Celebrating voices of impact: The Nigeria LNG story
By Funke Egbemode
WE all came into this world with a voice, a multifunctional voice. For the child, it is the voice of announcement of his/her arrival into this world; for the medical professionals, it is the voice of validation of competence marked by another successful medical process and another good day in office; for the parents, it is the voice of celebration of a new addition to the family.
That’s as natural as it can get. As we grow into adulthood and assume our roles as members of the society we live in, whether or not our voices become a conveyor of impact is predicated on how well we have trained that voice to communicate impact – either at micro levels (individual or family endeavours) or macro levels (society and the world at large). Your voice is a powerful tool for communicating your expertise, confidence and authority; and the aggregation of such voices is what translates to human institution that are responsible for the proper functioning of the society.
This is where kudos is reserved for an organisation like the Nigerian LNG Limited that has continued to harness Nigeria’s vast natural gas resources and produce Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) for export in the last 25 years. This is a process that has been marked by sustainable practice and operational excellence over the years. Talk about impact, this is a worthy example.
But then, the Nigeria LNG remains a dominant figure of selflessness and altruism when it comes to looking beyond itself and its objectives, to celebrating voices that are breaking new grounds across the different fields of human endeavours.
How did I know this?
I’m glad you asked. It is not news that Nigeria LNG is the proud sponsor of three of the biggest and most prestigious prizes in Africa for science, literature, and literary criticism: The Nigeria Prize for Science and The Nigeria Prize for Literature, each worth USD$100,000 in award money, and The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism with a N1 million cash reward.
As far as literature is concerned, Nigeria as a country has been a voice of impact, producing some of the finest and most decorated literary icons and authors not only in Africa but globally. We have our own dear Professor Wole Soyinka, who put Nigeria in the history books as the first in Africa to produce a Nobel Laureate in Literature.
Nigeria LNG’s decision to institutionalize a prize in literature about 20 years ago was a move to save Nigeria’s voice in the global stage. Yes, the country had produced the likes of Professor Soyinka, the great Chinua Achebe, Niyi Osundare, Cyprian Ekwensi, Femi Osofisan, and the like; but the diminishing return was becoming evident at some point with a sharp dip in the quality of writings that was gracing the public sphere at a time in history.
That quality has since improved, thanks to the impactful contribution of Nigeria LNG. So, for past and future winners, and even shortlisted candidates that miss(ed) out on the prize by graceful margins, you can raise your heads with pride because you are all part of the rebuilding project, the preservation of the voice of this giant called Nigeria on the global stage as far as the discourse on literature is concerned.
Funke Egbemode
It hasn’t been a lone journey
It’s been an exciting journey in the last 20 years with many positives to take, many stars discovered and many lessons learnt. But to say the journey has been a solo run is to deny the impact of other critical partners and contributors to the process that translates to social change and development, a feature that undergirds Nigeria LNG’s interventions in the society.
One of such partners has been the media.
Of course, the media (in all its professionally and legally recognizable form) play a central role in communicating to the public what happens in the world. In instances where audiences do not possess direct knowledge or experience of what is happening, they become particularly reliant upon the media to inform them. That is not to say that the media simply tell us what to think, but they are key to the setting of agendas and focusing public interest on particular subjects, which operates to limit the range of arguments and perspectives that inform public debate.
Remember we mentioned earlier the challenge that informed the intervention of Nigeria LNG in Nigeria’s creative industry through the endowment of a prize in Literature. It is easy for a gesture of this nature to be mistaken as just one of those corporate acts that have no implication or relevance to the society; but the media, as a matter of duty, has done well over the years to keep the public informed about the sociocultural, sociopolitical and even socioeconomic implications of this movement.
Media is an integral part of our daily lives, playing a vital role in shaping our perspectives, informing us about current events, and influencing societal norms. From traditional platforms such as television, radio, and newspapers to modern digital media outlets, media has a significant impact on individuals and society as a whole.
For those who identify with the Christian faith, you will agree that when the Bible says that it is an absolute anathema for a person to trim a lamp and then hide it under a table rather than putting it in a strategic open place where it is able to provide reflections and illuminate a greater space and portion of an environment; the most contemporary example of an institution that typifies this analogical hypothesis is the media.
The media serve as traditional gatekeepers of information, bringing us the latest happenings from around the world, reporting on important events, political developments, scientific discoveries, and social issues, helping individuals stay informed about their surroundings. Media outlets also play a crucial role in disseminating knowledge, presenting educational programmes, documentaries, and thought-provoking content that expand our understanding of various subjects.
