ICSAN seeks support for secretariat project

The President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, Mrs Uto Ukpanah, has appealed to members and friends of the council to support the completion of the institute’s National Secretariat project through prompt and regular donations.

Ukpanah made the appeal on Thursday while speaking at the ISCAN annual summit, dinner, and awards held at Ceedapeg Hotel, Uyo. She expressed appreciation to members who had already paid their annual special building levy, urging others to join the funding effort by reaching out to potential supporters within their communities.

“Regarding our flagship project, the ICSAN National Secretariat Project, permit me to thank all members who have paid their membership subscriptions and the annual special building levy,” she said.

She explained that the secretariat project, estimated to cost N3bn, was progressing steadily. “The estimated cost of this building is N3bn. We are currently completing the first-floor columns and hope to complete the second floor by the end of December 2025.

“I encourage all members and friends of ICSAN to contribute to completing this project by making regular donations. Kindly also support the Institute by knocking on the doors of potential donors. No contribution is too small. Together, we will build ICSAN House!” she added.

Ukpanah also urged members across the country to engage their elected representatives at the National Assembly to fast-track the passage of the Chartered Governance Institute Nigeria Bill currently before lawmakers.

She noted that the bill, which proposes renaming the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria to the Chartered Governance Institute Nigeria, would better reflect the broadened scope of governance professions.

“Please permit me to also speak to the Chartered Governance Institute Nigeria Bill before the National Assembly. This Bill proposes changing the name of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria to the Chartered Governance Institute of Nigeria.

“Passage of this Bill will enable the emerging Institute to reflect its diversity of governance areas and professionals, including compliance, risk management, sustainability, etc. We urge you all to reach out to your representatives in the National Assembly to support the passage of this Bill,” she said.

In his keynote remarks, the former Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information and National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr Ini Ememobong, stressed that policies—whether in public or private institutions—must be designed to uplift humanity.

Speaking on the topic “Redefining Governance in a Dynamic Regulatory Era: Aligning Policy, Compliance and Corporate Strategy”, Ememobong cautioned against the use of policies as oppressive tools.

“Policies must enable humanity, not disable it. Anti-human policies in both public and private sector spaces will debase, not elevate humanity, and those in authority must be careful about this. Policies must not be used as tools of oppression; they should serve as vehicles of progress and liberation,” he said.