NICA CEO calls for collaboration, inclusive governance, counsels MDAs, technocrats
Registrar/ Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute of Credit Administration (NICA) chartered, Prof. Chris Onalo
The Registrar/ Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute of Credit Administration (NICA) chartered, Prof. Chris Onalo, has called for a deeper commitment to collaborative governance as Nigeria navigates its path toward sustainable national development, economic prosperity, participatory democracy and a strong national defence.
Speaking on the complexity of nation-building, Prof. Chris Onalo, Nigeria’s foremost credit management doyen and founder of the profession in Nigeria, emphasized that “the task of building a nation is as rigorous as climbing the tallest mountain in the world.”
He noted that governance in a diverse country like Nigeria, where interests and ambitions vary, requires not only a strong leadership, but also a strategic embrace of collaboration, consultation, cooperation, and communication.
“Leadership must understand that delivering a service to the people, nation, and the quest for prosperity is more demanding than striking a rock,” he stated. He urged those in authority to prioritize governance inclusiveness in order to tap into Nigeria’s vast intellectual and professional resources necessary for a coherent, solid, and resilient nation building and development. There is need to build a system where everybody feels a sense of belonging, a part of the total body.
According to the NICA boss, Nigeria possesses “countless professionals with high-level intellect” whose contributions, if harnessed properly, can accelerate economic transformation and enhance the country’s global reputation.
“Resources are here, human capital is huge, the population is high, the opportunity is unimaginable. Government at all levels are encouraged to open their doors to credible professionals, academia, and institutions with strong governance frameworks, not for profit motives, but to add value,” he urged. As he said, nation building requires all hands to tie together, promoting inclusiveness.
Prof. Chris Onalo who paid the price of doggedness, tenacity and perseverance in founding credit management profession in Nigeria, affirmed that such openness will deepen Nigeria’s development journey, saying, “Nigeria will show up, deepen its green flag, and rise as the world’s most transparent country.”
He called on all federal state and local government ministries, departments, agencies, as well as technocrats behind the administration to intentionally partner with institutions that can add meaningful value, stating that many of such institutions are not looking to enrich themselves but to serve Nigeria’s greatest needs.
