Friday, 12 December 2008
Thursday, 11 December 2008
Wednesday, 5 November 2008
How this happened... by Obama
Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2008 01:50:29 -0500
To: "Shagari Sumner Sambo"
From: "Barack Obama" Add to Address Book Add Mobile Alert
Subject: How this happened
Shagari Sumner --
I'm about to head to Grant Park to talk to everyone gathered there, but I wanted to write to you first.
We just made history.
And I don't want you to forget how we did it.
You made history every single day during this campaign -- every day you knocked on doors, made a donation, or talked to your family, friends, and neighbors about why you believe it's time for change.
I want to thank all of you who gave your time, talent, and passion to this campaign.
We have a lot of work to do to get our country back on track, and I'll be in touch soon about what comes next.
But I want to be very clear about one thing...
All of this happened because of you.
Thank you,
Barack
To: "Shagari Sumner Sambo"
From: "Barack Obama"
Subject: How this happened
Shagari Sumner --
I'm about to head to Grant Park to talk to everyone gathered there, but I wanted to write to you first.
We just made history.
And I don't want you to forget how we did it.
You made history every single day during this campaign -- every day you knocked on doors, made a donation, or talked to your family, friends, and neighbors about why you believe it's time for change.
I want to thank all of you who gave your time, talent, and passion to this campaign.
We have a lot of work to do to get our country back on track, and I'll be in touch soon about what comes next.
But I want to be very clear about one thing...
All of this happened because of you.
Thank you,
Barack
Wednesday, 15 October 2008
PROFILE:
SAMBO SUMNER SHAGARI
A firm believer in uplifting youths locked up in illusions, Shagari Sumner Sambo is a Journalist/PR Consultant and visionary youth leader with a journalistic experience in some national news media like The Nation Newspaper, Lagos; New Image Magazine, Abuja; Pioneer Magazine, Zaria Rhythm 94.7 FM, Abuja and Hot 100 ABU FM, Zaria. He served in various capacities as an Intern, Reporter, Sub- Editor and Editor in the above-mentioned mediums.
A Second Class Upper (2.1) graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, he is currently a Data Editor/Advert Executive with www.TheNationDatabank.com, the online/data arm of The Nation Newspaper and also operates his own weblog: www.shaxx04.blogspot.com where he writes on some issues in the public domain and any personal issue about himself . He concluded his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Lagos State where he served as Sub-Editor with The Nation Newspaper and was subsequently retained. During the service year, he was elected the Corps Liaison Officer (CLO) of Kosofe Local Government Area where he distinguished himself by initiating various successful community development programmes and motivating Corps Members posted to the area.
A young, technology-savvy and probing mind, he is the Creative Director/CEO of Shaxx04 Media Inc. and has organized events like seminars, quiz competitions, rallies/campaigns, musical/awards shows etc where he served as organizer, MC, promoter etc with notable personalities in broadcasting, Nollywood/film, music and showbiz world.
He has won several awards like:
• Most Promising Youth, 2006/07, Chamber Social Club, Abuja.
• Co-winner of the One Million Naira Raymond Dokpesi Award for the Best University Production @ the BOBTV Film Festival and Television Programmes Market, 2006, Abuja.
• Best Editor-in-Chief, The Pen Club, Dept. of Mass Communication,ABU-Zaria.2006
• Most Sociable Macosite 2005/06, Mass Communication Students Association (MACOSA), ABU Zaria Chapter.
• Silver Medalist winner, ABU Hockey Team@ NUGA Games, UI 2002
• Award Winning Poet of “Walk your Talk” poem given by www.poetry.com
• Special Songwriter Recording Award of “To my love” songsheet awarded by Five Stars Music Masters, Massachusetts, USA. 1999.
He believes that the greatest investments men can invest in is the cross-fertilization of ideas so that the resultant effect will be a prosperous and buoyant knowledge economy where society is the greatest beneficiary. He is a newsy person who is often in touch with latest happenings in the socio-political circuit among others.
Presently pursuing a Professional Diploma in Public Relations, (NIPR) and also awaiting his Proficiency Certificate in Management, (NIM) result, he can be contacted via: 08065422832; shaxx04@yahoo.com, shaxx04@gmail.com ; 22, Omolola Street, Ijesha, Surulere, Lagos or through www.shaxx04.blogspot.com
A firm believer in uplifting youths locked up in illusions, Shagari Sumner Sambo is a Journalist/PR Consultant and visionary youth leader with a journalistic experience in some national news media like The Nation Newspaper, Lagos; New Image Magazine, Abuja; Pioneer Magazine, Zaria Rhythm 94.7 FM, Abuja and Hot 100 ABU FM, Zaria. He served in various capacities as an Intern, Reporter, Sub- Editor and Editor in the above-mentioned mediums.
A Second Class Upper (2.1) graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, he is currently a Data Editor/Advert Executive with www.TheNationDatabank.com, the online/data arm of The Nation Newspaper and also operates his own weblog: www.shaxx04.blogspot.com where he writes on some issues in the public domain and any personal issue about himself . He concluded his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Lagos State where he served as Sub-Editor with The Nation Newspaper and was subsequently retained. During the service year, he was elected the Corps Liaison Officer (CLO) of Kosofe Local Government Area where he distinguished himself by initiating various successful community development programmes and motivating Corps Members posted to the area.
A young, technology-savvy and probing mind, he is the Creative Director/CEO of Shaxx04 Media Inc. and has organized events like seminars, quiz competitions, rallies/campaigns, musical/awards shows etc where he served as organizer, MC, promoter etc with notable personalities in broadcasting, Nollywood/film, music and showbiz world.
He has won several awards like:
• Most Promising Youth, 2006/07, Chamber Social Club, Abuja.
• Co-winner of the One Million Naira Raymond Dokpesi Award for the Best University Production @ the BOBTV Film Festival and Television Programmes Market, 2006, Abuja.
• Best Editor-in-Chief, The Pen Club, Dept. of Mass Communication,ABU-Zaria.2006
• Most Sociable Macosite 2005/06, Mass Communication Students Association (MACOSA), ABU Zaria Chapter.
• Silver Medalist winner, ABU Hockey Team@ NUGA Games, UI 2002
• Award Winning Poet of “Walk your Talk” poem given by www.poetry.com
• Special Songwriter Recording Award of “To my love” songsheet awarded by Five Stars Music Masters, Massachusetts, USA. 1999.
He believes that the greatest investments men can invest in is the cross-fertilization of ideas so that the resultant effect will be a prosperous and buoyant knowledge economy where society is the greatest beneficiary. He is a newsy person who is often in touch with latest happenings in the socio-political circuit among others.
