Acceptance Speech 19th President of APBN

Wed Mar 05 2025 14:38:53 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Acceptance Speech By Ismaila M. Zakari mni, FBR, MIoD, FCA President and Chairman of the Board and Executive Council of APBN, 2024 - 2026 Protocol Distinguished Delegates of the 40th Annual General Assembly AGA The Registered Trustees of the Association Respected Past Presidents of APBN The Immediate Past President Presidents of Member Bodies 1st Deputy President 2nd Deputy President Other Newly Elected Officers of the APBN Executive Council Chairmen of State Chapters APBN Executive Secretary - Mrs Mariam Joseph Members of the Press Ladies and Gentlemen As the date of this Annual General Assembly was approaching, I found myself filled with mixed feelings - torn between the immense responsibility ahead and the thought of whether or not I will find the strength of conviction that will drive me to lead this great Association. What reassured me was the unwavering passion of so many of you, my colleagues on the Board and Executive Council, who are committed to serving APBN and your professional bodies with excellence and dedication. It is your spirit of service that inspired me to accept the mantle of leadership, and it is my belief in what we do at APBN, and what we can achieve together, that fuels my determination to push forward. I stand before you today deeply honoured and humbled by the trust you have placed in me to serve as the President of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) for the next two years. I accept this responsibility with a profound sense of duty, recognising the immense opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for our Association, for the professional bodies we represent, and for the nation at large. As we gather today, I am reminded of the great legacy that has been built by those who came before me. In particular, I wish to express my deepest gratitude to our Immediate Past President, Mr. Manason Garkuwa Rubainu, for his transparent leadership and his dedication in successfully leading the Association for the past two years. Under his stewardship, APBN has made significant strides, and I am committed to building on the solid foundation laid by Mr Rubainu and indeed our seventeen Respected Past Presidents of APBN. The Role of Professionals and Professional Bodies in Nation-Building Professionals and professional bodies occupy a unique position in shaping the future of any country. We drive innovation, promote ethical standards, and foster sustainable economic development. Our work spans across industries and sectors, and our contributions have a profound impact on the society at large. As professionals, we are the architects of our nation’s infrastructure - both physical and institutional. Accountants, Engineers, Doctors, Lawyers, Surveyors, Pharmacists, Bankers, Insurers, Computer Scientists, Mining & Geophysicists, Medical Lab Scientists, Marketers, and many more, we are the backbone of economic development. By driving innovation, creating jobs, and upholding integrity, we stimulate growth and ensure the stability of our economy. But our role doesn’t stop at economic contributions. We are also responsible for upholding ethical standards and governance. In a world where integrity is often in question, we stand as custodians of accountability and good governance. The professional standards and codes of ethics we uphold within our various bodies are essential in maintaining public trust and confidence in our institutions. Furthermore, professionals are educators and mentors, nurturing the next generation of leaders. By building human capital, we shape the future workforce and leadership of our country. We provide guidance and mentorship, ensuring that the next generation is well-equipped to carry the mantle of responsibility in the years to come. Our advocacy role is crucial as well. As APBN, we are committed to being the strong, united voice of all professionals in Nigeria, advocating in the public interest and shaping policies that advance the nation’s priorities. My Vision for APBN 2024-2026 As I step into this role, I am guided by a clear vision for the future of APBN. I believe that we stand at a critical juncture - where the expectations of professionals, businesses, industry, governments, regulators, and the public at large have never been higher. My vision for APBN over the next two years is rooted in strengthening the Association as the unified voice of Nigerian professionals, making us more impactful in our advocacy, more resilient in our operations, and more innovative in how we support our members. Strategic Priorities for 2024 - 2026: During my presidency from 2024 to 2026, the focus of the Executive Council will be on blending our past successes with future growth and transformation, ensuring that the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) is agile enough to adapt to new challenges and bold enough to set ambitious goals. Our strategic priorities will include:

