By Providence Obuh and Chinelo Dunu
The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrations of Nigeria (ICSAN) Lagos Chapter has reiterated its call to corporate organisations in the country to adhere to strict corporate governance principles and good Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Mrs Jacqueline Odiadi, Chairman, ICSAN, Lagos Chapter, who spoke during the Institute’s end of year dinner in Lagos, said that the country is still an evolving democracy and a growing corporate culture fast taking shape, noticeable in the banking financial services, manufacturing sector and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Odiadi said, “If all we have to do in terms of governance and CSR needs to be legislated upon, it tells on the type of leaders that we are.”

However, she advised members of the institute and the nation at large to participate in the oncoming election by performing the civic duties of registering and voting without being deterred, noting that the responsibility of electing the leaders that we deserve as a people and as a nation is in our hands.

She charged members saying “the responsibility of developing the institute to the level we can be proud of starts with us, be members in good standing, give of your time to render selfless  service.”

Chairman of the event, Mr. Emmanuel Ijewere charge the institute to partner with other associations, the likes of Stock Exchange, Directors, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) among others, to have joint progarmmes or events.

Ijiwere added that the Corporate Affairs is suppose to be under the purview of the Chartered Secretaries, advancing that the institute is yet to realise that it has a very important place in the system.

In the same vein, the guest speaker, Mr Adewale Adeniyi who spoke on the challenges in the profession and at work said the only key to handle situations in the profession is to be guided by the truth.

Adeniyi noted that the responsibilities and duties of a company secretary are enormous and to resolve this responsibilities both internally and externally, there must be commitment to humanity and rendering of selfless service.

According to him, to be a successful professional in the job, character building is very important.
“Integrity is the only value that can make persons stand in the face of conflict and challenges, you lose it, you lose your name”, he said.