Presently pursuing a Professional Diploma in Public Relations, (NIPR) and also awaiting his Proficiency Certificate in Management, (NIM) result, he can be contacted via: 08065422832; shaxx04@yahoo.com, shaxx04@gmail.com ; 22, Omolola Street, Ijesha, Surulere, Lagos or through www.shaxx04.blogspot.com
Thursday, 7 August 2008
NYSC CORPS MEMBERS UPLIFT KOSOFE COMMUNITY
By Sambo Sumner Shagari
Mr Shagari Sumner Sambo,
As the 2007/8 Batch B gradually awaits September 11, 2008 when they are expected to officially pass out from the NYSC scheme, it will be pertinent to categorically state how Community Development Service (CDS) activities have fared within the past one year in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State.
Armed with these prizes, the maiden quiz contest organised for disadvantaged youths in public secondary schools within Kosofe LGA, where we undertook our mandatory one year national service, was nothing short of a fantastic and educationally-stimulating event as the initiative witnessed a large turnout of participating schools (despite the ongoing teachers’ strike then), corps members, invited guests and pressmen from some national dailies. The schools contested keenly for the prizes at stake with Gbagada Senior Grammar School, Gbagada emerging as the winner of the contest among others. A week after, we were featured in major national dailies with the kids showing off their prizes and corps members in the local government could not hide their joy and excitement on seeing how their seemingly “little” contributions had affected kids and members of their host community positively.
On a closing note, the NYSC office in Kosofe was not left out of the Batch B Corps Members’ midas touch as the office is today wearing a new look in terms of painting, new rug, window blinds and door locks courtesy of the magnanimity of a gentle but active and philanthropic corps member who chose to remain anonymous despite the huge beautification project.
Pix 1: From L-R: Computer set(1st prize), Mini-Library (2nd prize) Teaching aid/Text books ( 3rd Prize) and other consolation prizes at the just concluded maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition organised by NYSC Corps Members in Kosofe LGA held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.
Pix 2: Clementina Anyaebosi, representative of the NYSC Lagos State Secretariat presenting the first prize award of a Computer/Printer to the winning school, Gbagada Senior Grammar School, Gbagada at the just concluded maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition organised by NYSC Corps Members in Kosofe LGA held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.
Pix 3: Mrs. Christy O. Irurhe, Principal, Gbagada Senior Grammar School, Gbagada, winners of the maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition, thanking NYSC Corps Members organisers of the contest held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.
Pix 8: A cross-section of school principals and invited guests at the event.
Pix 9: A group photograph of all the Kosofe NYSC officials and Corps Executives, organisers of the maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.
Pix 10: A group photograph of all the Kosofe NYSC officials and Corps Executives, organisers of the maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.
Pix 11: Students of Gbagada Senior Grammar School, Gbagada, winners of the just concluded maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition organised by NYSC Corps Members in Kosofe LGA held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.
Pix 12: Some of the participants from Ajegunle Senior High School, Ikorodu Road, Ketu, Lagos.
Pix 13: Students of Gbagada Senior Grammar School, Gbagada, winners of the just concluded maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition organised by NYSC Corps Members in Kosofe LGA held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.
Mr Shagari Sumner Sambo,
Corps Liaison Officer (CLO),
NYSC Kosofe LGA delivering
the vote of thanks at the event.
As the 2007/8 Batch B gradually awaits September 11, 2008 when they are expected to officially pass out from the NYSC scheme, it will be pertinent to categorically state how Community Development Service (CDS) activities have fared within the past one year in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State.
Like many of their colleagues posted to various local governments where their Place of Primary Assignments (PPA) are located, Corps Members posted to Kosofe Local Government Area were all amiss as to the contributions they were expected to have contributed to the community by the time their service year was up; nevertheless the time then was still November 16th, 2007 – just a week after their departure from the Orientation Camp at Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos.
Having met 2007/8 Batch A on ground, we helped to support their various initiatives until their passing-out in March 2008. Now saddled with the responsibility of organising a befitting Community Development Service (CDS) activities, the executives of the two CD groups: Monday CD (Beautification & Maintenance) and Friday CD Health & Education were nominated while the Corps Liaison Officer (CLO) was elected by all Corps Members to run CDS activities effectively.
Consolidating the efforts/projects of the past Batch A was the major task of the corps executives as we all set to work to make sure we distributed First Aid boxes well-stuffed with first aid drugs, plasters, bandages, pain relievers, scissors etc to major public primary schools within the Ogudu, Ojota, Ketu axis of the local government. Receiving the donations, the various school authorities could not hide their joy as they where full of appreciation for the kind gesture and made sure their pupils came out to say a big “thank you” to all corps members present. We also thanked them for appreciating the gifts and further sensitized the kids on first aid and safety education.
Restructuring the conduct of CDS activities and corps members’ attitudes towards undertaking jobs/services that seemed menial and meant for the “low class” members of the society was no mean task. To achieve this, the corps executives re-orientated the corps members on the essence of “service” by making sure that before each CD day begun, corps members oft started the day with an agenda which consisted: observance of prayers, singing of the National/NYSC Anthems, briefing on the job for the day and an address by the NYSC local government officials among others. This helped to create order and stability to a great extent as this was also the result of a well-prepared timetable which spelt-out specific objectives to be achieved weekly, monthly, and quarterly before the service year will come to an end.
Thus, with this structure on ground, it was easy to carry all corps members along during execution of projects like the frequent cleaning of the Ogudu/Ojota highway, sanitation of the Oba Ologudu of Ogudu’s palace and market, Ogudu Health Clinic, Ogudu Magistrate Court, Kosofe LGA premises, Lagos State First Lady’s Sanitation Programme and the Ogudu-Oworonshoki Expressway.
Our next port of call in the Kosofe community were the popular Ketu and Mile 12 markets where corps members regardless of their status, helped to sanitize the markets, motor parks and stalls of market women/men, bus drivers/conductors.
A major project to be embarked upon then was the proposed Ogudu Bus shelter project. Here, the Architects, Civil/Building Engineers etc among us were nominated into a standing project committee to prepare the design, cost and modalities for the implementation of the project. They did! But just when we were about getting approval for it, we were informed by council officials that the newly introduced BRT scheme had already earmarked the proposed site for its own bus stop shelter. Thus, the project had to be laid low.
Our quest to impact the Kosofe people positively via developmental projects was however not dampened by the above scenario – even though it hurt initially. Like soldiers serving our fatherland, which indeed we are, our next initiative led us into organising a maiden inter-school quiz competition for students of public secondary schools within the local government in order to help uplift the standard of education in such public schools.
