Feature/OPED
Need For Ika Nation, Deltans to Support Fidelia Salami’s World Record Quest

By Jerome-Mario Utomi
It is common knowledge that Agbor, Delta State-born journalist, author, and tourism director and immediate past chairman of the Delta State Tourism Board, Dr Fidelia Salami, is pushing to create a world record with 300 hours of Guinness Book of Records Reading Aloud.
Aside from the awareness that what she presently seeks is how to positively project the country’s image to the global stage, also relevant to the present discourse is the awareness that the project, which, all things being equal, is expected to come up in January 2025 in Delta State, is also characterised as capital intensive and therefore calls on all to queue behind and give her the needed support, both moral and financial.
Beyond this peripheral and general call, there are, of course, more pressing reasons why well-meaning Ika indigenes in particular and Deltans must not only give unalloyed support but view the project as their own. This indication was made known recently during my interview with the illustrious Ika daughter in Lagos, Nigeria.
Beginning with the challenge of sponsors, she said, “We all know the economic condition of the country at the moment. I’ve had to go the extra mile looking for sponsorships. Even when sponsors look like they’re coming, at the end of the day they tell you, ‘We’re sorry there’s nothing we can do to help you, ma.’ It’s so frustrating. I’ve had a sponsor from outside the country that wanted to come in, and eventually, everything they’re asking of him, he wants to be in total control. So, what’s the need for me? Nothing, and I don’t want to venture into such an event. At the end of the day, my team, I’m supposed to be able to appreciate them. If I can’t appreciate them, what is the gain?”
Asked if she has made any step to approach the Delta State Government under which she served, she responded thus: “Yes, I’ve approached the Delta State Government. I have spoken to even the Commissioner for Tourism and my Commissioner for Education. I’ve had meetings with both commissioners several times. I’ve also met the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) on two occasions about this event. So far, like we all know, the economy is not something laughable about. If there’s money, why not? If there’s no money, there’s nothing they can do. You can’t spill their blood to give me money to fund my event. At the right time, I believe everything will take shape”.
Away from Delta state government, getting Ika nation key into the program, again, she explained that dragging Ika nation into this project is the main reason why she obliged to do this interview.
In her words, “If I don’t take my grassroots along, it’s as good as not achieving anything. That’s the only homage I can pay to my late father, who is from Agbor. That’s even one of the reasons why I’m doing this project in Delta State. Ika nation, as far as I’m concerned, is my first priority. That’s why I’m doing what I’m doing”.
“I’ve had a chief from Agbor that has personally donated to the course of this event. And I’m so grateful to him. I don’t want to mention his name without his permission. To other Ika Sons and Daughters, I’ve put it on their platforms. I’ve put it on Ika Weekly, I’ve put it on the Ika Mirror platform, and I’ve put it in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ward 3, where I’m from. And I’m hoping. I’m still hoping that people will come onboard. So, when you say influential people, I’ve talked to some people through personal messages here and there. I’m still trusting God, but the truth of the matter is we all know how the situation of the country is. Everybody has their personal challenges. Whoever can donate to this course, I will be so happy. We all have children”.
“Apart from the Ika nation, I need to let you all also know that my mother is Itsekiri; even my appointment. Everything has revolved around Itsekiri. My mother too, even though I didn’t get to know her; she passed away when I was a child. Her people are extraordinary; they pushed me to where I am. So, I’m grateful; I’m humbled”.
“At this point in time, I can’t but appreciate no other person except the chairman of Vanguard Newspaper, who happens to be an uncle. I’m so loyal to him that I don’t know where to start from. But he knows from the bottom of my heart that I appreciate everything. He is also from my mother’s side.
“Like people will say, it’s not just one family that gave birth to you. There’s a man, there’s a woman. So far, I pay homage to both parties. May their souls rest in peace. To all Deltans, I am a proud Deltan. Anywhere I go, I make sure I project the Delta heritage before I project the Nigerian cultural heritage. So far, to God be the glory. I’m happy about that.”
