…“I Stepped Aside For Peace to Reign”, Malgwi Yusuf Speaks as ISPON Elects New Leaders, as he said There is no more faction in ISPON – Dr Malgwi Yusuf
On March 1, 2021, a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, River State nullified the 2019 election of the Dr. Nnamdi Ilioduba led Governing council of the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON). The Court according to the document sighted by HSENations also nullified all actions carried out by the Governing council since 2019 and granted a perpetual injunction stopping him (Dr. Nnamdi Ilioduba) from parading himself as the President of ISPON.
In the ruling, the court further directed an Annual General Meeting to elect a new President and Governing Board of the institute. The election which held on April 29, 2021 saw Mr. Kaizer Ebi elected President of Nigeria’s apex safety body, ISPON.
In this interview with HSENations, Dr. Malgwi Yusuf speaks on the ISPON election and challenges facing the institute. Excerpts;
Congratulations Sir on a very successful election. You promised to hand over and you did. What motivated this and are you contented with the election result?
Dr Malgwi Yusuf: I am glad today to have seen ISPON elect officers after the long awaited COVID-19 lockdown. The mandate given by Safety Professionals at the National Safety Summit held in Benin City in September, 2019 is partially achieved, that is, to bring to an end to Dr Nnamdi Ilioduba’s parading of himself as ISPON President even when he knows he was not given that mandate after the expiration of his tenure in 2016. That when he fraudulently arranged to go to court in order to perpetuate his stay, we challenged it and while that case is still pending in court, here comes a new Judgement that has stopped him and annulled his activities up to 2019. This also comes with a directive that ISPON should conduct an election within two months and as one who is desirous for the progress of the institute, I opted to step aside in obedience to the law. As for if am contented with the election result my answer is a definitive YES.
We saw new faces coming up to take the wheel as against the old faces. As the election drew near, many outsiders had imagined or rather projected that Mr. Edward Ajobo would be elected President. But the whole turn of event came unexpected. What is your view on this?
Dr Malgwi Yusuf: I never know he (Ajobo) was going to contest ahead of time because in my opinion Myself and him has a pending case we should be interred to set aside at this time not to continue in office. I was surprised when he was nominated and seconded, he did not turn down the offer to contest. He got what he deserved.
Now the election has been conducted, how do you think this will solve the pending faction issue?
Dr Malgwi Yusuf: The writing is already on the wall not in falsehood any more. Those that listened to the unveiling of the judicial directive which will soon be published know that the end of faction has come. The election took care of all the zones that ISPON is very strong by having representation on the Governing Board. – Rivers, Delta, Edo, Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna and Cross River. You can agree with me that there is a National spread.
Some are of the opinion that this will further worsen the situation, what’s your view?
Dr Malgwi Yusuf: Opinions are sacred to owners but my own view is different. It is a light to the darkness that hitherto many dreaded.
Now that you have stepped aside, are you leaving the entire scene or how are you going to ensure ISPON completely return as one?
Dr Malgwi Yusuf: I will forgive you for not attending the unveiling of the Judicial directive. I did not just step aside there is no more faction in ISPON since Dr Nnamdi has been forbidden to keep parading himself as ISPON President and I have opted not to even contest even though I still have the opportunity by the ISPON Act but for peace to reign and for this factional matter to end I decided to allow new members to steer the leadership and will be at the background to give support.
What challenge do you foresee for the new executives and what is your advice?
Dr Malgwi Yusuf: The challenges ahead are all what can be dealt with. Let them just work as team, do wide consultations and stay focused.
What will be your advice to the safety community and concern ISPON members on both sides?
Dr Malgwi Yusuf: Like Jesus did in response to Peter’s use of sword to cut the ears of the
servant of the high-ranking officer during his arrest. I will say, members on both sides shield your swords, come let us build our Profession together as one. We should all rally round the new President and Governing Board so elected and disregard any further mischief by Dr Nnamdi or any other person that will arise in the future to want to cause confusion.
I, on my side I call upon Dr Nnamdi Ilioduba to accept the verdict of the Members without further complicating his already messed up life and give a breathing ease to his wife and family because I know his wife, she is such a gentle woman that have expressed her displeasure over this his attitude.
