The Comms Avenue, a mission-driven community for communications professionals across Africa, celebrated its third anniversary with a Speed Networking event on Saturday 15th April which brought together 14 leading senior communications experts to provide on-the-spot mentorship to young communications professionals in Lagos.
The anniversary event which was supported by Ecobank Nigeria and took place at the bank’s Headquarters in Lagos had in attendance renowned industry professionals such as Yomi Badejo- Okusanya, Group Managing Director CMC Connect; Bridget Oyefeso-Odusami, Group Head, Brand and Marketing Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC; Jide Sipe, Head, Marketing and Corporate Communication, Ecobank Nigeria; Titilope Oguntuga, Head of Brand and Sustainability, Lafarge Africa Plc; and Lampe Omoyele, Managing Director, Nitro 121.
Speaking about the event, Mr. Jide Sipe said, “When the Co-Founders of The Comms Avenue approached us to use our facility for their Anniversary Speed Networking event, it was a no-brainer for us to support in any way we could. With the rapid changes in our industry, it is increasingly important for those of us who have worked long in the industry to collaborate with and mentor the younger professionals for the sustained growth of our profession.”
Other senior professionals in attendance include Olayinka Edmond, Lead, Internal Communications, Mastercard Foundation and Board Chair, The Comms Avenue; Tomi Ogunlesi, Group Head, Brands, Communications and Corporate Responsibility, Interswitch Group; Soromidayo George, Chairman of the United Nations Global Compact Network in Nigeria; Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Communications and Public Affairs Manager for Google West Africa; Sola Obagbemi, Corporate Communications Manager, Anglophone West Africa, Meta; Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, Director, Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability, Coca-Cola;
Nkem Emezie-Ejinima, Strategic Communications Coordinator (External Relations Lead), Pan Ocean Oil Corporation; Tolulope Olorundero, Founder and Principal Consultant, Mosron Communications; and Bethel Obioma, Head, Corporate Communications, Sahara Group
Mr. Badejo-Okusanya, in an interactive session during the event, encouraged the participants to ensure they become professionals who add value to their organisations so that they can always have a seat at the table and be called upon when important decisions are being made within the organisation.
In her closing remarks, Adedoyin Jaiyesimi, Co-Founder of The Comms Avenue encouraged young professionals to continue to invest in their professional development and lean on the wealth of knowledge from experienced mentors. “We remain committed to ensuring young professionals in the African communications industry are equipped with the knowledge and support they need to succeed in their roles. The success of this Speed Networking event is just another proof of the power of mentorship and how beneficial it is for our industry,” she said.
