Are You Searching For A Project Management Blogger?

There has been a tremendous growth in the number of active project management blogs within the past five years. Some of these blogs cover almost every facets, methodologies, principles and practices of project management.

These growth will continue on an upward trend as a lot of project management professionals (PMPs) and offices (PMOs) are now realizing the numerous promotional benefits about on blogging and social media.

However, some PMPs and PMOs do not have any idea of how to set up, use or manage a project management blog, some do not have the time to put their ideas, knowledge, experiences and opinions into writing so as to share on their blog. Do not worry as we have a solution for you.

If you need a professional project management blogger to help you

• Set up your own project management blog


• Manage yours and/or your PMO’s blog(s)


• Put your project management ideas, knowledge or experiences into professional writing and share on your blog

Then feel free to contact me.

Here are some of the reasons why you should hire me as your project management blogger:

1. Project Management Knowledge: I have a BTech in Project Management Technology from the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria, so I understand most project management terminologies. I also understand the impact of cost, time and quality on any given project.

2. Excellent Writing Skills: I have written lots of original and high-quality articles on project management. You can browse through my blog for samples. My articles are also featured on some project management journals.

3. Knowledge About Blogging and Blog Management: I have been blogging since 2008, most especially using the WordPress and Blogger platforms, so I am well-experienced and versatile in the art of blogging and blog management. I am also a passionate blogger.

4. Have Passion for Project Management: I am passionate about promoting project management globally by leveraging social media. I have also set up project management groups on various social media networks such as Facebook and LinkedIn where I share and discuss the latest happening in the world of project management.

5. Creative Thinker: I am very good at thinking, analyzing and creating new project ideas and topics that will help build a profitable project management blog for you or your organization.

6. Hardworking and Dedicated: I am a very hard-working and committed person. I do my jobs diligently, professionally, and can also work in a team.

Connect with me and let’s build yours or your company’s project management blog. I can work either full-time (if not committed already), part-time, contract basis or on a pay-per-blogging basis.

PMP Blogger, PRINCE2 Blogger, Project Management Blogger, Social Project Manager

Bresson AS Nigeria Breaks Ground On 90MW Power Plant

Bresson AS Nigeria Limited, a privately owned Nigerian company and one of the pioneer licensed independent power producers (IPPs) in the country, has broken ground for its first power plant situated in Magboro, Ogun State.

The power plant will generate 90 megawatts (MW) to boost power generation and supply in Nigeria, and the company hopes to bring the plant configured on 2GE LM 6000 to commissioning in 2015. The plant is designed for supply of power to the national grid while an additional 20MW project, a joint project between Bresson and Aggreko is designed to serve the immediate neighbourhood of Magboro as an embedded generation option.

The company said it had secured financing as well as gas supply for the 90MW plant. When the project is completed it would be linked to the national grid.

Gbenga Olawepo, chairman, Bresson AS Nigeria, at the ground-breaking at the weekend, said: “Ten years ago, we conceived this project, and we have spent $10 million in those years without return. Within the next 12 months, the president will come to commission at least one unit of the plant. The community is already benefiting in terms of jobs and will benefit more. We already have a lot of customers who want to take 2MW to 3MW. There is a strong commitment by the Federal Government to the power sector.”

Also speaking at the event, Chinedu Nebo, minister of power, who lauded the efforts by the company, said the 90MW project WAs very important. “It is very important to realise that power generation, transmission and distribution are the fulcrum of national development. Qualitative power supply is very cardinal to the mandate of President Goodluck Jonathan. It is a contract we have with Nigerians and we are ready to enforce it. This power plant will change this area. Once it is completed, the community will improve. There will be more jobs and industrial growth. Power supply drives industrial growth,” he said.

Stressing the need for access to electricity in the country, Ibikunle Amosu, governor of Ogun State, who was represented by Taiwo Fagbemi, his special adviser on energy, said it was only a long-distance runner that can embark on investment on energy infrastructure.

Bresson AS is principally engaged in the business of acquiring, developing, owning, and operating independent power generating facilities. The company, founded April 2005, recently concluded plans with emergency power conglomerate Aggreko to bolster Nigeria electricity market with 250MW of electricity within the next nine months.

