BY Saadudeen Salahudeen
1: Having established my identity as a field practitioner outside the academics , I feel highly honoured by this unique opportunity of the memorial lecture in honour of late Mr.Doyin Mahmud , a great role model to many in my generation in the practice of journalism in Nigeria.
I therefore wish to thank the organizers of this lecture , my dear sister and Chairperson of the great NIPR in Kwara State , Dr.Saudat Salah Abdulbaqi, the current HOD and staff of this department and the University in general for instituting the lecture to celebrate and immortalize late Doyin Mahamood as the pioneer HOD of the department.
A great communication scholar, teacher and journalist , late Mahamood who attended Unilag for his B.Sc in mass communication was a patriot par excellence and gave his all to the development of Nigeria and overall well being of the people.
In his days in the practice of journalism, Mr Mahmood was privileged to work at some of the best print media in the country . He was a Chief Sub editor in Daily Times, Training Editor at The Guardian, a former Editor of the Herald, our State owned Newspaper and the pioneer Managing Director of The Daily Independent Newspaper. As at that time, graduate journalists like late Mahmoud were few in most media establishments.
No wonder the late Mahamud was among the few graduate journalists who became staff of the Guardian news paper that was then considered, essentially, as a newspaper that was adopting a novel house style in journalism practice which appealed mostly to the academia, the intellectuals and diplomatic community .Driven further largely by his interest for his community and state of origin , late Mahmoud later became the Editor of the then famous Herald newspaper.
There could not be any doubt that same inspiration brought the late don to our better by far University as the pioneer HOD in this department.
In the field of journalism practice in Nigeria and at a time the Nation was mostly under draconian laws of the Military , late Mahmoud made his footprints in the sand of times , leading in the battle field by his pen to get Nigeria returned to Democratic government and freer society which many contemporary younger Nigerians take for granted.
It must be noted here that many such journalists suffered humiliation , arrest , disorienting torture , detention and death ; all for leading advocacy for enforcement of fundamental human rights , good governance and freer society.
Gloriously , he ended up his career returning to the academics, no where than here at the better by far University of our pride in Ilorin ; his home State.
May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace .
May his legacies endure and his family taken care of by God the Almighty.
2: Dear students, proceeding further from the proud legacy of your late pioneer HOD, it must be emphasized that being students of this department offers you all a rare opportunity to build a solid foundation for your academic and professional careers in the multi billion naira communication industry. This leads me straight to the theme of this event which is: Cultivating the next generation of engaged citizenry: the media’s role in empowering young people. I dare to say that the first level of engagement is being in the right institution for the right purpose and to emerge with the right result.
In a country of over 200 million population with your generation constituting over 50% , what percentage yet in your age bracket are lucky to be admitted into University , much more the enviable better by far University and indeed, department of mass communication ?
Are you aware that by the ranking of the right authority , the National University Commission, (NUC) our better by far University is ranked as the 5th best University in Nigeria ?
Given the current number of Universities in Nigeria which is 170 , do you need to be reminded how lucky you are to be in the 5th best University in Nigeria ?
What more , global ranking also ranks the University as one of the best in the World .
3: Personally , I feel highly elated, delighted and indeed proud at a recent International event in New York when a few of the alumni of this University came together to rejoice with one of their own for an historic breakthrough .
What made me proud was the long list of role models produced by this University in several fields of human endeavours .
Should I share a few of them with you ?
The list was very long and includes distinguished academicians , politicians, bankers and Nollywood actors.
I remember among them are :
i.Professor Is-haq Oloyede who later became Vice Chancellor here and currently JAMB registrar .
ii. A former Deputy Governor of Central bank , Dr.Sarah Alade and, an indigene of Kwara State .
iii. Dr.Aize Obayan , privileged to have been Vice Chancellor both of Covenant and Landmark Universities.
iv. Rtd General Johnson Bamidele Olawumi , one time Director General of NYSC .
v. Professor Na’Allah AbdulRasheed , pioneer VC of KWASU, Malete and current VC of the University of Abuja .
vi. Femi Adebayo , the famous Nollywood Actor to mention just a few .
