By Gabriel Dike
No fewer than 234 new members of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria (CIPSMN) have awarded diplomas and certificates to its graduates.
The institute used the occasion to induct 234 new members nationwide at a ceremony held in Lagos.
A breakdown of the graduates and new inductees are Lagos 79, Osun 25, Oyo 10, Ogun 14, Kwara 4, Ondo 20, Ekiti 6, Kogi 4, Edo 5, Delta 6, Cross River 5, Rivers 10, Enugu 7, Gombe 3 and Kaduna 34.
In his speech, President of CIPSMN, Alhaji Sikiru Balogun said the event marks a significant milestone for the new members’ journey to a career in the critical field of supply chain management.
Balogun told the graduates that as they step into the field, they are not only entering a profession but are becoming integral to the heartbeat of business worldwide.
He added: “You have the power to drive innovation, streamline operations and create sustainable value for your organizations. Your ability to adapt, collaborate and think strategically will be crucial in navigating the complexities of today’s global marketplace.”
Balogun advised them to embrace continuous learning and innovation as the industry is been shaped by technological advancement, geopolitical shifts and changing consumer expectations.
The CIPSMN president further urged the new graduates to forge strong partnership, both within and outside their organization.
The Registrar of CIPSMN, Alhaji Mohammed Aliyu lauded the good work done by the pioneer founding fathers, which laid a solid foundation for the institute.
According to him, the history of procurement and supply chain management is as old as the story of mankind and parallels that of civilization.
Aliyu revealed how former President Olusegun Obasanjo economic reform policy led to the passage of Public Procurement Act 14 of 2007 and CIPSMN Act 21 of 2007 to reduce corruption.
The registrar congratulated the inductees for taking the right step towards professionalizing in the field of procurement and supply chain management.
He described procurement as a critical function in government ability to deliver goods and services required right personnel that are trained in the art and science needed in the industry.
Again, Aliyu described procurement and supply chain management as an eye opener and foundation for development of any continent and particularly in Nigeria because they direct where the money goes.
One of the graduates, Adeyemo Adeyinka told Daily Sun that the study had exposed him to different areas in procurement and logistics.
Adeyinka, a graduate of Banking and Finance of LASU, said the one and half years course is broad and rich in content for those who really want to take it as a career and make impact in the industry.