The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) Plateau State Chapter held its Second Annual Branch Conference on November 14, 2024, at the Faculty of Management Sciences, University of Jos.
Building on the success of the first annual branch conference held on October 12, 2023, at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Jos (hybrid), with the theme “Building Resilience in a Disruptive Business Environment”, this year’s edition presented the theme “Sustaining Business Growth in a VUCA Environment.” The event centered on navigating the Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous (VUCA) conditions facing businesses today and finding ways to adapt for continued success.
Lydia Peter Kwatwa, Chairman of the CIPM Plateau State Branch, said in her welcome address, “Our goal in organising this conference is to provide a forum where people managers can gain insights on how to keep their businesses and organizations growing, even in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous working environment.”
Kwatwa reflected on the expectations they had for the first annual branch conference. She explained that the event, held on October 12, 2023, at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Jos (hybrid), drew delegates from both private and public sectors as well as students from the University of Jos. The choice of venue was strategic, as they anticipated a large crowd, and the conference proved to be both successful and impactful.
“These conferences are important because not just professionals but students looking to start businesses can gain from the experiences of learned professionals and navigate the business world better,” Kwatwa stated.
In his keynote address, Mallam Ahmed Ladabln Gobir, CIPM President, highlighted the role Human Resources (HR) professionals play in bridging organisational needs with local and international regulations. Speaking directly to a topic increasingly relevant in global business, LGBTQ employment, Mallam Gobir urged HR professionals to ensure that potential employees or job seekers are informed about the laws and cultural norms of any country in which they wish to work.
“As HR professionals, we have a responsibility to prepare employees and candidates for the realities of working in diverse environments,” Mallam Gobir stated.
The keynote speaker, Viktor Kuchili, CEO of Blue Spring Consulting Africa, emphasised the importance of understanding local culture when implementing initiatives. He shared an example of a development project in Jos East LGA, one of Nigeria’s most underserved areas, which was initially planned for six days. However, after engaging with a local authority and gaining insights into the community’s customs, his team adjusted their approach, completing the project in just three days.
John Ayomide Daramola, a 300-level Business Administration student at the University of Jos, shared his thoughts on the conference, saying, “The practical insights shared by professionals and the focus on navigating challenges in a VUCA environment have given me new ideas on how to grow my business and adapt to uncertainties.”
Eyimonye Grace Owole, a 300-level Business Administration student at the University of Jos, also shared her reflections on the conference. She said, “The theme of the conference, ‘Sustaining Business Growth in a VUCA Environment,’ highlights the importance of agility in business. The business environment is not friendly, so one needs to learn and adapt to survive. In a setting where the wrong employees are hired, organizations struggle to meet their goals and objectives. As a businessperson, you must be agile in all areas. Agile means being able to create and respond to change. It is a mindset that helps you succeed in uncertain and turbulent environments.”
Uzondu Okechukwu Bartholomew, a 300-level Business Administration student, shared his takeaways from the conference. He noted, “I learned that the conference focused on preparing us for the challenges and opportunities in the business world. Most of the speakers understand the system of forecasting and predicting the future. For most parts of the sessions, they spoke about how AI would shape the future of our society and the business world, providing innovative solutions and driving progress across industries.”
Speaking to UniJos Echo, Lydia Peter Kwatwa, Chairman of the CIPM Plateau State Branch, emphasised the importance of such conferences for young entrepreneurs and students. She explained, “Students who have startups or small businesses in the early stages should attend conferences like these because they are holistic and value-intense. Startups may not be able to compete directly with established businesses, but by attending these conferences, they move a step further and become better equipped.”
Kwatwa highlighted that these events provide students with essential skills, knowledge, and strategies that allow them to plan, execute, and collaborate more effectively. She noted that exposure to the expertise of HR professionals, as emphasised throughout this year’s conference, enables young business owners to become well-informed and adaptable. “When students attend these conferences and gain this knowledge, they not only grow but also become points of reference. They build a foundation that others may seek to learn from, adding value to the business community,” Kwatwa advised.
She expressed her heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to making the event a worthwhile experience. “The success of this event was truly a joint effort, and I am deeply grateful to all who participated and supported us. We hope to see everyone again at next year’s conference as we continue to grow and learn together,” Kwatwa concluded.
Report and Photos by Fakwagh Ciboh (Business Administration Correspondent) (3/5)
