The Nation Newspaper

Tag: lekan otufodunrin

  • Young journalists incredibly valuable – US Ag. Consul General

    Young journalists incredibly valuable – US Ag. Consul General

    By Eunice Ayobami

    What’s unique about being an early career journalist in the present digital age that young journalists should know to maximise opportunities to develop their careers?

    How can they practice journalism in a way that stands them out from those who publish falsehoods?

    The Acting Consul General at the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos, JoEllen Gorg, said they have something incredibly valuable, which is a plus to achieve their dreams in the media profession.

    “A fresh perspective.  You’re part of a generation that’s growing up at a time of immense social, political, and technological change,” she reminded participants in her opening remarks at the Journalism Clinic on Media Law and Ethics organised by the Media Career Development Network (MCDN) with the support of the Consulate on July 10, 2025, in Lagos.

    The facilitators at the programme were the CEO/Editor-In-Chief of Dimond Publications Limited, Mr Lanre Idowu and Legal practitioner and media consultant, Mr Gbemiga Ogunleye.

    According to Gorg: “You’re the ones who are fluent in the language of the digital age, where news is instant, global, and constantly evolving.”

    Unlike in the past when just the big and headline stories mattered, nowadays, she noted that the most impactful journalism is the local story about a community standing up for its rights, or the personal narrative of someone overcoming extraordinary challenges.

    “Every word, every sentence, has the potential to make a difference in someone’s life,” she said, noting that with that potential for change comes a responsibility to seek the truth, to be fair, and to be honest in your work.

    More than ever before, the participants were reminded that “journalism isn’t just about writing what you think or feel.”

    “It’s about grounding your stories in facts, ensuring you’ve done the research, and giving your audience an accurate picture of what’s going on and not manipulating them to fit a narrative.  That’s what separates real journalism from clickbait or fiction.”

    She commended the commitment of journalists to telling the truth and the courage to report in a world where journalism is increasingly under pressure, noting that ethical, independent journalism has proven indispensable in holding leaders accountable, informing citizens, and safeguarding democracy.

    With the risks journalists face, from online harassment, physical intimidation, to censorship, arrest and violence, she said  Journalists need to have the space to report legitimately sourced stories without intimidation or harassment.

    Building a strong foundation in media law and ethics, according to the Acting Consul, is critical for all journalists to be well informed about legal restrictions like libel laws and the role of ethics in modern journalism.  “These are not just academic concepts; they are the tools and guardrails that will help you navigate complex situations, protect your integrity, and earn the trust of your audiences,” she stated.

    While urging the participants to ask the tough questions, challenge assumptions, and learn from one another, she stated that  “journalism is, at its core, about curiosity, courage, and commitment to the public good.”

    The CEO/Editor-in-Chief of Diamond Publications who spoke on the ethics of the media, urged journalists to internalise ethical principles and not simply memorise them.

    “Ethics is not something you cram. It’s a living thing,” Idowu told the participants, noting that “once you imbibe it, it becomes second nature. and guides your decisions daily.”

    He underscored the importance of Nigeria’s 2022 Code of Ethics for Journalists, describing it as a model of co-regulation—a framework championed by the media but inclusive of public interest groups.

    Idowu walked participants through the Code’s 16 articles, beginning with editorial independence. He warned against allowing external influences to dictate coverage. “You can tell a story about an oil company, but do it because the story is worth telling — not because you were induced to do it,” he advised.

    Mr Ogunleye stressed the need to balance press freedom with responsibility.

    “Journalists have the right to publish, but that right doesn’t extend to defaming people,” Ogunleye said. “For some, a good name is all they have. If you smear it, you have destroyed something precious.”

    He explained defamation and its long-term consequences, especially for individuals who may seek public office or traditional titles. “What you publish could follow someone for life. That’s why you must be certain of your facts,” he said.

    Ogunleye encouraged participants to read the Nigerian Constitution and familiarise themselves with legal provisions like Section 24 of the Cybercrime Act and Section 59(1) of the Criminal Code, which touch on incitement and false reporting.

    In his welcome address, the Executive Director of MCDN, Lekan Otufodunrin also noted that it’s important for all journalists to fully understand and abide by the laws and ethics in their practice.

    “One of the reasons we insist that Journalism is a profession and should not be a free for all who can string words together or have a good voice is that there are laws, regulations and ethics that guide our work which only those who are ready to abide by them should call themselves journalists or broadcasters. 

