“We are building Brands and Brand Drivers that are driving the economy of the world’- Ms Clara Chinwe Okoro, BJAN Chairman.
Clara Chinwe Okoro is an eloquent television personality, a prolific writer and of course the Executive Producer of Brandworld Television whose leadership style is democratic. Okoro, believes that the brand journalists association of Nigeria (BJAN) through their writings and content developments have helped in shaping perceptions, either make or mar these entities is what has positioned the beat association from other beats. The fair-skinned lady recently granted an interview with Brandmatters Magazine shortly after the BJAN election, which she emerged as the Chairman. She speaks about her leadership styles, 3 point agenda for the association and amongst other key issues.
Let’s start by congratulating you as the Chairman of Bjan to pilot the affairs of the association in the next 3Years.
Thank you very much for the congratulatory message, highly appreciated.
Could you pls take us through your educational background and who Clara Chinwe Okoro is?
I started off at Onward Nursery and Pry School. in Surulere Lagos 1974-1979 Then on to Methodist Girls High School Lagos 1979-1984 And then to University of Lagos 1985-1990.
I am Clara Chinwe Okoro, I was born in Mbano Eastern Nigeria and lived most of my life in Lagos Nigeria, attending all my schooling years and began my work life there also. I come from a Family of 6 children of, which I am the eldest.
What caught your fancy into Journalism, and what’s the idea behind it?
I am a voracious reader and I loved the world of communication growing up. TV, Radio, magazines, I was always interested in finding the current status of goings on in the world so I would say that spurred my interest in journalism.
Prior to Brand World TV, where have you worked?
I started off my working life as follows, first at Gulf Oil Company Nigeria Ltd- 1990-1991:
Journalist National Youth Service, Afprohand Nigeria Limited – 1992-1995 –Documentary Research Officer. MC&A Advertising Limited – 1995-1996 Copywriter Ziess Limited – 1996- 2003. Tv Producer Brandworld Media -2003 – to date as Executive Producer/Coo Onwheels Magazine -Columnist (Branding) Ice Magazine – Publisher, and My Beautiful Africa—-2014-To Date as Founder/COO.
How do you feel about your new post?
It is with utmost and necessary gratitude that I am once again relaying my appreciation for the mandate handed over to me by an overwhelming majority of our members to guide our course and chart ground breaking deliverables for members. I feel very honoured and deeply appreciate my members who are also my family.
Give 3 things that a leader should focus on that should spur his drive in result hunt?
Empathy ; Team Building; and Humility.
Could you please shed more light on your 5 point agenda and what should Bjan be expecting of the association under your leadership as the chairman?
It’s actually a 3 point agenda of COLLABORATIONS; WELFARE; and PARTNERSHIPS. COLLABORATIONS, my executive will collaborate with different corporate organizations for capacity building, trainings, events and pitching for funds. WELFARE, the most important accomplishment would be for us to activate and materialize the BJAN Estate, which would put an end to the problem of housing for our members and also how we can make BJAN Financially self-sustaining through investments to take care of member’s needs. PARTNERSHIPS, not much can be achieved by any organization in this day and time without partnering with other likeminded organizations to succeed in achieving their set goals. So, we would seek partners that can deliver through, funding, barter, alignments and processes development.
What is it that BJAN is doing differently from other Beats?
We are building the Brands and Brand Drivers that are driving the economy of the world.
Our writings and content shape perceptions, and either make or mar these entities, so this is what sets us apart as a beat association.
What is your view on imprisonments of journalists, kidnappings, killings, abductions etc, without true justice. And what in your opinion should be done?
In plain words we are looking at a failed system, there is no justification whatsoever for Nigeria to be in this position but it looks like we are yet to find the will to change this ugly situation. It is obvious some powers that be are benefitting from this chaos and that’s why it has been difficult to curtail.
What do you have to tell your members in terms of commitment?
I am counting on all of them and we are going to form a formidable cohesive front to achieve these results in no distant future. The future looks exceedingly bright for BJAN and my administration would do everything within our capacity to make BJAN a globally recognised IMC organization. This can only be achieved with the quality of the output of BJANs content in the right spaces and the repository of our collective talents through our writeups and electronic contents and how it is shaping thoughts and narratives in the industry both in Nigeria.
This is no time to play small anymore you have worked hard to build successes for companies and by extension lives of individuals in those organizations.
You and your families can and will benefit from that success as you deserve it We will create a strategy document which would be a road map guiding us in the short medium and long term to achieve these goals. We would run an inclusive government and none would be left behind.
3 years is not a long time so we will hit the ground running and with all your support we will triumph over every single obstacles and deliver the BJAN of our dreams.
In your view, what are the elements that make up a true brand?
Two things are really important to shape this outcome.
First is the right Brand Personality, i.e. Colours, tone, image, perception etc.
And secondly delivery of your Brand Promises to the consumer.
How can we change this narrative that when a Woman is successful in her chosen field, people tag it as she must have used the influence of her Father or through other means instead of looking at the Content she has acquired as a Human Being or her intelligence?
My take has always being that you must focus on the future before you and ignore distractions. When we bring out the organ known as the brain from a man and woman you can hardly tell the difference. Besides women have never had it so good unlike in the current time in the world, so many support systems to succeed to bridge the gender gap in the corporate world.
There is always a tiny line with Culture and Tradition, when it comes to a woman who has got to her prime in life. How can this be balanced?
The place of tradition and Culture is gradually being blurred by the rise of the modern life style. In cities the working system has made it imperative for most women to live alone, women are discarding various limiting beliefs that could be traced back to tradition and culture, so, they can embrace their new life and maintain their mental health, and some of the original cultural beliefs and traditions are still being practiced quite alright but with some modifications.
As a top lady in your chosen field, how do you cope with business deadlines, & stress?
It’s quite a daunting challenge but I try my best to cope by balancing out with me time for my mental health. I step down on some offers and I also try the time allocation method so I can meet my deadlines.
Who are your mentors & role models?
My major role models are my Mother and late Father other mentors and role models are in the league of Richard Branson; Elon Musk; Cosmas Maduka; Ngozi Okonjo Iweala and Angela Merkel.
What comes to your mind when you heard of Dr. Ngozi Okonji -Iweala, do you identify with any of her leadership skills and strategies,?
She is an astute technocrat and has accomplished quite a lot to the benefit of women worldwide. She has always exhibited impressive Leadership traits that are inclusive in nature and tilts towards gender balance.
What defines you & could you kindly give three words that reflect your leadership style?
My simplicity defines me. 3 words that define my Leadership style are Democratic; Inclusive and Participative.
