Olufemi Oladapo Soneye; Round Peg In Round Hole -By Adewole Kehinde

“When you’re surrounded by people who share a passionate commitment around a common purpose, anything is possible” – Howard Schultz

I was excited when NNPC Limited messages popped up on my phone to alert me that the company had appointed Olufemi Oladapo Soneye as its Chief Corporate Communications Officer.

The NNPCL has made some management changes in the recent past based on action steps for organizational renewal.

On September 17, the company appointed new executive vice presidents for the upstream, downstream, and gas sectors;

As part of that effort, management staff members who were within 15 months of reaching their statutory retirement age were to leave the company, effective September 19, 2023.

Recall that in June 2023, the Energy and Natural Resources sub-committee, part of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Advisory Council, took proactive steps to drive essential reforms within the energy sector.

They established a tight 0 to 100-day timeline for the incoming administration to engage in a thorough search for capable, experienced, and reform-minded leaders to oversee the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

The core objective of the initiative was to transform the NNPCL into a fully functioning commercial entity, aligning closely with the provisions outlined in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

The reforms are aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the energy sector, ultimately benefiting the nation’s economy and energy consumers.

Since NNPC became a limited liability company, the need for a perfect communication manager to manage its image and brand is no doubt.

I have no doubt that Olufemi Soneye will promote NNPC Limited’s mission, products, and services by ensuring all messaging, from a community email to a tweet, aligns with the values of the business.

Soneye is an expert when it comes to identifying potential press opportunities and creating and developing content that can be distributed via the company’s various channels, whether that’s social media, websites, newsletters, or press releases.

As a man coming from the main media field, he is fully ready to liaise with the press and external companies to conduct briefings and lead press conferences without bias.

There is no doubt that his impact will be felt across all levels of communication. He is ready to use data and insights to ensure the NNPCL’s tone of voice properly captures its values and vision in a way that its customers can fully respond to.

Soneye possesses excellent verbal and written communication skills that easily and effectively convey messages, ideas, and information to different audiences. He listens attentively and understands the needs and concerns of others, which is crucial in a communication role.

His building and maintaining positive relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, and the public stand him out. Olufemi Soneye interacts and collaborates effectively with individuals and organizations from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

I know very well that NNPC Limited has made the best choice in Soneye because he is flexible and adaptable to respond to changing circumstances or unexpected situations. He is an expert in adjusting communication strategies.

NNPC Limited will see massive progress because of Soneye’s innovative ideas and strategies to effectively engage and connect with different audiences. This includes utilizing various communication channels, such as social media and multimedia, to enhance the impact of messaging.

I know NNPC Limited has been facing a serial media trial, but his quick thinking and problem-solving abilities will soon be felt across all the media. He is ready to think critically and find practical solutions to overcome all the identified communication barriers.

Keeping up-to-date with the latest communication technologies and tools is important for a communication officer. This is another area where NNPC Limited will greatly benefit from Olufemi Soneye. He is an expert in using digital platforms, software, and equipment to maximize the impact of communication efforts.

In conclusion, as a seasoned journalist with full-time and freelance experiences at some of the world’s most respected publications in Nigeria, Australia, and the United States of America, Soneye will always maintain a professional demeanour, acting with integrity, respect, and diplomacy.

He will surely represent NNPC Limited and its brand in a positive and trustworthy manner.

Adewole Kehinde is the publisher of Swift Reporters and can be reached at 08166240846. E-mail: kennyadewole@gmail.com