The CICOSEMA Pulse
Simply Courageous Steps!
Welcome to The CICOSEMA Pulse. This maiden edition is the first step to sensitising members of the Certified Institute of Cooperatives and Social Enterprise Management (CICOSEMA) across the world, persons interested in issues that concern the Third Sector, including researchers and the general public who would want to know more.
In the beginning…
It all began about 5 years ago, in 2018, when the inspiration to professionalise practices within the not-for-profit sector became imperative and compelling, especially for practitioners, sector projects funders and watchers. Best practices cannot be discounted, for any reason, whatsoever!
Our Institute began the professionalisation recruitment process by providing training to interested applicants, with 2-hour intensive lectures for each of the 3 days that it lasted. During the period of this online seminar, assignments are also given and all these formed the bases for the assessment before the successful ones are presented to the Governing Council of the Institute for approval of Membership Application.
Those who met all conditions precedent to membership were subsequently issued their Professional Membership Number that can be confirmed on the Institute’s website. They were subsequently inducted into membership, for the first time, on Thursday, October 17, 2019. The annual induction of the Institute has continued to hold in the 3rd week in October, of every year, without fail.
Prior to the induction, which held in Osogbo, Osun State, a Strategic Business Meeting was held in Owerri, Imo State, to chart a course for the budding Institute with those who were immediately identified as showing more than a passing interest. It was a 3-day event, with participants coming in from Lagos, Katsina, Abuja, Osun and the host State, Imo. It was engaging and networking experiences of meeting physically for the very first time.
Induction of Professional Members
At the induction, successful applicants are presented their Professional Membership Certificates in the full academic gowns of the Institute, with members coming from across Nigeria and Benin Republic, while those in the Diaspora joined via communication platforms of the Institute.
To make things easier for our professional members and those who are interested to join us, all operations have been fully automated, with our social media platforms embedded, on our website at https://cicosemainstitute.org.
Partnerships
CICOSEMA has continued to make giant strides by establishing partnerships with various establishments and educational institutions in the recognition of our professional certificates for promotions and admissions into direct entry and degree conversion programmes.
The CICOSEMA Charter
In 2020, a Committee was set up to put together a draft document for presentation to the National Assembly, in the form of a bill. It was duly received and passed the first and second readings on the floor of the House of Representatives as H.B. 1166. The bill, however, did not get signed into law until the end of the 9th National Assembly. The current 10th Assembly got a quick visit of our team and got the bill successfully re-presented for the first and second readings as H.B. 09. We are currently at the Public Hearing Stage at the House of Representatives and hope to have our Establishment Bill signed into a Charter in 2024.
Quality Human Resources
Notable persons, including a sitting State Governor, have since been adorned with the CICOSEMA colour and are happy to be associated with us. As a matter of fact, this Institute has drawn membership from all professional fields and cadres, including accountants, bankers, lawyers, pharmacists, doctors, journalists, civil and public servants, politicians, investment managers, artisans, academics, etcetera, which has infinitely expanded the capacity base of the Institute’s Faculty, Committees, Board of Trustees and the Governing Council. The successes achieved so far are attributable to the uncommon breed of cross-functional professionals that have found their nests in the CICOSEMA Tree of Life! There is still room for more to join.
Our Social Contract
We are determined to fulfil the objectives for which the Institute has been set up and determined to carry all stakeholders along to make things get better. For us, it is a task that must be done!
The next step…
Going forward, from 2024, receiving our Charter is very important to be able to get more support and to be able to do more. The Institute will now be much more engaging with the members, other stakeholders and the public, especially in the media space, by carrying the along on our activities and will be receptive to suggestions for greater achievements. We shall be creating State Chapters in order to bring the Institute closer to its members and also give them the opportunity to meaningfully contribute to its growth and development, and the nation at large. We are willing, ready and able! So, help us, God!!
Signed:
Prof. Kehinde O. Olusegun, DFCS
President/Chairman of Council
Link to past events - 2019-2023: https://www.mediafire.com/folder/d2gcw6v8lg4hh/2019-2021+CICOSEMA-WVU+Pictures