The foregoing demonstrates in clearer terms that you being a student of this great department and this famous University therefore occupies a unique and enviable foundational position to prepare yourself to be among the best of your generation that Nigeria can be proud of.
4: As a mass communication student, your career opportunities and mobility are almost unlimited .
Billion naira worth of career opportunities, prosperity and fame await you in PR , Advertising , Corporate communication management appointment, marketing , Content Strategist and broadcast sub sector .
Others are social media manager , film and video production , media planner, Journalist and Editor.
In addition, you have thriving career as bloggers , event manager , masters of ceremony and proudly as lecturers like my sister ,Dr.Saudat Salah Abdulbaqi, Prof. Lukuman Azeez, Dr. Lambe Mustapha and your other very dutiful lecturers.
5: Mentoring is a fundamental precursor to cultivating the next generation of engaged citizenry. In mentoring, we have the visible and invisible actors who shape the lives of others, especially, the young ones. Let me give you some examples of current exemplary role models in the communication and journalism practice, the visible mentors :
i: Dr John Momoh
Dr Momo is the founder and CEO of Channels TV , an award winning television station in Nigeria. He read mass communication and worked as a journalist in NTA before taking a risk to resign and establish his own .
Today , Channels TV is on record to have over one billion viewers all over the world and I guess you know what that means in naira and in dollars ?
ii: Mr Dapo Olorunyomi .
Olorunyomi, whom I learnt had been a guest lecturer at this event in the past, is the founder and CEO of the Premium Times, the leading online media in Africa. Premium Times is said to have over 500 million followers all over the World . It is today one of the best 3 credible news platforms in Nigeria .
What ever news you find in Premium Times is taken as authentic and undeniable .
Olorunyomi is my senior in journalism practice and was among those journalists who risked their lives confronting the Military through the might of their pens to return Nigeria to Democratic Governnent .
iii: Kabir Abdullahi Yusuf
Alhaji Kabir Abdullahi Yusuf is the founder and CEO of Trust Media, publishers of Daily Trust newspaper and Trust TV.
iv: Nduka Obiagbenam
He is the founder of This Day Newspaper and also the founder of Arise Television.
How many of you know how much Nduka donated for building of a University in his home state , Western Delta University ?
One billion Naira.
v. Iyinoluwa Aboyeji: The young face of the biggest success story in Nigerian technology, 25-year-old Iyin was a co-founder of Andela, the famed tech accelerator located in Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria. Recently, Andela raised a whopping 24 million dollars from the Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative led by none other than the Founder of Facebook , Mark Zuckerberg.
Since then, he has left his executive role at Andela to start Flutterwave, a payment processing platform that has already handled over 70 million dollars in transactions.
vi. Jason Njoku: He is the founder and CEO of IROKO, one of Nigeria’s biggest entertainment companies. Fanatical about Nollywood, Jason is taking Nigerian content to the world by building platforms into world-class internet-ready distribution channels. In 2016, IROKO secured 19 million dollars in funding from the French company, Canal+. One of its newer arms, ROK studios has also made its debut on digital television and some other well-known individuals too numerous to mention.
vii. Mahmud Abdulraheem, a lawyer and Chief Promoter of Gerin FM, a community radio station for communicating harmony at the grassroots. Abdulraheem had served as the GM of Radio Kwara and Kwara TV before joining your great department as a lecturer.
6: Do you also know that famous master of ceremony charges millions to compere in public functions , giving them regular flow of millions almost on weekly basis?
Who among you can name some of the famous comedians who rake millions for compering at functions ?
i: Julius Agwu , a stand up comedian, Singer and Actor .
ii: Bright Okpocha known by the stage name Basket Mouth, also a comedian, actor and movie producer .
iii: Gbadewonuola Olateju Oyelakin known as Teju Baby-face
iv: Moji Makanjuola , Veteran Broadcaster, my dear sister and colleague
v: Frank Edoho, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Popular “Who Wants to be a Millionaire”.
Talk of billionaire bloggers .