    “There are laws, ethics, implications and consequences for the things we do as journalists and we all need to constantly remind ourselves of them and not behave as if they don’t matter and we can’t be held accountable as we seek to hold the government and others,” Otufodunrin stated.  

  • Misogyny, a global worrisome trend – Otufodunrin

    Misogyny, a global worrisome trend – Otufodunrin

    The Executive Director of the Media Career Development Network, Lekan Otufodunrin, has emphasised the call for an end to misogyny in Nigeria.

    His remarks were made during the launch of a report by Journalists for Christ, titled ‘Trends and Contexts of Tech-facilitated Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria’, on Thursday, December 5.

    During the launch, the harmful impact of misogyny — defined as the dislike, contempt, or ingrained prejudice against women — was strongly condemned.

    It was emphasised that misogyny continues to persist in society, causing emotional trauma and contributing to low self-esteem among women.

    Addressing the audience, Otufodunrin said: “This is a trend that had become worrisome globally and what we have done is to do a research, check the trends and draw the attention of Nigerians to it.”

    Also speaking at the event was former Presidential aide, Femi Adesina, who officially launched the report.

    Adesina emphasised that individuals engaged in misogyny must recognize that their actions are anti-social. Reflecting on the value of women, he reminded the audience that women are creations of God and questioned why they should ever be looked down upon.

    He said: “Those involved in misogyny should know that what they are doing is anti-social and also unworthy. If God created humanity and he loved everyone, why would some people decide to dislike others. 

    “It’s so unworthy. Look at America today, youlss see LGBTQ, changing of gender and lots of messy things. We should not wait till those things get to our country before we kick against it. That is why is important that people should emphasise the call to put an end to misogyny.”

  • ‘Misinformation can trigger joblosses, business closures’

    ‘Misinformation can trigger joblosses, business closures’

    An expert has warned that more businesses may close due to the menace of misinformation targeted at its members. They said it could result in job losses.

    The expert, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin, stated this at a meeting by the Private Sector Coalition on Improving the Integrity of the Nigeria Infospace in Ikeja, Lagos.

    Otufodunrin, who is the Executive Director, Media Career Development Network, emphasised the need for accurate information, particularly in businesses.

    The coalition, which aims to promote the dissemination of correct information, highlighted the negative impact that false information could have on organisations.

    Read Also: Osun youths warn against misinformation about Oyetola

    Otufodunrin mentioned the Erisco saga as an example of how misinformation could lead to a company’s downfall, if not addressed.

    He urged the public to verify information from credible sources before spreading it, adding that false information could have serious consequences on businesses and contribute to unemployment.

    Otufodunrin, who urged the media to combat misinformation, emphasised the importance of fact-checking.

    The coalition, which includes media personnel and private sector officials, discussed various strategies to tackle misinformation in the business space.

    The partnership between the Center for International Private Enterprise and Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) highlights the commitment to addressing this issue and promoting integrity in the private sector.

    It is a collective effort to combat misinformation and ensure the sustainability of businesses in Nigeria.

  • Rethinking internship

    Internship is one of the basic requirements for students of tertiary institutions to graduate in their course of study. The duration of the internship which varies depending on course of study and institutions is expected to afford the students the opportunity to have practical knowledge and experience in the industry they will move on to after graduation.

    For polytechnic graduates, the internship is a whole year for holders of Ordinary National Diploma as a condition for admission for Higher National Diploma studies.

    As their contribution to the training of future workers in their sector, companies and organisations are supposed to accept the students and prepare them for the career ahead of them.

    Like many other good concepts which have been eroded over the years, internship has become problematic for both the students and companies. The increasing number of students seeking internship has made it difficult for many to find placements. The companies that are battling to survive the economic downturn can’t simply cope with the upsurge and have no choice but to turn the students back.

    Unfortunately, many of the students don’t fully understand and appreciate how to maximise internship opportunities and end up not being useful to those who accept them. Without an allowance, some will prefer to find unrelated options to their field of study instead of gaining the experience they need.

    Some employers too don’t know what to do with the interns and only take them on compassionate grounds without any clear outline about how to make their stay worthwhile.

    Last week, I organised a training during which I shared some thoughts about how to rethink the concept of internship and even volunteering which is one of the ways for graduates to work in their preferred industry before securing employment.