With exemplary support from our indefatigable NYSC Local Government Inspector, Mr Chijioke Agu and his members of staff: Mrs Dosumu, Miss Duniya and Mr Ehis Enaholo; corps members were motivated by their active involvement and this boosted our morale as we all traversed the entire length and breadth of the city of Lagos seeking sponsorship/donations towards the quiz competition. To the glory of God and service to humanity, we realised a brand new computer set/printer, a mini-library, text books cash donations, dozens of promotional items like ball pens, writing materials, cartons of ‘Indomie Noodles”, pastries/refreshments and a hall from the following corporate sponsors: kosofe LGA, Macmillan Book Publishers, Spring mortgage Plc, Centre for Management Development (CMD), UAC Franchising (Mr Biggs), De- United Food Industries Ltd (makers of Indomie noodles), Agboyi-Ketu LCDA and CELPLAS Industries Ltd.
Having met 2007/8 Batch A on ground, we helped to support their various initiatives until their passing-out in March 2008. Now saddled with the responsibility of organising a befitting Community Development Service (CDS) activities, the executives of the two CD groups: Monday CD (Beautification & Maintenance) and Friday CD Health & Education were nominated while the Corps Liaison Officer (CLO) was elected by all Corps Members to run CDS activities effectively.
Consolidating the efforts/projects of the past Batch A was the major task of the corps executives as we all set to work to make sure we distributed First Aid boxes well-stuffed with first aid drugs, plasters, bandages, pain relievers, scissors etc to major public primary schools within the Ogudu, Ojota, Ketu axis of the local government. Receiving the donations, the various school authorities could not hide their joy as they where full of appreciation for the kind gesture and made sure their pupils came out to say a big “thank you” to all corps members present. We also thanked them for appreciating the gifts and further sensitized the kids on first aid and safety education.
Restructuring the conduct of CDS activities and corps members’ attitudes towards undertaking jobs/services that seemed menial and meant for the “low class” members of the society was no mean task. To achieve this, the corps executives re-orientated the corps members on the essence of “service” by making sure that before each CD day begun, corps members oft started the day with an agenda which consisted: observance of prayers, singing of the National/NYSC Anthems, briefing on the job for the day and an address by the NYSC local government officials among others. This helped to create order and stability to a great extent as this was also the result of a well-prepared timetable which spelt-out specific objectives to be achieved weekly, monthly, and quarterly before the service year will come to an end.
Thus, with this structure on ground, it was easy to carry all corps members along during execution of projects like the frequent cleaning of the Ogudu/Ojota highway, sanitation of the Oba Ologudu of Ogudu’s palace and market, Ogudu Health Clinic, Ogudu Magistrate Court, Kosofe LGA premises, Lagos State First Lady’s Sanitation Programme and the Ogudu-Oworonshoki Expressway.
Our next port of call in the Kosofe community were the popular Ketu and Mile 12 markets where corps members regardless of their status, helped to sanitize the markets, motor parks and stalls of market women/men, bus drivers/conductors.
A major project to be embarked upon then was the proposed Ogudu Bus shelter project. Here, the Architects, Civil/Building Engineers etc among us were nominated into a standing project committee to prepare the design, cost and modalities for the implementation of the project. They did! But just when we were about getting approval for it, we were informed by council officials that the newly introduced BRT scheme had already earmarked the proposed site for its own bus stop shelter. Thus, the project had to be laid low.
Our quest to impact the Kosofe people positively via developmental projects was however not dampened by the above scenario – even though it hurt initially. Like soldiers serving our fatherland, which indeed we are, our next initiative led us into organising a maiden inter-school quiz competition for students of public secondary schools within the local government in order to help uplift the standard of education in such public schools.
With exemplary support from our indefatigable NYSC Local Government Inspector, Mr Chijioke Agu and his members of staff: Mrs Dosumu, Miss Duniya and Mr Ehis Enaholo; corps members were motivated by their active involvement and this boosted our morale as we all traversed the entire length and breadth of the city of Lagos seeking sponsorship/donations towards the quiz competition. To the glory of God and service to humanity, we realised a brand new computer set/printer, a mini-library, text books cash donations, dozens of promotional items like ball pens, writing materials, cartons of ‘Indomie Noodles”, pastries/refreshments and a hall from the following corporate sponsors: kosofe LGA, Macmillan Book Publishers, Spring mortgage Plc, Centre for Management Development (CMD), UAC Franchising (Mr Biggs), De- United Food Industries Ltd (makers of Indomie noodles), Agboyi-Ketu LCDA and CELPLAS Industries Ltd.
Armed with these prizes, the maiden quiz contest organised for disadvantaged youths in public secondary schools within Kosofe LGA, where we undertook our mandatory one year national service, was nothing short of a fantastic and educationally-stimulating event as the initiative witnessed a large turnout of participating schools (despite the ongoing teachers’ strike then), corps members, invited guests and pressmen from some national dailies. The schools contested keenly for the prizes at stake with Gbagada Senior Grammar School, Gbagada emerging as the winner of the contest among others. A week after, we were featured in major national dailies with the kids showing off their prizes and corps members in the local government could not hide their joy and excitement on seeing how their seemingly “little” contributions had affected kids and members of their host community positively.
On a closing note, the NYSC office in Kosofe was not left out of the Batch B Corps Members’ midas touch as the office is today wearing a new look in terms of painting, new rug, window blinds and door locks courtesy of the magnanimity of a gentle but active and philanthropic corps member who chose to remain anonymous despite the huge beautification project.
As September 11, 2008, a day Americans can hardly forget, inches closer by the day; an important fact to note as this batch of corps members are warming up to pass out is that…Nigerian youths are silently leading a revolution by developing their competencies in creating an even society in terms of affecting their primary communities positively via development projects despite the fact that they have not been shown proper guidance by national leaders and have thus lost confidence in our politicians and political system.
As we prepare to pass out, we are already aware that our national leadership has not created enough jobs to absorb us or ameliorate the harsh effects of unemployment (as witnessed by recent large turnout in paramilitary recruitment exercises) which may befall some of us as is the case with others before us. To cushion this effect, we earlier organised entrepreneurship classes among ourselves where we learnt various skills in establishing & managing small businesses such as SMEs, soap/detergents making, shampoo making, bead making , venturing into stocks and shares et al. To further prepare ourselves, a job and online social networking workshop has been scheduled for 29th August 2008 where an expert is expected to educate us on creating and seeking job opportunities effectively via using online tools and websites.
Alongside other Corps Members posted to Lagos State and other states of the federation, we cannot but lift our heads high like the proverbial lizard and confidently say “yes we can, and we did’ affected Kosofe Local Government Area, Lagos State and Nigeria developmentally during our mandatory one year national service.
Sambo, Sumner Shagari, a journalist, is the outgoing Corps Liaison Officer (CLO) 2007/8 Batch B of Kosofe Local Government Area, Lagos State.