[BusinessDay]

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Bresson AS Nigeria, energy project, Magboro Power Plant, power project

Germany Promises Technical Support For Nigeria’s Power Sector

The Federal Republic of Germany has expressed readiness to transfer technical know-how to key players in the Nigerian power sector as part of measures to solve the country’s energy crisis.

The Head of Energy and Environment Desk, Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria, Mrs. Barbel Freyer, said her government was interested in partnering Nigeria on the various alternative sources of power generation.

Freyer spoke in Lagos on Wednesday during a seminar on embedded power generation with leading energy industry players in Nigeria.

According to her, the German government was ready to share its success stories on research, development and feasibility aspects of solar, biogas and wind solutions to ending epileptic power supply.

She said, “The Federal Government of Nigeria has taken a big step in privatising the power sector which we think is a very good step. But there are still some issues.

“On the know-how level, we can bring German businesses and Nigerian power investors together to work on the technical aspects. We have a lot of know-how to transfer and we are hoping to find Nigerian business partners in order to take up the various challenges.”

The German Consul-General in Nigeria, Mr. Michael Derus, said there was a need for the Federal Government to take advantage of new technologies in order to ensure a regular supply of electricity that would enable local businesses to thrive.

He particularly advised Nigeria to take advantage of solar energy as a means of power generation, especially when the general climatic condition in the country favours it.

He stated that the embedded power generation model, which enables private producers to generate electricity from small plants and sell directly to the Discos for onward supply to consumers, had been quite effective in Germany.

Derus said, “What we are going to do is to present the solutions as it works in Germany and of course, it would be necessary to have meaningful adaptations to suit the local needs.

“If you look at the general climatic condition here in Nigeria closely, you would see that solar and wind energy power solutions would even be more favourable than in Germany.

“I think you should really take advantage of new technology with embedded solutions and solve some of the power problems you experience in order to bring about the development of the country.

“Embedded solutions have contributed to a very high and reliable energy security in Germany, which the country here, for various and well known reasons, is far away from. Although, it might not be the only solution, it could be a solution that could contribute in the long run to providing better energy supply.”

[PUNCH]

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Germany, Nigeria, power sector

Bresson AS Nigeria Breaks Ground On 90MW Power Plant

Bresson AS Nigeria Limited, a privately owned Nigerian company and one of the pioneer licensed independent power producers (IPPs) in the country, has broken ground for its first power plant situated in Magboro, Ogun State.

The power plant will generate 90 megawatts (MW) to boost power generation and supply in Nigeria, and the company hopes to bring the plant configured on 2GE LM 6000 to commissioning in 2015. The plant is designed for supply of power to the national grid while an additional 20MW project, a joint project between Bresson and Aggreko is designed to serve the immediate neighbourhood of Magboro as an embedded generation option.

The company said it had secured financing as well as gas supply for the 90MW plant. When the project is completed it would be linked to the national grid.

power project

FEC Okays N1.3bn Consultancy Contracts For Railway Development

THE Federal Executive Council (FEC), on Wednesday, approved contracts for feasibility studies on the development of standard gauge railway lines in six corridors across the country, worth N1.3 billion.

The approval followed a memorandum presented to it for deliberation by the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar.

Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, at the Presidential Villa, Umar, who was joined by the Minister of Information and his Trade and Investment counterpart, Mr Labaran Maku and Dr Olusegun Aganga, said the six lots, totalling 4,430 kilometres, were in addition to seven approved by the council last year.

The six corridors included the Kano-Dayi-Katsina-Jibiya rail line; Ilela-Sokoto-Jega-Yauti-Makera rail line; Aba-Ikot Ekpene-Ibiono-Itu(spur line to Uyo)-Odupkani-Calabar rail line.

Others are Kano-Nguru-Gashua-Damaturu/Gamborun-Ngala rail line; Calabar-Ikom-Obudu-Ogoja-Katsina Ala-Wukari-Jalingo-Yola-Maiduguri and Port Harcourt-Aba-Umuahia-Enugu-Makurdi-Lafia-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri rail line.

Umar explained that the contracts were part of the 25 years strategic vision of the Federal Government for the rail sector in the country.

According to him, the scope of work would include detailed studies, detailed surveys and designs, identification of potential train stations and the Environmental Impact Assessment, among others.

