Professionalism, value behind unification of NIMN factions

After about 10 years the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN) was torn into two factions following disagreements in the body, the factions have resolved their differences in the interest of business and the marketing profession.

The two factions, who have been in talks of settling their dispute for about two months, last week met in Lagos to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for unification and agreed that the unified body would still be known as National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria.

The two factions headed by Rotimi Adeyeye (NIMN Gold Card) and Ganiyu Koledoye (NIMN), respectively, who were joined by other stakeholders to sign a unification and the MoU, expressed satisfaction at the outcome. They said that they had long desired to come together as one body that will propagate the essence and core values of the institute while advancing the cause of the profession and interest of the practitioners.

Speaking at the event, the official president of the institute, Ganiyu Koledoye, while appreciating the efforts and support of the stakeholders and fellow members, said the unification will serve “as a solidarity institute devoid of mockery.

“This MoU will bind us together as one body and never again will there be any faction or factions that will allow the institute to be ridiculed. There is no professional body in the country without any internal crisis; but they come together and resolve it, and ours is not an exception. This is why we are here.

“We have gone the extra mile to ensure that NIMN certificate is recognised in other parts of the world. We will also use the institute to contribute our quota towards the development of marketing in Nigeria.”

Koledoye also appreciated the support and role of the Federal Government in making the unification a reality, while acknowledging the Olusegun Obasanjo-led administration for promulgating an Act that established the Institute in 2003.

The other factional leader of NIMN Gold Card, Rotimi Adeyeye, while commending Koledoye for his relentless effort in bringing both parties together, said that the “marketing profession in the country will go all the way to ensure that its impact is felt.

“Marketing profession is not in its rightful place in managing the economy of the nation. With the coming together of both parties, we will ensure that the institute takes its leading role and move towards developing the nation.”

The Institute was established by Act No. 25 of 2003, which was promulgated into law on July 25, by the then president, Olusegun Obasanjo. Hitherto, two professional bodies – Nigeria Marketing Association (NIMARK) and Chartered Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (CIMN) had existed as separate professional bodies competing for membership and authority to regulate the practice of marketing in Nigeria. The NIMN Act effectively merged the two erstwhile independent bodies and conferred chartered status on the professional body, while last week’s event officially sealed the unification of the factions.

The Institute was thrown into confusion in August 2010, when a faction led by Femi Odufowokan said the Lugard Aimiuwu’s led NIMN Council had been dissolved and that a new nine-member Council headed by Odufowokan had been constituted. This was because they did not recognise Aimiuwu’s Council on the excuse that his tenure was over.

Daniel Obi and Hope Eloho