IoD unveils activities to mark 40th anniversary

The Institute of Directors Nigeria (IoD) has unveiled a year-long programme of activities to celebrate its 40th anniversary scheduled to kick off on April 28, at Oriental Hotel, Lagos.

Dr Ije Jidenma, President/Chairman, Governing Council IoD Nigeria, said this at a media briefing on Tuesday in Lagos.

Jidenma said the institute’s leadership as part of the activities would pay courtesy visit to President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, March 16.

This, she said, was to brief the President about the institute’s 40th anniversary and all that had been put in place to celebrate the milestone.

The theme of the anniversary is “Celebrating 40 Years of Visionary Leadership and Corporate Governance”.

She said the theme was deliberately chosen to bring to the limelight the various contributions of the IoD Nigeria at enhancing the quality of corporate governance since its inception.

According to her, programmes lined up for the anniversary have been structured to add immense value to all players in the Nigerian corporate governance space.

“The anniversary celebrations promise to attract the largest gathering of Nigerian policy makers and crème de la crème of the Nigerian leadership in the private and public sectors, thus presenting for all attendees a good advantage for networking.

“We anticipate that the programmes will help crystallize a deeper understanding of good governance, which will have positive effects on all sectors, including public institutions and regulatory agencies across various professional and business sectors.

“Also, by amplifying its Young Directors Forum programme during the celebrations, the young directors will have opportunities to share their challenges and aspirations.

“The awards to be given during the programme will inspire recipients and non-recepients to increase their commitment to service excellence and the ideals of good corporate governance,” she said.

She added that special recognition would be given to the strategic partners, particularly the regulatory institutions that have supported IoD’s mandate to date.

These include the Nigerian Exchange Group, Securities and Exchange Commission, Corporate Affairs Commission and Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, among others.

“The climax of the flag-off will be the formal unveiling of the 40th Anniversary Logo of IoD Nigeria, which will be done by special dignitaries,” she said.

Mr Yemi Akeju, Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee, said some of the events to mark the day include a health and fitness programme, “Walk for Life” on May 6 in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Abeokuta.

Akeju said that this would be followed by a special Golf tourney in Lagos on May 12.

“A special Anniversary Gala is scheduled to hold on the anniversary day, May 17, 2023, at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

“This Gala, which would be the climax of the anniversary will present an opportunity for the institute to honour many individuals and organisations who have contributed immensely to the IoD story and journey.

“We are hopeful that President Muhammadu Buhari would be the Special Guest of Honour at the event.

He added that the institute would use the opportunity of the anniversary to hold the foundation laying ceremony of its national headquarters building, the “IoD Towers” in Lagos, on June 14.

According to him, the grand finale of the anniversary will come up on Dec. 14, when the institute hosts its Annual Director Dinner and Award at the Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.