The Rivers State Branch of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) and the University of Port Harcourt have restated their resolve to forge closer collaboration that would be of mutual benefit to both parties in the professionalising administration.
Speaking during a courtesy visit on the Registrar, Mrs. Dorcas Otto, Vice-Chairman of the State Branch, Mr. Wale Arowojobe, who led other Executive members of the Institute to the University, disclosed that the group’s vision was to be the foremost human resource management Institute in Africa with global reach. 
“We are working to regulate the practice of human resources management in Nigeria and promote excellence in the acquisition and application of cutting-edge knowledge and skills available to practitioners, thereby contributing to sustainable national development,” he said. The Chairman called on the University Management to key into the activities of the Institute as a means of attaining enhanced productivity amongst staff.
“The Institute is partnering corporate organisations on human resources management. We want to enjoin the Registrar to use her good offices to help nurture a functional Chapter of the Institute in the University, giving the human capital risks involved if human resources are not properly harnessed and managed. The State Branch of CIPM is ready to partner the University in areas of mutual interest in the age of knowledge workers,” Arowojobe assured the Registrar. He solicited more active participation, involvement and membership drive from the emergent Chapter in the University of Port Harcourt.
Responding, the Registrar expressed gratitude to the CIPM delegation offering to team up with the University to promote professionalism amongst staff. Mrs. Otto thanked the CIPM for its interest in the University’s activities, highlighting the need to sustain the growing partnership aimed at implementing human resource practices in line with global best practice.
“We recognise the urgent need for staff of the University to update their knowledge and upgrade their membership of the Institute. We will build on what is available on ground to produce skilled professionals to man various desks in the Registry Department. As administrators, membership of the Institute is an essential aspect of our statutory functions and it is also needful for us to acquire basic professional skills that would enhance our performance,” the Registrar stressed. She urged the UniPort Chapter Executive of CIPM to become fully functional to justify the support it has so far received from her office.
In her speech, pioneer Chairman of the UniPort Chapter, Dr. Agatha Ataga, promised to redouble the effort of members to grow it to enviable heights. “We shall work closely with our Registrar and Management of the University to place the Chapter on a sound footing in the University. We wish to plead with the State Branch of the Institute to sustain its support for our young Chapter.
Former Branch Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of CIPM, Barine Gbosi, the Administrative Secretary, Albert Ogodi, Micah Leedee and Olumunwa-Akin Bribbo also attended the event.
Senior staff of the University who joined the Registrar to receive the visitors included the Director of Personnel Affairs, Dr. Dakoru Charles-Granville, Deputy Registrar Information, Williams Wodi, Junior Staff Officer, Mrs. Elizabeth Ndiokho and SPATS Officer, Mr. Job Borgbara, amongst others.