PRINTING INDUSTRY ELECTS NEW CIPPON COUNCIL MEMBERS
…TASK AHEAD NEEDS ALL TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY IN WORDS AND DEEDS
Mrs. Rotimi Adeaga (ostensibly the first woman to be elected into Council) along with Mr. Gokay Oludare, Mr. Kayode Alonge, Mr. Paul Tunde Fadile, Mr. Kassim Yushou Shika, Mr. Adebo Abraham Destiny, Mr. Abiola Yusuf Eleja, Mr. Oyeku Jonathan, Mr. Ogar Jude, and Mr. Chris Emeka Okafor are the newly elected Council Members that will among others; formulate the general policies and rules relating to the administration, supervision, and efficient performance of the functions of Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria (CIPPON) for the next 24months.
They will be joined by veterans who apparently by their experience as returning Council Members have thus been assigned executive functions like Mr. Malomo Olugbemi (returning as President and Chairman-In-Council), Comrade Salako Babajide (as 1st Vice President), Mr. Ademuyiwa Oluwole (as 2nd Vice President), Mr. Omopariola Samuel Odimayo (as 3rd Vice President), and Mr. Akin Oduwole (also returning as Secretary to the Council).
While presenting the list of the newly elected CIPPON Council Members to the public, Mr. Oduwole had noted that while all former Government Nominees were retained according to the Federal Government Printer - Mr. Ittu he however implored that: “It is our believe that all politics has now ended and it’s now time to get to work. Your maximum cooperation is coveted. May printing be profitable again”. WHERE To Print believes that this heartfelt prayer should not only be on the lips of everyone who desires the progress of the printing profession in Nigeria but backed with tangible positive actions for the sustainable growth and development we all crave for.
In an industry that is basking in irregularities within a depressed economy, we all need to first rally round and support the new CIPPON Council on the onerous task ahead. What kind of backing? All kinds as may be required from time to time. It is no gainsaying the fact that today, a lot of Print Business Owners are sad about the state of things in the market - to say the least. They are quite unhappy because they feel (that) they are not enjoying the fruits of their labour. Reason? Majority are of the opinion that they are evidently working for their staff (paying wages - if at all), suppliers/ service providers (exorbitant material, consumables, spares, rent and diesel/ fuel costs), government (multiple taxes, levies & what not), and their customers (just not to keep men & machine idle). And these, among others, are the reasons the new CIPPON Council need each and everyone’s support for the arduous assignments ahead.
Without doubt, the present CIPPON Council has a lot of advantages to ride on. For one thing, just like Nigeria - it has; unity in diversity (with a woman to advocate for gender equity and fairness as well as see issue from a different perspective), expertise, experienced and connection, and on the other hand, it has the Act that gives its tenure ample backing for the next 2 years to all Council Members.
WHERE To Print also believes that while dissenting voices should not be ignored but their issues addressed holistically, the new Council Members (as well as Government Nominees) must remember that according to CIPPON Act, their tenure starts immediately after the election day of Thursday 17 March 2022 and ends in two dozen calender months. Interestingly also, opposing views/ members also have the next 24months to strategise and be elected or appointed into Council - all things being equal.
Agreed that the Council - according to CIPPON Act “has power to do anything, which is its opinion is calculated to facilitate the carrying on the activity of the Institute” - it should however realise that it cannot solve all industry problems in its two-year time-line. Rather, it should pick from any of the ten explicit functions of the Institute according to Section 7 of the Act and hit the ground running to ensure it is institutionally solved. One of such is in addressing membership classification, education, and examination.
New CIPPON Members being sworn-in according to CIPPON Act by Mr. ‘Femi Oluwalana
Call it sanitization (of the industry) or whatever, the outcome of this singular exercise - which will require the services of a registrar as provided for - in CIPPON Act - will no doubt ensure international standards and practices in printing operations are maintained, thus having multiplier effects on all print & allied value-chain. The outcome, we believe will put smiles on print professionals’ faces again.
Believe it or not, we all must realise that CIPPON is merely a microcosm of our present Nigeria with all its challenges; it is now left for each and everyone of us to take responsibility in our words and deeds that will make the industry better - not just for ourselves, but the coming generation. The world is watching - prosperity will judge us ALL.
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