(This article originally written on
11th December 2006, but is published online
on 31st January 2007 as part of the SDAc's Social Change Information
and Education Service)
A
WARNING ABOUT THIS ARTICLE!
Let me make this clear right
from the start: This article is NOT written as a publicity
stunt to get myself noticed by ANYONE or ANY GROUP
or ANY ORGANISATION. I have NO interest in meeting
you or anyone else on this issue. That is why I have
tried hard to say all I think I know on this site.
That way, you won't need to meet/contact me for any
further details. I do NOT care if you are the friend
or relative of the CEO(s) of any of these companies.
I do NOT care if you are Ben Murray Bruce or John
Momoh HIMSELF.
I do NOT wish to be contacted
regarding what I have written in this article. I do
NOT want to know what any of the three companies I
have chosen THINK about it. Neither am I looking to
get ANY endorsements, gifts, support, assistance,
sponsorship etc, be it directly or indirectly for
doing this. Fail to heed the advice I have given here,
and you might just get some embarrassing feedback
from me!
YOU HAVE
BEEN WARNED!!!
Tayo
K. Solagbade - Wednesday 31st January 2007
PS: Think the above
is a self-defeating attitude? Well, let's just say
it's my street-level entrepreneur's gut-level instinct
for self-preservation that makes me take this position!
:-)
UPDATE: On Feb 25th 2009, I got a website contact form message from a reader of this page, which read in part as follows: "Your third rated socially responsible company is Channels TV & you dwelt a bit on Yvonne Bassey's input into TRAVEL NEWS. Right now though, Yvonne is the MD/CEO of
THRU' THE EYES OF AN AFRICAN - her own company that will be rolling out a
travel/tourism programme with the same name as the company in a few months; she left
Channels recently." In spite of my warning (above) the sender felt it would be worthwhile letting me know about the foregoing change in Yvonne's status. I agreed with her - hence this update. Read the full message on my Blog.
|
They Were Chosen Using SDAc's
Social Development Impact Indicators...
1. For Being
Relevant To Society: My Proud
African and Beat
The Nigerian Factor websites on their "About"
pages state clearly that I believe an organisation cannot
truly succeed in any environment it operates in, if it does
not make a sustained and significant contribution to the socioeconomic
development of the people. Not only will this enhance goodwill
relations with the hosts, it also increases the chances of
the organisation getting good quality manpower to recruit
into various levels in the long term - and at lower costs.
2. For Using
Mass Media/Information & Communications Technology(ICT)
to boost the effectiveness of the things they do. Among other
things, this allows them to increase the level of their audience's
participation, and also increases the audience population
that has access to the information, entertainment or education
they offer.
3. For Developing People
by informing/educating them, promoting responsible behaviour,
Team-Working, Partnerships & Collaboration.
Who
They Are
The following organisations, on a scale
of 1 to 10(for Social Development) are my 2006
top 3 Picks from reviewing my observations of developments
in the Nigerian environment in the last two years. After this
maiden rating, I intend to do this on an annual basis.
No. 1 :
Nigerian Breweries Plc
No. 2 :
Silverbird Entertainment
No. 3 :
Channels TV
Key Strengths Of Each Organisation
A). Nigerian
Breweries of all the major corporations in Nigeria
has always amazed me by their ability to maintain visibility
in the eyes and minds of consumers and non-consumers alike.
Unlike other corporations which focus on getting maximum returns
from their markets, NBPLC very often find a way to do things
that directly impact very positively on the day to day lives
of the people. As I said before, many times, they do this
in a way that even non-consumers of their products even benefit.
There is no reason for me to elaborate
further - as I am sure you know a few examples - BUT I will.
The string of reality shows(Ultimate Search, Making The
Band, Amstel Malta Box Office) and other engaging activities
organised by this company by involving Nigerian men and women
speak for themselves.
Note also that most of these events
are deliberately given a definitive Nigerian/African flavour
that makes for originality - something we can really call
our own. Another thing they do well is to bring international
quality achievers in various fields to "interact"
with our local up-coming talents by organising high profile
shows at which the invited superstars perform on the same
stage with our own people. Over time, there is no doubt that
the resultant rub-off will lead to some of our best talents
getting invited to perform at similar events in other developed
countries.
