The Nation Newspaper

Tag: practitioners

  • ‘Practitioners should be innovative, professional’

    Public Relations professionals in the country have been urged to be awakening to innovative ideas that could resolve issues relating to the profession and their clients in order to attain the needed growth required as well as respectable position among their counterparts.This was the submission of the Chief Consultant of TPT International, Adetokunbo Modupe, who was guest speaker at the December 2018 edition of the Lagos PR Clinic of the state chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) under the theme: Ideapreneurship: The Nature of Our Trade.

    He postulated that PR practitioners are ideapreneurs who should be driven by intellectual ideas that are well tailored towards clients’ needs and their target publics for desired results, and not be inundated with business gains in the manner of entrepreneurs. Modupe, a Harvard-trained ideapreneur with over two decades experience in PR, affirmed that since the profession is dynamic, practitioners should re-examine their business modules as ideapreneurs, think and develop ideas that would invariably translate to income generation. “Don’t let the world drive you, drive the world with your ideas. This keeps us in a more respectable position before our clients who should not think that we are in the business just to make money. We should not see ourselves as entrepreneurs but there is nothing wrong in thinking about wealth” he explained.

    Modupe described ideapreneurs as deep thinkers who creates jobs, have a mind of their own; explore alternatives to the norms by fostering ideas and are not motivated by pedestrian or temporary success but enduring legacies.

     

  • Human resources practitioners urged on competency

    Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) President Mr. Udom Inoyo yesterday urged new full members to demonstrate best practice in the development and effective deployment of their competencies.

    He spoke at the members’ induction at the institute’s secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos. According to him, full members, as human resources management professionals, should command the respect the profession deserved.

    He added: “The respect will keep you at the table and not on the table. It is important that you remain invaluable through the pedigree of your contributions to organisational performance and corporate success.

    “As a professional institute, we cannot overemphasise the importance of ethics in the practice of human resources management. Our code of conduct provides practitioners with an ethical ‘scope’ needed to manoeuvre in the ever-changing world of work. It is, therefore, my expectation and that of the founding fathers and for posterity that you all will be good ambassadors of our great institute and the HR profession by your conduct and consistency in upholding high standard of professionalism at the workplace.

    “In addition to our code of conduct, it is imperative that you all in every area of professional dealings demonstrate and exemplify our core values as an institute. The core values with the acronym ‘SCRIPT’, which means service, creativity, result, integrity, professionalism and teamwork.”

    The guest speaker, Mr. Abiodun Popoola, said human resources practitioners are leaders and leadership is entrusted to those who can bear responsibilities.

    Popoola, a past president of the institute and managing partner of Context Consult, who spoke on the theme: “HR as Business Leaders”, said human resources practitioners define direction and lead others.

    He said the inductees should have a vision of where their organisations are headed.

    “As human resources practitioners, you should have understanding of this complex world. You must clarify things for people. You must display agility, you must be flexible. You must help your organisations to succeed,” Popoola added.

    The Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of CIPM, Mrs. Ajibola Ponnle, decried quackery in human resources management.

    She said non-members are quacks and advised those who have not registered with the institute to do so “because they will gain a lot.”

    Ponnle said CIPM would celebrate its golden jubilee in November and hold its 50th annual national conference in Abuja.

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo will deliver a keynote address at the conference.

  • Are IMC practitioners ready for the next level?

    In the ever-evolving world of integrated marketing communications (IMC) commitment and consistency more than anything else, determines the success or otherwise of any project. The irony however is that these time-tested philosophies are in short supply today.

    Thankfully, the Group CEO, Prima Garnet and former chairman of Advertising Practitioner Council of Nigeria APCON, Lolu Akinwunmi, one man who should know better says it’s time to go back to the drawing board  if the practice of IMC must continue to survive.

    To this end, he has urged the federal government to review the current organs of communication in Nigeria to set things right.

    He gave this admonition during his keynote address at the 2018 marketing conference of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria in Abuja recently.

