By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN), said that there is only one legally constituted Governing Council recognised by the federal government and supervised by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
The Institute therefore, noted that the inauguration of its new governing Council was the climax of the reforms embarked by former President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2022, when he dissolved the then contentious Governing Council of the Institute and appointed a Sole Administrator to reform the Institute.
Registrar of the institute, Mr Henry Mbadiwe, in a statement lamented that despite the dissolution of the former Council by the immediate past administration, the Institute’s activities have been hindered by court injunctions filed by Dr. Victoria Okoronkwo, the former chairman.
Dr. Okoronkwo legal challenge, he said, stems from an alleged unfair dismissal from her previous office, adding that this legal battle, characterized by continuous adjournments, have impeded the efficient execution of the Institute’s tasks, hindering its potential growth.
Mr. Mbadiwe, further explained that though the court ruled that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and the Ministry lacked the power to dissolve the former Council, it was actually a presidential order that led to its dissolution and the appointment of Dr. Mimi Abu as the sole administrator.
Former President Buhari, he said, conveyed that directive through his then Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari to the SGF.
In a letter addressed to the then SGF, Mr. Boss Mustapha, the former minister of industry, trade, and investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, dated October 7, 2021, with reference number, T/FAL 23689/S.30811/1/129, noted that the main challenge of the Institute stems from the Act establishing it.
This Act, he said, confers upon the pioneer president, Mrs. Okoronkwo, the position of Chairman in perpetuity, leading to administrative challenges and disregard for regulations.