Then there is also the fact that NBPLC
constantly excels on the creative front - linking their business
development efforts with socioeconomic development. You
could argue that it's all still part of a business marketing
strategy, but that cannot take away the obvious beneficial
impact of what they are doing. And come to think of it,
they are after all in business to make profits - and certainly
have to answer to their many shareholders!
Again the Ultimate Search campaign
is a perfect case in point. Isn't it wonderful to know that
many non-Nigerians (and Nigerians in diaspora) are likely
to be getting an inside view - through the TV show - of the
beautiful tourist/historical destinations on offer in the
country? That's business creativity at its best. NBPLC definitely
has a crop of managers who KNOW how to do a lot of GOOD THINKING!
That's why I scored them
7 out of 10 on the Social Development Impact Scale.
Many corporate organisations are going
to be copying this successful NBPLC model over time. Let's
hope they can make it as value-adding as the "Gulder
guys"!
B). Silverbird
Entertainment is doing what many, many, many corporate
organisations in this country should be doing, if they really
want to prove their commitment to developing the human capital
of this country. And for those organisations which could argue
that they do not have the manpower or time to delve that deeply
into such activities, I would remind them that they can be
just as equally involved by supporting Silverbird's many initiatives(financially
and otherwise).
SILVERBIRD is the back bone of Nigeria's
entertainment industry. Let's not be under any illusions here.
Without Silverbird Entertainment and Ben Murray Bruce(a
modern day "ideas-driven" entrepreneur to the core),
I dare to say that virtually ALL the huge leaps of progress
recorded in the entertainment industry in Nigeria over the
past 5 years would NEVER have happened. Let me challenge
your thoughts further: Imagine Ben Bruce and Silverbird
deciding to take a ONE year break and relocating to the Bahamas,
to have nothing to do with entertainment in Nigeria for 365
days: ALL HELL WOULD BREAK LOSE! Let us all
recognise and care for the goose that's laying our golden
entertainment industry eggs! Hopefully other people will complement
Ben Bruce's effort and launch similar projects or join forces
with him.
Rhythm Unplugged is one initiative
that has opened unlimited doors of opportunities for many
hidden talents to flourish in this country. Even as it has
brought huge streams of income into the company, Silverbird
has demonstrated continued willingness to introduce creative
changes to make every edition of the show worthwhile for attendees.
Without Silverbird in the entertainment industry, to challenge
the dinosaurs that previously had a stranglehold on it, much
of the revolution we all enjoy in the entertainment industry
today, WOULD NEVER have happened. That's why all of us MUST
be grateful to Ben Bruce (and the rest of his team) for putting
their TV, and Radio Stations on air.
Rhythm 93.7 FM some 2 to 3 years back(I
think) during a celebration of Fela Anikulapo Kuti's anniversary
did a comprehensive and very entertaining radio documentary(that
I took care to follow very closely especially while driving)
in which people like Baba Ani and Benson Idonije
were interviewed. I think it was titled "Fela,
The Enigma". Through listening to Baba Ani's narration
of some of Fela's difficult startup experiences, I learnt
so much and drew great inspiration from the life of a man
I had greatly admired but never got to see in the flesh until
he passed on. By producing that special series, Rhythm 93.7
FM opened up a new world of possibilities and set a new standard
for their industry.
Make That Rhythm 93.7FM FELA Documentary
Into A FREE Downloadable Ebook(Or Get It In Print & Some
Of Us Might Just Buy IT!)
By the way, putting an acrobat PDF
transcript version of the "Fela, The Enigma"
documentary series on their website as a FREE download could
just drive a worldwide Fela Fans traffic to the website maintained
by Silverbird/the radio station(For the life of me, I cannot
recall the exact web addresses!). If Silverbird make it necessary
for those who want the FREE Fela PDF books to provide an email
address to which the books will be delivered, they would be
able to build up a substantial newsletter international mailing
list for use in future campaigns.
One More
Suggestion To Silverbird's Team On This: As I have
stated in my articles on Print-On-Demand(POD) publishing,
virtually anyone willing to make the effort can successfully
get his/her book published in physical form at more or less
ZERO cost using services provided by web based Print-On-Demand(POD)
publishing companies like cafepress.com and lulu.com. I
have successfully done just that with a book of my own.
I suggest the Silverbird team consider setting up an online
store like the ones I maintain at Cafepress.com
and Lulu.com
or check out this Eyo masquerade store I helped setup and
created T-shirt branding images for at: http://www.cafepress.com/ezeartsonline.
