OUR JOURNALISTIC ADVENTURE

''The journey of a thousand mile'' it is said, ''begins with a step''. One may wonder what sort of journey is it that I am talking about. But a retrospective look at life and a peep into the future show that life is a journey of many bus stops. In the latter part of last semester when we were asked to choose a media house for our SIWES, many, if not every one of us had looked forward to having a wonderful experience in our chosen organizations. After eight months of excruciating lectures in this dreaded institution, we were all in high spirit to put to practice our hard earned knowledge and in turn, to get exposed to the profession.

 The release of names and posted stations ignited in us an unconcealed euphoria that was later to become a euphorbia for some of us. The euphoric days did not last as it was first blighted by the traumatic discovery of an ineluctable mountainous bill. We had initially thought it was a fallacy of ambiguity or something fictitious, but it was not to be as the reality is fast emerging. This incident of September 24th coupled with the fact that many of us were yet to acclimatize to our organization’s house style did slow our progress to work. Almost immediately, some of us were down to business with our media houses and were assigned to various beats, given conditions of services and what have you. The journey into journalism had just begun for us.

 There was a bundle of issues not properly addressed by some of these media houses. Among them was the much touted ethics of the profession which seems to exist theoretically. A cursory looks into the life of some of the practitioners especially the cup journalists and their conditions of service were disheartening. Some of us felt it during the three months sojourning when we were assigned to go and source for news in places that will take a financial toll from us. The fares to our places of works were obligatorily our responsibilities, but going for official duties in our own expenses was unimaginable considering the global financial crisis of the period that even hit the federal government to at a time withdrew from hosting the under-17 FIFA world cup. 

Kudos must be given to some of these organizations who no doubt impacted in us the much needed first hand experience. Some did not make us feel the heat of the global melt down by putting in place for us a good welfare package. But still, some offered nothing while profusely tapping for free our hard earned skill. An interesting aspect of the period was the common practice o Public Relations by many of us. This was another kind of PR – errand boys and girls so to speak. We became lackeys against our own will just for the sake of being subordinate to our superiors. In fact, it was part of the experience we never bargained for but had more than a dose of it. 

The woes of these bouts may appear grievous to those of us who for the extrinsic factors and not the intrinsic reward are adventuring the profession. Well, one should not be deterred yet because there are avalanche of opportunities lurking around. In all these, some still had a fructutous adventure coupled with the raking in of the little more. While we were recounting and sharing our experiences, anxiety also mounted as to when the result would be out. After reading like mad, (even in the toilets and bathroom) and had read everything, oh yes, we read everything – especially those of us whose fate were hanging in the balance – a very good performance was the only panacea needed to cap the year. The eventual pasting of result was like turning again the captivity of Zion as there was no wailing nor weeping compared to first semester’s result. The mad effort had paid off; some lessons learned. Because this is just the first half and the final whistle yet to be blown, one cannot afford to rest on his oars. 

Candidly speaking, the release of the result was timely. It has assuaged the debacles of the previous session and year while it gave virtually every one something to reminisce on during the festive period. More importantly, it was a moral booster for our parents and guardians who needed nothing but a justifiable result from us. The pains of the mountainous bills are also fast fading and by effect will expedite payment. Potential gentlemen of the press, it is our collective prayer that he who has brought us to NIJ will see us through and help foot the colossal bill. Welcome to a New Year and session of greater challenges and heights.                                                                                                                         chronicled by Edosblue                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
 Published in January 2009 at NIJ campus

ON THE JUST CONCLUDED HAND OVER OF POSTS IN HIS GRACE ASSEMBLY

ON THE JUST CONCLUDED HAND OVER OF POSTS IN HIS GRACE ASSEMBLY


 Leadership demands responsibility on the part of any individual or group which surpasses a mere availability to lead. Those who lead has enormous responsibilities thrust on them or taken upon themselves if need be. It encompasses foresight, commitment, dedication, visionary, self control, discipline, boldness, respect for followers, humility, forth-rightness, sound attitudinal behavior among others. So, for these and many other reasons, I duff all those that truly lead in one area or the other, regardless of the little or unglamorous sphere. 

 In this piece, I shall be perusing through the pre and post handover of the mantle of leadership of His Grace Assembly. First and foremost, I thank almighty Jehovah for the grace given to the immediate past president—did I hear you say daddy G.O or Samuel? Yes, which ever you choose to call him. He and his cabinet (as I was taught by Mr. Tene John of GNS 121) or executive have done well by sustaining the temple without any vote of No confidence passed on them (I am sorry, not parliamentary government). Few months ago, there was a general believe mostly among the ND one students that a certain person (name withheld) was to succeed Samuel as the next G.O by virtue of his commitment to fellowship, and his spiritual gravity. Soon afterwards, there seemed to be a relative dwindling of commitment and two other likely successors emerged in which one was more obvious. Many had their mind on the more obvious and would have casted their votes if selection was by consensus among members. A week before the handover, information was rife that the obvious person was most likely to be confirmed as the new G.O. To the surprise of many, a new G.O. was announced who had hardly featured in their minds as the successor to the post of presidency.

 Meanwhile, in the post handover, there seems to be a cold heat as some secretly question the criteria for which the new executive was drawn. No matter how pretentious the people are, it is decipherable on their faces from a critical look that they are not just satisfied with the new set of executive. Some are questioning the hierarchical structure while others the entire set up as there is total exclusion of brothers. Apart from spiritual and moral criteria, it is also believed by a cross section of the people that the last semester’s result released less than two weeks before the hand over played a role in the drastic hierarchical structure of the executive. 

As embedded in the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, every citizen shall have the right to personal opinion, thought and expression. So, the above views of the people concerned should be respected and not derided even if they are not going to have any bearing on the new leadership. In all these, I want to categorically state that everything a man does, he is fallible. And since we all are men we are prone to mistakes at one point or the other in life. Before the new executive were selected or rather ordained, I am sure serious prayers were done to seek God’s direction on the choice of leaders. So, it suffices me to say that God sanctioned the present executive and He has destined them for this purpose. 

As a concerned fellow and maybe a stakeholder, I took courage after a close rapport with all members to come out with this piece which I deemed will help harmonize views and opinion on the handover. I call on all brothers not to let their exclusion lead to any form of dichotomy in the fellowship. Leadership is not about gender as the Bible rightly stated that there is neither male nor female. The new executive needs the support of all the brothers, sisters and friends to advance the course of the kingdom in NIJ and beyond. Unity is the language of God. By it He created man when He said in Genesis chapter two: ‘’let us’’. Let our language never be ‘’let them’’ but ‘’let us’’ so that we can together surpass the former glory and live to the billing: ‘’the glory of the latter shall be greater than the former’’. May the peace and love of God abide in our Jerusalem. I thank you all and welcome the new president and her executive with the grace of God to a new era of dynamic leadership.                                                                                 Simply EDOSBLUE                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Edobor Nosa Harrison (Year one, FT) Published in August 2008 at NIJ CAMPUS