I was thinking this morning..... A few days ago, I attended a media training at Lagos Continental Hotel. It was a dynamic and highly practical workshop on how to effectively engage external stakeholders, especially the media. My initial response upon being invited for the training was 'Na today?.' My thinking was that since I have been blogging since 2015, I can say I am pretty much okay with engaging the media.
Just a few minutes into the practical session where I sat in front of the camera and was interviewed by a senior correspondent from one of the major TV stations, my eye clear. Suddenly, the chair was uncomfortable, I stuttered as I spoke and could no longer articulate my thoughts. I quickly realised that no be the eye wey dem dey take chop eba dem take dey share meat.
The facilitator spoke about having a clear message and applying the bridging technique. As she did, I remembered Uche, a trader at Ibo market in Warri, who had recently concluded the burial rites of his mother. A journalist covering the commissioning of the newly constructed road in front of his house had met him to ask for his opinion. "How will this new road help the residents of this street?" He asked on live television. With little hesitation, Uche said, "Oh very helpful indeed. And I want to use this opportunity to thank all those who came for my mother's burial and all my customers who have been patronising me these many years. I thank all of them."
Sharp guy, you would say. Uche may not have had media training, but he had a clear message and knew how to use the bridging technique. With social media everyone has become a content creator, throwing out obscenities and spewing rubbish to the world daily. Lots of talk, but zero message. Before you post your next message or video, ask yourself what the message is because after you click the send button, "otilo." Like we say in Warri, water wey dem take make eba no fit return.
Na wetin you dey yarn? Colossians 4:6 says, 'Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.'
Stay hopeful. God's got our back.
Happy Sunday!
......Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey
