On August 31st, 2023, City People Daily on Digital, a division of the City People Media Group, celebrated its one-year anniversary. Mr Gboyega Akosile, the Chief Press Secretary to the Lagos State Governor, was a featured speaker at the event. He addressed the challenges facing print media in today’s climate and highlighted the accomplishments of Governor Sanwo-Olu during his four-year tenure.
During the interview with CityPeople, he discussed the difficulties he faces when it comes to handling information, particularly concerning his boss. We asked him about the various challenges the governor faced during the last election. We also asked about the issue of marginalisation coming from some groups of people who claim they have been marginalized in Lagos. How does he manage all these? These and many more were some of the questions we asked Mr. Akosile. And he explained how he has been coping.
“One effective way to succeed is by actively involving the public and maintaining constant engagement. Emotional intelligence should be incorporated into all actions. It is important to avoid underestimating or looking down on anyone, and to strive to bring everyone on board. Listening to others is crucial, and even if a suitable response is not immediately available, it is important to communicate that you will follow up with them.
When faced with questions I cannot answer, I prefer to either ask the person to call back or to call them back myself. This allows me to quickly gather accurate information from reliable sources such as Mr. A or Mr. B.
When someone falsely accuses my principal, I always seek clarification from my principal. It’s similar to the relationship between a lawyer and their client. A client shares everything with their lawyer, providing them with accurate information to defend them effectively in a court of law.
If anyone sends or tells you something about my principal, I will simply ask him for clarification. Typically, when he is asked such questions, he responds with laughter. He explains that being a governor is a difficult task as various individuals make different allegations. This is the reality of the world we live in.
Do you recall the situation involving Ayinde Barrister, where a woman claimed to be his biological mother? It seems that when you acquire wealth and fame, people may try to assert their ownership over you, regardless of how it may affect your reputation. However, it is our responsibility to effectively manage these situations.
