For the past two weeks, the media court has been embroiled in the case of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo and her former manager, Mr. Eezee Tee. Despite having a strong defense, Mercy Chinwo finds herself deemed guilty of all charges. Her allegations include:
- She claimed that her signature was forged on the “2017 contract document,” a fact her former manager did not deny.
- She stated that her royalties were illegally withheld until the EFCC intervened, which her former manager confirmed.
- She accused her former manager of illegally possessing her music catalogue, an act that constitutes a criminal offense.
However, the tide has turned against her due to a failed media broadcast, perceived by many as a calculated attempt to garner public sympathy. It seems that the scriptwriter behind her video led her into this predicament. Yet, all hope is not lost. She needs a crisis management professional to navigate through this turmoil.
Public figures, government agencies, and private brands often make the mistake of assuming that anyone can serve as a “media aide,” “public relations officer,” or “corporate communications director.”
However, like any craft, the role of a media or communication manager requires a degree of professionalism, especially in public perception prediction and media crisis management.
This situation raises questions about the competence of Mercy Chinwo’s media advisers. It also seeks to ask the following questions:
- What criteria should one meet before being appointed as a media aide, media adviser/assistant, or public relations officer?
- Is the job of a media adviser or assistant open to anyone with a social media account who can post pictures?
- Are skills in public perception prediction and media crisis management mandatory for every media assistant?
Public figures, government agencies, and private brands must attempt to answer these questions before appointing a media assistant or public relations officer, as ignoring this advice could be detrimental to brand reputation, as demonstrated by the current case with Mercy Chinwo.
Written By:
Mazi Endurance Onun
A Media Consultant & Public Affairs Analyst.
(c) 2025.