    According to him, “It’s time to review the roles of our NTA, FRCN, NOA and the rest of the lot. Seriously, while they were especially effective during the military era, they have since lost relevance in a totally different world. Most of them don’t even maintain an up to date website! It underscores the need to review our communication policy. Very few trust these organs because they always trumpet mainly the government position as propaganda channels. Their programmes are dull and they don’t inspire. South Africa has a state TV station that does not necessarily trumpet government positions. Ditto the BBC. The truth is that in their present forms, they simply, mostly manage propaganda and not effective communication.”

    For better and more consistent funding, the advertising guru said, “Any brand marketing exercise will cost money; it’s never cheap. No government can fund it alone; which is why I have proposed the PPP approach. In addition, it’s not a sprint event. It is long distance. Malaysia has been running its current campaign for over ten years. South Africa did for many years. In Nigeria we want to communicate the essence of a very negative brand after three months of TV, print and OOH campaigns. Its either we are ignorant of what it entails or we are not serious. Or perhaps both!

    Playing down on another media campaign, the Prima Garnet boss advocate for a strong social mobilisation and civic responsibility campaign that will touch all Nigerians in all spheres of life which will begin from the kindergarten, and go all the way to the very top that will be a combination of education and reeducation and even a bit of propaganda. “We must change and replace all the negative portions of our values system. No strong brand can emerge without this,” he said.

    On the issue of leadership, the IMC expert said, “We have always had leadership issues. When we talk about leadership, many assume it’s just the political. We have religious leaders. What values are they communicating by their way of life? How are they morally impacting on others and the Nigerian brand? Business leaders? What can we say about them? Student union leaders, trade union leaders, civil servants, uniformed organisations etc.? They impact on what becomes the Nigerian brand.

    “Without bias and if truth be told, it’s time for the government to consider giving key positions and responsibilities to those trained in the discipline of brand management. Branding and marketing Nigeria is primarily the task for marketing communication and marketing specialists. They have been developing and sustaining world class brands in Nigeria since 1928, and no brand can boast of any success in Nigeria without our involvement. It remains my strong opinion that by deliberate policy, marketing and marketing communication practitioners ought to be given more visible roles in the management of several aspects of brand Nigeria communication and marketing. This is global practice. It is an aberration when non-marketing and marketing communication persons are saddled with a purely marketing/marketing communication role.”

  • How to end clashes between media, security practitioners

    Participants at a one-day symposium in Lagos have advocated for constructive engagement between stakeholders to end clashes between journalists and security agents.

    The symposium, which was organised by Trinity Communications, publishers of Safety and Security Watch Magazine, held yesterday at NECA House in Ikeja, Lagos

    It was themed ‘Safety of journalists and the challenge of impunity in Nigeria’.

    Former Managing Director, Champion Newspaper, Mr Emma Agu, said journalists need to be acquainted with security imperatives.

    “Security agencies should also understand the working of the media, outside their perception of the way the media should function. This relationship would strengthen understanding between the two professions and reduce conflicts and causes of.”

    He noted that there is need to create some features for journalists covering certain activities by way of insurance as there could be disaster.

    “Media houses should create special insurance for journalists covering conflict zone,” Agu added.

    Managing Editor/Coordinator, Trinity Communications, Dr Amaechi Chinyere, said the symposium is to mark the 2017 World day for safety of journalists.

    According to her, the aim is to create awareness on the hazards that are embedded in the job of a Journalist, so that the society will understand and find a way of assisting them to do their work better.

    “The only way to bring an end to impunity is through the law. The law is there but it is in implementing it that we have problem.

    “For years people harass journalist and employers don’t pay them well.  Journalists fight for others but nobody cares about or fights for them.”

    The only way to stop impunity, she added, is to play by the rules and for Nigerians to rise against impunity wherever it occurs in the media.

    She urged government to comply with the provisions of all laws. “All the laws against impunity should be activated. Employers of labour should equip their workers. All journalists should rise up and begin to do our job well. We should do an easement on the hazards of our jobs before embarking on it,” she said.

    Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Olarinde Famous-Cole, an Assistant Superintendent, said the police and the public work hand in hand to achieve necessary result.

    According to him, “The police have evolved over time, we have the human face and we have increased our form of community relationship.”

    “The new CP wants us to synergise more and create a better relationship and be more cautious to how we interact in our conduct among civilians,” he said.

