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All you Need to Know About PMI’s 2022 Africa Conference Held in Lagos

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Project Management Institute (PMI), the world’s leading association for project professionals, hosted over 300 delegates from 20 African countries at its recently concluded PMI Africa Conference 2022.

Executive Director, Anzisha Prize, Josh Adler,

L-R: Paul Omugbe, President, PMI Nigeria Chapter; George Asamani, Managing Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, Project Management Institute (PMI) and Joe Cahill, Chief Customer Officer (CCO), Project Management Institute (PMI) at the 7th annual PMI Africa Conference in Lagos.

The 2-day conference took place at the Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos and saw key stakeholders discuss the evolving nature of project management, the project economy, the impact of new technology, and the custom certifications PMI is developing to meet new demands in specific industries.

The highlight of the conference was the conversations around youth, led by the youth, for the youth who raised and discussed issues around entrepreneurship, education, and employability. The conference achieved its objective of promoting project management as fundamental to building thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems, high-performing workplaces, and societies.

Organised under the theme, “Sustainable Growth for Social Good,” all the speakers, which included Africa’s leading and inspiring thought leaders, educators, entrepreneurs and changemakers, agreed that for Africa to grow sustainably, strategic changes in education, national policies, youth empowerment and corporate culture are needed.

George Asamani, MD, Sub Saharan Africa, PMI, said that next year’s edition, the 8th PMI Africa Conference, will be hosted in Kenya in partnership with the PMI Kenya Chapter.

Noted South African journalist and Executive Director of Marketing & Communications, University of Limpopo, Victor Kgomoeswana, opened his keynote by quoting anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko. Kgomoeswana reminded delegates of Biko’s words, “It is better to die for an idea that will live than to live for something that will die.’’

Kgomoeswana remarked that Africa is endowed with biodiversity, mineral resources, tourist potential and cultural heritage in abundance. In addition, the significant growth recorded in Africa despite the Covid-19 pandemic can be attributed to cross-border trade and internet penetration.

In his view, African leaders and changemakers must focus on developing a population with problem-solving skills.

“We need to change our perception and attitude. No goal can be achieved without good project management. It is a skill that should be instilled in basic education. All problem-solving today in Africa requires project management of some kind.”

Simi Nwogugu, CEO of Junior Achievement Africa, said that the youth on the continent need to develop 21st-century skills and cultivate a spirit of volunteering. The youth will have to develop an entrepreneurial mindset to stave off a talent crisis in the project economy.

“If entrepreneurship is not for you, skills like design thinking, problem-solving, teamwork and innovation can help you get the available jobs. Mentoring is also key because if you are working with the youth, especially teenagers, they need relatable role models. For this, we bring volunteers into the classroom. There is no single way to succeed; it is a combination of your talent and innovation the world needs that can provide an income.”

Odunayo Sanya, Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, observed that funding is one of the drawbacks to entrepreneurship. To alleviate this, MTN Foundation, in partnership with the Bank of Industry, provides loans and has also launched the Y’elloPreneur programme.

Executive Director, Anzisha Prize, Josh Adler, an organisation builder with over 20 years of experience across business, education and non-profit sectors, pointed out the importance of examining the outcomes of entrepreneurial training. He observed that many graduates of entrepreneurial programmes don’t actually start their businesses after graduation.

“Many of these graduates still go out there to get jobs,’’ he observed. “They need to learn how to do project management and how to execute. We need to be honest with ourselves about the outcomes. We need better outcomes.”

During his closing remarks, Asamani said, “the region’s entrepreneurial potential hasn’t been fully explored – while the majority continue to be micro-enterprises operating in the informal sector, collaborations to scale this potential will only exponentially grow the impact of their efforts.

The PMI Africa Conference is a platform to build a foundation and bring together various stakeholders to pool their ideas over two action-packed days to contribute to turning Africa into one of the world’s leading entrepreneurial communities.”

“One way to accelerate the upskilling is to foster talent and bring government, partners in the private sector and volunteers to support this effort.”


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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Mojisola Ologe Bags The Peak Performer 2024 Admirable Woman in Leadership Award

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Celebrating excellence in leadership: Mojisola Ologe, a recognized risk management professional, has won The Peak Performer FEST 2024 Admirable Woman in Leadership Award.

Mojisola Ologe (middle) receiving the The Peak Performer FEST 2024 Admirable Woman in Leadership Award.

