Mr. Nn’emeka Maduegbuna, the Chairman, C&F Porter Novelli, provided this counsel at the recent masterclass organised by government relations and policy strategy consultancy, Growth and Transformation Professionals, (GTPro).

Maduegbuna who spoke on the topic “What is Your Public Affairs Strategy?” said: “The relationship between corporate organisations and the government is very critical, especially because government is responsible for policies that will affect the operations of businesses. However, many organisations do not have an understanding of how to navigate this critical process that will help add value to their businesses.”

The one-day masterclass was aimed at highlighting critical insights into the cost benefits of maintaining a strategic government relationship mechanism that is sustainable and accessing various windows that can be engaged in their stakeholder relations and engagement programmes. It also focused on increasing awareness and appreciation for the necessary approaches to government policies and regulatory regimes, as well as providing a platform for cross-fertilization of ideas between legislators, policy makers, and corporate executives.

Responding to critical questions about the concept of public affairs and its scope as it relates to business and politics, Maduegbuna said “In looking ahead, C-Suite level executives should be involved with public policy as well as engage in social issues. I am not saying they should become celebrity CEOs, but credibility CEOs who add value both within and outside their organizations because as leaders of corporate Nigeria, there are strategic, logical, and ethical reasons why you must be involved in public policy.”

Speakers at the Masterclass were resource persons with massive experience in public affairs who have successfully navigated this critical aspect of business as private and public sector players.

They included Senator Victor Nduma Egba (SAN), former Senate leader, Hon. Bimbo Daramola, a former member of the House of Representatives; and Mr. Olufemi Awosanya, founder and chairman of Proshare among others.

“With such knowledgeable speakers, I believe attendees were exposed to the very critical knowledge required in government relations and public affairs. By engaging with government officials and policymakers, businesses and organizations can work to shape policies in such a way that it will be favourable to their interests, helping to ensure that they are able to operate effectively and achieve set goals,” Maduegbuna concluded.

The event, which was a strictly by invitation affair, took place at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos, with captains of industries in attendance.

C&F Porter Novelli is Nigeria’s premier reputation capital company. The Garage, which harks back to the company’s founding in 1975 in the Gates’ family garage, in Albuquerque, USA, enables Microsoft employees to develop ideas and products for the marketplace.

Speaking at the session, Tony Ajero, Managing Director of C&F Porter Novelli, thanked Microsoft’s Principal Programme Manager, Soromfe Uzomah, for the opportunity to interact with The Garage and share insights on global best practices in business solutions.

Ajero said: “C&F Porter Novelli is a trusted business advisor and leader in strategic communications and we are always on the lookout for business opportunities that will be beneficial to our brand and our clients. This knowledge-sharing session has not only enlightened us on spotting these opportunities but also “riding the waves” of opportunities and doing things out of the ordinary.”

“With over 25 years of experience, bolstered with the 50-year-strong Porter Novelli network, C&F’s new strategic direction aligns with Microsoft Garage’s ethos. It is strategic that this session coincides with the international women’s day, and in line with this year’s theme, “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality.”

Soromfe Uzoma, Microsoft Garage Principal Programme Manager and facilitator, explained that The Garage is a programme that drives Microsoft’s culture of innovation to “deliver programmes and experiences to our employees, customers, and ecosystem that drive collaboration, creativity, and experimentation.”

Uzomah outlined various business models and how organisations can adopt the model best suited to their culture and goals.  He said the Microsoft Garage, though primarily for Microsoft employees, is open to outsiders who have ideas that can revolutionize the way we live and work for the betterment of mankind.

According to Uzomah: “Great business opportunities are like waves and Brands have to be able to identify and ride them beneficially. To identify these waves, a diverse workforce, openness to good ideas, and the acknowledgement that failure is essential to success, are critical” Uzomah concluded.

A highpoint of the session was a grand tour of the Garage floor, whose designs were inspired by Nigerian culture, African prints and African plants.