SAM ADUROGBOYE: Connoisseur of Enviable PR Perspectives, Didactic Aviation News [updated]

The handbook authored by the master of the trade, Mr. Samuel Ayodele Adurogboye

Sam Adurogboye, the quintessential public relations manager to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, and a thoroughbred mediator, counselor, and tutor general who adroitly combined the two specialist tasks successfully- Media, and Public Relations, PR, is taking a bow from the federal civil service today, Friday 13th October 2023, and a social ceremony for unveiling the book he authored comes up tomorrow, Saturday 14th Occtober 2023.

Although the two tasks he performed at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, right from its inception in 2000 to date, Media & PR, look very similar but have a thin demarcation line, they are symbiotic. When the chips are down, either in a showdown with his primary constituency- the aviation journalists, or an industrywide altercation perhaps, involving operators, workers’ unions, or the traveling public; Sam has the knack to surmount the hurdles and stay afloat, and has ever been coming out unscathed.

Coming out unscathed more often is not just because of avoidance of harm to his person, or to the regulatory authority he served, but because of Sam’s uncanny insight and crisis management savvy. Most times, he would be defending, by being very tactful and factual, by imparting informal education to enquirers and most times to the general public, while indirectly protecting the entire Nigerian aviation sector of the national economy.

Imagine a news correspondent is posted to report activities in the airport and all the ancillary activities around air transport. Often such a journalist has as his/her asset, his personal experience as a passenger.
When such one encounters Sam Adurogboye, who happens to be a patient journalist with a good listening heart, Sam, would take such a journalist through the entire gamut of air transport hence, the new journalist though with decades of experience reporting other beats, would immediately get the picture of how grounded he/she needs to be, in order to function meaningfully.

That is how I was when I had a pleasant encounter with Sam. Reflecting on the usual exuberance of an average news hound, which was how I approached him. Sam gently took me through the basics I needed to be acquainted with to function well. Yet he did not dampen my spirit nor get me frustrated but pointed out to me what I needed to know before I could make meaningful comments and report events and issues professionally.

The fact is, anyone who has had a distinguished record as a crack reporter in other beats, on getting a new posting especially saddled with reporting aviation, must eat the humble pie and create time to study, learn, and unlearn.

That exactly was what Sam prodded me to do. Sam Adurogboye, My mentor. Having submitted an introduction letter from my employer, Radio Lagos 107.5fm/Eko 89.7fm, and having figured out the zeal in me, Sam gave me gifts of works of literature.

**The author, popularly known as Mr. Sam Adurogboye. Stepping out of public service with head raised high**

From him on my first visit, I got the Civil Aviation Act of 2006, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulation, NCAR, and I was given the Referee, the in-house journal of the NCAA. He added ATW’s current and past editions, Aviation Safety, the few that I can remember, and all were for my baptism into developing a nose for aviation news. And most essentially, to report constructively devoid of sensationalism. For this, I am eternally grateful.

However, if the truth must be told, a journalist in the aviation beat without exposure to such pieces of literature would be living in a fool’s paradise with his/her ill-informed report.

This is why Sam Adurogboye’s latest pregnancy is to be midwived tomorrow, by barrister Allen Onyema, proprietor of Air Peace, under the watchful eyes of the regulators regulator, Dr. Olusegun Harold Demuren, and the current DGCA, Capt. Musa Shuaibu Nuhu, is a must-read for everyone.

The latest addition to knowledge in air transport and the razzmatazz that goes on behind the scenes in their reportage, the designing and constructing an enviable image for the industry, are all captured in Sam’s literary masterpiece titled, ‘Handbook on Public Relations Practice and Aviation Reporting’.

Without an iota of doubt, the handbook is truly a handy companion for everyone. Its value is not for journalists or public relations practitioners alone, but for everyone who cherishes knowledge, that is explained not in theory but downloaded by one who has acquired decades of hands-on experience in the trade.

All airlines should not only buy for management staff but should include the handbook among items to deploy in most of their corporate social responsibility programs.

As the festive, Christmas season and the new year approach, stocking the handbook now, and in good quantities to be included among gift items to clients, friends, suppliers, contractors, passengers, and travel agents, during the season will be of much more value than cash gifts and other mundane items as end of year corporate gift.

The more knowledgeable the traveling public is on aviation modus operandi, the easier the task of the airport managers, and consumer protection directorate of NCAA, among others. Easier will be the task of the airline operators, and the trend will revolve around the aviation value chain for good. Especially for ease of air travel.

For those desirous of knowledge on why or how journalists report certain issues the way they do, they will henceforth have insight on some reports, if they care to read Sam Adurogboye’s handbook, which is truly handy. It will help you know which reporter is worth its salt, and who is just a mere rabble-rouser. Although most times, such report – rabble-rousing- often emanates from a rookie and is published/broadcast by media organizations with neophyte gatekeepers

**Mr. Samuel Ayodele Adurogboye, stepping out of public service, and leaving behind tons of exemplary conduct. An Irreprehensible public servant. A rare breed**

Digesting Sam’s handbook will aid management of all the agencies of government to also see in a clearer light, the rationale for the constant retraining of the corps of reporters saddled with reporting the air transport sector of the national economy.

The present stage of development in the industry behooves all organizations prospecting in aviation, directly and indirectly, to liaise with the concerned body, or the regulatory authority and queue into the facilitation of the annual training for members of the League of Aviation and Airport Corrspondents-Nigeria, LAAC-N.

From all of us at the Nigeria Transport Hub, NTH, we wish Sam Adurogboye, God’s blessing in all of his endeavors henceforward.

ABRIDGE PROFILE OF SAM ADUROGBOYE
FULL NAME: Samuel Ayodele Adurogboye {fondly called Sam
Adurogboye}
DATE OF BIRTH: 14TH October 1963
PLACE OF BIRTH: Isua, Akoko South East Local Government.
STATE: Ondo
EDUCATION:
Elementary-: Local Authority Primary School, Isua. 1969 to 1978
Secondary-: Victory College, Ikare, 1978 to 1983
Tertiary-: Ogun State Polytechnic, {presently Moshood Abiola
Polytechnic} Abeokuta, Ogun State. Higher National
Diploma, HND, Mass Communication, 1989.
POST GRADUATE: University of Ibadan. Masters in
Communication Arts. 1997-1998.
CAREER PATH:
*** New Nigerian Newspapers, Kaduna. Sub Editor
1989 to 1990
*** Sketch Press Ltd, Aviation Correspondent, 1994
*** Sketch Press Ltd, Aviation Editor, 1999-2000
*** Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Media/Public
Relations, 2000-2023
*** Bowing out as General Manager, Public
Relations.