The first time I became an ISACA member, I did not stay long.
I became a member in 2015 simply because there was a need for an IT auditor at my organization, but that reason was not enough to keep me in ISACA. In retrospect, I was missing the very essence of ISACA, which is a spirit of volunteerism and service while upholding professionalism in all aspects of life. For this reason, I did not renew my membership.
Fast forward to 2019. I joined ISACA again and became active with the Abuja (Nigeria) Chapter. The synergy, collaboration and selflessness shown among all the members of the chapter are strong motivators for anyone. In ISACA Abuja meetings and other chapter activities, you would never think about quitting because everyone works toward a common goal of advancing our careers and professions, becoming a motivator to everyone else in the team. ISACA Abuja is simply all for one, one for all. The way the chapter board manages the chapter activities provides a free learning opportunity for anyone who wants to learn good teamwork. Each time a call is placed for a volunteer opportunity, almost everyone jumps at it, and the result is so amazing. For example, I have had great expriences taking part in ISACA CommunITy Day, as well as our chapter’s annual conference and our chapter’s student advocacy group.
Through all of this, I have become somewhat of an evangelist for ISACA. Within the same year of rejoining in 2019, I was able to mobilize more than 10 professionals to join ISACA in their respective cities, locally and internationally, even earning a reward through the Member Get A Member program (I dedicated my reward to my wife and child, who encouraged me all the way to my first certification exam). Not stopping there, this year, I have mobilized seven of my colleagues and friends locally and internationally to take one or more ISACA certification exams, and also encouraged them to become a member of the association and seek volunteer opportunities in their respective communities.
And looking to the future, my immediate task is to mobilize all my friends in my community (the Enugwu-Ukwu Community located in the heart of the eastern part of Nigeria) and throughout the entire globe, where I have network of friends, to join me in working with such a phenomenal set of people who make up ISACA. Indeed, #IamISACA, and this time, I am here to stay!