Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria that the federal government will engage key stakeholders to accelerate the passage of the institute’s amendment bill currently before the National Assembly.
The proposed legislation seeks to rename the institute in line with evolving global governance standards and broaden its responsibilities beyond conventional secretarial functions.
Shettima gave the assurance on Friday while receiving a delegation from ICSAN led by its 30th President and Chairman of the Governing Council, Uto Ukpanah, during a courtesy visit to his office at the Presidential Villa.
According to a statement issued by his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President also congratulated the institute on its forthcoming 60th anniversary celebration, describing the milestone as a testament to decades of professionalism and integrity.
“You have earned it, and the nation is better for the work you have done. You are truly a consequential organization, and even the calibre of people who were part of your history did their best for the nation,” he said.
Speaking on the proposed Chartered Governance Institute of Nigeria (CGIN) Bill, Shettima assured the delegation that the administration of President Bola Tinubu would back the institute’s efforts to secure legislative approval.
“Collectively, we will pull out all the plugs and reach out to all the major stakeholders to ensure that we fast-track the passage of the amendment bill so that you can operate at a much higher pedestal than you are now,” he added.
The Vice President also addressed the institute’s building project, stressing the importance of establishing not only a befitting corporate headquarters but also a revenue-generating venture on its property.
Senator Shettima further pledged support toward strengthening the institute’s sustainability and advocacy initiatives, noting that greater responsibilities come with chartered status.
“Be rest assured that I am fully onboard and that we will support you in whatever way we can. We have to work together, especially on the passage of the amendment bill. It is long overdue,” he added.
Earlier, Ukpanah expressed appreciation to the Vice President for receiving the delegation, noting that ICSAN has spent six decades contributing to governance development in both Nigeria’s private and public sectors.