The minister revealed that similar contracts awarded last year had been completed with the report already evaluated, adding that they would soon be advertised for further development.

On his part, Aganga disclosed that he formally reported to the FEC that the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) had recognised the development efforts of Nigeria and Ethiopia by undertaking to set up offices in the two countries.

According to him, UNIDO decided to site the offices in the two countries, because it adjudged them to have showed the strongest and highest potential for industrial development in Africa.

He said the gesture was an indication that UNIDO identified with the transformation efforts in Nigeria and endorsed the country’s industrial revolution plan.

Aganga assured that the presence of the UNIDO office in the country would enhance foreign investments flow to Nigeria and fast-track industrial development.

Noting that UNIDO had only eight of such offices in the world, Aganga said “what this means to us is that the world is acknowledging the efforts of this administration in transforming the economy.”

[Nigerian Tribune]

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Metroline Projects, Railway Projects, UNIDO

Benefits of Attending Project Management Conferences

Do project management seminars, conferences and workshops provide real learning value for practitioners in the industry? New ideas, knowledge and methodologies are being discovered and generated on a regular basis in the world of project management, and there’s no better way of surviving in that industry than to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments.

Attending project management conferences is one of the sure ways of staying abreast of the latest developments in the industry.

Though most conferences are free to attend, some professional conferences, such as the national Project Management Conference (ProMaCon) that’s being organized annually in Nigeria, attract participant fees. Some of these fees worth less when compared to the huge benefits you would derive from attending the conference.

The following are some of the reasons project management conferences are invaluable to you as a project manager.

1. New Ideas Are Introduced At Conferences

One of the reasons why project management practitioners attend conferences is to learn new ideas, research or methodologies discovered in the world of project management. These pieces of ideas may not always be groundbreaking or revolutionary, but they are new. When you attend a conference with this mindset, you will be enriched with more efficient and effective ways of managing projects that you would share with your peers.

Example: The first project management conference I attended was organized by Kari Ola of the British School of Project Management UK (BSPM-UK) at Victoria Island, Lagos. (Kari is late now. May her soul rest in peace)

2. Learn From Project Management Experts

Most conferences consist of panel speakers who are experts or have gained much knowledge in the field of project management. They share their real-world experiences and provide useful advice, tips and best practice techniques that will show you how to achieve outstanding business results. Attending conferences will help you tap into their knowledge base.

Example: My blog content titled “Project Management is Key to Natural Wealth” was an idea I learnt from Prof. Andrew Leicester of the Global Project Professional Society when I attended one of his conferences. I also learnt some valuable information that has benefited my career as a Project Management Blogger. I am grateful to all the speakers for all the tips!

3. Attending Conferences Will Help Deepen your knowledge Base

Are you thinking of gaining knowledge in various aspects of project management? Project management is vast and deepening your knowledge in various areas, such as risk management, strategic management, information technology, systems development, materials management, etc, and understanding different methodologies will help boost your career.

4. Earn Conference Certification

Some professional project management conferences offer certification for participants, and some companies request such certification during the course of your career. This certificate act as evidence that you have attended a project management conference and are willing to boost your knowledge.

5. Good Networking Opportunities

Conferences offer you the opportunity to make valuable connections with the organizers, attendees, speakers, and sponsors of the event. Most classes allow you to interact with new people. It’s also a good way to get out of your office or cubicle every now and then and see what the rest of the world is up to, and talk to your peers in the industry. The relationships you build with your connections can help you throughout the rest of your career in project. Take advantage of these opportunities and be proactive. Make sure to pack your business cards so you can exchange contact information with your new connections!

6. You Can Earn Valuable PDUs, CPDs or CDUs

Project management is a continuous learning field, and some project management organizations that offer professional certifications request their holders to show dedication to their profession by earning PDUs (Professional Development Units), CPDs (Continuing Professional Developments) or CDUs (Continuing Development Units). You can earn one PDU, CPD or CDU for each hour of attending some professional project management conferences.

7. Get Answers To Specific Questions

Most conferences are interactive and delegates or attendees are encouraged to ask questions with the speakers providing the answers.

8. Follow Up

Conferences offer you the platform to (physically) meet with some of the project managers whom you have established a connection or relationship with on social media.

