NIMN has experienced irreversible growth in the past four years – Agenmonmen

•Institute prepares for annual marketing conference, May 27-28

IT is a well-established fact that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) account for the majority of businesses worldwide and are important contributors to job creation and global economic development.

According to the World Bank, SMEs represent about 90 per cent of businesses and more than 50 per cent of employment worldwide. Also, formal SMEs contribute up to 40 per cent of national income (GDP) in emerging economies.

It is on this premise that the role of SMEs in post-Covid-19 era will be the focus of discussion at the Annual Marketing Conference (AMC) of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), which is scheduled to hold later this month.

Speaking to journalists in Lagos during a media parley ahead of the conference where a new leadership for the institute will emerge, president of the Institute, Tony Agenmonmen said this year’s event will hold physically on Thursday 27 and Friday 28.

His words: “The Annual Marketing Conference (AMC) will be held on 27 May 2021, from 10.00am. The theme of the Conference is ‘SMEs in Post COVID-19 World’. The choice of the theme is informed by the knowledge that SMEs play very significant roles in the economic and social lives of our nation in terms of employment generation, poverty reduction, and contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“It is therefore important to bring to the fore the challenges being faced by these SMEs in the country which has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. In so doing, we intend to share practical insights on how SMEs can adapt and thrive in the post Covid-19 era.”

“All Covid-19 protocols will be strictly observed. Both events will be held in Lagos at the Radisson Blu, Isaac John Street, Ikeja, Lagos,” he added.

Agenmonmen also disclosed that elections to fill the positions of two council seats will be held during the two-day event, which will also have the Annual General Meeting (AGM). He added that the conference will be an opportunity to present the accounts of the stewardship of the leadership of the Institute for the year ended 31 December 2020.

“This will be my last AGM as President and Chairman of Council of our great Institute. Therefore, I will also use the occasion to present my stewardship for the slightly over four years that I have had the privilege of leading my colleagues in council, to lay a solid foundation and an irreversible growth for the Institute,” he stated.

The marketing czar further disclosed that elections will be held to fill the following positions: President and two (2) Council seats. He added that this year’s elections will as already be established last year, be by electronic system of voting.

“As highlighted last year, this voting method which has become a permanent feature of our elections gives every eligible financial member of the institute the opportunity to exercise his or her right to vote for their preferred candidates irrespective of their location. It also enthrones more transparency, fairness, and credibility in the electoral process. Last year, our elections were adjudged as best in class among professional bodies.”

He expressed optimism that the next president will build on the solid foundation the incumbent leadership has laid and take the institute to heights beyond compare, to the pride of all members.

The NIMN was established by an Act of Parliament (Act 25 of 2003), which recognises it as the sole body for the regulation and control of the marketing profession in Nigeria.

In addition to determining the standard of knowledge and skills required to be recognized as a marketing professional, the Act empowers the council to make rules and regulations for guidance of professional practice and conduct by marketing professionals.

Meanwhile, the institute has also inaugurated an eight-man Disciplinary Tribunal/Investigating Panel to look into the activities of quacks in the profession. The panel is headed by Dr. Ify Uraih, while the other members are Prince Femi Oyewole, Dr. Onyekachi Onubogu, Mrs. Evelyn Nwosu, Chidiebere Nwankpa, Adebowale Adebayo, and Prof. Mike Ikupolati.

  The panel as envisaged in the NIMN Act 25 of 2003, is clearly provided for under part V: “There shall be a tribunal to be known as the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria Disciplinary Tribunal in this Act referred to as (“the Disciplinary Tribunal”) which shall be charged with the duty of considering and determining any case referred to it by the Investigating Panel, established under subsection (3) of this section and any other case of which the Disciplinary Tribunal has cognizance under the following provisions of this Act.”