Jossy Nchokwa, reputation management specialist and immediate past special adviser to Indorama Nigeria CEO, has bagged an award on work place mental health.
The award was conferred by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (FML&E) South-South Zonal office, in collaboration ŵith the National Industriàl Safety Council of Nigerià (NISCN) which marked the 2026 World Day for Safety and Health at Work with a theme focusing on healthy mental Work Environment.
The event was held at the Federal Secretariat, Port Harcourt, and featured awards to companies and individuals including Nkwocha, immediate past Group Head, Corporate Communications of Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals and Fertilizer Group.
In an interview with BusinessDay, Nkwocha described the award as a huge surprise. “Many times, people are forgotten when they leave office. So for this award to come to me after I had exited Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals and Fertilizer Group is a huge surprise to me and I appreciate it greatly.”
On the significance, Nkwocha, a seasoned journalist who was once General Editor of Newswatch said the significance of the award is that the little efforts he made as Indorama’s Group Head of Corporate Communications and Special Adviser to the Managing Director to smoothen engagement with the two organisations was being appreciated even when he had left office.
“We also ensured that Indorama complied with all regulations on health and safety at work. Almost on yearly basis, we ensured Indorama participated in the annual World Day of Safety at Work. In fact, once, they invited me to chair one of the occasions. This award will encourage my successor to do his own best in this regard.”
On his specific contributions to mental health at work, Nkwocha, who was one of first two Africans to bag a doctorate degree in Public Relations at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, said: “The issue of mental health at work was a summary of the theme for 2026.
“In Indorama, the issue of health and safety at work is something taken very seriously. The World Day of Safety and Health at the Workplace is to remind all employers of labour to remove toxic working environments, to create amiable, happy working conditions so that workers will not develop mental and emotional ill-health in workplaces. While the job is mostly that of the Human Resources department and individual offices and plants, we in the corporate communications department knew that employee communication plays a key role in employee welfare.”
Nkwocha is now the CEO of Reputation Masters Limited; board member, Nigeria Reputation Management Group; chairman, Energy Hub of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations; Fellow of NIPR since 2009; author of many books, latest being Reputation Management and Branding: With Nigerian Case Studies, with Foreword by Pat Utomi. He is a sought-after specialist in Reputation Management and Communications.
The conferment event was marked by important dignitaries and speeches, one of which was by Muhammadu Dingyadi, the Minister of Labour and Employment, and the Permanent Secretary, read by B. B. Pepple. It dwelt on the theme: “Let’s Ensure a Healthy Psychosocial Working Environment.”
The Minister’s keynote address delivered by Einifred Emy-Nkwota, the South-South Zonal Director, stated that the theme highlights the evolving nature of work and the urgent need to strengthen occupational safety and health, especially in the area of mental and emotional health.
Stanley Ologun, Chairman of the occasion, who is Chairman of NISCN in Rivers State, in his opening remarks noted thus; “For decades our understanding of workplace safety has largely focused on physical hazards — machinery, chemicals, and environmental risks. While these remain critically important, we now recognise that the health of workers extends far beyond the physical. The psychological and social conditions under which people work are equally vital to their productivity, dignity, and overall wellbeing.
“A psychologically healthy workplace is one where workers feel valued, respected, and supported. It is a place where communication is open, workloads are manageable, roles are clearly defined, and individuals are protected from harassment, discrimination, and undue stress.”
There were three presentations to help everyone understand the gravity of the theme. The first titled “Ensuring a healthy Psychosocial Working Environment was delivered by Olatunji Omowunmi. The second presentation by Fasusi Olayinka and the third titled “Toolbox in aiding a good Psychosocial Working Environment” by Phil Neji.
All the presentations focused on the prevention of toxic work environments that trigger mental and emotional ill-health; and how Human Resources (HR) departments of workplaces can monitor workers’ wellbeing against symptoms of mental and emotional distress.
Another key highlight of the event was the presentation of Award plaques to organisations that have continued to support commemoration of the World Day of Safety and Health at Work, including Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals and Fertilizer Group, Boskel Industries, among others.
The individual category included Nkwocha, currently CEO of Reputation Masters Limited.
According to the plaque presented to him, the AWARD is “in recognition of your meritorious service, steadfast support, and significant role over the years in strengthening partnership and promoting the success of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work.”
“I am humbled and thankful to you that the Ministry and Council still remembered whatever I did even after I left office,” Nkwocha said.
In the vote of thanks to bring the event to a close, Collins Owhonda, Chief Inspector of Factories, thanked all the organisations that attended the event and stated that the ministry will now beam its searchlight on the prevention of mental and emotional ill-health in the workplace.
By this award, Nkwocha’s role in the sub sector of work place mental health has been identified and highlighted. Most firms now pay attention to actions that may trigger toxicity in the work environment. Personnel are encouraged to reduce tension and toxic behavours that cause trauma to other workers.
Some oil firms emphasise that brilliant workers must seek ways to carry others along on their way up, not marching on the heads of others just to go up.
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