Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administration of Nigeria, ICSAN, a professional body in Nigeria dedicated to enhancing the status and practice of Corporate Governance and Public Administration has officially laid the foundation of its N3.5 billion three-storey national secretariat in Alausa, Lagos.
The foundation laying ceremony was performed by Funmi Ekundayo, the Institute’s President. She was assisted by Uto Ukpanah, Vice President of the Institute; Francis Olawale, Treasurer of the Institute; Banji Ayoola, managing director of Fortuna Engineering Limited, the contractor and other members of ICSAN.
Ekundayo who was delighted on the commencement of the secretariat that the institute has been planning for many years started her speech by singing “To God be the Glory, Great things He hath done …”, a song written in 1872 by an American mission worker and poet, Frances Jane van Alstyne, commonly known as Fanny J. Crosby and composed by William Doane.
Funmi Ekundayo emphasised that indeed, great things the Lord has done for ICSAN and its members. She said after the sod turning in July last year, ICSAN has achieved a significant milestone in the construction of the building so far.
While the Institute has a giant profile as a leading voice on Corporate Governance in Nigeria and has made noticeable impact through diverse contributions as evinced in recurrent guidance to both the private and public sectors of the economy, said the truth is that the institute’s financial strength is minimal.
Therefore in search of funds for the construction of the secretariat, she said ICSAN is holding a fund raising activity on April 14, 2025 in Abuja with Yemi Cardoso, the CBN governor as chairman, while Nyesom Wike, Minister of FCT is special guest of honour. Wale Edu, minister of finance is special guest. She said the event will be graced by a number of heads of parastatals and captains of industry.
She said the building will further help ICSAN to continue to advance its campaign of corporate governance.
The building will have three suspended floors and each of the floors is about a 1000 square meters.
It is expected, based on the architectural design, the first and second floors will be rented to corporate organisations while the third and fourth floors will be used by ICSAN.
Ayoola said the contractors moved to site early February to start the construction. He said the whole stretch of the building is 55 meters. According to him the duration of the completion of the building is 36 months from February 2025 and the time could be shortened based on flow of funds.
