Public relations expert, marketing strategist, and author of The Unfettered Woman, Efe Obiomah, has highlighted the importance of reverse mentoring and deeper stakeholder engagement during her reflections on the recent Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum.
Obiomah, who left the telecommunications sector in 2013 after her tenure at Etisalat, described her return to the industry event as “delightful and nostalgic,” calling it “the most enriching corporate event I’ve attended this year.”
The forum, themed “Bridging the Telecom Value Chain Skill Gaps: Empowering Indigenous Talents for Industry Growth,” convened industry leaders to address pressing challenges within Nigeria’s telecom ecosystem.
According to Obiomah, one of the most thought-provoking ideas shared at the event was reverse mentoring—a practice where younger professionals, particularly from Generation Z, mentor their older counterparts to foster mutual learning and bridge generational divides. She also endorsed the suggestion to “drop the generational labels altogether,” noting that “wisdom and innovation aren’t age-bound.”
Obiomah further emphasized the strategic value of speaking engagements as a powerful but underutilised public relations tool in Nigeria. She noted that hearing a CEO speak at the event reshaped her perception of their company, demonstrating how thought leadership can build trust and influence public opinion.
“PR is more than media relations,” she said. “It’s employee relations, executive visibility, stakeholder engagement, and the culture you build from the inside out.”
She urged business leaders to prioritise authentic engagement and encouraged PR professionals to attend industry events that deepen their understanding of clients’ businesses.
“You can’t tell the story of a business you don’t understand,” she remarked.
Reflecting on her personal experience at the event, Obiomah admitted she was initially hesitant to take photos but later relented, describing her final snapshot—“ruffled hair with a wide grin”—as evidence of how much she enjoyed learning and connecting with peers.
In a closing note, she also drew attention to the World Mental Health Day Awakening Summit hosted by Mindsplace, now taking place virtually, reminding readers that “mental illness knows no age.”
— End —
#StakeholderEngagement #PR #Leadership #Telecoms #ReverseMentoring #CorporateCommunications
