Any opportunity to speak with especially students and young journalists excites me.
That was what informed my asking a lecturer at the Nigeria Institute of Journalism, Mr Tolu Ojemuyiwa, to allow me to address his Ordinary National Diploma 1 Part Time class last Saturday.
As usual, I recalled my student and early journalism days back in the late 80s to let them know every accomplished journalist was once at their level and what it takes to excel in the job.
I inspired and challenged them that life is a long journey and whatever they would become later will depend on how seriously they take their studies and what practical steps they start taking from now on.
Being digital natives, I urged them to maximize the use of technology more for professional enhancement than for social purposes.
When I mentioned that despite being an old-school journalist who graduated 39 years ago, I have a massive following online, including 37k plus followers on X, they were surprised.
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“Excuse me, sir, you dey whine me,” (whine is slang for are you saying the truth), one of the students who nodded when I earlier said I know some of them may not end up being journalists responded silently, but I heard him.
He must have been surprised when I replied, “I no dey whine you o. Please verify.”
A lady in the class said “You must be a celebrity sir.”
“No, I am not,” I replied. “I am a journalist and thought leader on media issues online.”
Sensing the students wanted more explanation of how I have been able to maximize the use of social media to enhance my media career, I shared with them personal examples of how to better use social media as aspiring journalists.
“You have to start having a professional online presence from now. You have to follow media professionals you want to be like and engage with them.
“I should be able to see evidence that you are a Mass Communication student from what you share on your social media platforms. Write and produce content on your handles to indicate what you want to become,” I went on and on and had to end my “sermon” to enable the lecturer to resume his scheduled lecture.
