When First Bank Took Top Media Gurus For On-Line Course In UK

First Bank, one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions is no doubt doing more than protecting public interest and safe keeping in the area of development and professional advancement, the bank which has a reputation for being in business for quite over a century recently proved why its management is ahead of others in the financial sector.

The bank recently reiterated its commitment to nation building and corporate social responsibility when it embarked on sponsoring select-few media executives and notable members of the new media (bloggers) for a capacity building course and workshop tagged: Strategic Online Publishing for Tabloids in the United Kingdom.

Leading the pack was the indefatigable and unassuming iron lady in charge of First Bank’s Corporate Communication, Folake Ani-Mumuney with her entourage, Yinka Ijabiyi and Oluwatoyin Ajayi, the crew left the shores of Nigeria aboard a London bound Virgin Atlantic Airways plane on Tuesday, July 14^th, 2015 with media notables such as Kunle Bakare of Encomium magazine, Mayor Akinpelu, Global Excellence magazine, Tunde Moshood, National Enquirer, Biodun Kupoluyi, E247 magazine, and Ayeni Adekunle of The NET.

Others on the trip are Lanre Alfred-The Capital, Adebola Williams-Red Media Africa, Tosin Ajibade-Olori Supergal, Alero Awoyemi of Proshare and Femi Coker, a Social Media Influencer to mention but a few.

The bank, in association with a UK based capacity development and business strategy firm, EMF Consulting organized a 3-day workshop where participants who were media gurus of international repute were taken on the future of the 21^st century media business as regards on-line publishing.

The workshop which held at the prestigious London Hilton Docklands hotel kicked off on Wednesday, July 15^th, 2015 with the first session: Overview and Revision of Current Business Strategy taken by Asari St. Hill, a young and articulate teacher described as an experienced coach and trainer with over 25 years of work experience in assessing and developing teams, mentoring senior managers and delivering a wide range of professional training courses. The day also had in its second session, an insight into the “Online Tabloid Media & Strategic Adaptability.   

The delegates were more fulfilled on the second day of the training with the tutorial prowess of Sebastian Paszek who carried the day with his professionalism as he carefully marshaled points to elucidate on: Hands on Practical Workshop-Online Publishing and other vital areas of the 21^st century media practice.     

The workshop was however adjudged as a beehive of adventures as the hosts, First Bank’s trio of Folake Ani-Mumuney, Yinka Ijabiyi, Oluwatoyin Ajayi with their counterparts from the EMF Consulting firm, Moranti Falade made sure the whole exercise was not just about classroom alone, there were cabs to take each and every member of the delegates for sight-seeing throughout their stay in London.

The climax of the UK Workshop was the delegates’ visitation to The Voice, a UK based pan African Newspapers which also manages a popular Caribbean title, The Gleaner. The Voice’ management led by its managing director, George Ruddock, the News Editor, Elizabeth Pears and On-Line & Young Voices Editor, Dionne Grant were quite receptive as they took us through the background of the Newspapers and how they’ve kept atop their games for years. It was indeed a worth-while adventures laced with professional achievements.