NIM gives self kudos for 65 years of impact on management practice President/Chair of Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered), Commodore Abimbola Ayuba (rtd), says the institute has produced thousands of professionals who have contributed to leadership and management development/ He spoke to reporters yesterday ahead of events to mark the institute’s 65 years of advancing professional management practice, celebrating a legacy of leadership development, capacity building, and contributions to strengthening corporate governance and growth. Slated for August 19 for its flagship colloquium, the institute will unveil its 65th anniversary logo, launching activities for the Sapphire Jubilee and marking over six decades of advancing professional management practice. With the theme: “Celebrating 65 years of Management Excellence and Management Impact”, the event would feature the ‘Turning of the Sod’ for the proposed Management House in Alausa, Ikeja. Ayuba noted that the colloquium will focus on “Sixty-Five Years of Management Excellence: Strengthening Institutional Governance in an Evolving Economy” as it unveils a book made up of major papers presented at its flagship programmes over the years. He noted: “So far, about 200,000 individuals and over 400 corporate organisations have passed through the institute’s membership process. We are one of the largest multidisciplinary professional management bodies in Africa. Our core mandate remains – human capital development, leadership training, and capacity building. “We have been involved in policy advocacy, offering recommendations to the government on several critical issues affecting development. “We make contributions on various subject matters: from governance to international security, economy, agriculture, food security, and others. We shall continue to advocate to the government. Some governors who are members or Fellows have acknowledged and appreciated our professional advice. We shall continue to offer experts advice as part of our mandate” he said. Related News Ayuba addressed concerns about impact of emerging technologies on future of work, noting the institute has intensified capacity-building initiatives to prepare for the changing global workplace. He said the institute has been training members on implications of emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, robotics, Internet of Things, and others which are expected to significantly disrupt the traditional work systems. “We have put in place a lot of capacity-building training. During our annual national conference last year in Abuja, we focused extensively on artificial intelligence and its impact on the workplace,” he said. NIM Chief warned that rapid technological advancements could eventually replace many entry-level jobs globally, but stressed that the Institute is equipping its members with the skills needed to adapt. He explained that the Institute will continuously conduct environmental scanning to monitor global developments and respond proactively through training and professional development programs. “AI may eventually eliminate many entry-level jobs worldwide. It is not just a Nigerian problem; it is a global challenge. We shall continue to monitor developments, provide necessary capacity-building training required to help them upgrade their skills and retain their relevance in the workplace to ensure they are not left out” he noted. In a remark, Taiwo Ganiyat Olusesi, the Chief Registrar/Executive of the Institute, appreciated the Media and stakeholders for supporting the Institute’s activities. “For us at the Institute, we have every reason to celebrate. We have made an impact for over six decades, and we should indeed blow our trumpets,” she said.