By Jumoke Olaitan
The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply Chain Management of Nigeria (CIPSMN) has charged its newly inducted members to uphold professional ethics, transparency and accountability in the discharge of their duties.
Dr Abdul Mamman, North-Central Coordinator of the institute, made the charge at the institute’s Group B induction ceremony on Saturday in Abuja.
Mamman said the institute was committed to equipping procurement professionals with the knowledge and practical skills required to manage public and private sector procurement effectively.
“Procurement is not just about theory; practical knowledge is required to carry out your duties in line with government rules and protocols.
“Professionals need to play a role so that they can be held accountable for their actions and inactions.
“The newly members went through about 22 courses, including project management, finance, supply chain management, international business and entrepreneurship development,” he said.
He explained that candidates seeking membership were required to be graduates in relevant fields and as well possess five credits in their O’level examinations.
“For you to join this institute, you must first of all be a graduate in a relevant field and must equally have five credits in your O’levels.
“The number of inductees that we have today, if I include the numbers of the military, they are about 358 that we have inducted today,” he said.
Mamman said the institute had also introduced professional ethics and disciplinary measures to ensure that members remained accountable in the discharge of their duties.
“We have rolled them through the ethics and code of the profession as well as oath of allegiance because we need to help the government.
“Professionals need to play a role so that they can be held accountable for their actions and inactions,” he said.
In his remarks, Alhaji Sikiru Balogun, President of CIPSMN, said procurement and supply chain management had become a strategic tool for improving efficiency, transparency and accountability.
”Procurement and Supply Chain Management is a strategic driver of value, transparency and accountability in both public and private sectors.
“Let us therefore strive to reduce procurement-related corruption in our nation through resounding advocacy and adherence to the professional code of ethics, as well as rules and regulations in the conduct of Procurement and Supply Chain Management.
“Let your conduct reflect the highest standards of professionalism,” Balogun said.
The CIPSMN president urged the new members to see the induction as the start of their professional journey and continue to learn as the procurement sector changes.
“Let me remind you that the induction is not the end of your learning journey, it is the beginning.
“This field of Procurement and Supply Chain Management is constantly changing due to new technology, global trends and changing rules.
“The institute’s continuous training will help you follow best practices, while lifelong learning will be key to your success,” he said.
One of the newly elevated fellows, Ms Omowunmi Balogun, said professional procurement had helped to reduce corruption and improve accountability in government establishments.
“Procurement has helped in a lot of ways by reducing corruption in Nigeria. Before the existence of procurement, a staff could easily go to procure by himself.
“It is possible for him to procure a substandard product. It is also possible for the council engineer to construct roads which will not stand the test of time.
“I want to appreciate the government for the support they have given to procurement officers to do their job the way it should be done. It has gone a long way in removing corruption in Nigeria,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured the formal induction of 358 members, while three members were elevated to fellows of the institute.
Mr Olanrewaju Folorunsho, the institute’s South-West Zonal Coordinator, administered the Oath of Allegiance to the new inductees.(NAN) www.nannews.ng
Edited by Funmilayo Adeyemi
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