The Journalism profession is one of the most prestigious professions in the world. A Communication Scholar, Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye once said after rapture, Journalism is the only profession that will remain in heaven as journalists will be busy reporting what is happening from the North, East, West and South of heaven so people can stay connected.
30 Solid years after meritorious Services in various capacities like the former Sunday Editor of The Nation, The Punch Newspapers where he was Group News Editor, City Editor and Group Political Editor, Lekan Otufodunrin will be taking a bow on the 31st of Decemeber,2018. Lekan Otufodunrin is a topnotch journalist and media career development specialist. He is the Outgoing Managing Editor, Online and Special Publications of The Nation Newspapers and founder of Media Career Development Network.
Fondly called, ’Uncle Lekan’ by admirers, Lekan Otufodunrin is a passionate media trainer and counselor, he has organized and facilitated various impactful media training programs for all categories of journalists in Nigeria and in Africa which has enhanced the careers of participants.
Through Media Career Development Network, he has provided regular media career mentoring, coaching and networking opportunities for journalists to maximize the potentials of the profession, some of whom have risen from being reporters to editors.
Among others, he has trained and mentored journalists for Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, International Press Centre, International Centre for Investigative Reporting, Nigerian Union of Journalists, United Nation Women and United States Consulate, Lagos .In furtherance of his media career work, Otufodunrin has a number of very practical and media industry relevant books to his credit which includes Purpose Driven Journalism, Excelling in Journalism, Reporter Extraordinaire, Journalism of My Life and The Journalist You Ought to Be. He has also bagged numerous awards for his professional practice and media career development work from media training departments of Polytechnics, Universities, Institutes and media organizations.
Otufodunrin holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos and a Certificate in Advance Digital Writing from the School of Communication, Pan Atlantic University, Lagos. He is also presently an Associate Lecturer at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos where he teaches Digital Media and Investigative Reporting. He was an adjunct lecturer at the Mass Communication Department of University of Lagos and Professional External Examiner at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism while he also belongs to the Nigerian Union of Journalists and Nigeria Guild of Editors.
Otufodunrin is a fellow of some international media fellowships, including, Thomson Foundation, Cardiff, UK, Poynter Institute (School for Journalists), Florida, USA and Bloomberg Africa Leadership Initiative. He is the President of Journalists for Christ, a Governing Board member of Journalists Against AIDS, Secretary of the Africa Region of World Association for Christian Communication and Member of the Board of Trustees of Media Associate International (Africa).
Am sure most people will wonder why is he voluntarily bowing out after 30 years but the truth is for a robust town and gown mind discussions, the academics is in need of journalists with practical Experiences. Hence, Lekan Otufodunrin has resolved to continue in training and retraining of young journalist on the rudiments of the profession through his Media Career Development Network. I am sure one of these days, you’ll find him in your newsroom or classes as he continues in this vision.
All I have to say is to wish,‘Lekan Otufodunrin’ the best as he moves ahead in the vision of raising quality and competent Journalists for Africa and the World.
Written by Tosin Adesile, a Journalist and Lecturer at the Department of Mass Communication, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic and a beneficiary of Lekan Otufodunrin rich journalism Experiences via tosinadesile@gmail.com.