August 10, 2025
The Society of Occupational and Environmental Health Physicians of Nigeria (SOEHPON) has called for greater media collaboration to improve workplace safety, with a particular focus on the country’s vast informal sector.
This was the central theme of the organization’s second annual virtual media conference, titled “Amplifying Impact: The Role of the Media in Promoting Occupational Health Practices.”
The conference, according to SOEHPON’s National Public Relations Officer, Dr. Charles Babajide Onigbogi, was designed to foster a partnership with the media to elevate SOEHPON’s initiatives and promote best practices in occupational health.
The Keynote speaker Charlie Peckam, Marketing and Communications Coordinator at the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM), provided media professionals with practical strategies for leveraging their platforms to enhance workers health and safety.
Peckam emphasized the importance of proactive storytelling, urging participants to create and share media-worthy stories that highlight the impact of occupational health efforts, rather than waiting for a crisis.
He also stressed the need to build strong relationships with journalists before a news event occurs and to develop easily accessible media toolkits for rapid information dissemination.
“Develop Media Toolkits, equip your clinic, department or institution with basic media-ready resources that can be deployed quickly when needed. Be Proactive with Storytelling, you don’t have to wait for a crisis or invitation rather, create media-worthy stories that showcase impact. Let there be a well-built relationship with Journalists before breaking news hits.” he advised.
Peckam also highlighted the critical role of ethical considerations and the need to combat misinformation in health reporting.
Extending Safety to the Informal Sector
SOEHPON President, Dr. Musa Shaibu, outlined the organization’s 2024-2026 strategic objectives, which prioritize extending occupational health awareness and protections to informal workers, such as bricklayers, mechanics, and market sellers.
He underscored that partnerships between SOEHPON, the media, workers, and the government are vital to achieving this goal.
The conference also announced the creation of the annual SOEHPON Media Excellence Awards, which will honor journalists who contribute to increasing public awareness and understanding of occupational and environmental health issues.
The event, which featured a robust question-and-answer session, brought together key stakeholders, including media professionals, SOEHPON members, and representatives from the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.