9. Learn New Culture

Have you ever attended a project management conference that was organized in another city, state or country? Attending conferences other locations offers you the opportunity to become familiar with the city and/or culture where the conference is held.

What other benefits have you gained in attending project management conferences?

project management conference, Project Management Event, Project Management Seminar

Lagos Working On 205 Roads

Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State on Friday said that the state government was executing no fewer than 205 road projects in different parts of the state.

Fashola said this in Ikeja at a programme to commemorate the 2,600 days of his administration.

The governor said that the road projects cut across all the 20 local government areas and the 37 local council development areas of the state.

He said that the projects were part of his administration’s efforts to promote development.

The governor said that the roads included: Langbasa and Unity roads in Ajah, Ibeshe Road in Ikorodu, Ikotun-Ijegun Bridge, Ayobo-Ipaja Road in Alimosho, and Ago-Palace Way in Okota.

Fashola said that he was aware of several other roads requiring intervention in different communities.

The governor said that it would be impossible for the government to work on all roads at the same time.

He gave the assurance that the government would touch all roads in due course.

Fashola said that the government had always given a priority attention to roads with large traffic and those with more socio-economic impact on the lives of residents.

The governor said that no road was for the exclusive use of residents in a particular area.

“The impression of some people that until their street is done, government is not working, is not the right impression.

“This is because the assets that we build are collective assets. They do not belong to certain streets and certain residents.

“If you look at the roads across the state, they don’t belong to only the people who live in that community.

“The roads facilitate transportation to their homes, to their businesses and to their schools.

“Residents from other areas cannot be stopped from using such roads; so, our roads are our collective assets,“ he said.

On the Ago Palace Way, Fashola said that litigation over right of way was responsible for the delayed delivery of the project.

He apologised to commuters for inconveniences experienced on the road, and gave the assurance that the project would be completed soon.

The governor also said that work was at an advanced stage on the Ikotun-Ijegun Link Bridge, giving the assurance that the project would be delivered soon.

He reeled out some of the achievements of his administration in the last 100 days, and said that the state government had delivered two housing estates within the period.

According to him, the estates are Pa Omojola Estate in Gbagada and Oba Lateef Adams Estate in Agege.

He said that the housing projects would reduce accommodation problem.

The governor said that a relaxation park was constructed in Alausa, Ikeja, within the period, adding that more than 2,000 life jackets were provided to ferry operators to aid water transportation.

Fashola said that the state government was committed to the welfare of all residents, adding that it would continue to execute projects to achieve that.

(NAN)

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Babatunde Fashola, lagos state, road projects

Lafarge Backs AshakaCem To Fast-track N100bn Expansion Project

The Board of Directors of AshakaCem Plc, and its management team, with support by experts from other Lafarge Group’s businesses across the globe, have agreed to fast-track the expansion of its N100 billion cement plant in the North-East.

The move, it was learnt, became imperative in order to guarantee the future of the company, enhance jobs creation in the North-East and deliver economic and social welfare to the immediate communities.

The ground-breaking ceremony of the project was done in April 2014 by President Goodluck Jonathan and ushered in a new phase in the capacity expansion project of the company.

Having secured sufficient limestone and coal reserves to support the existing plant as well as the new plant, it was learnt that contracts have been signed with main equipment and engineering suppliers. For instance, to ensure the timely delivery of the project, the detailed design of the equipment as well as mobilisation of the sources had commenced.

The chairman of the board, Umaru Kwairanga, confirmed these developments in Abuja when he disclosed that the Lafarge Group is committed to the capacity expansion project in AshakaCem. He added that the group would deploy to the fullest its global expertise in procurement and erection of new cement plant and noted that credit facility lines of about N50 billion had been secured and signed in addition to internally generated cashflows to support the expansion project. In addition, he expressed confidence that given the extent of preparatory work that had been done, the project would soon become visible to all stakeholders.

He said, “AshakaCem in the last 40 years since its establishment has operated in harmony with all its neighbouring communities and this partnership is working to the mutual benefits of both parties.

“The company’s corporate social responsibility projects continues to focus on the provision of portable water, health care, education and youth empowerment. In the last three years alone, the company spent the sum of N400 million on community-related projects and there is the opportunity for the company to do more as this partnership thrives.”

