By Daniel Abia
PORT HARCOURT: A university don, Prof. Adekemi Alagha, has advocated intentional leadership and effective punitive measures against defaulters as measures to strengthen organisational and institutional operations.
Alagha, an expert in organisational behaviour and strategy, made the call while delivering a public lecture titled, “Fading Memories: Risk or Reminder,” organised by the Department of Management, Faculty of Management Sciences, University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), at the weekend.
She identified poor leadership as a major factor contributing to the decline and collapse of organisations, saying institutional rot and functional decay were often preceded by warning signs that were ignored.
According to her, the failure to address such signs creates room for the abuse and compromise of ethical principles, policies and established procedures.
She said negligence and the deliberate undermining of organisational norms and values could lead to impunity and the shirking of responsibilities.
Alagha cited the collapse of several public and private institutions in Nigeria, including the defunct Nigeria Airways, as examples of the consequences of poor institutional management.
She urged leaders in public and private institutions to be bold in implementing established policies while remaining adaptable to socio-dynamic changes necessary for sustainable growth.
The don stressed the need for institutions to promote trust, accountability and effective governance, while warning against the practice of shelving recommendations for sanctions against officials found culpable of organisational breaches because of vested interests or external pressure.
She called for collective institutional vigilance and resistance to practices capable of undermining organisational standards.
Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor of UNIPORT, Prof. Chike Princewill Chike, commended Alagha for what he described as a bold presentation and deep insight into the subject.
The Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by the Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, Prof. Godfrey Omojefe, said the university management would establish a strategic committee to review the memories and activities of past administrations in the institution.
He urged staff and students to remain committed to their responsibilities in order to promote academic excellence and institutional development, adding that unethical practices would attract stipulated sanctions.
Also speaking after the lecture, a cleric, Apostle Eugene Ogu, commended Alagha for what he described as a concise and thought-provoking presentation.
Ogu, General Overseer of Abundant Life Evangel Mission (ALEM), called for the domestication and strict implementation of the recommendations contained in the lecture by organisations, including government institutions.
He also advocated a patriotic rebirth among Nigerians as a way of building a more equitable and functional society.
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