    Read Also: Shell inducts 30 graduates for internship

    One basic thing which students need to know is that internship is a learning opportunity which they are not paying for. It is not too different from someone seeking to learn a trade and has to pay for the learning period.

    While organisations can be magnanimous to offer allowance to offset transport costs, students should not make payment a determinant for where they want to intern. They and their parents should regard the internship as part of the learning experience which they may need to pay for like their school fees.

    Fresh from school with no skills to offer, the interns have not much value to add to their workplace but a lot to learn for which they must be grateful for and not take for granted.

    Institutions sending the students on internship need to give them proper orientation about what they need to learn and the workplace culture. This will necessitate that the lecturers are abreast of latest developments in the industry through regular interactions with managements and officials who the students will work with.

    It’s not good enough that students are sent to companies and organisations institutions don’t relate with or give feedback on the impact of past internship on their students. Additionally, institutions should develop updated database of diverse options for their students to choose from instead of focusing on few organisations that cannot accommodate them.

    Students should understand that they don’t have to intern with only major organisations. If they get one, good, but if not, they should make do with some unpopular ones and start-ups where they will get the opportunity to be fully engaged.

    The stress many students go through and the abuses some of them, particularly female, are subjected to while seeking internship is unnecessary if the right thing is done by all concerned.

    There should be rules of engagements by both the institutions and companies which must be respected by both sides.

  • ActionAid trains journalists on reporting corruption

    Not fewer than forty journalists are currently undergoing three day training on corruption and investigative data reporting in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

    The training is being organized by ActionAid Nigeria with support from UKAid has journalists drawn from Borno State which is one of the implementing states including other states in the northeast like Bauchi, Gombe and Yobe States.

    Making his presentation, one of the lead facilitators of the training, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin, a Media Career Trainer in his paper title, Research as a Basis for Good Reporting tasked journalists to, “overcome the challenges that are associated with the weak institutions in the system by beginning to report the weakness itself”.

    Mr. Lekan emphasized that “journalists must be armed with the right information and data by using the Freedom of Information Act (FoI) to produce a good investigative report”.

    He added, “You must have the relevant information to be able to come out with a good investigative story by engaging in a very thorough research of what you want to investigate and write about. Those facts must be undisputed and factual. That suggest that such facts must be verified and cross check because you must ask relevant questions concerning the objective of the person giving you an information.

    Read Also: NUJ presidential aspirant vows to pay journalists’ salaries

    Drawing from experience, Mr. Lekan challenged journalists to avoid self-censorship and engage in strong networking by sharing their stories that could amount to their organizational conflict of interests.

    “You can share a story with your colleague that you feel you newspaper cannot use or publish,” Mr. Lekan advised.

    Welcoming participants at the training, the Project Manager of Strengthening Citizens Resistance Against Prevalence of Corruption (SCRAP-C), Mr. Newton Otsemaye  emphasized on  the UN Convention Against Corruption which espouses the ills of corruption especially how it affect the poor and the vulnerable people in the society.

    Quoting from the former UN Secretary General, Late Kofi Annan, “Corruption”, he says, “affects the poor disproportionately”.

    Mr. Otsemaye regretted how our society celebrate and glorify people who have looted public funds, adding that, “the people need to be sensitized on the dangers of corruption and the journalists must be in the driver’s seat for the people to understand.

  • Journalism: 30 years and still counting

    Journalism: 30 years and still counting

    Until I saw the facebook announcement of a live chat by the Chairman of the Editorial Board, The Nation, Sam Omatseye,  to mark the 30th anniversary of his journalism career, it didn’t occur to me that I had missed marking my own anniversary.

    As I responded in my comment on the post, Omatseye is undoubtedly an accomplished journalist who has made and continues to make his mark in the profession. From being a reporter, journalism teacher and now a foremost columnist, Omatseye’s 30 years’ odyssey is worthy of celebration and I join in congratulating him for his accomplishments.

    His weekly Monday column in The Nation,’In touch’, is usually a well-articulated discourse of major national issues laced with historical facts and literary allusions. His views may be usually controversial, but he sure comes across as having the strength of conviction on what he writes about.

    He is very passionate about good journalism practice and doesn’t miss any opportunity to advocate for it or spot talented journalists who he goes out of his way to support in every way he can.

    Great journalists are made of the stuff Omatseye is made of based on his reports and writings in and outside the newsroom in the past 30 years. I wish him many more years of meritorious practice.