The country chief executive officer (CEO), Lafarge Nigeria and Benin Republic, Mr Guillaume Roux, stated that the investment of N100 billion in Nigeria was a demonstration of its commitment to the economic growth of the country. This commitment, according to him, also aligns with the company’s strategy to deploy its strength as a global leader with over 175 years in building materials.

He noted that the huge experience of the company would be an added advantage towards providing solutions that meet global standards and fits the requirements of its customers.

[Leadership]

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AshakaCem, Cement Plant Project, Lafarge Group

FG Ramps Up Efforts On Off-Grid Rural Electrification Programme

The federal government has said that its recent initiative aimed at providing off-grid electricity supply to rural communities across the country will soon go into the next implementation phase.

Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo who spoke through his special assistant on renewable energy, Dr. Albert Okorogu recently in Abuja, stated that the next phase of the rural electrification project tagged “Operation Light up Rural Nigeria” is expected to be implemented in partnership with indigenous investors in renewable energy sources.

The Operation Light up Rural Nigeria is an off-grid electrification project initiated by the government to provide solar power to rural communities across the country. President Goodluck Jonathan had launched the pilot scheme of the programme in three rural communities within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) some months back.

Okorogu however stated that the project would be expanded to include private sector financing in the next phase which is planned to capture a good number of rural communities across the country.

He explained that the pilot projects are to be replicated in all senatorial zones of the country.

“The Operation Light up Rural Nigeria Project is still very much on course. We are currently partnering with local or indigenous investors to ensure speedy execution of the electrification programme.

It is the vision of Mr. President to provide steady power to all Nigerians wherever anyone finds himself. The entire electrification project which has been embarked upon is receiving prompt attention. There is no way one will say we are slow, that’s not the true picture of what is happening, ”Okorogu stated.

He further explained: “At the moment, rural communities which are not connected to the national grid are being identified for solar-powered-electricity. I expect that such communities should contact us so that they will be captured as well, in case any of them feel they are left behind.”

Meanwhile, the ministry of power has announced the initiation of a presidential scheme called the National Power Sector Apprenticeship Scheme (NAPSA).

The ministry noted that the new scheme was envisioned to train artisans, lines men, cable joiners, fitters and machinists on requisite skills needed in Nigeria’s emerging power sector.

Nebo was quoted to have told stakeholders in Nigeria’s power sector comprising of plant owners, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and other key actors that the qualitative skills needed to run a modern power sector were currently lacking in Nigeria.

He also acknowledged the urgent need to find well-trained replacements for retired or outgoing personnel in the country’s power sector; the retiring workforce are estimated to be about 90 per cent of the current workforce in the sector.

While disclosing that the scheme will be implemented on the platform of the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), Nebo further stated that it will be spread across the states of the federation to be able to accommodate a good number of youths that could be interested in it.

[THISDAY]

Subscribe to our blog and get all the latest news from 100s of local, national and international sources as concerning projects and project management in Nigeria. Our blog is your one-stop shop for all projects news in Nigeria and also project management, blogging, content writing and social media ideas. You can also connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Nigeria, power project, Rural Electrification

Governor Dickson Seeks N40 Billion Loan For Bayelsa Airport Project

Less than a year after obtaining a 66 million Euros (N13 billion) foreign loan from Poland for a Maritine University in September 2013, the Bayelsa government has concluded plans for another loan facility. The new facility would, however, be from Nigerian banks and for an airport project.

Mr. Dickson told Bayelsa lawmakers that despite the federal government’s involvement in the airport construction, the state government needed a N40 billion loan for the project.

The N40 billion loan to be sourced from commercial banks in Nigeria will finance the cargo airport project, being constructed near Amassoma in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

The governor had, last week, forwarded a letter of request to the People Democratic Party, PDP, dominated House of Assembly, seeking approval for the loan.

Although details of the loan are yet to be made public, PREMIUM TIMES learnt that the N40 billion loan facility would attract a total interest of N32 billion to be serviced within eight years, bringing total repayment to N72 billion.

Mr. Dickson in the letter assured the Assembly that the airport would be ready for use by the last quarter of 2015.

He said the Federal Government’s contribution to the airport project is the construction of the terminal building; while the federal government’s earlier contract awarded through the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to sand fill the site, would continue at its pace.