The media acts as a powerful medium for the expression of public opinion and the functioning of a democratic society like ours. Through news reporting, investigative journalism, and opinion pieces, media platforms facilitate debates and discussions on critical social and political issues. They provide a platform for diverse voices, enabling citizens to express their opinions and hold governments and institutions accountable, just as the twenty-second section of the constitution empowers it to do. The media’s role in democratic societies is to act as a watchdog, ensuring transparency, exposing corruption, and safeguarding the principles of democracy.
The media has proven over time to possess the ability to raise awareness about social issues, promoting dialogue and driving societal change by shedding light on matters such as inequality, human rights abuses, environmental concerns, and discrimination, bringing them to the forefront of public consciousness. Through investigative journalism and compelling storytelling, the Nigerian media has continued to influence public opinion and mobilize support for important causes; and by giving a voice to marginalized communities and highlighting their struggles, it has played a crucial role in advocating for social justice and fostering a more inclusive society.
The media has significantly impacted our cultural values, beliefs, and entertainment choices. Television, films, music, and literature shape our perceptions, influence our preferences, and reflect the society we live in. They provide a means of cultural expression, showcasing diverse perspectives and artistic creations. The media has also continued to inspire creativity, foster empathy, and promote cross-cultural understanding by showcasing different lifestyles, traditions, and viewpoints.
Let’s not forget how the media also plays a significant role in the economy, driving sales and patronage for advertisers, influencing consumer behavior and economic trends, and fostering connections between businesses and consumers in ways that promote entrepreneurship among other things.
It is only fitting to acknowledge that the media is a powerful institution across every human society, and governments and organisations that have harnessed its potentials in a responsible and ethical manner have only done well to create a progressive society. Well, just in case we are thinking this is simply brandishing theories because our society is nothing close to being a progressive one just yet, maybe it is time for us to sit back and reappraise the kind of media system we are encouraging in our own local context here in Nigeria – is it a fair system? Is it a responsible system? Is it one empowered to uphold the principle of democracy? Is it a system free from threats and intimidations?
Not forgetting media’s roles in corporate communication
In a world that management experts have described as VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous), organisations need effective corporate communications more than ever to share narratives that gets distinct stakeholders to “buy in” to the company’s mission, vision, and goals. For as long as an organisation like Nigeria LNG exist and continues to operate, there will always be the need to manage its relationships with diverse stakeholders and manage its overall public image.
This is important partly because of the need for transparency and authenticity as stakeholders are increasingly becoming inquisitive about what is happening behind the scenes and expect organisations to be honest and transparent about their operations. Organisations that are transparent and authentic can build trust with their stakeholders, which is essential for maintaining a positive reputation.
Talk about eliminating grapevines and setting the records straight, corporate communication also comes handy in saving the face of a business in such instances. Engaging with stakeholders is also a critical component of corporate communication as part of efforts to build relationships that foster trust, loyalty, and advocacy. This engagement includes not only customers and investors but also local communities, NGOs, and other groups that have a stake in the company’s operations. Crisis communication is an essential part of corporate communication. Companies face various crises, including natural disasters, product recalls, data breaches, and reputational issues. In times of crisis, effective communication is critical to managing the situation and maintaining stakeholder trust.
Also, sustainability has become an increasingly important issue for companies across the globe. Companies need to communicate their sustainability initiatives and their impact on the environment and society to stakeholders.
So, in this age of globalization, the mass media remains an essential mechanism in almost every sector. This explains why organisations like Nigeria LNG invest a prime focus on mass media and information dissemination process for their benefit and for the welfare of the society. Information and mass media are also helping them in survival in the global competitive market. Information is supporting them by indirectly enhancing the productivity and growth rate of the company. Information is the key ingredient of modern business. Information, mass media and proper communication strategy are supporting the business by developing a large number of extra value added system for the companies. The contribution of information and mass media in the field of public relation, advertisement, corporate communication, crisis management and corporate social responsibilities (CSR) is incredible and fabulous. It is healing the corporate crisis and projecting panoramic positive image of the companies.
These are impacts that grow with the business, these are impacts that transcend generations, and these are impacts that transcend borders. Today, we play glowing tributes to everyone who works to bring this impact to our country and the businesses that operate there in. We honour and celebrate journalists and media professionals who have walked this road of operational excellence with Nigeria LNG over the past 25 years and 20 years of institutionalizing the literature prize among other prizes. We honour the memories of those whose blood became the inks in which certain narratives were published, those whose misery became the window through which the public received the truth and those whose pains became the soothing balm for an oppressed society.
Thank you Nigeria LNG for being an agent of illumination, for being a lamp shining brightly beyond the oil and gas sector, for celebrating creativity and . Thank you for acknowledging the voices and impact of my tribe, the media. May the years ahead further strengthen this strategic partnership.
I thank you all for listening.
* Egbemode delivered the keynote paper at Nigeria LNG Limited to celebrate The Nigeria Prizes @20