The Institute of Information Management (IIM) has declared its plans to bring to the front-burner the need for information management as a tool for economic recovery and business integrity in Nigeria at this year’s public lecture/induction ceremony.

Speaking during a press conference to announce plans to honour different stakeholders in Nigeria and other parts of the world including Prof. Oluyemi Oluleke Osinbajo, vice president, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Oyedokun Oyewole, the Institute’s president/chairman Governing Council, said there can’t be a better time for this all important annual lecture than now in view of the present state of the Nigerian economy.

Dr. Oyewole, said that the need for Government to pay good attention to information management is further reinforced by the demand from Nigerians on the need for good governance and delivery on campaign promises made by the government, as the success of the new administration will critically depend on good information governance.

The Institute of Information Management (IIM) annual lecture, Induction / Investiture ceremony with the theme “Information Management as a Tool for Economic Recovery & Business Integrity in Nigeria” will hold on August 1, 2015 at the University of Lagos Main Auditorium, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos.

He said, “Government should be committed to increasing transparency and access to information, and should therefore ensure appropriate powers, resources and enforcement procedures are in place to facilitate data and information sharing amongst various government agencies. This amplifies the focus the Economy needs to have on information management when collaborating to maximize economic recovery.

“This is not about relinquishing sensitive data. In noting the importance of good data to promote foreign investments, create value, support sound government policy and promote business integrity in the Country.  Knowing what you have and where it is will be a sure-fire means to ensuring the protection of sensitive material”.

The President, IIM-Africa, added that in Nigeria today, it should already be a no-brainer that bringing good practice, standards and systematic governance to the management of data and information ought to be a national priority.

“There is need for the new government to endorse effective information management, which will ensure transparency, accountability, good governance and access to information which becomes an essential aspect of the resources and infrastructure required for economic recovery and promotion of business integrity in government and the society at large and a consequent increase in economic value.

“Government should ensure that all government agencies are held accountable for service delivery by assessing what needs to be done in preparation to make plans and decide what choices and risks that will shape those plans. The shape of such an assessment should be to establish a small task force with responsibility for developing an action plan; review the current condition of information content and supporting infrastructure in all government agencies and parastatals; and map the output from the review against best practice to identify necessary actions, because the time is now to start preparing for MAXIMUM ECONOMIC RECOVERY!”

According to him, the need to develop the Information Management industry cannot be over-emphasized, as successful nations and organizations in the future will depend on how well they enable information to be appropriately managed by professionals thereby ensuring confidentiality, integrity, completeness, and preservation of Information for better decision making and use.

Aside the Lectures, the event will also feature the conferment of the Institute of Information Management (IIM) Fellowship on individuals who have made substantial contribution to the development of the Information Management and Technology profession, its practices or the Institute  of Information Management itself and Honorary Fellows on other professionals with backgrounds outside of Information Management field but are identified as having made significant contributions that impact on the profession and the society or the Institute of Information Management.

Dignitaries expected to be honoured at the event include  HE Prof. Oluyemi Oluleke Osinbajo, (SAN), Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria.,  HE Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Executive Governor of Lagos State,  Alhaji Jani Ibrahim -Chairman/Technical Adviser Lubcon Group, Mr. Abayomi Sutton, Chief Amina Temitope Ajayi, Meic Pierce Owen, Chair – Information and Records Management Sociaty, UK, Engr Femi Okunade, Managing Director / CEO Xerox H.S (Nigeria) Limited, Rasheed Adejare Olaoluwa, Managing Director/CEO Bank of Industry Limited,  Dr. Fidelis Ayebae,  Managing Director, Fidson Healthcare Plc and Wale Tinubu – Group Chief Executive, Oando Plc.

Others are; Godwin Ogagaoghene – Assistant Corp Marshal Zonal Commanding Officer, Federal Road Safety Corps RS 2 Lagos, Oluwatoyin Sanni – Group CEO, United Capital Plc, Hanns Köhler-Krüner,  Research Vice President – Gartner, Subhasis Kesh – Chief Executive Officer , Globe Geosolution Private Limited, as well as many other MDs and CEOs of major Institutions, Information Management and Technology firms among others.

Other categories of inductees include Graduate, Associate, Professional, Senior Professional and Corporate.

The highlight of the event, will be the official Launch of the Institute of Information Management Intervention Program tagged “Data Access Intervention Initiative (DAII)”.

On what Data Access Intervention Initiative (DAII) stands to achieve, he said, “The Data Access Intervention Initiative (DAII) is a program developed by the Institute of Information Management (IIM), aimed at promoting access to information for effective service delivery in the society.

“Individuals and organisations should have access to information as at when needed, as effective data access will enable researchers, policymakers, technology developers and the public access to information, use and share knowledge for informed decisions.

“The initiative is developed to assist in identifying and perusing into the information needs of various sectors of the society, including developing solutions aimed at meeting those needs. With DAII, individuals and organisations will be able to access reliable and accurate information to meet their information needs.

DAI is ultimately expected to facilitate an industry movement to connect citizens to various services like healthcare, education, real estate etc.

The Institute of Information Management (IIM) is the premiere professional membership driven Institute in Nigeria and Africa, approved by the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) with the consent of the Attorney General of the Federation serving the emerging field of Records, Information, Archives, Data, Security, and Document Management Professionals, with partnership and affiliation with different international organizations like the Information and Records Management Society (IRMS), UK, Professional Evaluation and Certification Board (PECB), Canada, Online Business School UK,  The International Association of Privacy Professionals, The International Records Management Trust UK, Information Requirements Clearinghouse USA, Information Governance Conference USA, Tribal Group, Information Matters etc.

The Institute of Information Management is strategically positioned to help government and professionals in both public and private organizations in Nigeria and Africa to develop the required frameworks, tools and culture needed to build capacity by improving professionalism in this essential field, as required in various disciplines including finance, administration, engineering, construction, project management, procurement, IT, communications etc.

Sound policy, clear standards, competence, certification, research and effective processes are all aspects of first-class information management programs that the Institute of Information Management unique faculties has got to deliver through our various learning and professional development programs, aimed at empowering information management professionals globally.