    How times fly. Like Omatseye, it’s over thirty years since I got my letter of appointment as Ogun State Correspondent of The Punch newspaper in May 1987. I still recall how I reluctantly accepted the appointment because what I wanted was a job in the Lagos headquarters and not anywhere else where I had not lived.

    The Managing Director of the paper, Mr Ademola Osinubi, who was then Deputy Editor convinced me that based on copies of my stories he had read, I would be able to do the job despite being a fresh graduate. He also ‘cajoled’ me that I would have an office to myself and a telephone as a state correspondent.

    I have him to thank for the confidence he and the then Editor, Alhaji Nojeem Jimoh, had in me to entrust me with the major responsibility of covering Ogun State which in no small way boosted my confidence and provided unmatchable learning opportunities that prepared me for the years ahead.

    Many things I still do today have their roots in The Punch, including my understanding of the new media and media career development.

    My career has seen me moving from The Punch after twelve years to brief stints in the defunct National Interest, Financial Standard, New Age and now The Nation where I have a few months to equal The Punch years.

    I set out to be a journalist from my secondary school days, thanks to my late father who gave me access to newspapers and many literature books.  Thirty years after, I have no regrets and will do it again if I have the opportunity to start all over again.

    Despite many negative impressions about journalism, the profession has been good to me in too many ways that I can’t deny as I declared in a recent facebook post.

     

  • Oyedepo’s 12 Life-changing quotes

    Oyedepo’s 12 Life-changing quotes

    In commemoration of the 63rd birthday of Bishop David Oyedepo of Living Faith World Outreach aka Winners Chapel, Lekan Otufodunrin recalls some of his memorable quotations.

    1. If you have lost anything, God is the reason you have not lost everything.

    2. The secrets of men are in their stories. If you don’t know people’s stories, you can’t know there secrets.

    3. Life is in phases, men are in sizes.

    4. Prayer will not replace planning.

    5. There is no self-made man, we are all products of God’s grace.

    6. The kind of love you need for hitch-free marriage is to forgive before offence is committed.

    7. I’m not surprised where we are today, I would have been surprised if we are not.

    8. An organization that has no respect for order has no future.

    9. Half obedience is disobedience.

    10. Desire without diligence is disaster.

    11. Spirituality is never a substitute for hard work.

    12. There is no entitlement in titles, you get rewarded for what you do.

  • knowledge, creativity vital to make money online – Otufodunrin

    knowledge, creativity vital to make money online – Otufodunrin

    The Editor Online and Special Publications at The Nation Newspapers, Lekan Otufodunrin on Friday stated that knowledge and creativity are prerequisites to making money online.
    Otufodunrin stated this at the inaugural webinar of TheNewsGuru.com themed “Digital Media Gurus Speak: How to monetise online media opportunities online.”
    To make money online, he emphasized the need for people to apply knowledge and be creative.
    Otufodunrin reiterated that despite the fact that the new media was here to stay, it however does not pose a threat to the existence of the print and broadcast media. He said rather, they complement each other to serve the readers better.
    “The online media is here to stay and does not pose any threat to the existence of the traditional media. Rather, both arms of the media should be coordinated to serve the reading public better. Knowledge and creativity is key to making money online.
    “You must be willing to go the extra mile to get investors’ attention. A reporter must add human interest angles to a story that broke yesterday to appeal to people to buy the papers today. People mistake the internet as a cheap source of making money. While I won’t say it is not, however, some degrees of hard and smart work are needed to succeed,” the veteran journalist said.
    Also speaking at the event, the Vice President Corporate Communications/CSR Director Airtel Nigeria and founder of Ethelberts, Mr. Emeka Oparah said brands across the world are always willing to invest and partner with credible, industrious and libel free media.
    He noted that despite the array of opportunities freely available online, not many are able to tap into it because they lack the basic knowledge to do so.
    The Airtel boss noted that most brands look out for what they stand to benefit either on a short or long run before making any investment.
    “Brands look out for credible, libel free media to partner with. You must be creative and industrious to get business engagements with these brands. No business operator will place advert or do other forms of business with a medium that is enmeshed in controversies. To be specific, you must dig deep into the activities of Airtel before you get an advert or partnership with us.
    “You shouldn’t just think by using our press releases or coverage of the launch of a particular product, you automatically qualify for business partnerships with us. You must be willing to go the extra mile and this applies to making money online or offline too,” Opara explained.
    Also speaking at the event, the publisher of CKN News and President, Guild of Professional Bloggers, Chris Nwadu said most people have the erroneous impression that they can make money instantly online by just posting anything on any of the social media platforms.
    “The online platform is not an end to making money. It only provides a leverage to flourish especially for those who are willing to tap into such leverages. For me, I made my first money online two years after establishing CKN News. And that was just N5000. This was after two consecutive years of hard work in the online space,” the CKN publisher
    said.
    Asked what the Guild of Professional Bloggers which he currently presides over is doing to curtail the excesses of fake and unverified news flying around mostly from bloggers, Nwadu said the Guild had inaugurated an Ethics committee to monitor news contents from blogging sites. He noted further that despite conscious efforts put in place by the Guild, the task of enforcing strict adherence was an issue as the number of blogging sites are well over a million.
    “One of the first things we did on assumption of office was to inaugurate an ethics committee to monitor contents and strict adherence to ethical standards. Moreover, most bloggers don’t have any journalistic background and the social media has a way of regulating itself. People will automatically stop visiting a site that dishes out fake and unverified news all the time and with time such sites will shut down permanently,” Nwandu noted.
    The event which was moderated by the publisher, TheNewsGuru.com, Mr. Mideno Bayagbon also had in attendance the Group Managing Editor, TheNewsGuru.com, Mr. Jewel Dafinone, online editors of TheGuardian Newspapers, Mr. Tonye Bakare; NewTelegraph, Mr. Michael Abimbola, The Sun, Ikenna Emewu and other seasoned media practitioners.
  • Journalists hold prayer for Lagos May 20

