ADDRESS DELIVERED BY MR. GUS WIGGLE, FRMN, PRESIDENT, RISK MANAGERS SOCIETY OF NIGERIA DURING THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE SOCIETY’S 2024 NATIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE AND AWARDS CEREMONY ON THURSDAY, 18TH APRIL 2024 AT THE RADISSON BLU HOTEL, 38/40, ISAAC JOHN STREET, IKEJA GRA, LAGOS.
PROTOCOLS
It is with utmost delight that I welcome all members, delegates, and distinguished guests to the 2024 National Risk Management Conference.
I want to start by commending all Risk Management professionals and stakeholders who made it to this year’s Conference despite the numerous global and national socio-economic disruptions.
The Theme of this year’s edition: “Global Economic Disruptions – Opportunities & Challenges for National Resurgence” is a platform for analysing the existing and emerging economic disruptions both from global and local perspective and also identify the numerous overlooked inherent opportunities for individuals, businesses and most especially for Nigeria as we forge ahead for the much needed economic resurgence.
LESSONS FROM 2023 ELECTIONS, CURRENCY REDESIGN AND SECURITY CHALLENGES
As highlighted during the Society’s numerous webinars addressing pressing national issues, the major lesson and issue identified by the Risk Management Society of Nigeria, which we have also been emphasising since the commencement of this current leadership is the lack of full integration and implementation of Risk Management in our budgeting, planning and governance.
The various policy somersaults further confirm the lack of risk management in the development of various policies. This has led to recurrence of avoidable economic and loss of lives.
RIMSON: Amplifying The Call for Risk Management Integration and Implementation
As a Society, RIMSON – the pioneer Risk Management body in Nigeria founded in 1985 by Risk Management professionals from diverse backgrounds – is still faithfully pursuing our mission of promoting risk management awareness, education and culture.
The Society has observed commendable progress in risk management awareness in Nigeria over the years with room for greater improvement in the coming years.
As a Society, we strongly advocate for integration of Risk Management into all sectors of the economy. We reiterate our call for the creation of a National Desk – Office – of the Chief Risk Officer of the Federation coordinating with the States and Local Governments to proactively formulate strategies for mitigating all risk. This will end risks affecting the nation being treated in silos but addressed as a whole.
This year’s Conference is planned towards proferring effective strategies to address the increasing global uncertainties and hostile business operating environment and emerging challenges. It is also meant to highlight the available Risk Transfer options that will ensure business growth, business continuity and economic resilience regardless of the emerging global economic disruptions.
The Conference also will be looking at providing a roadmap for the nation’s current economic and security challenges, towards achieving a national economic resurgence that will reposition Nigeria to her frontline position in the comity of nations in the continent and globally.
OUR VISION FOR 2024
As a Risk Management body, we look forward to a 2024 where:
● Risk Management integration and implementation will enhance our national security, healthcare, economy, and prosperity. Equipping the citizens and nation to maximize opportunities inherent in the emerging risks.
● We look forward to greater Risk Management advocacy cutting across every arm of governance, all geopolitical zones, and sectors of the economy through greater collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
● We look forward to the development of the much-needed manpower in the field of Risk Management through the Society’s training arm – The Center for Risk Management Development (CRMD).
● We look forward to amplifying the Risk Management message to the grassroots to further the Society’s mission of promoting Risk Management Culture in Nigeria.
As a Society, we strongly believe that this year’s conference will be a platform for equipping and challenging Risk Management professionals to greater effectiveness in discharging their much-needed roles in this age of disruptions.
RIMSON will continue her advocacy and contributions for the integration and implementation of Risk Management into every sector of our national life with the support of all stakeholders for the greater good of our nation.
Thank you for your attention.
GUS WIGGLE, FRMN
President/ Chairman of the Governing Board
Risk Managers Society of Nigeria
