CHUKS OKOH,
Nigeria’s protocol professionals from various sectors gathered at the NIGAV Centre for a five-day intensive meeting, workshop, and conference.
The event aimed to review the activities of protocol services and evaluate how current trends influence the performance of protocol duties.
The programme featured presentations on foundational aspects of protocol duties and different types of protocol services, an examination of trending global events and their impact on protocol, protocol and event management, and a discussion on presence and presentation, focusing on public speaking, travel facilitation, and airport corridor challenges related to delays and unruly behaviour.
Speakers and instructors including Mr Fortune Idu, the conference convener; Dr Olunifesi Suraj (UNESCO Coordinator); Patrick Doyles, a renowned TV personality; Moses Ekenomo, Protocol Consultant; Nosa Aituamen, Assistant Director News/Aviation Correspondent at Radio Nigeria; and Ekelem Airhihen, Planning at the Federal Airports Authority also presented papers.
Protocol is a vital tool for organising society, holding the societal structure of rules and ethics together like glue. It defines the fundamental framework that ensures proper order in conducting business. The IPOC conference utilised this platform to highlight the crucial role of protocol services, providing participants with relevant information on various aspects, including international, diplomatic, state, and corporate protocols, and their significance in global affairs and organisational environments.
Understanding protocol enables seamless event and ceremonial planning and execution. Protocol officers, skilled in maintaining current records, resourceful, and capable of managing crises effectively, face ongoing challenges posed by the evolving landscape of international affairs—ranging from geopolitics, migration, conflict and crises, technological changes, environmental issues, to human factors.
The impact of these trends is especially felt in areas such as event planning, travel facilitation, personnel security, and resource and safety management.
As protocol officers are tasked with providing event and travel facilitation services, they must be responsive to trends and develop strategic and tactical plans to manage unforeseen disruptions.
While delegates’ contributions varied regarding adherence to protocols and ways to improve protocol services and travel facilitation, it was generally agreed that protocol officers must be dynamic in their services and proactive in addressing the continuously changing global trends affecting their duties.
It was also widely accepted that protocol officers should shift from a rigid, rules-based approach to a more adaptable framework capable of responding to new technologies, social pressures, and unexpected global events. The scope of protocol has expanded beyond basic logistics; it now encompasses strategically positioning events to achieve broader goals related to social impact, economic development, and public perception. The increasing interconnectedness of the world underscores the need for protocols to consider a wider spectrum of cultural norms and expectations, particularly during national and international events.
Delegates from leading Nigerian companies such as NNPC, the European Union, ECOWAS Commission, the Office of the Secretary of the Federation, the Ministry of Solid Minerals, Arik Air, Aero Contractors, the Raw Materials Agency, Oyo State, Yobe State, Nigeria Customs, Code Of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Wema Bank, Kastina State government, Africa Aviation and Aerospace University, Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Corporate Affairs Commission, Federal Ministry Of Education (Fme) Nigeria Airspace Authority, NEPL, and the Nigeria Navy, among others.
