More recently, different incriminating videos of unacceptable behaviors from officers at the airport has being circulated across different platforms of the social media.
Following these, several complaints and outburst of passengers and diplomats coming into the country via the airports, with the consistent negative reviews about the unprofessional attitudes and shady transactions of officers attending to them at the different point of entries (particularly Lagos); an intervention had became pertinent to reorientate the airport frontline staffs welcoming people into the country and save the tarnishing image of the services and country. This is because these port health officers are the first set of Nigerians, people meet when coming into the country and the impression they give represents what an average Nigerian is like. So far, these representation and impression had many pitfalls.
Therefore, this prompted the Federal ministry of Health in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to organise a training program for every officer of the Port Health Services (PHS) across all cadres on Public Relations at the Points of Entry in Abuja and Lagos. During the training which held in Lagos from November 22nd to 27th, 2021 at the training hall of NCAA, MMIA; Dr. Haggai (GM Aeromedical standard NCAA) who was the cohost, in one of the opening remarks commended the host (Dr. Geoffrey Okatubo – Director, Port Health Services) and organizers of the timely intervention, emphasizing on the reasons and need for such reorientation at the set time.
Officers of the Port Health Services are important frontline workers, who are saddled with the role and responsibility of preventing importation and exportation of diseases at the point of entries in and out of the country.
An approximated number of 200 staff were trained in this program. Some of the important aspects thought at the training included fundamentals of effective communication and listening, manner of approach at the point of entry, conflict resolution, barriers that create misunderstandings, work flow, distinctive competence, capability profile, diplomacy, handling diplomats, high profile people and people with specials needs amongst others.
Some of the highlighted nuggets emphasized on are;
“Say NO to illegality at the Point of Entry! Learn to say NO to bribe”. Don’t compromise, follow the the laid down rules and policy. 10% of conflicts are due to differences in opinions and 90% are due to the wrong tone and manner of which it was handled. Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. Be empathetic.
On a closing note, the Officer in Charge (OIC), PHS MMIA – Dr. Abdullai L. I. implored all staffs present at the training to utilize appropriately the knowledge and skills acquired at the training at their various post of duty and even in their personal and other professional area of life. Also, one of the trainers urged the FG to recognize and appreciate the efforts of the port health officers, who are often underappreciated or rewarded.
We hope that this training yield its expected outcome, and is also replicated across other ministry parastatals and health facilities to enhance the public relations of workers for a better service provision and experience for Nigerians and non-Nigerians. Hence, improving our reputation globally.
