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.
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