Obateru , first-rate and consummate corporate communications expert is passionate about his job
At the Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, (NIPR) last Thursday in Bauchi, it was a celebration galore . A prestigious Fellowship Award was conferred on Dr. Kennie Obateru, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. This is ,no doubt, a well deserved honour for Obateru, a self-driven and an amiable PR practitioner
Dr. Kennie Obateru, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation is a consummate communications expert who knows his way around human relations and corporate communications
In the ever changing world of corporate communications, Obateru is a rare breed. Apart from his exemplary discipline, vision, leadership qualities and placidness, he also has a reputation as a competent professional and good team player in the Oil and Gas industry. For many decades now, this amiable man has closely been associated with innovations and communications packages that have positively affected institutions and professional bodies. Though Obateru is naturally calm with self-effacing, he is highly regarded for always navigating his way effortlessly, around the corporate world. Some people have described him as a crisis manager because of his seamless approach in managing his brands, but the truth is that he understands corporate affairs like the back of his hand. He is also an asset to every organization because of his superb knowledge and good relationship with the media.
One thing you cannot take away from Obateru is his excellent interpersonal relationship, either at work place or social setting. At work place for instance, he is highly regarded and loved by those who work directly under him and this explains why many of his staff are always willing and ready to move with him. This is loyalty and trust, virtues that are fast disappearing in the corporate world today. Obateru could be conservative and strict sometimes especially when serious issues and the good of his organization are concerned but in the final analysis, whoever that disagrees would see the wisdom behind the strictness.
These Obateru’s undeniable achievements and long history of accomplishments in this industry and the media stand him out. But this is not the impression you get on first contact because of his humility and the seriousness he attaches to work. Through the years he has served in various capacities as: General Manager/Head NNPC London Office, Manager, Public Affairs, National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Manager, Public Affairs, Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) among other positions ; he left indelible footprints with his unassailable character, competence and positive energy to inspire and lift others, he is known for doing what he knows best.
“We work together, leveraging our combined experiences to actualize all our growth initiatives and grow the NNPC brand.” These affirmative words of one of his colleagues , say a lot about him and the expectations that are already taken for granted.
According to him his appointment is part of Board and Management’s efforts to refocus and reorganise the communications function of NNPC in a dynamic industry. And to be saddled with a responsibility such as this is evidently a vote of confidence on the urbane communication expert that joined the NNPC in 1992 as an experienced hire.
. He served as General Manager/Head NNPC London Office, Manager, Public Affairs, National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Manager, Public Affairs, Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) among other positions . In all, he made appreciable impact in his department.
Today, Obateru is easily one of the most vibrant and inventive communications professional by sheer adventure, courage, competence and consistency. Surely , he still has more ideas up his sleeves.
A widely travelled man, Obateru is academically and professionally loaded and belongs to nearly a dozen professional groups and associations. An alumnus of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos he attended University of Ilorin and University of Stirling, Scotland, UK, where he obtained a Certificate in News Reporting, a B.A. (Hons) Performing Arts and an M.Sc. in Public Relations respectively.
In 2012, he was awarded a Doctorate Degree in Management (Honoris Causa) by the Commonwealth University, Belize.
Obateru has attended numerous professional courses and conferences at home and abroad which include International Public Relations Association Conferences,) World Petroleum Congresses (WPCs) and more than a dozen OPEC Ministerial Conferences among others.
This dynamic corporate image maker par excellence is a signal of a new dawn in public relations and corporate communications .
