Walter Duru, Ph.D

About

I am a skilled and experienced Communication and Public Relations Professional, specializing in Media, Government Relations, Advocacy, Communication Research, Public Awareness and Development Communication. I have acquired invaluable experience in Communications and Public Relations. I am willing to partner with entrepreneurs and Corporate Organisations to address their most daunting Communication challenges.

Experience

Image and Slogans Limited

Feb 2020 – Present

Owerri, Nigeria

Senior Manager, Public Relations

• Developed compelling communications strategies for the organization and for the promotion of clients’ programmes within Nigeria and internationally. • Effectively managed Public Relations and Content Development of the organization, by implementing strategic communication activities. • Acted as communications Lead for the organization. • Directly managed media engagement and cultivated media contacts locally and nationally. • Pitched stories to both national and local media to achieve high visibility in print, broadcast and online media outlets. • Evaluated opportunities for communication partnerships and platforms that strengthened both the organization’s and her clients’ programmes. • Acted as spokesperson and represented the organisation in local and national fora. • Built strong advocacy engagement programmes with national and multinational partners. • Wrote clear and compelling pitches, press releases and opinion articles. • Supported clients in developing content strategies for digital communications, while identifying media trends, news cycles and opportunities. • Supported internal communications initiatives to promote the organization and her clients. • Analysed and measured results of communications initiatives and activities. • Worked closely with clients to ensure that developed communications strategies align with the overall objectives and strategy of their organizations. • Designed and implemented strategic media and communication plans for the organization and her clients, ensuring successful deployment of media plans for new and existing programmes, including press-related activities.

British Council-ROLAC - Abuja, Nigeria

Mar 2018 – Jun 2020

Abuja, Nigeria

Lead Communications and Advocacy Consultant

• Increased stakeholders' awareness and use of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act. • Developed and implemented strategic communication activities that helped in the realization of the programme's overall objectives. • Implemented new team onboarding programme, reducing training time by 50%. • Enhanced the capacity of State and Non-state actors on FOI and other Governance initiatives. • Grew stakeholders interest in the implementation of the FOI Act through sustained advocacy activities such as Roundtables, Advocacy visits and media engagements • Worked closely with the Component 3 Manager, other consultants and support staff to maintain optimum levels of communication for the effective and efficient delivery of the annual work plan • Provided empirical evidence that guided programme implementation activities through the development and deployment of Monitoring Template, Data gathering tools and other necessary tools that aided the delivery of the ToR. • Conducted Baseline Studies and mapping of civil society organizations implementing the FOI Act for implementation review engagements. • Conducted capacity needs assessment on participants, aimed at understanding the areas of gap in knowledge in order to determine capacity development/enhancement interventions to close the identified gaps • Worked closely with the FOI Unit of the Federal Ministry of Justice in the delivery of an FOI Implementation and Compliance Assessment at the Federal level and in the five ROLAC focal states of: Adamawa, Lagos, Kano, Edo and Anambra. • Developed new process for engaging Government institutions, which resulted in marked performance Improvements that enhanced the programme's annual rating as a result of evidence-based output and outcomes.

Government of Imo State, Nigeria

Jun 2019 – Jan 2020

Owerri, Nigeria

Senior Special Assistant, Media and Communications

• Effectively managed the Deputy Governor's communication through the implementation of strategic communication activities • Strengthened government-media relations through regular engagements, proactive communication and participatory media approach • Enhanced media visibility of the Deputy Governor through timely and strategic use of public relations tools. • Reduced misrepresentation of government positions, programmes and activities through content generation and dissemination • Managed rumours and reduced misinformation through the timely/regular media/citizens' engagement sessions on government plans, achievements, programmes and challenges. • Created two-way communication flow between the government and the citizens through live, broadcast, phone-in interactive programmes, allowing citizens to ask questions, raise concerns and get explanations, while also engaging the youth through the social media. • Minimized negative publicity, through proactive communication and other rumour management strategies. • Increased the chances of success of government programmes through strategic advocacy and communication activities. • Closed gaps in communication and understanding of government programmes and activities by speaking publicly at interviews, press conferences and general public presentations. • Followed government presence in the media through Media monitoring and content analysis, while responding when necessary. • Ensured effective delivery of government messages and positions through Speech writing for the Deputy Governor and sometimes the Governor.

Madonna University, Nigeria

Jan 2017 – May 2019

Okija, Nigeria

Lecturer 1, Mass Communication

• Demonstrated expertise in Public Relations and Print Journalism by offering engaging, insightful communication teaching and resources at the undergraduate and Postgraduate levels. • Supported research funding bids through proposals and sustained stakeholders' engagements to maximize the potential of communication programmes. • Resuscitated the moribund Madonna Journal of Communication Studies -MAJOCS, as Head of Department. • Reduced time of response to enquiry and correspondences from the postgraduate school, as Post Graduate Representative for the Department of Mass Communication. • Implemented strategic teaching, research and educational programme developments such as collaboration and virtual reality, to aid overall understanding, while making teaching/learning more interesting. • Constantly updated personal knowledge in evolving trends in communication and public relations through research and practice to impart most up-to-date subject insight. • Provided additional administrative support and pastoral care to the Communication department for improved delivery of services. • Created and saw to the inauguration of the Madonna University chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations Students' Association -NIPRISA. • Built learning and citizenship skills to help with personal growth in addition to increasing academic knowledge. • Selected, organised and distributed materials and supplies to meet classroom instructional needs. • Prepared and implemented lesson plans covering required course topics. • Cultivated relationships with parents for complete support network. • Guided students through exercises to challenge personal worldviews and open individual minds to different approaches. • Utilised multimedia strategies and technology to convey information in fresh and interesting ways.