“Out of the total estimated cost of the project, the state government has already expended the sum of N9.3 billion for payment of compensation for land, consultancy services, construction of run-way and clearing of land, among others”, Mr. Dickson stated.

Following the governor’s request, the state House of Assembly on Tuesday invited relevant government officials to provide details of the loan.

Those invited were the Commissioner for Finance, Duate Iyabi, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kemasuode Wodu, the state Accountant General, Tarimo Aseimo, and the Managing Director of Bayelsa Airlines, Henry Ungbuku.

The four officials, in their submissions during questioning by the lawmakers at a session presided over by the Speaker, Konbowei Benson, assured of the socio-economic benefits of the airport to the state and allayed the fear that the loan may be diverted into private pockets.

The all PDP 24-member assembly is expected to approve the loan.

[PREMIUM TIMES]

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aviation project, Bayelsa Airport Project, News, Nigeria

FG Seek More Nigerian Investment in Power

The federal government yesterday called on more Nigerians to invest in the power industry to address the protracted electricity problems in the country.

Speaking during the ground breaking ceremony of 90 megawatts power plant in Magboro, Ogun State, owned by Bresson AS Nigeria Limited, Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, said more Nigerians, especially those involved in the oil and gas sector should build more power plants to increase supply to the national grid.

He said investments in the sector should not be left in the hands of few Nigerians, stressing that the snags in the sector required that more people go into the electricity generation and distribution.

He explained that Ogun State boasts of many plants, adding that the state know that power was critical to the development of the economy.

He said President Goodluck Jonathan has promised to commission the plant by December 2014 as part of efforts to improve electricity production in the country.

According to him, “Bresson AS Nigeria, the company behind the 90 megawatts power plant has promised to increase the megawatts to between 250MW to 300MW in the next few years. This shows the commitment of the company and the Ogun state government to make the area more industrialised.”

He said President Jonathan was committed to changing the living standard of all Nigerians hence his commitment to the power sector.

“To lift the country to the next level we must eradicate poverty by creating the enabling environment for businesses to thrive. It is very critical to pursue the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity as the very fulcrum of national development. The president believes that to give Nigerians not only adequate but also qualitative power supply is very cardinal to his mandate.

“He believes that this is his contract with Nigerians, a covenant that he was determined to enforce. The president knows that he must take Nigeria to another level. Past administrations left the power sector to rotten, very little was done in terms of infrastructural development as regards power generation and distribution. Very little was also done in our communities. Luckily, the country started the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) that was what has given us a lifeline in times like this.”

In his speech, Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle said greater investments in the power sector would help in galvanising the economy.

Represented by his Special Adviser on energy, Mr Taiwo Fagbemi, he said poverty would reduce, once Nigeria can get the energy sector right.

He said there were 12 licensed operators in the state who have demonstrated the need to improve electricity supply to the national grid.

According to him, the government’s investment in infrastructure was evident by massive road repairs and construction in the recent times.

Chairman of Bresson A.S Limited, Gbenga Olawepo, said the project was conceived 10 years ago when there was no power reform plan.

Since then, we have invested over $10 million without any return. We are not going to wait for ten years before we switch on the lights in this project, by the grace of God in 12 months we will be commissioning the first phase.”

[THISDAY]

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Chinedu Nebo, Magboro Power Plant, nipp, power project

The NAPMP is a National Platform to Promote the Practice of Project Management in Nigeria - Taopheek Babayeju

The case and need for a national project management professional body in Nigeria has been well discussed in my previous articles titled “The Case for a National Project Management Professional Body in Nigeria” and “Why We Need a National Project Management Professional Body in Nigeria“.

And to this effect, we recently received good news that a National Association of Project Management Professionals (NAPMP) has been officially registered and duly recognized by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with effect from May 2014, and to get more information as regarding the newly established association, I had to get in touch with Mr. Taopheek Babayeju.

In case you don’t know him, Mr. Taopheek is the C.E.O of iCentra, the

Taopheek Babayeju

Program Director of the National Project Management Conference (ProMaCon), and a member of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) vested with the responsibility of properly setting up the body, preparing the Articles and Memorandum of Association and also conducting elections to elect permanent officers in accordance with the ratified articles and memo.