Here are the pictures of the event
As we prepare to pass out, we are already aware that our national leadership has not created enough jobs to absorb us or ameliorate the harsh effects of unemployment (as witnessed by recent large turnout in paramilitary recruitment exercises) which may befall some of us as is the case with others before us. To cushion this effect, we earlier organised entrepreneurship classes among ourselves where we learnt various skills in establishing & managing small businesses such as SMEs, soap/detergents making, shampoo making, bead making , venturing into stocks and shares et al. To further prepare ourselves, a job and online social networking workshop has been scheduled for 29th August 2008 where an expert is expected to educate us on creating and seeking job opportunities effectively via using online tools and websites.
Alongside other Corps Members posted to Lagos State and other states of the federation, we cannot but lift our heads high like the proverbial lizard and confidently say “yes we can, and we did’ affected Kosofe Local Government Area, Lagos State and Nigeria developmentally during our mandatory one year national service.
Sambo, Sumner Shagari, a journalist, is the outgoing Corps Liaison Officer (CLO) 2007/8 Batch B of Kosofe Local Government Area, Lagos State.
Here are the pictures of the event
Pix 1: From L-R: Computer set(1st prize), Mini-Library (2nd prize) Teaching aid/Text books ( 3rd Prize) and other consolation prizes at the just concluded maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition organised by NYSC Corps Members in Kosofe LGA held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.
Pix 2: Clementina Anyaebosi, representative of the NYSC Lagos State Secretariat presenting the first prize award of a Computer/Printer to the winning school, Gbagada Senior Grammar School, Gbagada at the just concluded maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition organised by NYSC Corps Members in Kosofe LGA held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.
Pix 3: Mrs. Christy O. Irurhe, Principal, Gbagada Senior Grammar School, Gbagada, winners of the maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition, thanking NYSC Corps Members organisers of the contest held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.
Pix 4: From R-L: Mr Chijioke Agu, Local Govt. Inspector, NYSC Kosofe LGA, Mrs Clementina Anyaebosi, representing the NYSC Lagos State Secretariat, Mrs Dosumu, Kosofe NYSC official, Mr. J.O Fapojuwo representing DG, Centre for Management Development and other Kosofe NYSC officials at the just concluded maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition organised by NYSC Corps Members in Kosofe LGA held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.
Pix 5: The quiz master and his officiating team at the just concluded maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition organised by NYSC Corps Members in Kosofe LGA held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.
Pix 6: A cross-section of members of the press and invited guests at the just concluded maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition organised by NYSC Corps Members in Kosofe LGA held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.
Pix 7: A cross-section of Corps Members participating schools’ officials and invited guests at the just concluded maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition organised by NYSC Corps Members in Kosofe LGA held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.
Pix 5: The quiz master and his officiating team at the just concluded maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition organised by NYSC Corps Members in Kosofe LGA held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.Pix 6: A cross-section of members of the press and invited guests at the just concluded maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition organised by NYSC Corps Members in Kosofe LGA held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.Pix 7: A cross-section of Corps Members participating schools’ officials and invited guests at the just concluded maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition organised by NYSC Corps Members in Kosofe LGA held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.Pix 8: A cross-section of school principals and invited guests at the event.
Pix 9: A group photograph of all the Kosofe NYSC officials and Corps Executives, organisers of the maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.
Pix 10: A group photograph of all the Kosofe NYSC officials and Corps Executives, organisers of the maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.
Pix 11: Students of Gbagada Senior Grammar School, Gbagada, winners of the just concluded maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition organised by NYSC Corps Members in Kosofe LGA held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.
Pix 12: Some of the participants from Ajegunle Senior High School, Ikorodu Road, Ketu, Lagos.Pix 13: Students of Gbagada Senior Grammar School, Gbagada, winners of the just concluded maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition organised by NYSC Corps Members in Kosofe LGA held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.Wednesday, 30 July 2008
Public Relations, a divine spiritual science!
GUEST COLUMNIST
Courtesy of Nigerian Tribune
Dr. Sunday O. Ajai, MD/CEO, SOA Communication Bureau, Lagos
ONE of the Ex-governors indicted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) granted an interview to a group of journalists, claiming during the press session that the money he was accused of stealing would be invested in the state. He. sees nothing wrong in amassing the wealth that belongs to the masses of his state as his own personal wealth as the Chief Servant of the people. The irony of the whole episode is that the people were hailing him for stealing their money. It is true, ignorant is a deadly disease.
A few years ago, the rector of one of the leading institutions of higher learning in Nigeria, admitted unqualified students to the institution; when questioned by a member of the panel set-up by the Federal Government to probe his activities why he did such a thing, he replied that he did it for public relations.
Public relations in Nigeria is a child of many parents. The attitudes of these various parents bastardised the instinct of the child and the child has lost his bearing.
As public relations is a part of the marketing mix, and gifts service is a bonafide of public relations, it appears that, that is the only aspect interested to other members of the mix. An average sales man would always tell you that he has to do PR to boost his sales.
Cancer of moral corruption has eaten its way slowly into the vitals of Nigerian society. Not a man escapes entirely. Truly, Nigeria is in a lost condition. Unless everybody in the nation becomes discreet and socially responsible in his civic conduct, efforts to restore buoyancy to the economy may be in vain. Only our collective change of attitudes can facilitate the much desired socio-economic regeneration.
Dewey believes that man in the course of solving his problems and mastering his environment, acquires intelligence, which, to him, is simply another name for the habit of using one’s mind effectively with forethought and resourcefulness.
He identified this process of growth with education and sees it as a process of continuous interaction between an individual and his environment going on throughout life and not to be thought of simply in terms of formal schooling. Education, thus, is a fostering, a nurturing and a cultivating process.
Public relations is a divine spiritual science. This spirituality has a long way to go before being fully accepted, thus, giving our enterprises the fourth dimension which they require. According to the Institute of Public Relations of Belgium, “The crises of our contemporary civilization is due to the fact that humanity’s technical progress is not counter - balance by moral progress”.
In the United States of America, Public Relations practitioners are regarded as social engineers; making practical applications to human relation’s problems the principles evolved by the social scientists, particularly in the areas of communication, attitudes, group dynamism and leadership.
I personally see public relations as a divine spiritual science. The spirituality of the profession has been my main principle since the past 40 years.
Public Relations was a divine creation and pronouncement by God in about1250BC at the beginning of the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. Aaron (Harun), a Levite was the first Public Relations Officer (PRO) appointed by the Universal God. That is why Public Relations is a spiritual science. But with ages and the activities of the people like Pope Urban viii, who set up the congregation of propaganda in 1622 AD, the true nature and origin of Public Relations was lost.
The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, once identified absence of God in the people’s heart as the root cause of the nation’s problems. He said, “To survive as a nation, God must be restored as the soul of the nation”. He stressed that there was an urgent need for a concerted effort between the family, the religious groups and the state to enable the nation to move forward.
He pointed out that our nation could not succeed without being rooted in God, and planning together for a productive future.
