The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), the statutory regulatory body for the practice of Human Resource Management in Nigeria, has charged newly inducted HR professionals to prioritise competence, continuous learning, ethical conduct, and measurable impact as they take on greater responsibilities in their ministry and communities.
The charge was given by the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of CIPM, Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, FCIPM, fnli, at the Institute’s 72nd Induction Ceremony, held virtually and themed “Building High-Impact Competencies for Effective Service and Ministry.”
Addressing the inductees, Mallam Gobir described their induction as more than an admission into a professional body, noting that it represents a call to contribute meaningfully to the growth of the HR profession, their ministry, and society.
According to him, the changing nature of work makes continuous learning, professional development, and adaptability essential for HR professionals seeking to remain effective and relevant.
Speaking on the theme of the ceremony, Mallam Gobir drew a distinction between being busy and being impactful, stressing that competence, character, and service must come together to produce meaningful results.
“Competence equips you with the tools, character guides your conduct, service provides the opportunity, and impact is the result when all three come together,” he stated.
The CIPM President urged the newly inducted members not to become overly focused on titles and positions but to concentrate on the value they bring to their organisations.
“Do not merely occupy positions; bring value to them. Do not be satisfied with titles; strive to become worthy of them. Do not ask only what your organisation can do for you. Instead, ask what will become better because you are there,” he said.
He further reminded the inductees that their CIPM qualification carries responsibilities beyond professional recognition, urging them to uphold the Institute’s standards, maintain their membership in good standing, participate actively in CIPM activities, and commit to continuous learning and development.
Delivering the keynote address, the Guest Speaker, Dr. Oluyemi Adeosun, MCIPM, emphasised the importance of competence as a foundation for effective service and professional excellence.
Dr. Adeosun explained that competency is the combination of knowledge, skills, and behaviour that enables an individual to perform a role consistently and to a high standard.
“Ministry requires more than passion. It requires competence, character, and capacity. Passion may inspire the calling, but competence enables effective delivery,” he said.
He noted that professionals should not be satisfied with possessing competencies but must continually assess the level at which they demonstrate them. According to him, effective professionals must understand the competencies required for their roles, assess their current capabilities, identify gaps, and deliberately bridge those gaps through learning and development.
Dr. Adeosun also stressed that excellence is not an occasional achievement but the result of consistently applying knowledge, skills, and appropriate behaviours to deliver superior performance.
In his closing charge, Mallam Gobir encouraged the new members to seek mentors who would support their professional growth and, in turn, become mentors to others. He noted that progression within the Institute from Associate Member to Full Member and ultimately Fellow requires dedication, competence, discipline, and commitment.
He urged the inductees to carry the CIPM name with pride, courage, and integrity, stressing that the ultimate measure of their induction would be the positive difference experienced by the people, organisations, and communities they serve.
A total of 57 professionals were inducted into the Institute at the ceremony, comprising one inductee through the Executive Route and 56 through the HR Practitioners’ Route. The inductees were drawn from the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), reflecting the Church’s commitment to strengthening professional competence and excellence among its workforce.
The 72nd Induction Ceremony marked another significant milestone in CIPM’s efforts to strengthen professionalism and expand the pool of qualified Human Resource practitioners in Nigeria at a time when organisations increasingly require competent professionals capable of navigating the complexities of a rapidly evolving workplace
