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The Pivotal Role Of An Executive Assistant Especially During A Global Pandemic
By Precious Emechebe, Executive Assistant to John Ugbe, Chief Executive Officer of MultiChoice Nigeria,
There is this saying that “behind every great CEO is an exceptional and committed Executive Assistant”. The Executive Assistant job has recently become a lot more complicated because asides the novel experience of working from home fully and potentially alongside family demands, you are also working your hardest to go above and beyond to provide some sense of certainty and regularity for the Executive, which of course is one of the core functions.
But truly, this is the time for EAs to shine. Why? The Executives will need all the support they can get in this time of uncertainty. And there is perhaps no one more qualified to give this support than the EA. Proactivity and empathy are very crucial both to provide the best support possible and to show how valuable you are to the team regardless of non-physical availability.
Adapting to the new order implies retaining the star that you are. You are pliable enough to fit in into the new ways of doing things; Putting in conscious effort to wow the Boss and other executives through courageous help and ambitious progress; Focusing on what matters and what works. You must respond to that task speedily and timely with zero or very minimal excuses. You must be a fixer.
You must set up your workstation and ensure little or no network interruptions. This implies that you must work with the best internet provider as being irresponsive may be tagged as inefficiency. EA’s must present a professional and credible image on behalf of the bosses. They are the filters that allow the executives to remain focused on priorities even in these peculiar times where physical meeting requests are minimally advised. You must work side-by-side with the executive to absorb his or her knowledge and learn how the business functions as the pandemic elongates.
Exceptional EAs are high-performing, excellent professionals who must have basic knowledge of the business such that they can operate as a seamless extension of the executive. The EAs understand that for their executive to be effective, they must take over the functions that are not a good use of the executive’s core or basic focal point. EAs never doubt what their executives want or do not want because the executive communicates to them their objectives and vision. Consequently, EAs speak on the executives behalf with confidence and authority. They also keep them protected from non-essentials or calamities.
During this pandemic, EA’s must take charge and accept responsibilities even more than they used to. They must get clarifications to ensure they are working within scope. All gaps must be closed without prompts. You must forestall, anticipate, look ahead, avert crisis, resolve issues and be a problem solver. Be resourceful, using good instincts and constantly looking for ways to improve and ease the Boss.
Self-Development in relevant professional areas is also one of the very keyways to adapt in this critical time. Online courses that would widen your horizon is a good way to go.
Exercise helps hugely. You do not want to look totally out of shape when you eventually resume physically at work. if you’re not into anything high intensity then yoga is awesome, dance exercise is fantastic, same as taking walks. Loads of videos are online to guide you. Remember you are now doing this in the comfort of your home.
Have you considered exploring that project you’ve been set to work on, go beyond just completing your responsibilities – research possibilities, explore beyond the job on hand? You have more time, so use it to fall in love with what you do and other things you are passionate about because when you do, staying inspired is easy.
Remain proactive, not reactive. Find other ways to bring value – be the eye of the boss even at the tiniest feedback that would make a meaning to the business. Become more than an EA. Keep your ears wide open for advice that would matter.
Indeed, walking over to the boss’s office or the fact that you do not see yourselves daily as the case may be, may seem like your relationship with your boss is slipping away, so you need a new way to maintain that. Keep at it daily. Set up catch up online meetings where you can run through your plans and progress. It keeps you on track while making sure your interactions are still valid.
When the day hits you hard, it is so easy to just move to the sofa, switch on the TV and stare blankly at your screen waiting for the hours to tick by. Knowing how to overcome these days can be tough: There aren’t colleagues celebrating birthdays, or clients and customers interface that could take your mind away or motivate you, so you’ve got to do it for yourself. Take a break, play some music, play with the kids, get your brain moving again and then when you come back to your workstation, throw yourself into the most intense piece of that task and deliver.
In all seriousness, the flexibility of working from home is incredible, however, it can be hard to turn off your laptop or phone sometimes when you are working from home because you really do not want slip-aways. Ensure work is not still heavy during this time otherwise it would become difficult to separate life and work when they are unified.
Keep staying safe, think big and self-motivate.
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Nigerians to Use NIN Cards for Payments, Cash Withdrawals — NIMC
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has said that the new National Identification Number (NIN) card can be used by Nigerians for financial transactions including payments and cash withdrawals, in addition to being used as a means of identification.
Kayode Adegoke, head of Corporate Communications, and Peter Iwegbu, director of Card Management Services, of NIMC, disclosed this during an interview on Channels TV.
Speaking on the card’s multi-functional use, Iwegbu said it will enable users to conduct transactions such as ATM withdrawals, online payments, and money transfers, adding that its chip integrates seamlessly with Nigeria’s banking system, allowing users to withdraw money or transfer funds regardless of the bank they use.
For his part, Adegoke pointed out that to streamline the process, banks would issue the cards.
“The way the card is going to be issued this time around, quite unlike the past, is that you have to get it through your respective bank,” he noted.
Adegoke further explained that while the NIN remains the core element of identity verification in Nigeria, the linked card offers extensive utility.
“The NIN is free, and we are enlightening Nigerians that whenever they go to any of our centres, the enrollment and issuance of the NIN are entirely free.”
According to the officials, NIMC is partnering with various stakeholders, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS), to implement the card’s financial features.
This initiative is expected to provide value to banks while including previously underserved Nigerians in financial systems.
“We are bringing to them almost over 100 million possible customers who they can bank with,” Iwegbu stated.
In addition to its financial utility, the NIN card has been designed to enhance security and identification in remote areas.
“It also enables us to financially include some of these people who have been excluded and provide identification for those without means like an international passport,” Iwegbu added.
