‘My life as a poet’

Many know the founder of Diamond Publications, Lanre Idowu, as a die hard journalist, passionate about the media. But not many know ‘Idowu the Poet’. Come tomorrow, he will be launching a poetry collection, Songs of Childhood along with two other books on the media. In this chat with EVELYN OSAGIE, he speaks about his life as a poet and his passion as a journalist. 

 

It has been an interesting journey. I’ve been a reporter, editor, columnist, manager, director and a trainer, yet I’m still in the Media and I believe I’ll be in it till my maker calls me home.

I began my journey as a student of the media, specifically from the University of Lagos (UNILAG). I started paying attention to what is published in the media and I always knew I would make a career in it.

I had combined honours but majored in History and later decided to go back to school to do a Masters in Public Communication. From there, I started working in different areas of the media precisely in newspapers.

I  worked first in Daily Times newspaper, then I became a pioneer staff at The Guardian. From there, I went to The Democrat Weekly, and back to the newsroom as I worked with ThisWeek.

Then I decided I wanted to do something else and to publish a monthly review of the Nigerian media which I’ve done for over 20 years.

We also have a programme to honour and celebrate journalists through the Diamond Awards of Media Excellence (DAME) that has been on for 28 years now.

 

My background and  influences  on my media career

I won’t trade my beautiful childhood for anything. I grew up in a loved setting where love and sense of duty resonated. I had fantastic parents.

We were taught to own up to whatever mistakes we made: not to be afraid of making mistakes and speaking our mind without being rude.

My strict father was the head of the home and my mother was a diplomat, always mending fences, explaining things we don’t fully understand and punishment was for correction. She made everyone feel we were special.

 

On my three books

Over the years, we have published diverse books but this is the first time that we would be publishing books solely written by me.

Come tomorrow, I will be formally presenting three books simultaneously: Media on my Mind: Ethics, Governance and other matters, Uneven Steps and Songs of Childhood.

The three books show different aspects of my career growth. Media on my Mind: Ethics, Governance and other matters, a collection of my essays written between 2009 and 2017, is about my work as an essayist, columnist and public speaker.

Uneven Steps, a first full-length novel, is the story of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), a very important professional association. I had a good, interesting childhood and not too pleasant experience.

And so, 10 years after my first poetry collection, Bridges of  Memory, I will be unveiling another on my childhood, entitled: Songs of Childhood.

 

My life as a poet

 

I’m happy my parents sent me to school. I’ve always enjoyed the arts. And a good number of my courses in UNILAG were in that area. In secondary school, Literature and History were my favorite subjects.

Then I tried writing a few lines but they were not published. At some points in the 80s, I started publishing some in The Guardian.

The first collection was Briges of Memory  which featured some poems on private matters and others about things happening around.

As an observer, it was experiential. But the second anthology was more deliberate because I decided to focus on my childhood.

As a child, I watched drama on television, like Oyin Adejobi, Baba Sala and lots of other Yoruba dramas. Throughout secondary school, I followed what was in the media.

Growing up in Lagos and going to Abeokuta to visit my maternal grandmother who was into tye and dye, had a huge influence on me. She would tell us stories.

The more I sat to think, I remembered a lot of interesting happenings in my childhood and village life. And so I thought it was a great idea to share my experiences with an audience, such as the sing-along songs.

 

My most memorable moments in the media

Though there have been some challenges, we are at it. Bringing these three books out is my most significant step because this is the 40th year of my being a writer. I was first a writer before I became a journalist.

It is important for me to say thanks to God for how far I’ve come.

We thank God for our mentors and mentees. I’m just grateful for the opportunity to be relevant. I’m working towards achieving more.

Read Also: Poet of dust stirs debate on Sufi, African world

 

In the course of my work, there have been dangers on the field but I am grateful for life. I think I spent a good part of my life working in the media.

A lot of things happened that should not be forgotten and putting it down in written form will help scholars, journalists, students and citizens concerned about development in our society.

I’m hopeful that Uneven Steps will be found useful in helping to clear the air in decisions-making, repositioning the guild and making it more relevant.

We must encourage our people to read and write. My next assignment is to make more journalists become authors, sharing their experiences for growth. I’d like to see new books by journalists from the field so that different viewers will have new information.

We will need help because a number of things we come across will be put into news. I salute Segun Adeniyi who has been able to follow things in the news and turn them to books.

I think he has done that for about two or three times. We just need to encourage more of our journalists to talk more about what they go through so that their efforts can be appreciated.

 

Lessons life taught me

We are not in this life by accident. We have a duty to our Creator to put to use the talents he has endowed us with.

As a child, I learnt that you are not accountable to yourself alone; that you didn’t create yourself, God created you and put you in a family.

And in anything you do, you must honour Him, helping those you come across in life. For after we leave this world, there is another life that we will be accountable to.

So, values, Christian values, have always been part of my upbringing. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Whatever life throws at you, you must face it squarely.

We should use our talent to please God; make our society a better place, show courage even in the face of challenges in life.

We can’t afford to give up. Learn from challenges and move on. I like what doctors say, ‘We care, God heals’. So, try, do your best and leave the rest for God.

Find out what He has given you and use it to exalt His name. I always say that what is popular is not always right. So don’t follow the crowd.

You don’t have to fight to make your point. If they are doing something you are not comfortable with it, excuse yourself.