The Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) has elected new Principal Officers to run its affairs for the next one year with Dr. (Mrs) Christiana Atako, the erstwhile Deputy President and acting President emerging as the 24th President and Chairman of Council.
Atako assumes the position after the demise of the immediate-past President of the Institute, Major General Abdullahi Muraina (rtd).
Also elected were Commodore Abimbola Ayuba (rtd.), a former Director at both Defence Headquarters and Naval Headquarters, Abuja as Deputy President while Dr. Raymond Ihenacho, a former Director at Raw Materials Research Development Council (RMRDC), becoming the National Treasurer.
Atako, the new President and a Fellow of the Institute and a former Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), attended the University of Sokoto from where she graduated in 1984 with a First Class (Honours) degree in English. She obtained a Master’s and a Ph.d degrees from the University of Calabar in 1987 and 1992 respectively.
She also obtained a Post Graduate Diploma (Public Relations) from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, a Post Graduate Certificate in Cross-Sector Partnership from the prestigious University of Cambridge, United Kingdom and another Post Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution Skills from the Coventry University, United Kingdom.
Dr. Atako, who had a distinguished career in both private and public sectors of the economy in different positions worked with the Cross River State Teaching Service Commission and Cross River State Civil Service Commission; the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC) and later moved her services to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). She served in different capacities as Assistant Director and Acting Head of Community and Rural Development Directorate, Deputy Director, Community and Rural Development, and Head, Corporate Affairs. She grew to the position of Director, Community and Rural Development and Director, Education, Health and Social Services. She got to the peak of her illustrious career in 2013, when she was appointed Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Commission.
The 24th President and Chairman of Council of the Institute’s pedigree as a thoroughbred, seasoned and tested professional is not in doubt as she has distinguished herself creditably in every assignment she has been saddled with.
Dr. (Mrs.) Atako has attended several courses, seminars and conferences within and outside the country and has also presented scholarly papers in several training programmes and workshops across the globe.
A versatile professional, Dr. Atako is also a Fellow of several professional bodies including the Institute of Strategic Management; Certified Institute of Public Administration and Management; Certified Directors Institute, and Institute of Corporate Managers and Public Administrators. She is also a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria and Nigerian Institute of Management Consultants.
Dr. Atako, who joined the Institute in 2000, has served in different capacities at Port Harcourt Chapter and Rivers State Branch as well as national level where she has been a five time Council Member. In recognition of her sterling contributions to the development of the Institute and growth of the management profession, she was elected the National Treasurer in 2019, Deputy President in 2021 and Acting President in September 2022.
A devout Christian, Dr. Atako has reading, researching and travelling as her hobbies.
According to a statement signed by the Acting Registrar/Chief Executive of the Institute, Mr. Wasiu Sikiru, the investiture of the new President and Chairman of Council which will be witnessed by members of the Institute, representatives of other professional bodies, government and corporate bodies, will take place in the New Year on a date to be announced later.