Asked if the immediate past governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, is aware of this project, she stressed that the project actually came up when the immediate past governor’s tenure ended. “So far, we all know that the current governor has been there for over one year. And this idea was conceived this year. The immediate past governor left last year, and we all know the situation in Delta State now is not really easy for the past governor also. So far, for now, I think I have to leave him out of this. That’s the truth about the matter.
Commenting on her team, Dr. Salami stated as follows: “Yes. There are my media crew, technical crew, and volunteers. I have a team of about 20 for now. Volunteers, I think there are over ten. I’m looking for more 20 volunteers by the grace of God. It’s a huge task. 24/7, we have to be training”.
On what she hopes to do with the proceeds if she wins, the Agbor-born tourist director has this to say: “That’s an interesting question. Like I said, I’m a national tourism author. I actually launched the books in Asaba when I was the chairman of the Delta State Tourism Board. And I invested millions into the book publication here and there. Somehow, I didn’t recoup the cost and because I didn’t recoup, I didn’t bother to print more books. So where I am now, I am seeing a situation where these books can go round the country. I’m actually going to raise funds to make sure I roll out these books around Nigeria. That’s where I am now”.
Asked about her message to the Ika nation in particular and Nigerians in general, she captured it this way: “When people ask me these questions, I take it with a smile. It gladdens my heart to be able to think positively about the nation Nigeria. But I take it with a pinch of salt because even the people you’re trying to prophesy into their lives, are they ready to take in the prophecy? That’s the two-way traffic at this point in time”.
“So first, I’d like to say to the nation that we will overcome this economic hardship. There will be a day when the nation will smile. Not just the people. Nigeria too will smile. And to Nigerians, I must say something: there’s nothing like enduring hardship. We were not born to endure hardships.
“As Christians, we were born to prosper. And definitely, by the grace of God, we will eat the fruits of this land in prosperity, by the name of the Lord Most High. I keep saying this because I have children. It saddens my heart to see students everywhere; all they do is their phones. Social media here and there. You can’t go somewhere and see a child with a physical book.
“Cover for cover, you won’t see them read. It’s sad. I’ve met a child that was asking the mother for her phone. I was like, What do you want to use it for? You just came back from school. She said they gave her an assignment, and she wants to do it with her phone. I said, Is it the phone you use to do your homework? She said, I want to Google.” I almost wept. This should not be the situation at this point in time. Nigerians are known to be trailblazers globally. But this next generation is not taking up the legacy we’re leaving behind. It’s sad, I must say”.
“To the students, please, there’s nothing like reading your books. Online books are fine, but with them, you get distracted. The truth about this is there’s nothing like hardcover books. Page by page, cover by cover. You can go back. But online, I won’t tell you lies; there are too many distractions. So, students, please take your academics seriously, and the sky will be your limit by the grace of God Almighty. Thank you”. She concluded.
For me, this is the best time to give our sister all the support that she needs in the present project.
Utomi, a media specialist, writes from Lagos. He can be reached via [email protected] or 08032725374.
Feature/OPED
Leveraging Kendrick Lamar Blueprint: How African Artists & Brands Can Maximize Global PR Impact

By Philip Odiakose
If you followed, watched, or were live at the Super Bowl you will agree with me that Kendrick Lamar’s presence at the Super Bowl was not just another high-profile performance; it was a masterclass in media influence, narrative control, and cultural imprinting. His ability to spark conversations, drive digital engagement, and shape public discourse proves the power of deliberate strategic media positioning. Through the lens of media intelligence and PR measurement, we can dissect how African artists and brands can replicate this effect to elevate their global presence. Beyond the entertainment factor, Lamar’s performance provided key lessons in media reach, sentiment shifts, and strategic PR execution—areas that African PR professionals and communicators must internalize to maximize value from major events.
