To achieve the ultimate goal of excellence in any profession, there is a need to bring in committed professionals.
This was the stance of Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, member, Board of Trustees (BOT), Professional Excellence Foundation of Nigeria (PEFON) at the induction and investiture ceremony of new Fellows held at the Hotel Victoria Palace, Victoria Island, Lagos on 25 May, 2019.
Atueyi, who stood in for Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi as chairman, maintained that the difference between Dubai and Nigeria is the problem of leadership.
In his address, the distinguished BOT member clamoured for godly virtues on the part of leaders citing the recent killings in Sri Lanka as being perpetrated by people without fear of God.
“This is why we call for only people of integrity and godly virtues to be part of PEFON. The more committed professionals we have at the helms of affairs, the better for this country,” he said.
Speaking further, Atueyi stressed that the foundation is not interested in bringing in crowd to join its fold but only few who have proven themselves worthy in their chosen profession.
“I believe the five core values of PEFON – professionalism, integrity, mentoring, responsibility and empathy say it all,” he noted.
Thanking the hierarchy of the foundation on behalf of the newly sworn-in distinguished Fellows, Mr Yomi Badejo-Okusaya, group managing director, CMC Connect promised that they would uphold every tenet of PEFON and continue to sustain its standard.
While noting that he has always followed Sir (Dr) ‘Dipo Bailey, founder of the foundation religiously as a young man, the brand perception expert praised him for bringing revolution into the insurance industry during his hay day.
“I quite agree with the chairman that Nigeria has problem of leadership as the best man does not always get the job. I think what we indeed need is leadership with vision,” he emphasized.
The Professional Excellence Foundation of Nigeria (PEFON) is aimed at promoting excellence among professionals who have excelled in their chosen career at home and abroad.
In the last five years, the foundation has attracted bankers, surveyors, pharmacists, technocrats and other career professionals from all walks of life. Some Distinguished Fellows of the Foundation include Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, chairman, PEFON Board of Trustees; Pharm. Ahmed I. Yakasai, immediate past president of PSN; Dr (Mrs) Stella Okoli, chairman, Emzor Pharmaceuticals; Dr John Nwaiwu, chief executive officer, JB Pharmaceuticals Limited; Pharm. Olakunle Ekundayo, managing director of Drugfield Pharmaceuticals; Sir Nnamdi Obi, managing director, Embassy Pharmaceuticals; Pharm. Uche Nwana, managing director, Sylken Pharmacy; Dr Nelson Uwaga, former PSN president and fomer president of Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM).
