Broadcasting
PMI Unveils Free Online Course to Ease Project Execution
Project Management Institute (PMI), the world’s leading association for project professionals and changemakers, recently announced the launch of KICKOFF , a new, free online course and tool kit to help introduce anyone doing project-based work to the best practices and tools needed to effectively manage projects from ideation to execution.
Much of the working world revolves around projects, which have become more complex than ever due to global Megatrends, including COVID-19, climate change, and more.
KICKOFF is the ideal solution for those who are new to doing project-based work and would benefit from learning project managements skills to help successfully navigate the process from idea to launch and execution.
The course is packed with digestible content, downloadable tem-plates, a glossary of key terms, and thoughtful questions to ask to help anyone kick off any project at any time.
According to PMI’s Pulse of the Profession® report, an estimated 11.4% of all investment into projects currently goes to waste due to poor project performance and an inability to nimbly adapt and execute in our rapidly changing world.
Introducing changemakers to project man-agement strategies and tools enables single learners and entire teams to have the framework in place to adapt quickly and efficiently to help reduce wasted time and investment.
KICKOFF is the free, go-to resource for those looking to quickly learn the basics of effective and strategic project management to complete projects on time and within budget.
“KICKOFF is an easily deployable resource to ensure all employees and team members have the foundational skills to seamlessly collaborate and work smarter,” said George Asamani, the Business Development Lead for Africa at PMI.
“KICKOFF arms everyone from first-time project team members to C-Suite executives with the knowledge to kick start a project at any time to help drive results and deliver value.”
No two projects are the same, so KICKOFF uses a guided questionnaire to tailor the learning experience based on the best project management approach for the needs of the project.
Learners are presented a series of short modules that can be completed in sequence or in any order. The modules include bite-sized content focused on the fundamentals, and templates to be downloaded or distributed for immediate use.
Accessible to anyone from their laptop, phone, or tablet, KICKOFF can be completed in just 45 minutes, and is available in five languages: English, Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, and French.
Following completion of the KICKOFF course, learners will receive a badge to share on their professional social media profiles to show their peers and company that they have the foundational skills to successfully lead any project.
Broadcasting
NCAA Educates Passengers on Travel Challenges and Solutions
Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has called on aviation passengers to become more informed about the challenges they may encounter while traveling through airports.
This appeal was made by the NCAA Head of Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, during a road walk in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Saturday, December 7.
He highlighted the importance of passenger awareness, especially during the heavy travel season, and emphasized the need for proper sensitization regarding flight delays and possible solutions.
“We’re now in the high travel season in aviation and as you know there’s been a lot of flight disruptions as well as a lot of complaints,” Achimugu said.
“Our duty at NCAA is to sensitize our passengers because most of the time when complaints come about these disruptions, it comes from a place of poor knowledge about their rights and responsibilities as air passengers. We must protect both the passenger and the airline,” he added.
The NCAA continues to engage in efforts to educate passengers and address concerns during this busy travel period.
Broadcasting
Showmax Drops Trailer for Epic Drama’s Second Season
Showmax has released the trailer for the second season of its Nigerian Original epic drama series, Cheta M. The new season premieres on Monday, 6 January 2025 with three new episodes released every week.
This epic tale follows the star-crossed love story of Adanna (Oluchi Amajuoyi) and Nnanna (Kingsley Nwachukwu), whose bond is tested amid the escalating conflict between the kingdoms of Mgberi, led by the tyrannical King Jideofor (Kalu Ikeagwu), and Ajaani, ruled by the cunning patriarch Nze Ezeugo (Nonso Odogwu).
Their love faces formidable opposition from Ojigijaga (Jsmile Uhuru), the enigmatic spiritual shaman of Mgberi, and a web of envy, desire, and political scheming by those around them.
Season 1 ended on a dramatic note as Adanna and Nwoye’s (Nnamdi Agbo) wedding faced a series of shocking interruptions, from uninvited guests to Chidalu’s (Celia Okechukwu) brazen attempt to hijack the ceremony that led to her death.
At the heart of Season 2, Nnanna and Adanna’s love story is further tested with forgotten memories, their intertwined family histories, and the unrelenting forces threatening their bond. As they journey through the chaos, they must decide how much they are willing to risk and sacrifice for love and the fragile peace they yearn for.
“With Cheta M, we’re telling a story that’s rich in culture and layered with suspense, love, and spirituality”, says showrunner, James Omokwe who has been celebrated for his work on Showmax’ first Nigeria Original, Diiche as well as Africa Magic titles: Ajoche, Riona and Itura.
“This season, we wanted to explore not just the drama, but the raw humanity of our characters, their sacrifices, fears, and resilience. We know season one left a lot of questions and curiosity as to what happens next, and I’m looking forward to audiences unravelling the twists and revelations we’ve woven into this epic tale.”
