L: R Registrar/CEO of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), Babatunde Okuneye, ACIS, Vice President-Elect, Francis Olawale, FCIS, Outgoing President of ICSAN, Funmi Ekundayo, FCIS, ICSAN President-Elect, Uto Ukpanah, FCIS, Chairman, Publicity and Advocacy Committee of ICSAN, Nkechi Onyenso, FCIS.

The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, ICSAN has held a prestigious Presidential Appreciation Gala to celebrate the distinguished service of its outgoing President, Funmi Ekundayo, who is the first female President of the Institute. 

The event, held at Ikeja Lagos had industry professionals, financial leaders, lawyers, politicians, chartered secretaries, well-wishers and others.

Ekundayo’s tenure is marked by achievements like the foundation laying of the institute’s three point five billion naira sectorial project aimed at strengthening corporate governance, enhancing professional development, and creating a platform for policy discussions and knowledge exchange, increased membership.

Ekundayo’s two years administration in ICSAN continued promotion of transparency, accountability and professionalism, made very significant contributions to national development in several areas.

One and topmost would be promoting the ethos of good corporate governance by promoting transparency, accountability and professionalism, helping to foster economic growth.

Under Ekundayo’s administration ICSAN’s capacity-building programmes, education and training initiatives, and policy advocacy, especially its engagements with public sector leaders and regulators, as vital ways the Institute has contributed to Nigeria’s development.

Ekundayo will be handing over to the President-Elect, Uto Ukpanah, and the Vice-President Elect, Francis Olawale.

The celebratory event was filled with heartfelt messages, tributes and glowing encomiums, as speakers after speakers reflected on ekundayo’s landmark achievements and the exceptional leadership she brought to the institute.

Attendees commended her unwavering commitment, visionary leadership, and the transformative strides made under her stewardship, celebrating a tenure marked by professionalism, innovation, and institutional growth.

Some individuals were also given awards to recognise their contributions to the institute.

In her remarks, the outgoing president said the new leadership, led by the president-elect, Uto Ukpanah, and the vice-president-elect, who is the honorary treasurer, Francis Olawale, will inherit a tradition of excellence rooted in continuity.

According to her, at ICSAN, every government is a continuum. I am building on the tradition of excellence that I inherited from my predecessors, and I have committed myself to nurturing that tradition together with my team while innovating to keep up with evolving times,” she stated.

She described her legacy as being “anchored on the belief that good governance is not just a destination, but a journey,” and added that consistent effort, courageous leadership and an unwavering commitment to ethical values are crucial.

“A lot of the things we did in these two years took a lot of courage and audacity,” she added.

Offering warm congratulations and support to the incoming leadership, she said, “They are both capable hands, and I believe that the president-elect will continue from where I stopped and achieve even greater feats in office.