Building Social Capital Through Networking with BellaRose Okojie

BellaRose Iyere-Okojie is a Mass Communication graduate from the Redeemer’s University. A seasoned broadcaster and cheeriest of the pack, BellaRose is the morning show host on City 105.1fm having started her broadcasting career as an associate producer with Africa Independent Television (AIT) and later co-anchored the Ultimate Morning Show on Raypower Network until 2013 where she moved to Inspiration FM. Famous for her unique laughter and versatility, she clinched a 1yr contract for co-host duties with ace broadcaster Dan Foster on Let’s go Naija, a nationwide syndicated CSR/music radio show sponsored by Shell Nigeria where she spoke fluent pidgin English. Once a writer for TW Magazine, BellaRose is also a contributing writer and editor on techcityng.com.

Below is a summary of the interview Building Social Capital Through Networking with BellaRose Okojie

Rose is a Presenter and this dream started since she was a child. She had always been exposed to the broadcasting world as her father was a studio manager and her older sister was always attending interviews and the likes.

She says social capital is the asset that you have, your norms, your outlook on life, your reciprocity and how they affect your immediate environment. You can then build a large network of people that share the same values as you. She says networking involves having a close connection with different people in different industries. By doing so, you can easily refer them to other people that need their services and in a situation where they have someone that needs the services you provide, they would be willing to connect you. She says there are no problem-saving people’s contacts based on the circumstance or environment you met them in.

In order to network, you must have confidence and this is something parents must imbibe in their kids to enable them to have the confidence to walk up to people and interact. When asked her thoughts about social media depreciating interpersonal skills, she says she believes it is one of the factors that is contributing to the problem and that it is something that can be remedied. Social media has done more harm than good and you can easily find articles on there teaching you to be a better communicator.

She advises that when approaching a celebrity do not turn it into a bragging contest, first ask yourself if you can add value to their lives and then articulate what you want to say. If you don’t know what to say then do not approach them, other opportunities to meet them will come your way.

Rose says in order to maintain relationships built with important people try to be relevant in their lives, don’t wait too long before you check up on them and involve yourself in their social lives. Don’t be a stranger. She advises that you don’t stop networking with them even when you’ve got what you want from them because there are other ways you can add value to them and vice versa.

Concluding, she says people should raise confident and courageous children who can do anything they set their minds to. She advises young people not to be intimidated because your values are not attached to money.