For the newly appointed Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) Professor John Obafunwa to attain enviable height like the outgoing DG, Professor Babatunde Lawal Salako, the latter has urged the former to embrace open door policy in administration.
Salako, who spoke with Pharmanewsonline in an exclusive interview on Monday said the success of his two-term tenure is attributable to his inclusive approach in relating with all staff members from the most senior to the most junior.
He also emphasised the need for the dissemination of accurate information in the system, in order to prevent grapevine from thriving. He said it is the absent of actual information to creates room for grapevine.
“My first recommendation to him is that he should have an open door policy.
“He who wants to see you should be able to see you. Know fully well that such opportunities may be abused, but you should be able to manage it, because when there is no information, you create room for grapevine.
“And so, if you don’t want grapevine to thrive, then provide information. Also receive information so that you can respond appropriately. It is very important”, Prof. Salako advised.
He continued, “I see that that’s one of the things that explain the success of this administration. We talked to the unions, we talked to individuals, we talked to senior, we talked to junior, and we treated everybody with respect. Because that’s very important,”
The outgoing DG of NIMR further underscored the essence of respect in dealing with all stakeholders and staff members, saying it yields better respect for the person at the helms of affairs.
He noted that irrespective of the enthusiasm and innovation the new DG is bringing on board, if the workforce is not ready, then all his efforts will amount to nothing.
“You say respect, we get respect. So if you respect and treat your staff with respect, they will also shower you with a lot of respect.
“Again, no matter whatever you bring to the institution, whatever you buy, whatever innovation you have, if this workforce is not ready, then you are not going to anywhere”, Salako quipped.
 Professor John Obafunwa to attain enviable he){kind=link}