A female journalist who herself has made it big in the profession, Olori Janet Afolabi has paid tribute to late Dele Giwa, Ray Ekpu, Dan Agbese, Mohammed Yakubu and other founders of the famous Newswatch magazine for the opportunity they offered her to blossom into an excellent professional journalist.
In a book titled: “The Masters who Trained Me,” publicly unveiled in the Palace of
Alapomu of Apomu, headquarters of Isokan local government area of Osun state, Olori Janet Afolabi said that the book is a book of tributes to her mentors in Journalism.
Olori Janet Afolabi, who is a CNN award winning journalist acknowledged that the cream of Newswatch top journalists guided, trained and tutored her till she decided that their efforts deserve to be documented for posterity.
“It is acknowledgment of excellence of the work of the most famous Ray Ekpu, Dan Agbese, Yakubu Mohammed, Soji Akinrinade, Nosa Igiebor and Dare Babarinsa.”
Olori Janet Afolabi who is a publisher and Queen of Apomu Kingdom, said that she wrote the book to “honour these renowned journalists who trained, drilled and molded me into someone with valuables skills. They gave me media platform to operate, explore and express myself. They gave me wings to fly in the winds of journalism travails and triumphs.
“I want to appreciate them while they are alive. I am expressing my gratitude by giving them a gift that will live after them. The gift is this book. My experience with each of them and the techniques of news writing they taught me are chronicled in the six chapters of the book.”
The book was unveiled as part of the activities to mark the second coronation anniversary of Oba Kayode Adenekan Afolabi the Alapomu of Apomu.
Presenting the book to the guests, the General Manager/Editor-In-Chief of Vanguard Newspapers, Gbenga Adefaye described the book as an important gift that should last till eternity.
Adefaye who is a former two term President of Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) said: “Olori Janet Afolabi could be regarded as a famous journalist and not just that, but an award winning journalist who has won local and international awards.
He appreciated Olori Janet for remembering those who took her on the journey of learning to become a master and successful journalist.
He said that the book is a source of material for the younger generation of journalists and journalism students.
He added that the book is also an addition to the existing literature on Nigerian Media Industry.
According to him, the history of journalism in Nigeria would not be complete without the contributions of these great men who have trained and mentored some of the best hands in journalism.
“They are indeed an asset to the world of journalism.”
Among those who attended the event were the Alaafin of Oyo, Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, Secretary to State Government, Oluwole Oyebamiji who represented Osun state governor, Gboyega Oyetola; Asoya of Isoya who represented the Ooni of Ife, Akarigbo of Remo, Babatunde Amoo; Onire of Ire, Ekiti State Olowu of Owu kuta.
Other personalities include Waheed Olagunju, Former Acting Managing Director of Bank of Industry, Marouf Olanrewaju; Majority leader of Osun state House of Assembly, Yemi Lawal; Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Osun state, Marouf Akinremi; Chairman Isokan Local Government area of Osun state, Soji Akinrinade; former Executive Director/Editor in Chief, Newswatch magazine, Mustapha Isa; President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Bolaji Adebiyi; Managing Editor, ThisDay Newspaper/Vice President (West) Nigerian Guild of Editors, Dotun Oladipo who is the immediate past President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) and Gabriel Akinadewo, Publisher Freedom Online.