Justice For All- British Council - Abuja, Nigeria

Nov 2013 – Apr 2017

Abuja, Nigeria

Media and Communications Consultant

• Coordinated media legislative advocacy efforts by developing and implementing strategic communication activities. • Coordinated the overall design, development and management of the project’s public affairs and public awareness communications programmes, such as public communications, studies, reports, workshops, conferences, media engagement, etc. • Coordinated the dissemination of information on projects developments • Developed and led the implementation of the Communication Strategy for the J4A Programme. • Enhanced the capacity of media and civil society stakeholders on anti corruption and other Governance initiatives. • Closed knowledge gaps through capacity needs assessment and delivery of well researched training contents • Worked closely with partners and media organizations to organize periodic media roundtable on relevant burning National issues to underscore the need for strengthening institutional mechanism to address them. • Organized periodic anti-corruption public debate to galvanize public demand advocacy for increased performance and oversight of anti-corruption agencies and stakeholders. • Worked closely with key anti-corruption media practitioners in setting the agenda for national discourse on the need for relevant legislation. • Facilitated effective media coverage of stakeholders' roundtables organized by J4A towards the passage of pending anti-corruption bills • Coordinated the active participation of media organizations in J4A's anti-corruption support activities, thereby increasing media visibility of the programme by about 80%. • Coordinated the production of a monthly “J4A in the Media” report.

Royal Communications Group (New Kingdom Trumpet Ltd) - Calabar, Nigeria

Jan 2013 – Dec 2014

Calabar, Nigeria

Editor/General Manager

• Read copies to detect and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and syntax. • Allocated print space for story text, photos, and illustrations according to space parameters. • Planned the contents of publications according to the publication's style, editorial policy, and publishing requirements. • Verified facts, dates, and statistics, using standard reference sources. • Reviewed and approved proofs submitted by composing room prior to production. • Supervised the progress of individual departments and the overall progress of the company. • Set business goals and assign targets to the employees and ensure that the employees are providing productive results for the company. • Networked with other potential clients and competitors in the market and get business tactics and ideas from them. • Developed strategies to boost sales and profits of the company and plan the future prospects of the company. • Brought new and innovative ideas to the business and looked for opportunities to expand and create a goodwill in the market. • Collaborated with graphics department to develop and implement visual elements such as digital scoreboards. • Developed and optimised online and print strategies to maximise coverage, advertiser investment and subscriptions. • Promoted articles through social media platforms. • Reviewed each article for accuracy and compliance with quality standards. • Planned budgets and negotiated contracts with freelance writers. • Worked closely with writers to maintain voice while removing spelling, grammatical and accuracy problems. • Provided concise and constructive editorial feedback to writers. • Wrote headlines and summaries for each article. • Determined whether a piece was ready for publication and approved final versions.

Community Social Humanitarian Project-COSHUP - Abuja, Nigeria

May 2011 – Dec 2012

Abuja, Nigeria

Head of Media and Communication

• Performed daily media monitoring to scan news items on the industry and on other related developments, responded when necessary and generated reports. • Coordinated the overall design, development and management of the project’s public affairs and public awareness communications programmes, such as public communications, studies, reports, workshops, conferences, media engagement, etc. • Developed and led the implementation of a Communication Strategy for the Programme. • Coordinated the dissemination of information on projects developments • Led the production of newsletters and bulletins for internal and external stakeholders and periodic summaries for all staff on developments in the project • Drafted Press statements on company developments, events and activities, as well as holding Statements on developing issues that required company response. • Drafted articles/features on topical issues that were of interest to the organisation and circulated same to media contacts. • Profiled the media to keep track of changes of practitioners and their media for deeper engagement. • Maintained regular contacts and interaction with the media • Produced the In-house Publication of the Organisation. • Headed and coordinated the Media and Publicity Unit of the organisation. • Initiated and ensured successful execution of media and publicity campaigns.

Niger Delta Standard Newspapers - Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Nigeria

Nov 2007 – Apr 2011

Port Harcourt, Rivers State

Assistant Editor

• Handled internal staff correspondence through emails and scheduling. • Reviewed each article for accuracy and compliance with quality standards. • Collaborated with specialists such as artists and analysts to execute successful content. • Expanded subject matter of publication by developing streamlined brainstorm processes and storyboarding. • Selected and prepared content photos • Provided concise and constructive editorial feedback to writers. • Assisted in hiring and training interns on company procedures and style guidelines. • Drafted assignment forms and style guidelines for a team of 43 reporters. • Pitched stories weekly, storyboarded them and assigned writing to various reporters. • Worked with digital artists, post-production team members and other specialists to produce successful content. • Managed EICs calendar of meetings, editorial tasks and overall publication. • Reviewed and edited final copy for accuracy and oversaw all phases of production. • Applied understanding of public opinion, social media and traditional media use to create engaging and attention-grabbing stories. •

Education

University of Uyo, Nigeria

Apr 2011 – Aug 2011

Ph.D, Mass Communication, Communication

University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

Jan 2007 – Jan 2009

Masters Degree, Mass Communication

Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria

Sep 1999 – May 2003

B.Sc, Mass Communication

Skills

Languages