Cardinal Okogie emphasized the need for new orientation and re-direction to give a new hope for the future, adding that necessity called for the removal of various injustices in our society.
He condemned moral bankruptcy in the society and the lack of concern, by the leadership. He lamented that a good number of those in the corridors of power shed crocodile tears over the level of our social bankruptcy as a nation but that they were not ready to take the bull by the horns and right the wrong.
The true nature of public relations demands flawless morality from the practitioner. That means, he/she must be on good terms with his fellow men and environment, must be honest, sincere, truthful, just and kind. He must He must be proud to associated dealings. He must never live off others, if he is able to work faithfully within the laws of his nation.
The inner preparation simply must be made. If a public relations practitioner is not prepared in his heart, he needs not come into the Public Relations profession. That every practitioner must duly and truly be prepared, worthy and well qualified are primary facts of the true nature of Public Relations.
The International Code of Ethics for Public Relations states that each member shall endeavour to contribute to the achievement of the moral and cultural conditions enabling human beings to reach their full stature of which they are entitled under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Another clause in the code of Athens says that each member shall undertake to observe in the course of his professional duties, the moral principles and rules of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Clause four of the Code of Athens emphasises that every member shall endeavour to bear in mind that because of the relationship between his profession and the public, his conduct, even in private will have an impact on the way in which the profession as a whole is appraised.
Clause seven wants a public relations practitioner to establish the moral, psychological and intellectual conditions for dialogue in its true sense, and to recognise the right of the parties involved to state their cases and express their views.
In clause ten, members are warned to refrain from subordinating the truth to other requirements.
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) approved her own code of ethics at an Extra Ordinary General Meeting held at the Bristol Hotel, Lagos, on Friday, January 30, 1981.
Clause one says that every member of the institute, shall respect the moral principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the freedom entrenched in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the performance of his/her duties.
Another important clause is clause five, which says that every member shall put truth and honesty of purpose before all other considerations.
Public relations philosophy emphasises a two-way communication. The implementation of this two-way communication is the responsibility of the public relations practitioner.
Never before has this task been as challenging as it is today. We must be constantly alert to the pressure of change in today’s climate of high technology, increasing social and economic conflicts, and constant shifts in public opinion. As a consequence of development in communication technology, the public is more enlightened. There are more audiences to cope with, demanding less propaganda and more dialogue. In general, people are more anxious, more concerned and always want to be on the alert.
It is apparent, therefore, that the major factor to be borne in mind is that change is now something that can happen almost overnight and is no longer a slow trend from one generation to the next.
The true nature of public relations enjoins every practitioner to lead a simple, straight forward life and become a noble example to all others. He must be modest in mind and in his professional practice. A genuine morality, a well ordered life, is taken for granted as the primary consideration and foundation upon which the true nature of public relations practice was founded by God. Therefore, a public relations practitioner must think deeply too. He must carefulIy discriminate between that which is good and that which is less good, between the true and the false, the useful and the useless. A well establish morality was the foundation upon which the true nature of public relations was built.
Public relations practitioners need to take note of another aspect of contemporary life. It has been said, “To sin by silence makes cowards of men”. How long then, can one remain in silence and mute witness to the gradual disintegration of the once strong and powerful higher institutions of learning in Nigeria turned devil’s workshop? In a society like Nigeria, there is obviously a crying need for the practitioners with visceral sensations, intuitive power of perception of erudition and understanding with responsive conduct and with the technical ability to develop mechanisms of conciliation and compromise.
In the recent past, there had been out cries concerning the dwindling relevance of our higher educational institutions. Many Nigerians are fast losing hope on our institutions of learning as variable sources of intellectual advancement. How disciplined are the students that are trained in our higher institutions? Moral decadence had spilled over from higher institutions to secondary schools.
Public relations as a moral moulding professional and as a key stakeholder in the development of this nation has a lot to contribute to moral rejuvenation in our higher institutions. All the institutions of higher learning, may it be a university, a polytechnic, Federal or State owned are bedeviled by similar problems of cultism and moral decadence. There is the need for this group of public relations practitioners to come together at least once a year to share experiences and refocus their perception to see themselves as not only image builders, but also as a moral moulders in the academic envi ronment.
As I see it, particularly in the case of public relations practice in higher institutions in Nigeria, we need to take a continuous and critical look at what would make for more effective communication.
In order to achieve our mission as “bridge builders”, a worthy practitioner should always be credible. The authorities, our management, the media and the general. public must have confidence in our professionalism and standard of ethical behaviour.
By professionalism, I mean not only that public relations practitioners should know his job, but, that he is familiar with all aspects of the organisation he works for, that he knows its external environment, that he acts strictly and faithfully according to the professional ethics.
To be a true public relations professional means to’ inspire confidence and be respected by the management and the public and to be recognised as such inside and outside the profession as a person of truth and integrity who can be trusted. The true nature of public relations thus, demands courage in certain sensitive situations, that is, courage to refuse offers, sometimes very attractive especially, in financial terms, from groups of individuals whose activities impinge dignity and integrity. Courage to fight within the organisation in which one is employed to ensure that the democratic ideal prevails over the sometimes selfish and surely material interests of certain chief executive officers.
The true nature of public relations enjoins every practitioner to have an important role to play through his management functions as a mediator or an image builder. He should help, to modify the behaviour of people by helping them to know and understand each other better. As consultants to governments, companies, corporations, parastatals and non - profit making organisations, public relations practitioners are in a better position to stimulate the flow of knowledge world wide.
By evaluation and interpreting the opinion and aspirations of foreign publics, they help to overcome the difference of cultures, traditions, custom, mentalities, religions, political and social environments.
Public relations professional fosters great mutual understanding through dialogue and consensus, while respecting fundamental freedoms and avoiding any desire to dominate. It works for a harmonious co-existence between people, groups and nations.
Public relations practice contributes to peace and stability which are the pre-requisites for economic prosperity and social development. Everyday media, especially television brings us the bad news in the form of shock figures and dramatic statistics and by spreading distrust and fear among the public. Just think of the Middle East crises, Bosnia Herzegovina, Burundi, Rwanda, Angola, Algeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia yesterday and the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington, in which over 6,000 people perished. Some people responded to these with cynicism, others with fatalism, while in many cases, public opinions remain silent, apathetic or indifference to tragedies that strike the most vulnerable among us.
Just think of Niger Delta back home here in Nigeria. The crisis started like a child’s play in the late 1960s with Isaac Boroh and gradually built up to Saro Ken Wiwa and has now snowballed to a thorny issue for the government to crack. It is a sign of bad leadership. I honestly feel Nigeria truIy needs moral renaissance.
The restoration of confidence, especially that of young Nigerians facing extremely uncertain future is one of the greatest challenges that must be given priority by the present democratic dispensation. No remedy for the greatest problem of our time can produce results unless there is a minimum of confidence and trust between the leaders and the electorates in our nation.
