Upholding ethics, integrity in business and professions more productive than fighting corruption – Apampa

WINNING in business and professional dealings when upholding ethics and integrity in the Nigerian business and professional environment is possible, but it requires collective action from both the government and civil society.

Soji Apampa, CEO, Convention on Business Integrity, stated this today while addressing the topic, “Can you win in business if you uphold ethics and integrity?” at the 2021 annual “Ethics in Business and Professions Seminar” of Rotary International District 9110.

The seminar was held as a hybrid event at the Rotary Centre in GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, and it had in attendance eminent members of the Rotary Family as well as a cross section of people in various disciplines from around the world, especially relating to business.

Apampa affirmed that ethical standards are neither absolute nor universal because people are more likely to set standards in relation to their limitations and constraints in order to achieve the set standards.

He, however, reminded his audience that ethical leadership is an important ingredient to keep ethics in business and professions, stating that for every business or profession, there is a minimum level of ethical standard that must be upheld.

Apampa, an implementation partner of the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN), said through ethical standards it established, the network has collected over 16,000 incidents of corrupt demands globally. It has helped to track corrupt practices and promote integrity in Marine companies.

Affirming that applying personal ethics can be difficult, and even more difficult applying in business and professions, Apampa said it was very possible, and is maintained in different parts of the world. He added that upholding a system of ethics and integrity in both private and public sectors would be more productive than fighting corruption.

The  Rotary District 9110 Governor,  Bola Oyebade, who was Chief Host of the event, stated, in reaction to the lecture by the guest speaker, that ethics in business and profession is very essential in Nigeria, hence the need for all to play their parts. He thanked the guest speaker and seminar committee, urging that more of such seminars be organised in the District to encourage good ethical standards in the society.

The Chair, District Ethics in Business and Professions Committee who is also a Past President of the Rotary Club of Lagos and Publisher/Editor-in-Chief NaijaTimes, Ehi Braimah, stated that one of Rotary’s cardinal principles is to uphold high ethical standards in both personal and business life. January is recognised in the Rotary International calendar as the Vocational Service Month. Braimah explained that upholding high ethical standards is a cardinal principle of Rotary, adding that the core values of rotary are service, fellowship, leadership, diversity and integrity.

He thanked the District Governor for the opportunity to serve with members of the seminar committee and lauded the guest speaker, Apampa, for being an excellent professional and brilliant scholar who has been building and promoting integrity systems for over 25 years.

 Braimah told the global audience that this year’s edition was designed as a hybrid event in view of the raging global pandemic with in-person and virtual participants.

A special appreciation award was presented to the guest speaker, Soji Apampa, at the end of the event, which was received on his behalf by Braimah as Apampa spoke from Abuja as a virtual guest speaker.

Last year’s event explored the theme, ‘Upholding Ethical Standards in a Challenged Economy’, with Aderemi Adebowale, special adviser on civic engagement to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as the special guest of honour.

The seminar is organised yearly  by Rotary International District 9110 as part of its contribution towards the development of high ethical standards in the country.