Subomi Plumptre of Alder Consulting (a Consulting Firm owned by renowned speaker Leke Alder) who was scheduled to speak at a conference put together by EIE Nigeria has declined due to the inclusion of Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky on its panel.
The New Media Conference, which was slated for Thursday, 26th October would include Bashir Ahmad, Femi Falodun and Idris Okuneye aka Bobrisky.
Subomi, who declined to attend the conference via a press release from Alder Consulting also took to twitter to apologise to the organisers for her inability to attend the conference.
Unfortunately, I will be unable to attend the @EIENigeria New Media Conference as this is not the panel I was originally invited to.
— Subomi (@subomiplumptre) October 26, 2016
Here’s the official statement/press release from Alder Consulting:
Full statement from Alder Consulting on the invitation of @SubomiPlumptre to the @EIENigeria New Media Citizens and Governance Conference. pic.twitter.com/RMG9wLcPbm
— Alder Consulting (@AlderConsulting) October 26, 2016
According to the press release:
“From time to time members of staff of Alder Consulting get invited to speak at events or moderate panels. The Enough is Enough Nigeria New Media Conference inviting Subomi Plumptre to moderate a panel was therefore nothing out of the ordinary.
Subomi Plumptre’s agreement to participate was vetted within the organisation alongside Alder’s corporate risk assessment parameters. Our parameters include the quality of fit with the organisation’s vision, mission, values & ethos and the quality of the panel. Our parameters also include the seriousness of the event, the credibility of the organisers and the effect on our brand and employees.
Subomi agreed to participate based on these parameters and the panel originally sent to her did not include Idris Okuneye (Bobrisky). Subomi only learnt of the change to the panel like everyone else on Twitter at which she called EIE Nigeria about the change in panel composition.
Such a change disqualifies Subomi Plumptre from participating and she has formally withdrawn from the event. The inclusion of Bobrisky unfortunately sensationalises & radicalises what should otherwise be a serious discourse on new approaches to media. Subomi Plumptre has asked EIE Nigeria to make a statement on their social media platforms. We do hope such will be made.
As an Executive Member of Alder, Subomi Plumptre cannot participate in this event as it violates the brand values she’s a custodian of. This is without prejudice to individual rights or the right of EIE Nigeria to compose seminar panels as the organisation deems fit. Neither does it take away from the laudable objectives of EIE Nigeria which Alder has demonstrably supported over the years.”
