JOURNALISM IS MY LIFE-LEKAN OTUFODUNRIN

Lekan Otufodunrin, Delievering Lecture @ his 50th birthday

When movers and shakers of media industry gathered to celebrate one of their own, such a celebration will definitely live long to be remembered. On May 9, 2014, all roads were led to Nigerian Institute of Journalism hall where, purpose driven and ace journalist, Lekan Otufodunrin marked his 50^th birthday. Unlike many birthday celebrations where the celebrant will sit to listen to encomium, remarks and birthday messages, Otufodunrin used the opportunity to pour out his mind on the deplorable state of journalism practice in Nigeria. The Nation Newspaper Managing Editor, Online and Special Publication spoke on the need to reinvent journalism practice in Nigeria. As passionate as he was during the lecture moderated by President, Nigeria Guild of Editor (NGE) Femi Adesina, Otufodunrin spoke to journalists on the journey so far and why journalism is a substantial key part of his life. Excerpt.

What do you ant to achieve by this putting this porgramme together?

Well, glory be to God in the high heaven for today. I am able to tell people that you need millions of naira to put this kind event together. I could have loved to say I want to take a hall for 200,000. NIJ gave this place for me free of charge, I could have gone for other things, but I want to see more people blessed.  Some people may not like it that it was not bubbling; I think the ultimate thing has been achieved today.

You choose this pattern to showcase what you have been doing, what have been doing?

Discussants at the ceremony

I have been doing media training. I have benefited from media training in the past. In 1998, I travelled out of the country for three month all expenses paid trip. Somebody I never knew paid for that and other things that I have benefited. I think that we don’t also need foreign examples. We need to look for local examples. If somebody can sponsor us abroad for training, why can’t we do it here? Why do I need to bring somebody from Abeokuta, and Kaduna and others place to come and what journalism look like? Why do even look like at media houses and if I can help? For me is the joy that I see people who before were just journalists but today they are there doing great things. So that if I step back, I don’t want to step back and say am ashamed of journalism. I want to be part of it but the only thing I can do is to contribute my quota.

So, what is your greatest joy today?                              

 My greater joy is that god has spared my life to be 50. My friends, colleagues and associates have come and see it as a partnership. I know people who went on their ways to come and I am very grateful. The President, Nigeria Guild of Editor, Mr.  Femi Adesina is here, the chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos chapter, Deji Elumoye is here and everybody in the media industry is here. I am rejoicing with my family. Like the saying in church, testimonies will come out of this and I am very sure about that.

50 years in life is a long journey, what has been your experience both in and outside journalism so far?

There are different stages of life. Like somebody said, you talk about journalism, it is all about my life but journalism is part of my life. I am writing a book called "Journalism of My Life" I am going to publish it very soon. It showcase what I have achieved right from when I was in HSC I edited the school news letter. I was the library prefect in my higher school and at the same time editor of the school newsletter. Journalism has been the real key part of my life. I think that it worth celebrating and it worth telling people that there is help available. Many people when they see top journalists, they can access them but today, I am happy that after the programme some people wok up to Toyosi Ogunseye to get her contact. Toyosi actually came here to do postgraduate Diploma. She had a first degree in Biochemistry, she did her PGD here at NIJ, before she went to Lagos Business School now Pan African University for her Master degree and as I speak to you, she is a PHD student at Pan African University. That is the kind of thing we want.

You have been in journalism industry for like how many years?

Well, I graduated in 1985

And you have been practicing till date?

Yes

What has been your contribution to journalism industry since you’ve been practicing?

-I have played my role as a reporter sufficiently. I worked in PUNCH newspaper from 1987 to 1999. I started as a state correspondent. For 4 years in Abeokuta and keep telling people that those were days when there were no gadgets, when you will go to cover events, you will dictate every word to Lagos. You call OGUN as in O for Oscar, G for God, U for Uniform and N for November. I think god has helped me to play my own part. I am glad that God wants me to be a journalist and I have been journalist. We have initiative, journalists for Christ (JFC), Media Career Services and so on. I am praying that God will spare my life so that I can still be of help. God has been helping us. I think there is need for lots of people to help and I think I am one of them.

Can you tell us some of the media houses you have worked?

I have worked in PUNCH newspaper. As a matter of fact I started working with PUNCH, I have worked in New Age and I am working in The Nation as Managing Editor, Online. In between there are about three to four places where for one month, two months and I left but it been a journey. That is why today I am able to call president of Guild of Editor because I knew him when he was just a correspondent. The chairman of NUJ was once my staff. When I was News Editor of PUNCH, he was our Defence correspondent, he was my staff then, but today, he is NUJ Chairman. I am happy for that and that is why people like that I don’t need to them special invitation before they come. I didn’t print invitation cards for this occasion. The President Guild of Editor, I sent him a text. The only one I printed in the office was a photocopy that I distributed. I never printed any formal invitation card and yet people came.

Over there, there are displayed of your work over time, what do you aim to achieve with all these?

I want people to see the full story. There is nobody with over night success. I have stories when I was an Intern. I have stories when I have done different things. One of the lecturer said he so happy that I am bring it here more importantly because the students will see the complete story. When they say somebody is an accomplish journalist he didn’t achieve it over night. God has helped him to do it. I once wrote an article titled ‘I remembered when I was an Intern” somebody said, so you were once an Intern?  I was an intern. So if got help why wouldn’t I help.