PR measurement data from the event shows a surge in Lamar-related conversations across digital and traditional media. His name dominated print, web, and social trends, appearing in over 1.2 million posts within 24 hours, with a sentiment distribution leaning 67% positive, 21% neutral, and 12% negative. The performance’s impact was amplified by major media outlets covering the event in North America and Europe, as well as select African countries, particularly Nigeria and South Africa. This media traction is a testament to the significance of strategic placements, showing how a single moment can redefine public perception and commercial value. For African artists and brands, the ability to secure a presence at major global events must be seen as more than a mere appearance—it is a PR opportunity that must be measured, optimized, and aligned with long-term communication objectives.
One of the biggest takeaways from Lamar’s Super Bowl presence is the deliberate storytelling approach. He was not just performing; he was communicating a narrative. African artists and brands must be intentional about their messaging when engaging global platforms. Media intelligence specialists can help track how narratives evolve, what themes resonate with audiences, and how to pivot when necessary. Sentiment analysis also plays a crucial role, revealing how different audience segments react and allowing for swift reputation management. Many African brands struggle with post-event PR impact analysis, often focusing solely on momentary buzz without extracting long-term insights from media data.
The concept of “The Kendrick Lamar Effect” speaks to leveraging credibility, cultural influence, and performance metrics to sustain media momentum beyond a single event. African PR professionals must learn from this by ensuring that every global engagement translates into measurable brand equity. This means that artists, influencers, and corporate brands must work with media intelligence teams to quantify their impact, benchmark against industry standards, and ensure PR campaigns are not just reactive but proactive. The challenge many African entities face is the lack of structured measurement frameworks that tie media exposure to business or career objectives. This knowledge gap is where PR measurement must step in to bridge the disconnect.
A vital lesson from Lamar’s Super Bowl impact is the role of multi-channel amplification. The performance itself was one layer, but the true media influence was built through post-event interviews, media engagement, and collaborative content syndication. African PR teams must adopt an omnichannel approach to PR execution, ensuring that media exposure is not short-lived. This requires a strategic mix of traditional media placements, influencer partnerships, and digital storytelling. In PR measurement, it is crucial to analyze which media channels drive the highest engagement and conversion rates, ensuring that communication strategies are data-driven rather than intuition-based.
Looking at case studies from both African and global perspectives, we have seen how the absence of media intelligence has led to missed opportunities. Burna Boy’s Coachella moment, for instance, was a landmark global exposure, yet the post-event PR lacked the necessary follow-through in structured PR measurement. In contrast, brands like Nike and Pepsi have perfected the art of extending media relevance beyond an event moment by employing predictive analytics, sentiment tracking, and engagement mapping. This difference in execution is a key area where African PR professionals must evolve—ensuring that global opportunities do not just end with event visibility but translate into long-term influence and business value.
Beyond just media coverage, there is also the crucial aspect of audience behavior analysis. Lamar’s performance was not just about numbers; it was about how his audience engaged, shared, and created conversations. African PR professionals must shift from vanity metrics to behavioral metrics, focusing on how audience perception changes post-event. Did the media narrative drive new brand partnerships? Was there an uptick in music streaming or product purchases? These are the questions that media intelligence must answer, ensuring that PR efforts are aligned with tangible outcomes.
The overarching lesson for Africa’s PR and communications industry is that major events are PR goldmines—but only if approached with precision, backed by intelligence, and measured effectively. Lamar’s Super Bowl presence serves as a playbook for how media influence can be engineered through strategic PR planning, near real-time sentiment tracking, and multi-platform amplification. African artists and brands have the talent and potential; what remains is the intentional use of media intelligence to ensure that every opportunity is maximized to its fullest potential. PR measurement is not an afterthought—it is the foundation for sustainable media success.
