Professor Pat Utomi of the Pan African University has urged managers to strive to maintain a delicate work-family life balance, to continuously improve themselves through reading and training, and make positive impact in the communities where they live through meaningful participation in development programmes.
Utomi who spoke on the "Total man in a changing world" at the 1st Celtel Nigeria Men’s Day Workshop held at the Colonnades Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, charged the participants to take advantage of the opportunities they have as key players in such a vital sector of the Nigerian economy, in order to become well groomed professionals.
The event, which was organised by the Human Resources Group of Celtel Nigeria for the company’s male employees, was part of the Global Men’s Day celebration.
The two-day event featured presentations by motivational speakers on wealth creation and management, men’s health, corporate and personal brand building, relationships and grooming. The event also featured music, comedy and a participatory live discussion on "What is on a Woman’s Mind?" During the discussion session, Eve Banda-Msidi, director, talent development, Celtel, and popular actress, Joke Silva, tackled questions on female psychology, relationship, women concern about career/family balance, marriage, sexuality, and dressing, amongst others.
One of the high profile speakers and a medical Doctor, Dr. Emmanuel Ogbechie, offered tips on how to live a healthy lifestyle, while the presentation of Adegboyega Isiaka, an investment and financial planning expert, centred on wealth creation and management.
A grooming expert, Ifeoma Williams, spoke on dressing, personal brand building, confidence building, how to increase self-esteem, development of social skills, and how to raise sense of security.
The fast rising stand-up comedy act, Wamilele, added flavour to the programme with rib cracking jokes while renowned radio presenter and Event Compere, Dan Foster, was also on hand to make the event entertaining, effective and informative.
Also speaking at the event, Celtel Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ligali, said the programme was introduced to help the company’s male staff become better professionals and balanced workers/family men. Ligali said the programme, which is the first of its kind in the organisation for men, is designed to help the participants broaden their horizons, discuss vital issues that affect them most, interact and build better relationships within and across the various levels of the organizational structure, develop a clearer career vision and learn career enhancing tips, and get a handle of many factors that impact on the performance of men on their jobs and at home.
Mr. Ligali, who performed the pre-match ceremonies on the second day of the events, urged the participants to display the spirit of courage, character and commitment in the soccer encounter. The football competition was won by the Liverpool FC Supporters’ Club, who beat Manchester United Supporters. Man United Supporters had earlier beaten Chelsea Supporters on penalties to reach the final. In one of the matches, Arsenal lost their first match to Liverpool. Arsenal squared up with Chelsea for their last match, walking away with victory after a pulsating penalty shootout.