    Journalists hold prayer for Lagos May 20

    In commemoration of the Lagos at 50 celebrations, Journalists for Christ International Outreach, (JFC), a Christian media Non-Governmental Organisation will on Saturday, May 20 hold a Pray for Lagos programme.

    The programme will feature the monthly fellowship of the Organisation with the theme 50 Prayer Points for Lagos.

    Venue of the programme is the International Press Centre (IPC), Dideolu Estate, Ogba, Lagos, between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm.

    Christian journalists and leaders will lead special thanksgiving prayer points for the last fifty years since the creation of the state and commit the next fifty years into God’s hands.

    Among others, they will pray for divine wisdom for the administration of the state at all levels, peaceful co-existence among residents, protection, progress and prosperity of the state.

    Christians in the state, nationwide and globally will also be encouraged to be part of a prayer chain for the state throughout May 20 and by following and tweeting using a hashtag #PrayforLagosat50.

    “We do not want to take the various accomplishments and provisions in the state for granted. We are conscious that it is the Lord’s doing and we want to return all the glories to God almighty who has made the state first among equals,” Lekan Otufodunrin, President of JFC stated.

    Online, the social media will be used to share prayer points in words, pictures, audio and video. The hashtag for the programme is #PrayforLagosat50.

  • Mass Comm students urged to leverage on media career potentials

    Mass Comm students urged to leverage on media career potentials

    Managing Editor, Online of  The Nation Newspaper, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin has urged the newly-admitted Mass Communication undergraduates of the University of Lagos, to leverage on the potentials in media career in the new media age.

    Otunfodunrin made the call  while speaking at the  2017 orientation week organized by Mass Communication Students Association (MCSA), UNILAG chapter.

    The former editor of Sunday Nation, who noted that the media terrain is fast-changing, advised the students to research and understand the global practices of Mass Communication.

    He however urged the students to start building their experience quotient by experimenting with their skills in writing and reporting as the media professionals they aspire to become in the not too distant future.

    “You really have the time to experiment and the time to start is now.  Don’t wait until you graduate before you start searching for jobs. The industry is a place where everybody is struggling to survive,” he said.

    “If you want be a broadcaster, set up a YouTube channel. If you want to be a Journalist set up a blog now and start putting your contents there. You need to start preparing now to be fit for the task ahead by going out of your way to learn.”

    He implored the students to adapt to the changing nature of the field of Mass Communication which continuously requires the use of the new media.

    “You need the required knowledge. You need to be industry-compliant in view of the fierce competition involved in getting mass communication jobs,” he said.

    Acting Head of the department, Dr. Oloruntola Sunday advised the students not to limit themselves to what they are taught in class alone.

    While speaking on time management, Mr. Samuel Ejiwunmi, a graduate assistant lecturer in the department urged the students to begin to identify opportunities around them and maximize them as soon as possible.