The
Executive Director, Administration of the Nigeria Social Insurance
Trust Fund (NSITF), Tijani Darazzo (left); Out-going Director General of
the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Olusegun
Oshinowo; Managing Director of NSITF, Adebayo Somefun; and Director
General-designate of NECA, Timothy Olawale, when NECA paid a scheduled
visit to the corporate headquarters of NSITF in Abuja. <br />
By Collins Olayinka, Abuja
Speaking when he received the out-going Director General of NECA, Olusegun Oshinowo, in Abuja, the Managing Director of NSITF, Adebayo Somefun, lauded NECA for providing the institutional support for the effective take-off of the scheme.
Somefun, who described the out-going DG as an industrial relations colossus, said Oshinowo is a worthy mentor, and a source of inspiration to active players in the industrial space.
He said: “The relationship between NSITF and NECA has been very cordial and harmonious. We assure the out-going DG that we would continue to cooperate with the incoming DG as he receives the baton. We believe that as the out-going DG finished very strong, the new DG will also finish very well.
“We are happy that we are meeting you as a member of the incoming board because we have also been waiting for the inauguration of the board.”
Oshinowo, who spoke earlier, explained that he is stepping aside after serving as Director General of NECA for 19 years, and serving employers’ body in various capacities for 35 years. “After 19 years as the Director General of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), time has come for me to go.
All put together I have served the employers at various levels, and it is appropriate for me to move round to say ‘thank you’ to those whose paths had crossed mine in my 35 years sojourn.
Of course, I cannot leave out NSITF as one of those key partners whose paths had crossed mine. I have had the privilege of serving on the board of NSITF in time past for about eight years.
Oshinowo explained that his successor, Timothy Olawale, is the first DG that would be appointed within the organisation since NECA was established in 1957.
He explained: “My exit from office and the entrance of my successor is actually a milestone in NECA. Since NECA was established in 1957, it has had five Director Generals. I am the fifth DG and none of those five DGs had been NECA inside staff. We all came from outside to head NECA. This would be the first time in the history of NECA that it will be having an home-grown DG and we consider that a milestone.”
Oshinowo continued, He said: “the reason for introducing my successor personally to our key stakeholders is very clear. Relationship is a continuum. We want the new DG to build on the foundation we have laid. We do not want a situation where he would be the one that will be moving around to introduce himself. That would be out of place.”
The out-going DG also hinted that both the incoming DG and President will serve on the board of the NSITF.
On his part, Olawale the incoming DG, who lauded the achievements of Oshinowo, said Oshinowo is an industrial relations combatant that is irreplaceable.
He said though he was not involved at the governance level of the NSITF, he has been deeply involved at operational level by giving life to some of the programmes of the Fund and also supporting it in realising and achieving its mandate.
He added: “For me, joining the board of NSITF is a continuum of what I have been doing over the years. It is also an opportunity to further the good work we have been doing together, but now at a higher level when the board is inaugurated. I hereby pledge my commitment and that of the NECA President who is also joining the board of our readiness to ensure that the mandate of the Fund is achieved.”
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