1. Enhancing Member-Centricity: A New ‘Member Value Proposition’ (MVP) At the heart of my presidency is the goal of ensuring that APBN becomes more member-centric. Our primary duty in the Executive Council is to serve our member bodies and, by extension, their individual members. We will develop a new Member Value Proposition (MVP) that clearly articulates the value we create for members. This will be our promise to you about what APBN will deliver. We will ensure that the actions of the Executive Council reflect the needs and priorities of our diverse membership, and that the Secretariat is equipped to deliver the best possible service. As your President, I will be directly accountable for delivering on this promise.
2. A High-Level Strategic Plan To guide our work and ensure alignment with our long-term objectives, we will develop a comprehensive Strategic Plan for APBN. This plan will serve as our roadmap, outlining the key initiatives we will undertake to benefit our member bodies and stakeholders. It will include proactive monitoring of global and national trends, emerging opportunities, and potential risks that could impact our ability to serve the public interest. By staying ahead of the curve, we will ensure that APBN remains a relevant, forward-looking organisation.
3. The APBN Impact Map: Prioritising Our Work As part of our strategic efforts, we will create an APBN Impact Map - a framework for prioritising our initiatives. This map will clearly define the actions we commit to pursuing in collaboration with our members bodies and stakeholders over the course of the next two years. The Impact Map will ensure that we are focused on the most pressing issues, while also being responsive to emerging challenges and opportunities. Key Initiatives for the 2024-2026 Presidential Term: With the consensus of my colleagues on the Executive Council and subject to the support and approval of the APBN Board, we will pursue a number of initiatives during the next two years including:
4. Launch of a ‘Professionals TV Station’ One of our major projects will be the creation of of APBN TV Station. While we don’t intend to set up a traditional TV station with costly transmitters and overheads, we plan to leverage on Mobile App enabled design modelled on the success of “ICAN on Air” and using YouTube or similar technology to create an accessible, dynamic platform. This station will broadcast daily, showcasing the work of member professional institutes and their individual members. It will feature specially designed programming such as news and current affairs, continuing professional development (CPD) programs, and guidance and counselling sessions, all tailored to individual professionals, as well as current and future students. While this is an ambitious goal, I believe that through collective effort and collaboration, we can make it a reality. This station will not only serve as a platform to highlight our professional achievements but will also be a tool for engaging the wider public and fostering professional growth.
5. Establishment of ‘APBN Training and Skills Development Programme’ I am particularly excited about the vision to establish APBN Training & Skills Development Programme - a not-for-profit initiative that will provide cuttingedge training, industry-relevant certifications, and hands-on job skills to millions of young Nigerians. This programme will play a crucial role in building a strong, skilled workforce for Nigeria, equipping the next generation of professionals with the tools they need to succeed in today’s fast-evolving job market. I envision every Nigerian professional body playing an active role in this transformative project, contributing to the development of our nation’s human capital.
6. Revitalising Constitutional Standing Committees Another key focus will be the resuscitation and revitalisation of our Constitutional Standing Committees as enshrined in Clause 13.1 of the APBN Constitution. These committees have always been essential to the smooth functioning of APBN, and we will work tirelessly to ensure they are fully operational, bringing valuable insights and expertise to the table. Their work will be instrumental in supporting the strategic objectives of the Association, enhancing governance, and ensuring that all member bodies are effectively represented.
7. Revamping Financial Sustainability: Financial sustainability is critical to the long-term success of our Association. To achieve this, we will not only develop a diversified funding model but also we will carry out a cost optimisation process to ensure that going forward every financial expenditure is justified and that the Association receives commensurate value for every Naira spent. This disciplined approach will enable us to better manage our resources while enhancing the impact of our initiatives.
8. Re-engaging Inactive Members: It is also important to acknowledge that some of our member bodies have become inactive over time. We will work tirelessly to re-engage these inactive members and bring them back to full participation. A united and engaged APBN is a stronger APBN, and I believe that every professional body has an essential role to play in shaping our collective future.
9. Others: Other areas we will work to make impact include:

• Advocating for public policy initiatives with input from Member Bodies.
• Showcasing Nigerian expertise through well thought out talent show.
• Encouraging ethical practices particularly now that professionals are blamed for most of the challenges of our dear nation.
• Forging cooperation and partnerships among Member Bodies and other global organisations. I strongly count on the collaboration and support of my colleagues on the Executive Council and the APBN Board to successfully conceptualise and execute these initiatives. Gratitude and Recognition Before I conclude, I would like to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation to the President of my mother Institute, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) Chief DCS Alaribe FCA, the Governing Council, and the Registrar/CEO of ICAN. I thank you for nominating me to represent ICAN on the APBN Executive Council from 2018 to date. Your unflinching support and presence here in large numbers to witness my investiture is a testament to the strong bonds we share. I am deeply honoured and look forward to working with ICAN to further the objectives of both our organisations. I must also take a special moment to recognise Sir Herbert Adewale Agbebiyi FCA, FCA, respected Past President of APBN 2004 - 2006 and Chair of APBN Board of Trustees. Sir Agbebiyi is also the Chairman of the Body of Past Presidents of ICAN where I have the honour and privilege of serving as General Secretary. Sir, your support and your presence here today, traveling all the way from Lagos, means a great deal to me. As someone I deeply respect, your mentorship and guidance will be invaluable as I embark on this new journey. Conclusion In closing, I want to reaffirm my commitment to leading APBN with integrity, transparency, and a shared vision for a stronger, more unified Association. Together, we will revitalise our internal structures, re-engage our members, and ensure that APBN remains a powerful force for positive change in Nigeria. By working collectively and purposefully, I have no doubt that we will achieve great things for our Association and our country. Thank you for your trust, your support, and your belief in our shared future. Let us go forward with passion, dedication, and a relentless focus on nation-building. Thank you. Ismaila M. Zakari mni FBR MIoD FCA 19th President of APBN