The return of Cheta M builds on Showmax’s strong and growing lineup of Original content, which includes recent releases such as Princess on a Hill, Wura S3 and Style Magnate.
Cheta M Season 2 will premiere Monday, 6 January 2025, with three new episodes released weekly. Fans can also binge the first season on Showmax ahead of Season 2’s premiere.
Broadcasting
A Policy Blueprint for a New Era of African Innovation
By Doron Avni, VP, Public Policy & Government Affairs, Emerging Markets, Google
The dawn of the AI age presents a unique opportunity for Africa. With the right policies, the continent can experience accelerated socio-economic progress. According to a recent study by Public First, AI could increase the Sub-Saharan African economy by over $30 billion annually, and is already revolutionizing various African sectors.
For instance, AI-powered ultrasound checks are accessible in remote areas, AI combined with satellite imagery helps assess village electrification, and AI and cloud connect youth with jobs via mobile search. As the AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, H.E. Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid wrote at the introduction to the recently adopted Continental AI Strategy: AI “is seen as a driving force for positive change, socio-economic transformation, and cultural renaissance.”
Strong government policy is crucial for unlocking Africa’s AI potential, and new research confirms this critical link. The Google-commissioned AI Policy Blueprint for Africa report by Nextrade Group, which surveyed over 2,000 African students, businesses, and organizations, reveals a striking connection between policy readiness and AI adoption. The report demonstrates a clear correlation: African countries with established, pro-AI digital policy frameworks also have significantly higher AI adoption rates than their peers with less mature policy frameworks. This is especially timely as governments across the continent are actively working on AI strategies at the national level, with some already having adopted them. This data underscores the vital role governments play in creating an environment where AI can flourish.
To guide this crucial government leadership, the AI Policy Blueprint report provides a practical roadmap. Building upon the foundational recommendations from Google’s AI Sprinters report, this blueprint offers specific policy guidance across four key pillars: infrastructure, skills development, investment in innovation, and responsible AI regulation. For each pillar, the blueprint outlines specific policy actions African nations can take to accelerate AI adoption and maximize its benefits for their citizens. The report was designed to help policymakers in the task of translating the exciting vision of the recent AU Continental AI Strategy into practical policies aimed at achieving it.
One of the most important recommendations the report makes is on data readiness. The blueprint emphasizes the importance of ensuring access to high-quality datasets that reflect Africa’s diversity. Governments can achieve this by opening up non-sensitive public data for AI development, promoting data transfer across borders, and encouraging the use of privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs). The blueprint also stresses the importance of harmonized data protection frameworks to ensure privacy and security as AI systems are deployed. Crucially, the blueprint advocates for a “cloud-first” approach in the public sector, where governments prioritize cloud-based solutions for data storage and service delivery.
By migrating to the cloud, governments can effectively manage and process the vast amounts of data required for AI, unlocking its potential to improve public services and address critical challenges. The report, scanning the global horizon for AI policies, mentions Singapore as a prime example, where the government has issued guidelines that allow for greater flexibility in using personal data for AI development while still protecting privacy.
This call for government leadership is echoed by the very people who stand to benefit most from AI. The report reveals a groundswell of excitement among African businesses, especially fast-growing firms, with many seeing AI as “absolutely transformative” for their operations and predicting significant revenue gains—as much as 20% annually. In fact, almost 90% are already applying AI to research, data analysis, marketing content creation, and even coding. Moreover, a majority of Africans believe AI can boost productivity and accelerate national development. These individuals and businesses expressed hope that governments will proactively support this progress by ensuring AI is used safely and responsibly, equipping young people with essential AI skills, and helping small businesses leverage this powerful technology.
Governments must also lead by example, actively adopting AI within their own operations to demonstrate its value and build public trust. The report found overwhelming support for this approach, with over 80% of respondents agreeing that governments should invest in AI to improve public service delivery. Adoption of AI by governments not only improves government efficiency but also inspires confidence in AI across all sectors, encouraging wider adoption.
At Google, we are committed to being a steadfast partner for African governments, businesses, and individuals on their journey to capture the vast opportunities presented by AI. We believe in the power of technology to drive progress and improve lives, and we are dedicated to supporting Africa’s digital transformation. Our recent announcements, including a $5.8 million commitment to AI skills development and the expansion of speech technology to include 15 more African languages, demonstrate our ongoing investment in the continent’s future. We are committed to working with African governments as they embrace AI, not just as policymakers but as active users, demonstrating its transformative potential to their citizens and the world. We are confident that by working together, we can unlock Africa’s immense potential and build a future where AI empowers everyone.
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