  • Security practitioners meet

    The Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN) Lagos chapter has held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and seminar.

    Its Treasurer Pastor Nasiru Sule-Bamigbola in his report said the association did well in the outgoing year. He also scored the group high in other areas. His report was accepted by the House.

    During the election that followed, all the executives were returned unopposed for another four-year term. They included Chairman, Wilson Esangbedo, and Pastor Sule-Bamigbola.

    In his acceptance speech, Esangbedo promised to fly the banner of the group higher by executing some projects, including ongoing ones. Specifically, he said he would also emphasised training.  He enjoined the stakeholders in the industry to join hands to move it forward, noting that there is strength in unity.

    He said the seminar, which harped on supervisory leadership, was vital, noting that the more security supervisors were trained, the better for the industry as they are important in the value chain. ‘

    ’The supervisors make things happen, they create the environment for efficiency. If they are not well-trained, there will be a problem, for they are the ones coordinating things,’’ Esangbedo added.

    A paper presenter, Major D. A. Banjo (rtd) of the Africa School of Security Technology (ASST) urged supervisors as leaders to deploy the various management strategies to get things done.

    He suggested the provision of resources, development of competence and confidence and training of supervisors to enable them optimal performance.

  • Don urges govt to empower tradomedical practitioners

    Professor of African Traditional Medicine, Prof Philemon Amanze, has called for the empowerment of traditional healers through adequate training and orientation in the handling and treatment of malaria.

    Prof Amanze made this call while delivering the 15th Babcock University’s inaugural lecture titled: Emerging challenges in the use of African Traditional Medicine in Healthcare delivery System: The way fForward.

    The solution to malaria disease affecting over 300 million people around the world, he said, lay in government’s recognition of traditional healers through orientation and adequate training to diagnose and treat malaria disease with available medication.

    This, according to him, would nip in the bud the more than 85 per cent of deaths in Africa that are attributable to malaria disease.

    Amanze said modern and traditional medicine healers should come together and work towards effective regulation, acceptable standardisation, and embrace the long awaited cooperation and integration of both forms of medication.

    He suggested that a comparative research be carried out between Seventh-day Adventist medical and health institutions that added traditional medicine to their curriculum and other similar institutions that depend solely on the orthodox system of medication.

    “This is to assist the healthcare delivery system to ascertain the level of attainability of their goals and objectives,” he said.

    The Dean of School of Education and Humanities also called for synergy between modern and traditional doctors in the use of traditional and alternative systems of medicine as observed in industrialised nations of the world.

    He, however, listed a number of challenges confronting the use of African traditional medicine, to include categorisation status of herbal products; challenges related to the assessment of safety and efficacy; challenges related to the safety of traditional medicine and wrong concept of disease, among others.

  • ‘Lagos’ll flush out quack trado-medical practitioners’

    The Lagos State Government will flush out quack trado-medical practitioners, House of Assembly Committee on Health Services Chairman Segun Olulade has said.

    Olulade spoke at an interactive session with reporters covering the assembly at Renaissance Hotel in Alausa, Ikeja, on Wednesday night.

    Reacting to a question on the need to get rid of quacks in the alternative medicine practice Olulade said: “We are getting rid of them, we are going to flush out those traditional medicine practitioners who claim that their medicines solve all ailments.”

    He said when the traditional medicine board become “fully operational,” the quackey would be curtailed.

    Olulade, representing Epe Constituency II, said the government would not tolerate sharp practices noticeable in some public hospitals.

    He urged the public to report any errant health worker involved in professional misconduct to ensure that they are brought to book.

    “We have numbers displayed at all our public hospitals, people should make use of those numbers by sending text messages. If anyone of them is found wanting, they will face the music,” Olulade said.

    He explained that the health sector challenges include shortage of personnel and poor referral system.

    The government, he said, would address the shortage of personnel.

    Olulade urged patients to make use of primary health centres, saying if there is need for referral, it would be done.

  • Officers of U.S. War College meet Nollywood practitioners in Lagos

    Officers of U.S. War College meet Nollywood practitioners in Lagos

    Members of the American War College and officers of the United States Air Force, on Monday, 27 January, visited the office of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in Lekki, Lagos, for a historical tête-à-tête with some of Nollywood practitioners and stakeholders.

