By Edu Abade
Leading Nigerian independent energy company, Seplat Energy Plc in its 2025 Annual Media Training Programme in Abuja and in line with the company’s commitment to media excellence, entrepreneurship and economic well-being has canvassed profitable entrepreneurship awareness and the need for media professionals to prepare for retirement.
The training programme which was attended by no fewer than 50 journalists, brought together media professionals in Abuja for a two-day hands-on learning, expert-led sessions and transformative insights into the evolving media landscape and entrepreneurship opportunities open to media practitioners.
Journalists, in attendance, were exposed to various business opportunities they can venture into so as to create more value and broaden their horizons whilst working to be entrepreneurs.
Delivering a session on “Can Managers or Professionals (such as Journalists) make good Entrepreneurs?”, Nigerian professor of political economy and management expert, Professor Pat Utomi, examined the difference between the entrepreneurial and the managerial mindset trends, talent and opportunities spectrum. He identified entrepreneurship as a quantum leap in value creation.
A former Director of the Lagos Business School, Dr. Solomon Avbioroko, who spoke on “Ego States Profile and Impact on Transactional Analysis,” noted that ego states are the foundational elements of transactional analysis, influencing how we communicate, interact, and understand ourselves and others.
Avbioroko also anchored the session on “Second Phase of Life: Overcoming the Phobia”, observing that retirement is not an end but a beginning, an opportunity to experiment and explore, to engage in valued pursuits and to reinvent our legacy.
The session on “Understanding Digital Marketing: With a focus on Customer Journey Mapping” by Abiola Adedeji, a seasoned trainer, espoused the importance, benefits and components of digital marketing, as well as Digital customer journey mapping as a tool for creating communication strategy that builds a conversation with customers.
Uloma Okoro, a lawyer and serial entrepreneur delivered a session on “Developing A Business Model and Writing a Winning Business Plan”. She advised participants that, as professionals, the business world is a different and new environment, hence, the need to test the waters first before diving straight in. She further advised on the need to learn, unlearn and relearn, as mistakes are all part of the learning process.
In his sessions, seasoned Chemical engineer and trainer, Olu Onakoya spoke on “The Socio-Economic Environment and Challenge of Entrepreneurial Ventures: Entrepreneurial Leadership and Venture Financing” as well as “Financial Intelligence – Key Enabler of Prudent Investment: Lecture and Experience Sharing.
In a session on “Media Technology: Trends, Importance and Adaptability-Lecture, Exercises & Class Discussion, Nnamdi Uwaemelulam, a video editor and multimedia producer, emphasised the need for media professionals to embrace evolving technologies. He discussed innovative content formats, cross-platform media habits, and the critical role of personalisation and algorithms.
Speaking, Manager Corporate communications, Seplat Energy Plc, Stanley Opara, who represented Director, External Affairs and Social Performance, Chioma Afe, highlighted Seplat Energy’s commitment to developing capacity of its media stakeholders, fostering increased professionalism, and driving career sustainability. He commended the media representatives for their quest for knowledge and assured them of Seplat Energy’s commitment in consolidating on the company’s existing partnership with the media, going forward.
The two-day event was an impactful blend of thought leadership, skill-building workshops, and interactive sessions. It also featured brain teasers and fostered a dynamic learning environment tailored to media professionals aspiring to venture into entrepreneurship, be it in the media or other fields.
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