C&F Porter Novelli, Nigeria’s leading business advisor in strategic communications, has graduated the second batch of its PR Fundamentals Internship Programme.
The initiative aims to contribute to the growth and development of the public relations industry in Nigeria by annually creating a pool where talented individuals who are interested in pursuing careers in public relations can be identified and engaged by PR Firms. The programme takes selected interns through a 12-month period of paid apprenticeship involving both classroom work and exposure to every facet of public relations.
Nn’emeka Maduegbuna, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of C&F Porter Novelli, while presenting their certificates to the candidates, said that the programme has become a success. “Nigeria is suffering a deficit of Public Relations talent making it difficult to both staff and to develop the industry,” he said. “There is a need to foster a pool of talented and innovative individuals who can be identified and engaged by the Public Relations industry. The annual internship programme seeks to help develop talent and generate thought leadership on growing the industry.”
The company’s Head of the Human Resources, Victoria Nwoji, expressed satisfaction that the objectives of the initiative have been achieved. “This programme was designed to take care of the deficiency of talents in our industry,” she said. “They are supposed to become the next generation of well-trained PR professionals for the industry. With their graduation, these candidates will get their certificates and can work at any PR agency they choose. We are happy to announce that we will retain these graduates to work with our client service teams as account executives.”
Ese Odiete, one of the graduating interns, said she learnt a lot during the 12-month programme. “I also enjoyed working with the various groups in consumer and corporate communications because the experience gave me a wider understanding of PR than what normally transpires” she said.
The third batch of interns have already commenced the 12-month programme, with each of them deployed to the Consumer, Corporate Affairs, Research and Media Relations for on-the-job training.
The trusted business advisor and leader in strategic communications for West Africa; C&F Porter Novelli has grown and evolved over the years as the driving force in the transformation of the Nigerian public relations business.
They combine an in-depth understanding of the Nigerian and other West African markets, with 360˚ strategic communication skills and a commitment to standards of excellence to influence those that matter most to their clients. The result is strong reputational capital that delivers measurable and competitive business result for clients through transparent actions.