Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called on the Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria (CIPPON) to prioritise partnership with the public and private sectors to enhance national growth and innovation for the benefit of the country.
The Information Minister made the call during the inauguration of the new President and Governing Council Members of the Institute in Abuja, Nigeria.
Idris, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Chinasa Ogbodo, explained that their selection reflects confidence in their professionalism, integrity and capacity to advance the standards of the printing profession.
According to him, the printing industry remains a critical pillar of national development, supporting information dissemination, education, governance, commerce and cultural preservation.
“In our era of rapid digital transformation, professional printers are called upon to innovate, uphold quality and maintain ethical standards while adapting to new technologies and sustainability demands. The Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation recognises the vital role of professional bodies such as your institute in promoting best practices, capacity building and national orientation”, he noted
He further urged newly inaugurated executives to lead with inclusivity and accountability to foster development.
“We expect this council to strengthen professional regulation, encourage skills development, protect intellectual property and position the Nigerian printing industry to compete favourably at both regional and global levels. As you assume office, I urge you to lead inclusiveness, accountability and foster collaboration with government, the private sector and educational institutions to drive growth and innovation within the industry,” he added.
On his part, the President and Chairman of the Council of the Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria (CIPPON), Mr Clement Koko-T, reaffirmed commitment to building new foundations, making CIPPON a world-class professional body recognised for excellence in printing and other industries.
“We will advocate the creation of the Office of the Printer General of the Federation and for the 36 states, including FCT, or the Printers Commission, which will oversee the development of the printing industry. It will also ensure that the industry is given the recognition it deserves and placed at the proper scheme of affairs. We will advocate for the inclusion of printing as a creative industry in the scheme of things and also work with universities and regulatory bodies to introduce printing technology or printing management at the degree level in Nigerian universities. We will organise a summit to discuss the way forward in the printing and allied industries in Nigeria within the first quarter. The summit will bring together stakeholders, industry leaders, industry players and regulatory bodies to chart a course for the development of the industry,” he said.
Mr Koko-T explained that the current situation in the institute requires all hands to be on deck to move the institute forward. He further urged all members to work together to promote professionalism, innovation and excellence in the printing industry.
“We are all aware of what has befallen us all these years. Unity is the way to go. If anyone is aggrieved for whatever reason, present it to the table, and let’s look for a solution,” he added.