and agreed on the
following;
The last panel session which looked at the "The Role of the Third Sector during and after the Pandemic" was chaired by Dr.
Aminu Suraju, with Mr. Adewole Ezekiel, Hajiya Saliha Abdul-Azeez, Alfa Rilwan
Adisa and Mr. Ishola Luqmon Oyetunde as discussants. They highlighted the
following as key issues;
Related News
1. ICPSP 2020 Conference To Discuss Lessons From COVID-19
With Experts
2. IoD Nigeria unveils its Code of Ethics on August 06, 2020
3. Recommendations to Strengthen the International Audit and
Ethics Standard-Setting System
4. Court Rules that ICAN Members do not Need CITN License to
File Tax Returns
6. PwC, Deloitte, KPMG and EY Told to Separate Consulting
Work from Auditing Units
7. PwC Nigeria Admits Eight New Partners for 2020 Class
8. 26th CSCS AGM: Shareholders Approve N4.3bn Dividend, As
Non-Core Revenue Grew 162.5% YOY
9. Ahead of Tomorrow on WebTV: Discussions on Focus on IOD
and Corporate Governance In Nigeria
10. Enhanced Sustainable Banking Model In Event of Major
Economic and Business Disruptions
11. COVID-19: Tough Choices for Banking and Other Businesses