According to Adegoke, “You can decide the bank you want, the branch you want to pick it from, or even choose to have it delivered to your doorstep.”
Iwegbu assured Nigerians that the initiative is designed to address past challenges, including distribution and acceptance issues.
“The card will solve problems of financial and social exclusion, making life easier and smarter for Nigerians,” he added.
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Meet the Winners of 2024 Africa Tech Alliance Excellence Awards
Africa Tech Alliance (ATAEx) Awards has, again, lived up to expectations by honouring individuals, organizations, and initiatives that have made significant impact on Africa’s tech ecosystem, focusing on categories such as digital transformation, cybersecurity, ecommerce, financial inclusion, sustainability, and emerging technologies.
For the year 2024, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the director-general Nigeria’s National Information Technology Agency [NITDA] received the Digital Transformation Leadership Award. The Digital Transformation Leadership Award is a national technology impact award that recognizes individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to advancing technology in ways that drive national development and positively impact society.
ATAEx Award screening committee for 2024 nominated Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi for the award in recognition of his role in transforming Nigeria’s technology landscape, fostering innovation, and supporting inclusive digital progress.
Dr. Ayotunde Coker is one of the leading players in the development of the data centre industry in Africa and is the Chairperson of an influential industry group, the Africa Data Centres Association.
Before joining OADC as Chief Executive Officer, Dr Coker led Rack Centre to become a household name in Nigeria and a leading brand in Africa, with global recognition and numerous prestigious international awards.
Throughout a distinguished international career as a technology and business leader, Dr Coker has held senior positions in finance, energy, management consulting and U.K. Government.
His achievements have been recognised by numerous awards, including the Distinguished Manufacturing Alumni Award (Cranfield Institute of Technology) 2020, and in the same year, he was recognised as one of the Global Top 30 Edge Computing Leaders by Data Economy Magazine.
He holds an MSc from Cranfield Institute of Technology and a PhD (Honoris Causa) from ESCAE University.
Other awardees include;
Blockchain Advocate of the Year – JUDE OZINEGBE, founder/Convener, Cyberchain; AI Startup of the Year – NeuRaL AI; African Cybersecurity Mastery Award – DIGITAL ENCODE LTD; ATAEx Internet Exchange Point of the Year – INTERNET EXCHANGE POINT OF NIGERIA [IXPN]; PR Champion of Africa Award – NEWMARK GROUP LTD; Africa Tech Community of the Year – InnovationBed Africa; ICT Company of the Year – TECOM CONCEPTS LTD; Best Data Centre Colocation Provider of the Year – DIGITAL REALTY [Nigeria]; Outstanding ICT Solutions & Innovation Personality of the Year – HAPPINESS OBIOHA, MD/Sales Director, Tecom Concepts Limited; Mobile App Defense Excellence Award – CED TECHNOLOGIES; Most Innovative Digital Bank Award – PALMPAY, and Life Time Achievement Award in Data Centre Management – DR. AYOTUNDE COKER, CEO, OADC.
Other ATAEx 2024 awardees are; ICT Innovation Storyteller Award – CHINENYE ANUFORO, Head, ICT Desk, Sun Newspaper; Digital Reporting Excellence Award – MARTIN EKPEKE, Publisher/Editor In-Chief, ITPulse; Trailblazer in Tech Award – MONIADE ADENIYI; Global Technology Innovator Award – AYODEJI OGUNMOLA; Tech Visionary Award – OLUWAKAYODE DURODOLA; Rising Star in Tech Award – OLANIYI IBRAHEEM; Business Intelligence Mastery Award – ADEDAMOLA BOWALE; Blockchain Community of the Year – LAGOS BLOCKCHAIN WEEK; Champion of Public Tech Infrastructure Award – GALAXY BACKBONE LIMITED; Direct Selling Company of the Year – QNET.
In his congratulatory message to the award recipients, Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, the co-convener, said that ATAEx Awards is part of the annual Africa Tech Alliance Forum (AfriTECH), which brings together tech leaders, policymakers/regulators, industry experts, and key stakeholders to discuss the latest advancements and challenges in Africa’s digital landscape.
“Recipients are celebrated not only for their achievements but also for their vision and commitment to leveraging technology for Africa’s development”, he said.
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NIMC Introduces Paid National ID Card Amid Low Revenue
Nigerians will start paying for the new national identity card due to low revenue, according to National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
Dr Peter Iwegbu, head of card management services at NIMC, said the payment was to ensure that it was produced for only those who needed it.
Iwegbu stated this at the two-day conference organized for journalists in Lagos.
He also added that the decision was made to avoid repeating the mistake of the past efforts to issue physical cards to Nigerians for free, which many did not collect.
“The government’s limited revenue is also a major factor in the decision to make Nigerians pay for the new ID card,” he said.
Iwegbu explained that due to the low revenue generated, the government could not fund the production of ID cards.
Mr Lanre Yusuf, director of Information Technology at NIMC, explained that the idea of a free national ID card in the past was not productive.
“To get the new national ID card, Nigerians will need to make a payment, select a pickup location, and then collect their card from the chosen location. The government has implemented programmes to make the card accessible to the less privileged Nigerians who cannot afford it but require it to access government support.”
“This initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to inclusivity and equality,” Yusuf said.
He said that the versatile cards were scheduled to launch soon, and sample test cards had already been received.
“NIMC is working with banks across the country, which will make it possible for people to walk into any bank closest to them and request the card.”
“The new national ID card is a multipurpose card that can serve the purpose of identity verification, payments, and even government services,” he said.
The card will be enabled for all government interventions and services across various ministries, departments, and agencies. The card, powered by AfriGO, was launched in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System.
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