Akwa Ibom harps on capacity development for sustainable growth

The Akwa Ibom State government has emphasised the need to build human capacities to achieve sustainable economic growth and development.

According to the state government, Nigeria is blessed with abundant human resources, but plagued by the inability to manage these resources judiciously.

The Governor, Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, explained that most economies of the world have transformed their economies by prioritizing develpment objectives towards human capacity development,

He noted that developing the capacity of citizens will assist the country in restoring economic growth.

Emmanuel during induction of the 18th president and chairman of council of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), charged the institute to act as a catalyst in building the competencies and capabilities of the nation’s workforce.

In his words, “Professionals have the capacity to change the economy, but it is a collective responsbility by the private and public sector to change the fortunes of ‎Nigeria. Human resource is the greatest asset any economy can use to achieve economic growth and development.”

‎He said his administration is throwing its full weight behind the institute to empower the minds of the people of Akwa Ibom State, stressing that it is only when the minds of people are empowered will desired results be achieved.

‎”I am aware the that the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria is vital in promoting the practice of human resource management in Nigeria. I believe once empower minds of people, I would be able to do a lot more and as a result of this, my competency and capability are key resources for any administration and I believe once I am able to develop the minds of the people, it will go a long way to help me achieve my mandate,” he said.

He commended the new president of the institute, saying that his investiture is apt as he brings along with him core values critical to drive the development of the institute to be a premier training facility of professionals in the country.

In his response, the president of the institute, Udom Inoyo, said human resource function remains largely understood and sometimes unrewarding, pointing out that as practitioners they have not done enough to help change the negative perception.

He said most public services have a very dismal appreciation of the role oof human resource, saying that the country cannot move forward with the wrong people being resourced to take charge.

“My point is that the process of resourcing people in our public service just has to change if we need to make progress as a country. I believe one of the quickest ways to achieve this is through effective resourcing and management of people,” he said.

He added as a regulator of the profession that is responsible for people management, there is need to strengthen the institute’s partnership with government and stakeholders in supporting proesses and programmes leading to a rebirth and drive for national workforce development.