Business
HOS Harps On Directors’ Contributions To Corporate Governance
The Rivers State Head of Service, Mr. Rufus Godwins, Esq (JP) has reiterated the possibility of achieving corporate governance in the state and nation at large, if directors of different organizations, financial institutions and government bodies adhere to accepted ethical standards/best practices.
The Head of Service said this while delivering a keynote address at the institute of Directors (IOD) quarterly programme in Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt last week.
Speaking on the topic, “Corporate Governance and criminal liability in Nigeria: Limits of Corporate Veil”, he said that “the corporate veil which clothes the company with a legal personality distinct from its members may be lifted in accordance with the relevant statutory provisions by the court in the interest of justice”.
He noted that the programme is timely especially at a time when corporate governance in Nigeria is facing the challenge of corporate responsibility and ethical discipline within the ranks of directors in strategic leadership positions.
In his speech, the President/Chairman of Council, IOD in Nigeria, Mr. Samuel Yemi Akeju who was also the Chairman of the occasion noted that the primary objective of the institute is to package and reposition the directors in accordance to corporate governance system in Nigeria.
He stressed the need for all directors and permanent secretaries to become members of the institute, adding that IOD also works with regulatory bodies to ensure that the excesses of leaders are courtailed.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Port Harcourt Branch of IOD Nigeria, Sir Innocent Iyalla harry who played host to the quarterly programme in the state, said the directors course must be undertaken by any director that wants to join the institute.
Harry who serves in the insitute’s governring council member and also the Managing Director of Rivers State Microfinance Agency (RIMA), said the courses expressed the directors to the requirements of corporate governance which was the focus of the programme.
“We are handling corporate governance this time and we have corporate governance initiative to impact the directors that are members of the institute”, he said, adding that IOD also enlightens the members on the duties and responsibilities of the directors, especially in financial record standards which must pass their table.
He noted that Port Harcourt branch started last year.