By Rukayat Moisemhe

The immediate past Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Awwal Gambo (rtd), has called for the integration of emerging technologies into management practices to enhance organisational success.

He made the call on Wednesday in Lagos at the investiture ceremony of the 25th President of the Nigerian Institute of Management Chartered (NIM), Commodore Abimbola Ayuba.

Gambo noted that technological advancement had defined human civilisation from the industrial revolution to the rise of the digital economy in the 21st century.

According to him, each era of innovation necessitates a corresponding evolution in management practices.

He stated that the responsibility of formulating effective strategies to navigate the shifting landscape rested on the NIM.

“However, there are challenges such as cultural inertia of embracing new technologies, job loss concerns, as well as cyber security issues impacting technology integration.

“These challenges carry significant management implications, necessitating thoughtful deliberation by the institute to develop strategic solutions that will shape national defense policy.

“Management professionals must embrace a forward-thinking approach that champions adaptive leadership,” he said.

The outgoing President, NIM, Dr Christiana Atako, presented an account of her two-year stewardship as the 24th president and Chairman, Council of NIM.

Atako said upon assuming office as president, her team adopted a three pronged strategy and an eight point agenda to tackle challenges and guide the institute’s activities for the period.

She said her first assignment was to restructure and re-engineer the institute owing to events that threatened its very existence at the time.

“To give impetus to a revitalised NIM, deliberate action was taken to prioritise training of its workforce towards increased productivity and better service delivery.

“Furthermore, the institute witnessed an unprecedented growth in influence and membership size during our tenure.

“I spearheaded initiatives that promoted ethical management practices and advocated for higher standards in the Nigerian business community.

“Our vision for NIM was one of inclusivity and innovation, and we worked tirelessly to ensure that the institute remained relevant in national discourse,” she said.

The outgoing president expressed hope that since the institute’s leadership was a continuum, the incoming administration would build and consolidate on the achievements of the past two years.

In his acceptance speech, the 25th president, NIM, Commodore Abimbola Ayuba, lauded the institute’s body of past presidents, whom he said, had been the shinning light that kept NIM illuminated.

Ayuba said he was filled with an urgent sense of purpose and responsibility, as he took up the mantle of leadership of the NIM.

He reiterated his commitment to upholding the age-long and time-tested values and principles which guided the institute since its inception in 1961.

The newly-elected president emphasised the importance of unity of purpose, saying the institute was a microcosm of Nigeria, comprising individuals from diverse backgrounds, ethnicity, and religion.

“It is imperative that we put aside these diversities and differences and work towards achieving common goals.

“The goals are firstly, to promote excellence in management practice, secondly, to foster a culture of professionalism, and thirdly, to contribute to the development of our dear nation.

“Consequently, we must recognise that our diversity provide for us enormous strength, and that our collective efforts will yield far greater results than individual pursuits.

“In other words, we should be gearing towards creating a synergistic homeostasis that will keep the institute as a leading brand and major change agent in Nigeria and beyond,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ayodeji Alabi