According to the Frenchman, Lucien Matrat, “Public relations is the strategy of confidence”. With this definition, the true nature of public relations is quite a challenging one.
In conclusion, I have propounded a thesis that public relations is a divine spiritual science created by the universal God in about 1250 BC. I also theorised that an Israelite, Aaron (Harun) was the first public relations Practitioner in the world appointed by God for Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. I am saying that public relations practitioners should see themselves as Prophets, Imams, Archbishops, Senior Apostles, Deacons and Deaconesses and, above all, Social Engineers of our time, who are the shepherds of the flocks of our nation’s industries and institution.
A few years ago, the rector of one of the leading institutions of higher learning in Nigeria, admitted unqualified students to the institution; when questioned by a member of the panel set-up by the Federal Government to probe his activities why he did such a thing, he replied that he did it for public relations.
Public relations in Nigeria is a child of many parents. The attitudes of these various parents bastardised the instinct of the child and the child has lost his bearing.
As public relations is a part of the marketing mix, and gifts service is a bonafide of public relations, it appears that, that is the only aspect interested to other members of the mix. An average sales man would always tell you that he has to do PR to boost his sales.
Cancer of moral corruption has eaten its way slowly into the vitals of Nigerian society. Not a man escapes entirely. Truly, Nigeria is in a lost condition. Unless everybody in the nation becomes discreet and socially responsible in his civic conduct, efforts to restore buoyancy to the economy may be in vain. Only our collective change of attitudes can facilitate the much desired socio-economic regeneration.
Dewey believes that man in the course of solving his problems and mastering his environment, acquires intelligence, which, to him, is simply another name for the habit of using one’s mind effectively with forethought and resourcefulness.
He identified this process of growth with education and sees it as a process of continuous interaction between an individual and his environment going on throughout life and not to be thought of simply in terms of formal schooling. Education, thus, is a fostering, a nurturing and a cultivating process.
Public relations is a divine spiritual science. This spirituality has a long way to go before being fully accepted, thus, giving our enterprises the fourth dimension which they require. According to the Institute of Public Relations of Belgium, “The crises of our contemporary civilization is due to the fact that humanity’s technical progress is not counter - balance by moral progress”.
In the United States of America, Public Relations practitioners are regarded as social engineers; making practical applications to human relation’s problems the principles evolved by the social scientists, particularly in the areas of communication, attitudes, group dynamism and leadership.
I personally see public relations as a divine spiritual science. The spirituality of the profession has been my main principle since the past 40 years.
Public Relations was a divine creation and pronouncement by God in about1250BC at the beginning of the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. Aaron (Harun), a Levite was the first Public Relations Officer (PRO) appointed by the Universal God. That is why Public Relations is a spiritual science. But with ages and the activities of the people like Pope Urban viii, who set up the congregation of propaganda in 1622 AD, the true nature and origin of Public Relations was lost.
The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, once identified absence of God in the people’s heart as the root cause of the nation’s problems. He said, “To survive as a nation, God must be restored as the soul of the nation”. He stressed that there was an urgent need for a concerted effort between the family, the religious groups and the state to enable the nation to move forward.
He pointed out that our nation could not succeed without being rooted in God, and planning together for a productive future.
Cardinal Okogie emphasized the need for new orientation and re-direction to give a new hope for the future, adding that necessity called for the removal of various injustices in our society.
He condemned moral bankruptcy in the society and the lack of concern, by the leadership. He lamented that a good number of those in the corridors of power shed crocodile tears over the level of our social bankruptcy as a nation but that they were not ready to take the bull by the horns and right the wrong.
The true nature of public relations demands flawless morality from the practitioner. That means, he/she must be on good terms with his fellow men and environment, must be honest, sincere, truthful, just and kind. He must He must be proud to associated dealings. He must never live off others, if he is able to work faithfully within the laws of his nation.
The inner preparation simply must be made. If a public relations practitioner is not prepared in his heart, he needs not come into the Public Relations profession. That every practitioner must duly and truly be prepared, worthy and well qualified are primary facts of the true nature of Public Relations.
The International Code of Ethics for Public Relations states that each member shall endeavour to contribute to the achievement of the moral and cultural conditions enabling human beings to reach their full stature of which they are entitled under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Another clause in the code of Athens says that each member shall undertake to observe in the course of his professional duties, the moral principles and rules of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Clause four of the Code of Athens emphasises that every member shall endeavour to bear in mind that because of the relationship between his profession and the public, his conduct, even in private will have an impact on the way in which the profession as a whole is appraised.
Clause seven wants a public relations practitioner to establish the moral, psychological and intellectual conditions for dialogue in its true sense, and to recognise the right of the parties involved to state their cases and express their views.
In clause ten, members are warned to refrain from subordinating the truth to other requirements.
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) approved her own code of ethics at an Extra Ordinary General Meeting held at the Bristol Hotel, Lagos, on Friday, January 30, 1981.
Clause one says that every member of the institute, shall respect the moral principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the freedom entrenched in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the performance of his/her duties.
Another important clause is clause five, which says that every member shall put truth and honesty of purpose before all other considerations.
Public relations philosophy emphasises a two-way communication. The implementation of this two-way communication is the responsibility of the public relations practitioner.
Never before has this task been as challenging as it is today. We must be constantly alert to the pressure of change in today’s climate of high technology, increasing social and economic conflicts, and constant shifts in public opinion. As a consequence of development in communication technology, the public is more enlightened. There are more audiences to cope with, demanding less propaganda and more dialogue. In general, people are more anxious, more concerned and always want to be on the alert.
It is apparent, therefore, that the major factor to be borne in mind is that change is now something that can happen almost overnight and is no longer a slow trend from one generation to the next.
The true nature of public relations enjoins every practitioner to lead a simple, straight forward life and become a noble example to all others. He must be modest in mind and in his professional practice. A genuine morality, a well ordered life, is taken for granted as the primary consideration and foundation upon which the true nature of public relations practice was founded by God. Therefore, a public relations practitioner must think deeply too. He must carefulIy discriminate between that which is good and that which is less good, between the true and the false, the useful and the useless. A well establish morality was the foundation upon which the true nature of public relations was built.
Public relations practitioners need to take note of another aspect of contemporary life. It has been said, “To sin by silence makes cowards of men”. How long then, can one remain in silence and mute witness to the gradual disintegration of the once strong and powerful higher institutions of learning in Nigeria turned devil’s workshop? In a society like Nigeria, there is obviously a crying need for the practitioners with visceral sensations, intuitive power of perception of erudition and understanding with responsive conduct and with the technical ability to develop mechanisms of conciliation and compromise.
In the recent past, there had been out cries concerning the dwindling relevance of our higher educational institutions. Many Nigerians are fast losing hope on our institutions of learning as variable sources of intellectual advancement. How disciplined are the students that are trained in our higher institutions? Moral decadence had spilled over from higher institutions to secondary schools.
Public relations as a moral moulding professional and as a key stakeholder in the development of this nation has a lot to contribute to moral rejuvenation in our higher institutions. All the institutions of higher learning, may it be a university, a polytechnic, Federal or State owned are bedeviled by similar problems of cultism and moral decadence. There is the need for this group of public relations practitioners to come together at least once a year to share experiences and refocus their perception to see themselves as not only image builders, but also as a moral moulders in the academic envi ronment.
As I see it, particularly in the case of public relations practice in higher institutions in Nigeria, we need to take a continuous and critical look at what would make for more effective communication.
In order to achieve our mission as “bridge builders”, a worthy practitioner should always be credible. The authorities, our management, the media and the general. public must have confidence in our professionalism and standard of ethical behaviour.
By professionalism, I mean not only that public relations practitioners should know his job, but, that he is familiar with all aspects of the organisation he works for, that he knows its external environment, that he acts strictly and faithfully according to the professional ethics.
To be a true public relations professional means to’ inspire confidence and be respected by the management and the public and to be recognised as such inside and outside the profession as a person of truth and integrity who can be trusted. The true nature of public relations thus, demands courage in certain sensitive situations, that is, courage to refuse offers, sometimes very attractive especially, in financial terms, from groups of individuals whose activities impinge dignity and integrity. Courage to fight within the organisation in which one is employed to ensure that the democratic ideal prevails over the sometimes selfish and surely material interests of certain chief executive officers.
The true nature of public relations enjoins every practitioner to have an important role to play through his management functions as a mediator or an image builder. He should help, to modify the behaviour of people by helping them to know and understand each other better. As consultants to governments, companies, corporations, parastatals and non - profit making organisations, public relations practitioners are in a better position to stimulate the flow of knowledge world wide.
By evaluation and interpreting the opinion and aspirations of foreign publics, they help to overcome the difference of cultures, traditions, custom, mentalities, religions, political and social environments.
Public relations professional fosters great mutual understanding through dialogue and consensus, while respecting fundamental freedoms and avoiding any desire to dominate. It works for a harmonious co-existence between people, groups and nations.
Public relations practice contributes to peace and stability which are the pre-requisites for economic prosperity and social development. Everyday media, especially television brings us the bad news in the form of shock figures and dramatic statistics and by spreading distrust and fear among the public. Just think of the Middle East crises, Bosnia Herzegovina, Burundi, Rwanda, Angola, Algeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia yesterday and the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington, in which over 6,000 people perished. Some people responded to these with cynicism, others with fatalism, while in many cases, public opinions remain silent, apathetic or indifference to tragedies that strike the most vulnerable among us.
Just think of Niger Delta back home here in Nigeria. The crisis started like a child’s play in the late 1960s with Isaac Boroh and gradually built up to Saro Ken Wiwa and has now snowballed to a thorny issue for the government to crack. It is a sign of bad leadership. I honestly feel Nigeria truIy needs moral renaissance.
The restoration of confidence, especially that of young Nigerians facing extremely uncertain future is one of the greatest challenges that must be given priority by the present democratic dispensation. No remedy for the greatest problem of our time can produce results unless there is a minimum of confidence and trust between the leaders and the electorates in our nation.
According to the Frenchman, Lucien Matrat, “Public relations is the strategy of confidence”. With this definition, the true nature of public relations is quite a challenging one.
In conclusion, I have propounded a thesis that public relations is a divine spiritual science created by the universal God in about 1250 BC. I also theorised that an Israelite, Aaron (Harun) was the first public relations Practitioner in the world appointed by God for Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. I am saying that public relations practitioners should see themselves as Prophets, Imams, Archbishops, Senior Apostles, Deacons and Deaconesses and, above all, Social Engineers of our time, who are the shepherds of the flocks of our nation’s industries and institution.
Hope your perception of the PR profession has been updated and changed. Thanks for going thru the piece. -Sambo, Sumner Shagari
Friday, 6 June 2008
Wednesday, 7 May 2008
British Airways and Others
The Pendulum By Dele momodu,
Email:delemomodu@thisdayonline.com,
courtesyThisDay Newspaper
I can confidently claim to be an expert on air travel. But I have tried to avoid getting involved in the controversy surrounding the well-acclaimed rudeness, and aggression, of the British Airways crew to Nigerians, despite the well-known fact that our routes are probably quite lucrative for the biggest airline in the world. The reason is simple. Some of our readers tend to read negative meanings to what we write even when it is obvious that we are merely doing our job. We live on a continent where envy is a cheap commodity, and showbiz is a new phenomenon, and every act of promoting your business is misconstrued as being boastful. Slowly, but surely, we shall get there.
At the risk of sounding immodest, I shall join the debate on British Airways today. I have flown many airlines to four continents. They include Virgin Atlantic, Bellview, Ghana Airways, South African Airways, Virgin Nigeria, British Midlands, Air France, Lufthansa, KLM, Aer Lingus, Continental, Delta, Alitalia, American Airways, Swiss Air, Sabena, and others. I was a frequent flier on British Airways, and our romance started from British Caledonian. I held its prestige Gold Card but was recently downgraded to Silver, because I now fly British Airways only to those destinations not covered directly by other great airlines.
There is no doubt that British Airways has a good safety record, which is the primary consideration of most travelers. The airline parades some of the biggest jumbo jets in the world, including the awesome Boeing 747, which flies the London - Lagos route daily, and during the summer, twice daily. BA also flies the ultra-modern Boeing 777 on the London - Abuja route. BA enjoys a near monopoly of patronage from members of the Nigerian privilegentsia. It is also an airline that smells of status symbol. Many Nigerian contractors, who want to sign one deal or the other, or seeking the ear of the high and mighty, often track such powerful sheikhs to BA planes and executive class lounges. Even ladies who want to seduce men of influence and wealth also connive with airline agents to know who’s traveling where, and when. They position themselves pretty, and pronto, near their prey. They understand the game all too well.
It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a passenger to secure a First Class seat on BA, especially on weekends in Nigeria. On some of the occasions I flew the airline, I only met a few odd people like me in First Class. The roll call was always, the Ibrus, the Folawiyos, the Ojoras, the Sarakis, the Sijuwades, the Odogwus, the Subomi-Baloguns, the Dangotes, the Otedolas, the Alex-Duduyemis, the Bayo-Kukus, the Hope-Harrimans, and top government officials, Governors and Ministers, bank MDs, oil barons, and corporate titans. There is obviously too much money to make in Nigeria. No matter what Nigerian protesters post on the internet, BA has nothing to fear in Nigeria. The ever loyal old money will never blink an eye, and will continue to relish the comfort of their sleeper beds, and savour the taste of their caviar when available, washed down with the best champagne money can buy. Those who shift their loyalty are mainly members of the Middle Class, and a few ex-this and ex-that, whose pockets are running dry, or those whose bills are no longer paid by the government or the giant corporations.
