In a landmark moment for the advancement of professional Human Resource Management in Nigeria’s South-South region, the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) Delta State Branch has officially launched the CIPM Warri Chapter. The historic event, which took place on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Ogunu in Warri, drew an impressive mix of HR professionals, industry leaders, and aspiring members from across the region. The launch coincided with a strategic Masterclass on leadership and organizational development, drawing on the theme: People. Purpose. Process. Prominence.

The event recorded a total of 162 registrations, with 115 participants physically present and 47 joining virtually. The gathering served not only as the formal inauguration of the new chapter but also as a capacity-building forum, symbolizing CIPM’s deepening commitment to expanding professional influence and upskilling practitioners across Nigeria.

Delivering the keynote Masterclass was Sean Olabode Badiru, an elected Council Member of CIPM and the CEO of Africa Tech Hub. Known for his transformational thinking and clarity of insight, Badiru delivered what many in the audience described as a “career-altering” presentation, taking participants on an introspective and organizational journey through the four interconnected elements that he believes are essential for sustainable success: People, Purpose, Process, and Prominence.

In a world obsessed with visibility and personal branding, Badiru offered a refreshing and deeply reflective perspective. “Prominence is not a destination,” he said. “It’s a powerful and often inevitable consequence of aligning your internal compass with your external actions.” He noted that many professionals are caught in a fruitless race for recognition, pursuing titles, promotions, and online applause without first anchoring themselves in meaning. The result, he warned, is burnout, disengagement, and irrelevance. “When people are empowered, when purpose is clear, when process gives structure, and when culture is alive—then and only then does true prominence begin to flow,” he declared.

He began by addressing People as the foundation of any meaningful pursuit. Citing Gallup’s 2023 Global Workplace Report, Badiru noted that 59% of employees are “quiet quitting” because they lack emotional connection to their work. He challenged individuals to rediscover their “why” by understanding their core strengths, values, personality, and interests—what he called the four pillars of personal purpose. According to him, professionals who operate without self-awareness and personal clarity often drift into mechanical routines, sacrificing impact and fulfillment. “Your resume lists your skills,” he said, “but your purpose is hidden in what makes you come alive.”

He moved next to Purpose, calling it the “collective North Star” for organizations and individuals alike. Too many companies, he argued, frame mission statements that sound impressive but fail to influence day-to-day operations. “If your purpose isn’t embedded in your recruitment strategy, your budgeting priorities, your performance reviews, then it’s not a purpose—it’s a poster,” he said. He called on leaders to co-create purpose with their teams, turning vague ideals into tangible direction. “Purpose must be seen in who you hire, how you reward, and what you tolerate,” he insisted.

As the session deepened, Badiru emphasized Process as the “engine of execution.” A compelling vision and passionate workforce, he said, are not enough if systems are broken. Many teams fail not for lack of ideas, but because of clunky, outdated, or poorly defined workflows. “Process is what moves purpose from paper to performance,” he said, urging leaders to map and simplify workflows, empower people to optimize their daily tasks, and align processes with the organization’s declared values. He reminded the audience that bureaucracy kills creativity and that execution thrives in clarity. “When processes are designed well, they eliminate second-guessing and unlock innovation,” he noted.

The final segment of his Masterclass focused on Prominence, a word that often stirs ambition but, in Badiru’s framework, is reframed as the natural outcome of doing the fundamentals right. He warned against chasing visibility without substance, encouraging professionals and organizations alike to “build depth before visibility.” “You can trend for a week, or you can lead for a decade,” he said. “But not both—unless you’ve built something real.” He called on attendees to use their influence, when it comes, as a platform for service rather than ego. “Prominence without purpose is noise. Prominence without people is lonely. Prominence without culture? A collapse waiting to happen.”

What made his presentation even more compelling was the spiritual lens he layered over the discussion. In his closing remarks, he reminded the audience that true elevation often comes quietly and in divine timing. “Sometimes the doors that open are not the ones you knocked on—they are the ones God opened because you were faithful in the unseen,” he said. Drawing from biblical examples, he encouraged professionals not to despair if they feel overlooked. “David was anointed in the field long before the palace. When your work is anchored in God’s purpose, your prominence will carry peace, not pressure.”

Earlier in the event, the Chairman of CIPM Delta State Branch, Mrs. Tega Lynn Olowohunwa, MCIPM, welcomed attendees and expressed gratitude for the robust turnout. She explained that the creation of local chapters like Warri is part of CIPM’s broader goal of decentralizing learning and expanding access to HR development opportunities. According to her, the Warri Chapter will become a hub for professional discourse, capacity building, and networking among HR professionals in the region. “The chapter will offer seminars, training, and workshops tailored to local needs while providing members with access to a strong network and meaningful development pathways,” she said.

Mrs. Abugewa Precious, ACIPM, was introduced as the Protem Chairman of the new chapter. In her brief remarks, she thanked participants for their presence and commitment. Pastor Oluwatobi Olukowajo closed the event with prayers and good wishes for the future success of the chapter.

Also present were several members of the Delta State Branch Executive Committee, including Mr. Benjamin Emekpo (Secretary), Miss Temitope Kolade (Assistant Secretary/PRO), and Mr. William Emujeraye (Financial Secretary). Dr. Grace Addah, Chairman of CIPM’s Ogwashi-Uku Chapter, also attended, underscoring the collaborative spirit that marked the event. Mr. Michael Akeh, FCIPM, Coordinator of the CIPM Warri Study Centre, provided a well-received session on the value proposition of the Institute and practical pathways to membership.

As documentation of Protem Executives gets underway and new members are being inducted through the appropriate channels, the launch of the CIPM Warri Chapter stands as a testament to what can happen when vision, leadership, and purpose align. With voices calling professionals to deeper introspection and higher execution, the future of Human Resource Management in the region appears not only promising—but purposeful.