Afolabi unveils Newswatch 5 lecture series
The Olori Janet Afolabi Foudation (OJAF) has unveiled the Newswatch 5 lecture Series at Ijakadi Hall, Raddisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja Lagos. The event was to also pay tribute to the
The Olori Janet Afolabi Foudation (OJAF) has unveiled the Newswatch 5 lecture Series at Ijakadi Hall, Raddisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja Lagos.
The event was to also pay tribute to the late Yakubu Mohammed, a media Icon who co- founded Newswatch with late Dele Giwa, the late Dan Agbese and Ray Ekpu.
Chief Tola Adeniyi, Chairman of the occasion, said Mohammed rebranded journalism in his image.
He said Mohammed did not find himself in journalism but walked into it, prepared and laboured for it.
" He desired, perspired, and acquired the journalism feat.By nature, Mohammed was not flamboyant nor loud, but stayed in his own lane," he stressed.
Convener and Founder of OJAF, Olori Janet Afolabi, CNN award winning journalist and Queen of Apomu Kingdom, said when Dan Agbese co- Founder Newswatch died last year, she reflected on her Journalism career and remembered " the people who shaped me, taught me, corrected me, pushed me, belin me even when l doubted myself and gave me a platform to soar .My former Bosses are these people.They were mentors, builders of men and custodian of journalism standards.They taught me that journalism is not just a profession but a public trust.That truth matters.That integrity is not negotiable "
" It is this debt of gratitude that inspired me to organise this event."
Ray Ekpu, the only surviving Co-Founder of Newswatch, described Yakubu Mohammed as a Muslim, who was not an extremist."
"He was a decent, civilised and modern Muslim not infected by the bug of religious irredentism.He was a reporters reporter, a careful, thorough and methodical story teller.He went for facts, truth. He never bent the facts. He never bent the truth.
When he got elected as the Vice President of League of Nigerian Columnists which is headed by journalism legend , Chief Tola Adeniyi, l knew that he deserved the honour. And he capped his writing career by bringing out an autobiography titled "Beyond Expectations " before he died.
"By writing a book about his life and legacy he added muscle to his career as a journalist and public intellectual," he said.
There were reminiscence and tributes from former Military President, Retired General Ibrahim Babangida, Professor Tayo Popoola, Head of Department, Mass Communication, University of Lagos, Professor Oloruntola Sunday, Dean of of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Lagos, Mohammed Haruna pioneer Editor of New Nigerian newspaper,as well as family, friends, colleagues and schoolmates.
The event ended with a vote of thanks from Soji Akinrinade who praised Olori Janet Afolabi for organising the event and thanked every one for attending the event.
The event was well attended. The 200 capacity hall was filled with media elders, and dignitar from all walks of life.
Among those who attended were Oba Kayode Afolabi, the Alapomu of Apomu; His Majesty , Professor Obalanlege, the Olota of Ota, Oba ( Engr) Sulaiman Adekunle Bamgbade; Adimula of Awori Kingdom, Isheri Olofin- Mole; Nosa Igiebor Editor in Chief of Tell magazine, ICAN consultant, Shina Babatunde,Dame Comfort Obi, Publisher of Source, Hon. Helen Emere of Imo House of Assembly among others.