They could publish stuff like the print
version of the "Fela" Ebook I mentioned; or create
branded gifts items for their many events and shows that people
could buy online. Nigerians living abroad would be glad to
get a piece of the action - T-Shirts/Mugs/Mouse Pads/Key Holders/Boxer
Shorts all bearing images of star Musicians and comedians
or beauty queens etc. There's so much that can be done! You
can also read my 2005 articles titled "A
System That Can Produce Millionaire African Writers"
and "A Proven Solution That
Enables Any African Write And Publish An International Quality
Physical Book At Zero Cost!" to learn more about
what web companies like Cafepress and Lulu can do for you
AT NO COST with respect to the above.
Provide
Transcripts/Publications Of Programmes & Interviews: In
my opinion, STV could go further and produce special print
publications based on the exclusive documentaries they conduct,
for sale at places like the Silverbird Galleria or even e-book
versions for paid (or FREE ) downloads from their websites.
NOTE: It
takes very little effort and time to generate the publications
I refer to, from the existing materials - you only need someone
with the required know-how. I am certain Silverbird will have
no problems finding such person(s). Considering the worldwide
followership of Fela and his music, I am certain thousands
of fans would want to get a copy of such a publication that
gives them more insight into the life of a man who was truly
an enigma. The social development purpose here would be to
use the TRUE, un-doctored story of Fela's life as told by
those who knew him best, and who worked closely with him to
inspire and educate young people to one day aspire to excel
in their own chosen vocations, using him as a role model,
reference point etc.
In the use of digital technology and
the net, Silverbird is setting the pace for others to follow.
Apart from making latest movie schedules available on their
website, they have introduced the STV TeleText service which
I am certain many business viewers will find useful. Other
stations will need to step up to this level.
I scored Silverbird
6.0 out of 10 on the Social Development Impact Scale
C). Channels
TV is the best when it comes to delivering to the public
the most truthful, and realistic perspective of the news.
Just like they promise, they really do go out of their way
to get THE NEWS from those who should know and give
it back to us intact.
What I love about this TV station's
team is also that they do plenty of thinking about better
ways to serve the viewing public. In fact one sometimes gets
the impression that they have a specially developed barometer
that helps them accurately gauge the potential level of interest
of Nigerians in various issues. Next thing you know, Channels
TV introduces some special feature (e.g. Nigeria Decides)
to bring news about those burning issues right into people's
homes. Most Nigerians will agree, that if you hear any rumours
about something that has happened, the only time one can be
100% sure it really has, is when you hear it on Channels TV.
That's how good they are. They bring people into "hot
seats" to explain their good or bad roles in current
affairs etc.
Worthy of separate mention, I believe,
is Channels TV's Travel News documentary anchored by Yvonne
Bassey. This programme is ALWAYS so well put together - and
Yvonne's articulate use of the English Language in her narratives
about the various destinations - in my honest opinion - is
truly impressive. I really believe Channels TV's Travel News
is of an overall production quality that matches similar programs
from stations across the world!(No flattery or exaggeration
intended!).
I scored Channels TV
5.8 out of 10 on the Social Development Impact Scale.
Measuring NBPLC's Impact
It is not just a one-off thing for this
company. What NPCPL has done rubs off and therefore has long
term potential multiplier effect. And that's why I chose them
as No. 1.
The impact of NBPLC is greatest because
of the huge transformation that occurs in the lives of most
of those who take part in their organized programmes. Is it
the weeks of working together with strangers from all over
the country to form a real-life band under demanding schedules,
and working to tight deadlines? Or is it the exposure to physically
challenging, mentally tasking excursions through rough and
unfamiliar terrain in search of hidden rewards - contesting
with other equally motivated counterparts?
Anyone who has watched the NBPLC reality
TV shows knows that most of those who pass through those events
emerge tougher and better prepared to deal with life's challenges
in general, because for the most part life outside school
IS often some kind of competition. As more and more young
people get exposed to these kinds of tests, either by way
of participating and losing out or winning or by watching
those who do so on TV, there is very likely to, over time
be an improvement in the quality of young people in the country.
As is stated on my
bio page, I believe that development
of a positive mind set, mental stamina and visualization are
the most crucial elements needed to succeed in any areas of
human endeavour.