The event, held at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, brought together women leaders from various industries as part of TPP FEST 2024. With the theme, “Enhancing Women Leadership with the Magic of Emotional Intelligence,” it highlighted essential behavioral insights and strategies for women to excel in their careers and business ventures, while also recognizing outstanding women in society and promoting leadership skills, global connections, and well-being.

With over 20 years of experience in technology, risk management, and cybersecurity, Mojisola Ologe has been at the forefront of safeguarding critical infrastructure within the financial and technology sectors.

Her comprehensive expertise in audit, regulatory compliance, and innovative risk management strategies has strengthened organizational resilience and driven operational excellence, establishing her as a trusted authority in the field.

Mojisola has successfully led transformative cybersecurity initiatives that align with global standards such as ISO 27001, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and PCI DSS. Her strategic oversight has driven the implementation of advanced security controls, threat assessment protocols, and incident response frameworks, significantly enhancing organizational resilience against emerging cyber threats.

Beyond her professional expertise, Mrs. Ologe is a passionate advocate for empowering and mentoring women in cybersecurity, a field traditionally dominated by men. Her efforts have contributed to shaping a more inclusive technology landscape in Nigeria.

As a dynamic leader, Mojisola is recognized for her ability to foster collaboration and drive cross-functional teams towards shared objectives. A trailblazer in the field, she continuously pushes the boundaries of innovation and security in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Presenting the Admirable Women in Leadership Award to Mojisola, Dr. Abiola Salami, publisher, The Peak Performer, said, “This is in acknowledgement of your excellent leadership by those you have led in the year under review 2023/2024.

“We hope this will inspire you to deliver a higher level of excellence in future”.

In her response, Mojisola said it was a very auspicious moment for her “as we all have gathered to celebrate myself and others who have excelled in different fields.

“It’s a great honour for me to be given accolades and award; I am truly obliged for this great honour and recognition given by The Peak Performer team”.

She said she is more energised and charged up to take up new and challenging projects which would work in the benefit of her organisation and the environment.

Other prominent award recipients included Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru, Chairman, Publisher, and CEO of Guardian Newspapers; Dr. Mosun Belo-Olusoga, a leading figure in Nigeria’s financial services sector; Bodam Taiwo, Head of Portfolio, Bond and Connect at Pernod Ricard; Chichi Emenike, Head of Gas Ventures at Neconde Energy Limited; Rachel Adeshina, Country Head of Technology and Services at FBN Bank Ghana; and Mabel Adeteye, Head of Brands and Communication at Wema Bank. Each of these women was recognized for their exceptional achievements and impact within their respective fields.

 

 

 


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Resolving The SIBAN Crisis

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By Barr. Mela Claude Ake

In my opinion, the SIBAN kerfuffle is as political as it is legal. We cannot divorce the two — but the legal aspect is far weightier.

Barr. Mela Claude Ake

On the political side is a power-grab. A small group of individuals who think they should be the lords and masters of Nigeria’s crypto space are fighting for control. They want control of SIBAN and they want control of the SIBAN presidency. Essentially a shadow administration that runs the show from behind the scenes. For this to happen, the president has to be a puppet. What they fail to understand is that being a pioneer of a vision doesn’t necessarily mean that you must control it in perpetuity. Succession-planning is a vital part of corporate governance. Across the world, several major organizations abound, whether they be companies, political parties, associations and even nations where the founders of these visions are alive but do not call the shots anymore and quite frankly, that’s okay.

Coming to the issue of registering SIBAN with the Corporate Affairs Commission, the detractors are doing themselves a huge disservice. It’s both ridiculous and risky that an unincorporated body was carrying on and presenting itself as it did. I mean think about it; how do you hold high-level meetings and organise national industry conversations involving the SEC, NITDA etcetera as an unregistered body? Legally speaking, the implications are better imagined.

How does a group present itself as the foremost industry association for the blockchain sector in Nigeria and by extension Africa but is not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission? Whose bank account were the dues being paid to? How do you woo foreign investors? How? Do you show them your WhatsApp group? Because that’s essentially what SIBAN was reduced to. A mere Whatsapp group. Can you imagine the Nigeria Bar Association not being registered with the CAC? The excuse about organizations with words such as “Blockchain” or “Crypto” not being accepted for registration by the CAC is weak because there are records of such organizations having been allowed to be registered by the CAC even as far back as 2018. The records are out there.

Now that the detractors are wailing, kicking and screaming can they prove by law that SIBAN has not been properly incorporated by this board of trustees? Can they prove that this incorporation exercise did not satisfy the extant corporate laws and regulations of the Federal Republic of Nigeria? If they have a good case, they should go to court and remember to sue the Corporate Affairs Commission as well. However if they know they cannot prove it, then they should be quiet because what they are doing is simply inviting more trouble than necessary with all this brouhaha. People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.

It should be on record that I was invited by the president to join this board and when he extended the invitation, I was shocked, to say the least, to find out that SIBAN was yet unincorporated. I was invited because he believes I will bring some value to the association and I will.

As a lawyer and a compliance and consumer rights advocate I am personally concerned about the several sharp practices that have been happening in the blockchain sector, that have caused unwitting investors to lose millions and in turn making the entire sector appear less trustworthy. My mission as a member of the SIBAN Board of Trustees is to help us tighten the loose ends and remove the permissive environment that has hitherto allowed sleazy fellows and shady schemes to thrive unchecked. Personally, I believe that if any crypto practitioner wilfully puts investor funds or public funds at risk, the practitioner shouldn’t only be banned for life, they should be locked up.

SIBAN has what it takes to accelerate prosperity through blockchain and I think Obinna Iwuno and this BOT as currently constituted have the requisite skills, passion and grit to make that happen.

– Barr. Mela Claude Ake. Member, SIBAN Board Of Trustees


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Court Dismisses Echefu, TSTV CEO’s Bid to Stop Trial of Alleged N2Bn Fraud

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A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit by Dr Bright Echefu, managing director/chief executive officer, Telcom Satellite Television Service (TSTV), with which he had sought to stop the Inspector General of Police (IGP) from investigating the allegation of N2 billion fraud against him.

Court Dismisses Echefu, TSTV CEO’s Bid to Stop Trial of Alleged N2Bn Fraud

Dr Bright Echefu, MD/CEO, TSTV

Kabiru Turaki (SAN), former minister of Special Duties, had, in a petition to the police, alleged among others , that his N2 billion investment in TSTV had been fraudulently diverted.

Upon being invited by the police for questioning, Echefu filed the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/234/2024, praying that the IGP and his agents be restrained from conducting investigation into the case.

It was Echefu’s contention that the ex-Minister’s N2 billion investment was a civil transaction and the police have no power under any known laws to investigate such transactions.

He argued that the police cannot act as debt recovery agent for the normal complainant (Turaki).

In his judgment, Justice Inyang Ekwo held that the suit by Echefu was frivolous and lacking in merit.

Justice Ekwo held that it was wrong of the plaintiff to seek the court’s protection from being investigated over a petition against him on alleged stealing and misappropriation of N2bn investment in TSTV.

The judge was of the view that the allegations against Echefu related to stealing and misappropriating N2bn investment and not debt recovery drive as he erroneously claimed.

He held that the plaintiff failed to establish his claim that the N2b was in relation to civil transaction when the petition before the police alleged stealing and misappropriation of the fund invested in TSTV for its expansion.

Justice Ekwo faulted Echefu argument that the police have no power to investigate such petition against him.

He added that when a petition has the colour of stealing and misappropriating, the police are empowered under Section 4 of Police Act to inquire into such allegations.

The judge said: “The plaintiff (Echefu) has not denied being given the several sums of money by the 4th defendant (Kabiru Turaki) as investment in the companies mentioned in the averments in this case.

” The case made against the plaintiff (Echefu) is that of stealing and misappropriation. For the plaintiff to assert and actually sustain the assertion that this matter is contractual and that police cannot be involved, the onus is on the plaintiff to demonstrate with concrete evidence that there was no stealing and misappropriation.

“This is so because the mere claim that a relationship between the parties was and is contractual in nature is not a magic wand that will indiscriminately shield a person from being investigated on the allegations of criminal act arising from civil transaction”.

“To allow a plaintiff to coast home with the treasures of his loot on the grounds that such was contractual matter, will enhance a judicial victory for the undeserved.

“A citizen who is a victim of any act of crime, has right to make a report of same to the police and in the Nigerian system of administration of justice, when a crime is committed, it is the Nigerian police that moves in to investigate it.

“On the whole, the plaintiff has not given me any cogent ground to interfere in the exercise of the statutory power of the 1st and 2nd defendants (Police) on the petition by the 4th defendant (Turaki) that his investment has been stolen and misappropriated by the plaintiff.

“On this ground, I find that this action lacks merit and ought to be dismissed. I therefore make an order dismissing this case on those grounds,” he said.

Listed as defendants in the suit are the Nigeria Police Force, the IGP, the DIG Force Investigation Bureau, Turaki and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), who name the judge struck in the earlier part of the judgment as not being a necessary party.

 

 


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