Philip Odiakose is a leader and advocate of PR measurement, evaluation, and media monitoring in Nigeria. He is also the Chief Media Analyst at P+ Measurement Services, a member of AMEC, NIPR, AMEC Lab Initiative, AMCRON and ACIOM
Feature/OPED
The Future of Product Management: Key Industry Trends to Watch in 2025

By Princess Akari
If you had told me five years ago, when I was just transitioning into product management, that the role would look like this today, I might not have believed you. But after five years working as a Product Manager (PM), I’ve seen how fast the industry moves, and 2025 is set to bring even bigger changes. Product managers who stay ahead of these changes will build better products and grow their careers. Those who don’t may struggle to keep up.
Here are some key trends to watch and how to adapt.
1. AI, AI, AI!
AI has rapidly gained popularity and continues to grow in influence. For product managers, understanding and using AI tools is now becoming essential, as AI is transforming how we work. Understanding what we can achieve with AI, particularly large language models (LLMs), is essential. Some of the top use cases include content generation, customer support automation (e.g. chatbots), code assistance, research summarization, personalized learning, virtual assistants, data analysis, creative brainstorming, language translation, and much more. Also, as a PM, AI can be introduced into your product to improve user experience and in turn business outcomes.
You might be asking yourself, what can I do to stay in touch with this AI trend? You can start by learning how AI tools can improve your daily workflow, do your own research on the numerous AI tools available and their capabilities. Experiment with AI-driven analytics, user feedback tools, etc. Be very curious and get your hands on as many AI resources as possible.
I recently got an AI micro-certification from Product School. If you’re interested, You can take the course here. Recently as well, I hosted a podcast episode on building AI products, transitioning into AI, and using AI in product development. For Apple podcasts, you can listen here, and for Spotify, you can listen here. These are great resources to give you a good head start.
Other resources; deeplearning.ai, Hugging face, Alpha signal, The Neuron.
2. The definition of “Product Manager” is changing
A few years ago, we had a fairly standard definition of who a PM was and what a PM does. The role of a PM was more standardized, with a clear set of expectations and responsibilities. But as the years have come by, the world has changed and so has the role.
Today, we’re seeing an increased number of specialized PM roles. Some PMs focus on emerging technologies like AI, while others work deeply within data, design, growth, engineering, or operations. Beyond skill-based specializations, some PMs are industry-specialized, such as Fintech PMs, Healthtech PMs, or E-commerce PMs. No two PM roles look the same anymore.
Companies are increasingly hiring specialized PMs to tackle specific challenges, prioritizing specific skill sets and industry experience over conventional backgrounds. Instead of looking for a PM generalist who can adapt to anything, they create detailed role descriptions with targeted skill requirements, tailoring the role to solve specific business challenges. As a result, we’re seeing more unconventional hires stepping into PM positions because they have the exact expertise needed to tackle a company’s unique problems. This highlights an important reality for generalist PMs, specialization is becoming more valuable.
If you’re currently a generalist PM, it’s worth considering how you can narrow your focus, whether by choosing a particular industry or developing expertise in areas like AI, data, growth, design, or technical product management. The demand for specialized skills is growing, and upskilling in these areas will make you more competitive in the job market.
3. PMs are now taking ownership beyond product development
Product managers used to mainly focus on the tech team (engineers, designers, QAs, etc) to build and launch products. But these days (and even in recent years), the role has grown much bigger. PMs are now more involved in the business side of things, leading and guiding business verticals. The role now extends into profit and loss (P&L) considerations and the overall commercial success of a product. They work closely with marketing, sales, finance, and customer support to make sure the product succeeds, not just in how it’s built but also in how it’s launched, sold, and maintained.
PMs are now more involved with how the product will reach customers and profitability. They work closely with marketing and sales teams to ensure a strong product positioning and a seamless launch. It’s no longer just about building a great product, it’s about making sure it reaches the right customers, at the right time, with the right messaging. Ensuring people understand what the product does and why they should use it. This requires PMs to understand their competition, pricing strategies, and customer acquisition channels.
