At retreat, NGA explores 21st century management skill

The changing dynamics of the 21st century requires managers with modern mindset in the work place. They must be agile, proactive, analytical, self-directed, problem solvers, team players and technologically savvy.

These were the highpoints of the two-day retreat organised by the National Gallery of Art in Abuja recently.

Speaking on the topic, Traits of the 21st Century Leader, the Team Lead, Rockage Consulting, Mallam Garba Ganger, said the 21st century requires mangers, who should encourage strategic thinking and innovation, cross-cultural communication and inclusion, ethically minded with large appetite for knowledge acquisition.

“You cannot learn without unlearning,” he said. “Learning keeps your mind out of misconception and bias.”

He lamented the obvious lacuna in the public service today of problem-solvers, data analysts, numeracy experts, hi-tech professionals and self-directed learners to cope with the times we are in.

“The world is changing. We are not changing as fast,” he added. He is optimistic, however, that the knowledge acquired at the retreat will afford National Gallery of Art the opportunity to fill the identified gaps.

On his part, Professor Tonie Okpe, gave interesting an insight on Coaching and Mentoring for Peak Performance, while the Managing and Consultant, Rockage Consultant, James Bulus, lucidly dissected the topics: Succession Planning and Team Work and Team Building for Organisational Productivity.

The Director-General, NGA, Chief Ebeten Ivara, in his opening address challenged the participants to take advantage of the retreat “to think deeply on how NGA can move forward.”

The retreat had in attendance all the directors of NGA: Director, Curatorial Services, Dr. Simon Ikpakronyi; Director, Admin & Staff Development, Titus Akusu; Director, Finance & Accounts, Dr. Henry Achugbu; Director, Educational Services, Adamu Ibrahim; Director, Special Duties, Magnus Ojeonu; Director, Planning & Research, Evelyn Otaigbe, Director, Documentation & Monitoring, Ngozi John-Uyah as well as Head of Department, Procurement, Onamusi Olakitan.

The six zonal coordinators of NGA were also present: North West, Bridget Mundung; North Central, Ajene Isegbe; North East, Musa Mohammed; South West, Mufu Onifade; South East, Vera Chijioke and South South, Mgbemena Ezekweseli.

Equally on ground were: Bayo Kazeem, Oji Onoko, Alabi Adewale and Juliet Okon all deputy directors and SA to the DG, Mike Ayim.

Curators present are: Benin, Obuezzar Owolabi; Abeokuta, Ngozi Okonkwo; Kano, Gana Kaltume; FCT, Anthony Azodoh; Abakaliki, Albert Edozie; Enugu, Patricia Nkwocha; Ilorin, Adeyeye Abiodun; Port Harcourt, Ejike Achugbu; Calabar, Susan Omagu; Igbo Ukwu, Judith Nwoye; Makurdi, Bem Ishwa; Sokoto, Taiwo Adebowale; Minna, Uchendu Mbele; Gombe, Anne Samya; Umuahia, Chukwudi Omeje; Lafia, Onuora Nwachukwu; Bauchi, Chikwendu Chidi; Jos, Jatau Yitkung; Kaduna, Afegbua Sule; Oshogbo, Eugene Ugoji; Uyo, James Offiong; Lokoja, Damissah Makafan; Gusau, Gushi Zinbe and Maiduguri, Sophia Babayo.

The Secretariat made up of Chioma Omalu, Kingsley Okoi and Carina Nataji ensured the retreat was hitch-free.

Earlier, a minute silence was observed for the former NGA zonal coordinator, South South, Jacob Taiwo Oyejide, who passed on recently.