    The AWC said they were in Nigeria for fact-finding and that Nollywood, the second largest producers of video films in the world, was one of the sectors they wanted to understand.

    The meeting which was midwifed by the Founder/CEO of Africa International Film Festival, Ms Chioma Ude, was attended by top U.S. Embassy staff and Nollywood stakeholders like Igwe Gabosky, Prince Jide Kosoko, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, Alex Eyengho, Kate Henshaw, Hilda Dokuboh, Norbert Ajaegbu, and Paul Obazele among others.

    Lt. Colonel Bill Curlin of the United States Air Force who led the delegation noted that it is important to America that it understands Nigeria beyond its political state, and to find other areas of interests, including security, that could be of benefits to both countries.

    “It is not enough to understand Nigeria from the angle of the politicians or political decisions being made, but to fully grasp the understanding of various sectors which when put together, form a unified and formidable front,” he stated.

    Sharing his thoughts on the visit of the American delegation, Eyengho who noted that the meeting was very engaging from both sides said, “We told them what they ought to know and do so as to deepen the Nollywood brand they care so much about.

    According to filmmaker who hinted on the menace of piracy in the sector, “There is basically no way to put up a fight against the pirates because they are more organised with a definite plan as to mode and means of distribution, aided by the right finances and channels.” He added that Nigerian content is not protected on the internet and advised that “co-production treaties should be encouraged so as to foster better and more global productions that cut across borders and are better structured.”

    Also speaking, Nollywood actress Kate Henshaw noted that the issue of social satires are not commercially viable in Nigeria. “Nigerians do not take culture or heritage seriously, and we are gradually drifting away from what we have always known to a new world order. People are not really seeking relevant themes but are more interested in comic and feel-good themes that shy away from the truth and nothing more,” she said.

    Speaking with The Nation, Colonel Paul H. Nelson, a surgeon in the United States Air Force buttressed on the relevance of the visit, saying: “Being a facilitator in the Department of International Security Studies, I tend to want my students to understand the world they will be operating in because that would prevent any form of altercation. Personally I have realised that we all are one; irrespective of race, we tend to care about the same things; family, survival, a better source of livelihood and the lot.”

    The meeting drew to a close with the presentation of a token – the shudder of an airplane – to the Nollywood practitioners by Curlin.

  • Practitioners urge healthy lifestyle to fight diseases

    Natural and alternative medicine practitioners have advocated a healthy lifestyle to prevent or reverse chronic diseases, such as cancer, heart attack and kidney failure, among others.

    According to them, the major causes of death are chronic diseases due to people’s bad lifestyle choices.

    A  health and wellness coach, Dr Biyi Olusanya, who spoke during Wholesome Health seminar with the theme: Maintaining a healthy human body in the 21st century, said people needed to be adequately informed about risk factors of chronic diseases to avoid them.

    Olusanya said there was the need to proffer alternative healthcare solutions that are affordable, cost effective and sustainable in giving hope to people suffering from chronic diseases or non communicable diseases.

    He said nutrition promotes the body’s self healing therapy, stressing that by adopting a healthy lifestyle people can put diseases at bay.

    Besides, it is important for people to know that making the right  choices  promotes their health.

    “People should embrace diet, fitness and spirituality, have a good state of mind and rest appropriately,” he said.

    He said a holistic approach to treatment will help to prevent chronic diseases, adding that natural medicine provides total or complete healing.

    Olusanya said: “The seminar was organised to change people’s lifestyle culture by educating them on the predisposing risk factors and alternative lifestyle options that promote healthy living. These are based on natural, scientifically proven and cost effective options that are easily available and affordable to everyone. This in turn will allay the fear of chronic diseases, reduce dependence on medication, which has deleterious side effects and increase life expectancy”.

    Reverend Tony Akinyemi, a natural medicine practitioner, said people are looking for alternative methods to healing.

    “Moreover, people are sick and tired of being sick and tired,” he said.

    He said people should take ownership of health, adding that their role in managing their health is much more than that of the doctor.

    Speaking on 21 steps to holistic health plan, he urged the people to increase their knowledge of healthy eating/ lifestyle.

