A former director of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Joshua Etopidiok, has said the middle class should be assisted economically as their consumption has direct impact on the extremely poor people within the population.
He spoke during the launch of his nine-chapter book entitled: “Leading in an unknown world.”
He said to stem the tide of ravaging hunger by affected persons, there is a need for a huge budgetary provision for Corporate Social Responsibility chanelled to alleviating the suffering of the most vulnerable people.
The author, therefore, recommended the book for policy makers, government workers, the private sector, researchers and students.
Etopidiok said in each of the chapters, there are implications for managers at all levels. “So, if this chapter did not appeal to you as a bank manager, the other will; and this cuts across markets, electricity companies, oil and gas, among others. There is something for everyone,” he said.
“So, we’ve taken pains to make sure that at any point in time, there’s something for everybody, even for the students who are in the primary, secondary school, there’s something to take away as long as people are willing to read,” he assured.
Managing Director, NDIC, Bello Hassan, who was represented by the Executive Director, Corporate Services, Mrs. Emily Osuji, praised the author and promised that the book would be put in the corporation’s library to enable staff members have access to the book.
Former Managing Director, NDIC Umaru Ibrahim, said leaders and managers of different organisations must be determined to make a difference during the global crises.
Ibrahim, the chairman of the occasion, noted that leadership in a vulnerable, uncertain, complex world requires agile, imaginative, innovative, flexible and attitude.
Umaru explained that the global and local environment with an estimated population of 7.7 billion persons remains dynamic and in a constant static flux.
He further explained that global crises like pandemics, climate change, the pervading Internet of Things as well as artificial intelligence continues to dictate decisions.
“In the face of these uncontrollable variables, leaders and managers must be determined to make a difference. Leadership in a changing world that is vulnerable, uncertain, complex and agile needs to be imaginative, innovative, flexible and futuristic in their own horizon,” Umaru said.
He described the author as someone that takes interest on issues bordering on leadership, interrogating developments and envisaged the impact of such on individuals, corporates, sovereign and the value addition implications.
Other dignitaries who graced the occasion are Prof. P. N. Umoh, former Executive Director, Operations, NDIC, A.A. Adeleke, director NDIC, Kelvin Ibedu d Director CBN, Dipo Fatokun, director CBN, among others.