It is my honest opinion that the above
stated elements are those needed for success in NBPLC's many
reality shows - especially the Ultimate Search. It therefore
follows that if the show continues to take place, a larger
number of young people in this country will gradually imbibe
these qualities. Ultimately, more of this new generation of
youths would be willing to put in the necessary effort to
achieve authentic successes, and help others do the same in
their personal and work lives - to the benefit of the larger
society and the entire nation.
What They Can Do Better Or Different
| A
Challenge For Silverbird, Channels TV, NBL and Others
Like Them On Local Software Development Talent Promotion
There is an URGENT NEED for
black Africans to pay MORE attention to Intellectual
Development, Technology & The Internet - especially
amongst our youth. This,
when intelligently combined with a return to
Agriculture, is the key to our future.
In my 2005 article titled "A
System That Can Produce Millionaire African Writers"
I expressed the strong belief(based on my personal achievements
and observations), that "empowerment of individuals
to be multi-skilled, independent minded creatives, who
are able to leverage technology and the Internet in
ways that require little or no capital, for the purpose
of offering value adding products and services for which
they will paid, is the most realistic, and viable solution
for Africans living in Africa".
In my 2006 white paper titled "The
World's Future Prosperity Depends On The Creation And
Evolution Of Digital Multipreneurs™",
I elaborated more on ways by which technology and the
Internet can be used by those willing to apply their
creative intellect, to create wealth in society.
Although they probably have never thought of it, Silverbird
entertainment through its TV station and Galleria are
PERFECTLY positioned to influence the creation of a
virile and profitable indigenous software development
industry in Nigeria and Africa. Every day school children
and adults visit the cinemas to watch movies and especially
cartoons.
On STV a wide variety of cartoons - many new ones readily
available from a seemingly endless supply from overseas
- are shown. What very few people in our society realise
is that movie animation/software development is a multi-billion
dollar industry. Just look at the Walt Disney company
alone. From "Lion King" to many other box
office success stories, the ability of software development
creatives to manipulate different programmes to produce
visually appealing animated characters who are made
to play out roles in captivating story lines show through.
Many Nigerians/Africans do not understand that the
Tom and Jerry episodes they watch have to be thought
up by some persons on a regular basis, so as to
ensure viewers always enjoy watching. Some people play
"voices" for different cartoon characters
and get paid handsomely to do so - for years. It take
huge amounts of intellectual effort or creative thinking
to come up with new ideas for story lines to use in
cartoons and movies.
That's why those who do those jobs in developed countries
get paid well. And that's why the rules about protecting
the copyright on those works are so stringently applied
- since this is the only way to ensure adequate returns
on the invested time, effort and resources can be reaped.
If Silverbird can buy-in to a progressive minded software
development outfit with a view to influencing the turnout
of skilled software programmers of Nigerian descent
who will be given the needed support to establish software
development ventures of their own, to develop cartoon
characters relevant to the local environment, and create
series of episodes designed for our local TV stations,
we might just find that many of those who finish from
places like NIIT will begin to become more visible in
society in terms of what they do.
Currently all I notice is that people who claim to
study computer science/who graduate from NIIT etc are
very often only keen to carry certificates around searching
for jobs as IT personnel. Very rarely can they provide
verifiable proof of an original branded product of their
own which has found marketplace acceptance of any sort
- no matter how small. Some will claim they help edit
Nollywood movies, but the quality of many of those movies
in terms of editing will NOT help their case!
Software development as a business is a VERY LOW startup
capital endeavour. Ironically, when some cynics come
across people like myself who have successfully carved
a niche selling 100% locally developed custom spreadsheet
software in the Nigerian market, rather than ask to
see what we can do, they request to know what certifications
we have, or what professional associations we belong
to. The question I always ask is "Does my possession
of those things automatically imply I will be a competent
software solutions developer? Of course not! What
better way to test if a person is as good as s/he claims
to be if not to ask him/her to sit down in front of
a PC and DO something YOU tell him to do using his claimed
"skill".
I challenge these top 3 organisations to explore the
possibility of having young software development talents
collaborate to produce for them a series of products
- especially relevant to the lucrative entertainment
industry(Cartoon Animation in particular) to contribute
"sponsorable" local content on our TV channels.
They might find it useful to learn from overseas companies
like Walt Disney, how to go about it. Our kids would
learn more about Nigerian/African cartoon characters
based on our own folk tales and fables. The TV stations
and sponsoring companies would earn financial returns
through increased viewership and advertising patronage.