As a result of the monumental successes recorded on the Nigerian route, BA has become very complacent. The airline is aware that ‘Big Nigerians’ don’t like to merry-go-round, and just want an airline that can fly them directly to all destinations, without too much adventure and stop-overs. BA is therefore the airline of choice for most Nigerians who see London as their second home. Some members of their crew have been flying for decades, and tend to look down on ordinary passengers, and serve them only condescendingly. The stern looks on their faces often intimidate passengers who may wish to ask for extra service.
I was one of their hostages until Virgin Atlantic came to rescue us. I personally have grouses against BA. The airline has failed to advertise aggressively in Nigeria. As a publisher, our relationship has been one sided. Why should I continue to patronize a company that refuses to patronize my own business? To whom much is given, much is expected. BA hardly gives anything back to the Nigerian society despite our huge patronage. Theirs is to grab and grab, which is against the British tradition of welfare and charity.
I suspect that Sir Richard Branson of the Virgin Group must have studied the weaknesses of BA when he landed the juicy license in Nigeria. Sir Richard interacted personally with the Nigerian media, and invited a few of us several times to his London home in Holland Park. I don’t know how many Nigerian journalists have met the BA Country Manager let alone its Chairman in London. BA’s media relations is zero. But the world of business today is driven by media hype.
Virgin recruited many Nigerians, and many of them are members of the crew. This crew understands the big ego of Nigerians, and knows how to massage it. Virgin introduced a lot of Nigerian meals on board. Its Upper Class also introduced the sleeper beds on its brand new Airbus A340-600, and provided better services, at cheaper fares. The Virgin Premium Economy Class is by far superior to BA’s World Traveller Plus. Virgin allows three suitcases in Upper Class, and an extra suitcase for its Gold Card holders at 32kg each, but BA allows only two on all classes, and reluctantly a third bag in First Class.
The white crew is far younger, more beautiful, friendlier, and chattier than those of BA. The BA crew was cold, unfriendly and often grouchy. They stand ramrod while serving the passengers. For Virgin, flying is an art, and every passenger is pampered like a Hollywood star. The killer service comes in form of the limo ride from Heathrow to home, and from home to the airport. Why should I spend almost N1 million to fly to London, and then wait in the cold for a taxi to take me home? BA has failed to respond to the Virgin challenge in Nigeria, and it is a great tragedy. Unknown to the airline, it has lost a lot of our young upwardly mobile customers to other airlines, while it has retained the die-hards, or passengers who know no difference, or any better. Not that they care anyway. Business is still very good in Nigeria.
The flying rewards’ redemption process of BA is too tedious. While I can redeem my miles instantly via a phone call to Virgin, BA makes everything so difficult. This was tested on a recent trip from London to Jo’burg. I was travelling with my friend, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, a loyal customer of British Airways, and realized that the price quoted by BA was too prohibitive. We asked if we could redeem our miles and BA told us we would need to give three days notice. I told my friend that Virgin would never be that rigid, and I was right. We phoned Virgin Atlantic, and we were able to use the Virgin air miles to check in immediately. BA’s conservativeness explains why it continues to lose revenue, and records less profit.
I now fly Air France to North America, especially Canada. I find the airline very clean, cheaper, and very convenient when I want to enjoy a stop-over in Paris, France. I have since acquired its Gold Card in the last few months. I’m yet to fly The Emirates, but I’m told it is one of the most hospitable airlines around today. Qatar is also highly rated. I hope those airlines would not be complacent like BA. I enjoyed Lufthansa in the past, and had great fun flying the airline from Frankfurt to China. I’m very fond of South Africa Airways, for the newness of its fleet, and the superlative wines from the capes.
Surprisingly, Nigerian airlines are catching up. I love the fact that I can meet a crew that already knows me, and can treat me like a star, and not like a piece of dirt. Bellview has done extremely well. Against all odds, it continues to hold its own in a very difficult terrain. This is why I flew the airline barely two days after its unfortunate crash, and everyone thought I was crazy. I’m proud as a Nigerian that the airline has forged ahead in the airline business, and has even expanded its wings beyond Africa and Europe.
Aero Contractors is one airline that continues to operate in the best professional tradition. It is the oldest private airline in Nigeria, and has recently expanded on the West Coast, to Ghana, Liberia, and Sao Tome. Arik Air has joined the ambitious train with its newer aircrafts and recent incursion into Ghana. Virgin Nigeria continues to leverage on the super brand name of the Virgin Group, but it is going to be difficult to compete against such a formidable tradition of excellence. With its own fair share of controversies recently, I have noticed some improvements in its operations, which if maintained would take it to the top table in the African aviation sector.
As competition grows in the industry, the airlines would have to be more creative, and collaborative, like our banks. The rationalization exercise would eventually lead to that. In a country with no good roads, no rail service, no boat or ferry operations, the pressure on aviation industry will continue to increase.
Exit of the Titans
These are not the best of times in Yorubaland. In recent times, one of the most enlightened races in Africa has lost some of its most famous icons. Not that they died young, but these were Nigerians whose vacuum would be too difficult to fill. At different times, they played prominent roles in the lives of our nation, and in the service of their people.
The Yoruba nation has lost the avuncular presence of Pa Emmanuel Alayande, a foremost educationist and politician, who led the Council of Elders in his lifetime to resolve a lot of the imbroglio plaguing the Yoruba nation.
Also gone forever is the irrepressible Beekololari Ransome-Kuti, whose Campaign for Democracy fought so many battles to free Nigeria from the iron grip of dictators. Mention must be made of Chief Augustus Meredith Adisa Akinloye, former Chairman of the National Party of Nigeria, the ruling party in the Second Republic. He hailed from the same Ibadan city as Pa Alayande.
Early this year, the Yoruba people of Ikorodu lost one of the most stylish and glamorous politicians ever to traverse the political landscape of Nigeria. As if that was not bad enough, death has struck a fatal blow on Pa Abraham Adesanya, the father of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, after a protracted illness due largely to old age. The last time I was privileged to see him, I had been invited to deliver the Abraham Adesanya Annual Lecture at the Muson Centre in Lagos, and he thanked me profusely for accepting the invitation. He was so frail but still forced himself to attend the ceremony, as a demonstration of his total commitment to his people. I doubt if he ever attended another session after that.
To crown it all, the pearl of the Yoruba nation, Professor Jadesola Akande, a professor of Law, former Vice Chancellor, social activist, only days ago slept into eternity. All of these great men and amazon will be sorely missed. May God grant them all eternal rest, as we try to learn useful lessons from the lives they lived here on Earth.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