    He continued: “They should also abstain from taking every food that they can lay their hands upon, and thus be moderate. People should maintain personal hygiene and detoxify their system. Taking nutritious food is non-negotiable. They should drink water to prevent dehydration and exercise regularly. Rest and sunshine will also do them a lot of good.”

    The reverend said people need to be pro-active by having regular check-ups, adding that they also need to laugh and be safety conscious.

    “They should engage in healthy relationships, pray and worship God. Many are proud but humility helps. It is also good to show gratitude. They should exercise faith, which is a word therapy and have the will to live as well as have purpose so that their lives can count,” he said.

    A naturopath, Dr Tina Mba, said people can improve their health by simply taking water to move their bowel and, as such, reverse constipation.

    According to her, water should be drunk first thing in the morning and last thing at night to prevent or reverse constipation.

    Getting rid of waste products from the system, she said, was a good way for people to begin their daily activities.

    Dr Mba said vegetables and fruits can reverse chronic diseases, such as cancer and heart attack, and obesity.

    She enjoined Nigerians to take fruits and vegetables to boost their immunity and, as such, prevent chronic diseases.

  • Practitioners urge healthy lifestyle to fight diseases

    Practitioners urge healthy lifestyle to fight diseases

    Natural and alternative medicine practitioners have advocated a healthy lifestyle to prevent or reverse chronic diseases, such as cancer, heart attack and kidney failure, among others.

    According to them, the major causes of death are chronic diseases due to people’s bad lifestyle choices.

    A  health and wellness coach, Dr Biyi Olusanya, who spoke during Wholesome Health seminar with the theme: Maintaining a healthy human body in the 21st century, said people needed to be adequately informed about risk factors of chronic diseases to avoid them.

    Olusanya said there was the need to proffer alternative healthcare solutions that are affordable, cost effective and sustainable in giving hope to people suffering from chronic diseases or non communicable diseases.

    He said nutrition promotes the body’s self healing therapy, stressing that by adopting a healthy lifestyle people can put diseases at bay.

    Besides, it is important for people to know that making the right  choices  promotes their health.

    “People should embrace diet, fitness and spirituality, have a good state of mind and rest appropriately,” he said.

    He said a holistic approach to treatment will help to prevent chronic diseases, adding that natural medicine provides total or complete healing.

    Olusanya said: “The seminar was organised to change people’s lifestyle culture by educating them on the predisposing risk factors and alternative lifestyle options that promote healthy living. These are based on natural, scientifically proven and cost effective options that are easily available and affordable to everyone. This in turn will allay the fear of chronic diseases, reduce dependence on medication, which has deleterious side effects and increase life expectancy”.

    Reverend Tony Akinyemi, a natural medicine practitioner, said people are looking for alternative methods to healing.

    “Moreover, people are sick and tired of being sick and tired,” he said.

    He said people should take ownership of health, adding that their role in managing their health is much more than that of the doctor.

    Speaking on 21 steps to holistic health plan, he urged the people to increase their knowledge of healthy eating/ lifestyle.

    He continued: “They should also abstain from taking every food that they can lay their hands upon, and thus be moderate. People should maintain personal hygiene and detoxify their system. Taking nutritious food is non-negotiable. They should drink water to prevent dehydration and exercise regularly. Rest and sunshine will also do them a lot of good.”

    The reverend said people need to be pro-active by having regular check-ups, adding that they also need to laugh and be safety conscious.

    “They should engage in healthy relationships, pray and worship God. Many are proud but humility helps. It is also good to show gratitude. They should exercise faith, which is a word therapy and have the will to live as well as have purpose so that their lives can count,” he said.

    A naturopath, Dr Tina Mba, said people can improve their health by simply taking water to move their bowel and, as such, reverse constipation.

    According to her, water should be drunk first thing in the morning and last thing at night to prevent or reverse constipation.

    Getting rid of waste products from the system, she said, was a good way for people to begin their daily activities.

    Dr Mba said vegetables and fruits can reverse chronic diseases, such as cancer and heart attack, and obesity.

    She enjoined Nigerians to take fruits and vegetables to boost their immunity and, as such, prevent chronic diseases.