I am well aware that in some companies PMs are now responsible (fully or partially) for pricing and revenue strategies, just as much as the product features. They work with finance and business teams to figure out pricing options and ideas on how that business unit can make a profit. As these companies look for sustainable growth, PMs are also expected to collaborate with customer success teams to improve retention and customer lifetime value.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, product management is constantly changing and so are we as PMs. If there’s one piece of advice I’d give, it’s to stay curious and adaptable. We should be open to continuous learning and new ways of thinking. The more we adapt, learn, and refine our skills, the more valuable we become. There’s always something new to explore, and that’s what makes the role so dynamic.
And if you’re looking for the best place to put your product management skills to practice, join me at Moniepoint – https://www.moniepoint.com/careers
Princess Akari is a product manager at Africa’s fastest-growing financial institution, Moniepoint
Feature/OPED
Content Piracy: A Global Initiative Against a Global Enemy

By Temiloluwa Olajide
It’s no longer news that piracy is a global enemy, one that has destroyed and continues to destroy the work and livelihoods of countless creatives. From film and music to sports broadcasts and television series, piracy robs rightful owners of their earnings and threatens the sustainability of entire industries.
As a global scourge, it requires a global response and fortunately, powerful partnerships are being forged across the planet and across sectors to protect content creators and the industry they work in. These partnerships involved digital content platforms, law enforcement bodies, cybersecurity firms and tech companies, all working together to ensure the viability of the industries that inform, educate and entertain audiences.
At first glance, piracy might seem like an easy way to access free entertainment, but its consequences run deep, affecting both individuals and society as a whole. On a personal level, streaming a sports event or show from an illegal site can expose users to serious risks, such as malware infections, identity theft, or financial fraud. Hackers can gain access to sensitive information, including bank details, potentially wiping out accounts. The damage caused by such crimes far outweighs the satisfaction of watching a football match for free.
Beyond personal risks, piracy also cripples the creative sector by siphoning revenue away from legitimate rightsholders. When movies, music, and sports events are illegally distributed, producers and creatives do not receive their due earnings. This lack of compensation disrupts the industry, leading to fewer productions, job losses, and weakened investment in new content.
Nigeria has one of the most vibrant entertainment industries in the world, with Nollywood ranking as one of the biggest film industries globally and Afrobeats taking center stage in international music charts. The potential for even greater success is huge, but piracy poses an obstacle.
MultiChoice, a key investor in local content, has spent years bringing high-quality productions to audiences, yet piracy continues to threaten the industry.
Illegal streaming of sports events, reality TV shows, and locally produced series remains a major concern. This is particularly critical as the platform regularly broadcasts live feeds of many of the most popular sporting events on earth—F1, the Olympic Games, Euro, World Cup, and Champions League football, as well as popular local leagues.
Beyond sports, Africa Magic and Showmax Originals have become home to some of Africa’s most beloved entertainment shows, including hits like The Real Housewives of Lagos (RHOLagos), Big Brother Naija, and Nigerian Idol.
With content available in 40 languages and a growing library exceeding 84,000 hours, these platforms play a vital role in African storytelling. However, the rise of illegal streaming not only impacts revenue but also threatens the sustainability and growth of the creative industry.
To counter this, MultiChoice has joined forces with Partners Against Piracy (PAP) and cybersecurity firm Irdeto, actively tracking and shutting down illegal operations in multiple African nations.
With piracy tactics evolving, the fight against content theft must also advance. Strong collaborations, advanced technology, and public awareness are key to protecting the creative industry. By shutting down illegal operations and promoting legal alternatives, organizations like MultiChoice, PAP, and Irdeto are ensuring that content creators receive their rightful earnings and that audiences can continue to enjoy high-quality entertainment.
Ultimately, safeguarding creative content is not just about protecting businesses—it’s about securing the future of storytelling, preserving jobs, and ensuring that Africa’s thriving entertainment industry continues to grow. The fight against piracy is a shared responsibility, and by supporting legal content, we all contribute to a stronger, more sustainable creative economy.
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