Who says it cannot work? |
Ahem ...About
Those EXTRA Reality Show Prizes! I know many people
may not like this, but I was wondering if it would not serve
more useful purpose to get additional sponsors to pitch in
from an educational perspective e.g. a donation of xyz amount
equivalent to the price of a SUV jeep by the winner to a school
of his/her choice from a list of those badly needful of funding
in some disadvantage part of the country. That way the winner
can be helped to remember that many people still exist in
the country who need help and that s/he can actually take
action to DO SOMETHING to provide that help. The requirement
to make this gesture could build useful leadership qualities
in him/her and make for more thoughtfulness in future.
And All That Money To Foreign
Music Stars? In my opinion,
the companies that go out of their way to bring in foreign
music stars to play in Nigeria at huge cost need to really
think AGAIN and find a way to pay our local artistes just
as well. The USA in particular is so adept at using her mass
media/propaganda machine to SELL virtually everything created
in that country to the rest of the world at huge profits.
One does not deny that Akon or 50 cent are highly successful
and popular. The truth however
is that without TV and other media covering their shows/playing
their music we would not know they existed!
If our Nigerian sponsors use the
funds they currently expend on foreign stars to INVEST in
the development and worldwide PROMOTION of our most creative
and talented music and comedy artistes, they would in no time
find that our artistes will start getting invited to perform
in other countries with mouth watering offers(as obtains for
our footballers).
It is my considered opinion that
THAT would be a more socially responsible and responsive way
for companies to spend their money. Since no one is ever perfect,
I honestly think this is one area that Nigerian Breweries
needs to re-think her strategy for providing entertainment
to Nigerians while promoting her products.
My Favourtite Nigerian
Artistes:
By way of interest here is a brief but not exhaustive
list of my favourite Nigerian music and comedy stars:
1. "Faze
- a guy I believe has HUGE singing ability and can make Nigeria/Africa
very proud in the near future with his talent/achievements.
2. D-Banj
- creativity runs in his veins!
3. Daddy Showkey
- a man who created a unique
brand out of nothing, that has now given hope to generations
of Ajegunle youths.
4. Obiwon
- he's got plenty of style/originality.
5. Style Plus
- I love them because they sing well/look good together, and
look like they could defy History, and STAY together.
6. African China
- for singing the ORIGINAL "Mr. President" song.
7. Basket Mouth
- for his unusual but attractive hair style and jokes delivery.
8. Tu Face Idibia
-for setting the standard for others to follow.
Organisations That Were Not Chosen
There are certain corporate organisations
operating in the Nigerian business environment that enjoy
great visibility and exposure to the buying public, but "behave"
in a manner that betrays a one-sided relationship designed
to make people purchase more, without their necessarily getting
anything significant and of an enduring nature in return -
aside from the product/service being paid for. Such organisations
will NEVER get mentioned on this site in relation to this
top 3 ranking - except of course they "change their ways".
:-)
I believe any corporate organisation
that wishes to prove itself worthy of being called Socially
Responsible and Responsive must be willing to do things
that will enrich the lives of people in the society it operates,
EVEN when no direct or positive financial or business-related
returns will accrue to the company. The ability of decision
makers in a business to commit to improving the lot of those
in the communities they operate, by using the resources/influence
of their company, will go a long way in making that company
get perceived to be truly socially responsible and responsive.
That's what Silverbird Entertainment,
NBPLC and Channels TV - in my VERY PERSONAL opinion do so
well compared to their counterparts.
Should You Take My Top 3 Rankings
Seriously?
"So what? Who reads what
is written on this site anyway?". My
answer: You will be surprised to learn just
how far from Nigeria many people who visit this site live/work.
And you never know WHO might visit next!(But then you
could argue that you are not accountable to such potential
visitors, and you would be right).
Be smart - and think clearly. Tayo
Solagbade/Self-Development Academy Limited/Spontaneous Development
Dot Com may not YET have grown BIG enough to "get in
your face", BUT that's exactly where we are headed! Qualitative,
value-adding social change information, education and opinion,
well packaged and delivered in a manner that it reaches a
potentially unlimited audience, with potent impact, can successfully
influence a significant change in the knowledge and attitudes
of those who encounter it. That's what my work - in part -
is about : Self-Development Education/Information for
Positive Social Change/Development. You can choose to
be part of the revolution NOW - or wait till someone asks
you what you're waiting for! 
|