Here are the questions I asked Mr. Taopheek:

JERRY: As A Member Of The Interim Management Committee (IMC), Tell Us The Committee’s Responsibility As Regarding Project Management In Nigeria.

TAOPHEEK: One of the responsibilities of the IMC is to harmonize all interest of various bodies within the project management community in Nigeria, and I am privileged to be a member of that committee.

JERRY: How Did The NAPMP Really Came About?

TAOPHEEK: The National Association of Project Management Professionals (NAPMP) is a direct response to years of clamor for a national platform to promote the interest of the practice of project management in Nigeria. But at the third annual National Project Management Conference, ProMaCon 2011, which was attended by about five hundred delegates, there was a stakeholders’ forum with a far reaching resolution for the creation of a national association.

Mr. Ike Nwankwo presented the platform of APM also known as (N)APM for adoption. To actualize this, a team of astute Project Managers were appointed to either midwife the adoption, transform it or outright registration of a new body. At the end of the day, the committee settled for the registration of a new body hence the approval and the recent registration of the body called NAPMP.

JERRY: How Soon Will The Association Begin To Recruit Members?

TAOPHEEK: Membership will commence before the end of the year. The trustees are working on the plan to unveil the association officially, may be at the sixth conference with all the conditions of membership and membership structure.

JERRY: What Impact Do You Think The NAPMP Would Have On Project Management Practices Within Nigeria?


TAOPHEEK: As you are aware, there are lots of opportunities for project manager but it is quite unfortunate that those opportunities are being circumvented by non-project managers because of absence of a common platform of advocacy for project management practice in Nigeria. But with the coming of a national association, there would be adequate representation and promotion of the interest of project management practitioners in Nigeria.

JERRY: Lastly, Give Us Your Own Opinion Of How You Think This Body Will Benefit Project Managers In Nigeria.

TAOPHEEK: It would aid in the establishment of project management as a profession and maintain specialist network of project management practitioners. It will also create a platform for exchange of professional ideas in Nigeria.

Now, we want to hear from you. Tell us what you think about the NAPMP.

NAPMP, project management nigeria, Project Management Practitioners, Project Management Professionals, Taopheek Babayeju

AXELOS Progresses ITIL-Like Best Practice For Cyber Resilience

AXELOS, the joint venture organisation that owns ITIL and PRINCE2, has detailed some of its plans to create what could eventually define an ITIL-like best practice equivalent for cyber resilience.

In an interview, Nick Wilding, AXELOS’ head of cyber resilience best practice at the joint venture set up to grow the government’s portfolio of best management practice, accreditation and publishing services, indicated AXELOS’ plans to market its resilience portfolio, including the development of a cyber resilience maturity assessment tool, mapping across a number of standards.

“At the end of the day we are all about global best practice, “he said. “We are looking to launch at the end of this year, with the primary launch market likely to be US and UK. We believe in using ITIL – which is 25 years old this year – as the underpinning framework and language for a cyber resilience portfolio. It is fair to say we’re creating a cyber resilience equivalent to ITIL. We’re also using the latest serious gaming techniques to embed within the training programme, developing in house simulations.”

Wilding believed the work that AXELOS is doing herald the start of 25 years and longer growth of cyber resilience best practice and skills.

“We do see a real gap in the market, “he added. “One is there is no shortage of standards. All of my conversations out in the marketplace with some big organisations who are ITIL users, describe their confusion at the number of standards which define what you need to do. But there’s very little out there that defines the how to do it. And that’s where we see our best practice guidance, very similar to ITIL and PRINCE2. It’s much more about pragmatic actionable guidance.”

According to Wilding, many of the standards and the solutions that people tend to start from a technology perceptive. He suggested that “very good” schemes like Cyber Essentials need to be surrounded by “the awareness, the people and the process that brings everything together into one overall solution.”

He added, “One thing I’ve been very keen about is that out solution should be available to all within an organisation, starting at the very top, including solutions targeting board directors right through to heads of business across the organisation, including the head of risk right down to the people who own IT security and information security within the organisation. Different levels of awareness and practitioner and professional training.”

[Government Computing Network]

AXELOS, Cyber Resilience, ITIL, Nick Wilding, PRINCE2

Women in Project Management Africa Conference

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Women in Project Management Africa Conference

Date: November 10-14, 2014.

Venue: National Centre for Women Development (NCWD), Abuja.

The National Centre for Women Development (NCWD) and the American Academy of Project Management (AAPM) in collaboration with the Direct Leadership Institute (DLI) are pleased to announce the first ever Women in Project Management Africa Conference.

This internationally certified conference provides the much needed platform to address the key issues affecting women managers today and working to provide opportunities for women to further develop their potential in today’s dynamic environment. It provides a unique blend of conferencing and professional certification.

For more details, send email to femaleprojectmanagers@gmail.com.

African Project Management, project management conference, WiPMA

African Project and Project Management Association Elects Nigeria University Don as President

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The African Project and Project Management Association (APPMA) has elected Nigerian university don, Prof Festus Ukwuoma, as its next President.

Prof Ukwuoma, who is currently the Head of Project Management Technology at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), was elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Association as part of the 2nd African Project and Program Management Conference (APPMC) just ended in Ghana.

By this election, Prof Ukwuoma will lead the Association for the next two years and would bring his decades of project management and administrative experiences to bear on the growth of the Association.

President of the Direct Leadership Institute (DLI), and Project Director of the African Project and Program Management Conference (APPMC), Dr. Donald Agumenu was elected as Secretary General.

Head of Human Resources at the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) Ghana, Yvonne Vandepuye would serve as Vice President (Programs) while Engineer Asuquo Okon, an oil and gas project management consultant/ trainer would serve as Vice President (Membership & Mobilization).

Lieutenant General Arnold Quainoo (first commander of the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group -ECOMOG-, former Minister of Defence, Ghana and will chair the Advisory  Council of the African Project and Program Management Board). Mr. Boniface Emenalo of the National Assembly also sits in the advisory board.

The conference also witnessed the formal inauguration of Women in Project Management Africa (WiMPA). WiMPA would serve as the women’s wing of the African Project and Program Management Association. Women in Project Management Africa (WiMPA) is a Pan-African professional network aimed at empowering and developing the capacities of women in project, change, program and portfolio management.

The Association elected Mrs. Veronica Sadah, a retired Deputy Commissioner in charge of operations at Ghana Custom, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) as President, while Relation Manager at First National Savings and Loans Company, Hilda Nkansah would serve as Vice President I  Rhoda Appiah is Vice President II (in charge of international relations). Enyonan Ekpe is Membership and Mobilization Coordinator, while Senior Supply Officer at the Ministry of Agric, Ghana, Alice Zu, is Secretary of the Association.

Imaobong Essien-Eti of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was elected Financial Secretary.

Speaking at the inauguration of the  Women in Project Management Africa (WIPMA), Mrs. Veronica Sadah, thanked the Direct Leadership institute (DLI) and the African Project and Program Management Association (APPMA) for nurturing the formation of the Women in Project Management Africa (WiMPA).

She said: “Association will provide the much needed platform to address the key issues affecting women managers today and working to provide opportunities for women to further develop their potentials in today’s dynamic environment.

“Women are known globally as good managers. Name any great institution in the world, and one can easily identity a number of women working professionally and tirelessly, sometimes more than their male counterparts, to ensure that nothing but success is achieved. Women have made their mark, and should be recognized for such.

“According to the World Bank’s report ‘Gender at Work’, gender quality in the world of work is a win-win on many fronts. Indeed, empowering women and girls is vital to ending extreme poverty and boosting what the World Bank terms ‘Shared Prosperity.’ Empowering women would, no doubt, contribute to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Post 2015 agenda.

“Unfortunately, African women have not organized themselves into well recognized professional groups to champion their own course. Some of the platforms that readily come to mind are: Abantu for Development, Federation of Women Lawyers, and a few others are the known ones. Women need to broaden their voices.”

WiMPA, she said, represents a much needed alliance to address the key issues affecting women managers today and working to provide opportunities for members to further develop their potential in today’s dynamic environment.

She used the opportunity to announce a fees-free registration period for women project managers across Africa till December 2014.

She urged women to take advantage of this window to come on board to champion this course by sending their request for membership to femaleprojectmanagers@gmail.com.

[Direct Leadership Institute]

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APPMA, DLI, Donald Agumenu, Festus Ukwuoma, Veronica Sadah, WiMPA