Can any of you name any famous bloggers?
i: Linda Ikeji, founder of Linda Ikeji Blog, is a graduate of English from the University of Lagos
ii: Uche Jennifer Pedro is the founder of Bella Naija.Uche studied at an Ivy League University and started her blog as a hobby. Bella Naija is now a Multi Million Naira venture.
iii. Azeez Makinde a graduate of Osun State University, Makinde is one of the wealthiest bloggers in Nigeria. He is the founder and proprietor of Naijaloaded, the most famous music and entertainment website in Nigeria. He is a successful entrepreneur as well as a writer.
In less than seven weeks, Naijaloaded expanded from a forum to over one million users.
PR ICONS
i.AYENI ADEKUNLE FOUNDER & CEO , BHM. Ayeni Adekunle has distinguished himself as a force in the public relations industry .
In 2006, he founded Black House Media ( BHM) .
14 years later , BHM became the first Nigeria PR Agency to launch operations internationally in the UK , with branches in London and Edinburgh .
In 2021, it became the first African affiliate member of the famous Chatered Institute of Public Relations ( CIPR).
Forbes Africa describes him as one of Nigerian pioneers of digital marketing communication .
Same year, Provoke named him a key innovator in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
ii. Attah
Bola Attah ( Group Director , Corporate Communications , UBA RED TV .
Bola Attah has been Executive producer of REDTV since 2015 .
She is the CEO of the UBA Foundation and Group Director for marketing corporate communications at UBA.
In 2015 , she served as the Executive Director of Africa ‘s Next Top Model ; a franchise whose first cycle reached an audience of ten millions in Africa . She won the precious prize as the most outstanding corporate communications personality of the decade in 2021.
iii. Abdulhameed Shuaib is the founder and owner of the multiple award winning Image Merchants Promotion Limited, promoter of the PR Nigeria Campaign. The Agency won, among many others, the prestigious Golden Merit Award for its counter-insurgency and security consciousness campaigns.
How about politician journalists ?
Can you name any journalist who has made big name to the top?
i. Segun Osoba is a one time Governor of Ogun State .Publisher of the Blue Print newspaper, Alhaji Muhammed Idris Malagi , Makama Nupe is today one of the confirmed Ministers.
ii. Ishaq Modibo Kawu, my dear brother, friend and colleague , former DG , NBC and one time Governorship aspirant in Kwara State .
A one time Chief of Staff to the Katsina State Governor and now a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Alhaji Bello Mandiya .
He is a close friend of mine .
iii. Adedoyin , immediate past Secretary of the International Press Institute ( IPI ), 2 terms Information and Education Commissioner in Kwara State. I am aware he is one of those enriching your knowledge of journalism with his verse experience pro bono.
Adedoyin, my dear sister, Dr. Saudat Salah Abdulbaqi, your lecturer and supervisor who is also the Chairperson of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations in Kwara State and I, were confered with the most prestigious status of FELLOWSHIP of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations NIPR same time last year .
It is a record breaking event for Kwara State being the first time the three some got the coveted award same time last year.
7: Other examples for you in the political space include Smart Adeyemi , also my friend and colleague former 2 terms Senator , Bashir Adigun , immediate past Special Adviser on political communication to the Governor of Kwara State and founder , Albarka FM , Ilorin , Rafiu Ajakaiye , current Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor and here you have the man , your guest speaker , immediate past Special Adviser to the Governor on both Political and Strategy .
You also have Hon. Rukaya Omotayo Shittu , a current member of the Kwara State House of Assembly from Asa local government and the youngest female lawmaker in Nigeria .
She is a journalist .
8: At this juncture , permit me to acknowledge my political leader , mentor and role model , Governor AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq , the Governor of Kwara State and the Chairman of the prestigious Nigeria Governors’ Forum NGF .
Governor AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq is on record as the first Nigerian Governor to have mainstreamed highest number of media practitioners and journalists into the political leadership .
The list includes Hameed Adio formerly of NTA , Bashiru Adigun of Channels Television , Kayode Adeyipo , Radio Kwara , Tina Ola Oye also of Radio Kwara and Kayode Aremu formerly of Sobi FM .
Others include Rafiu Ajakaiye , Solace and your guest speaker who served both in the capacity of Special Adviser political and Strategy respectively just to mention a few .
In addition , Governor AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq has received several internatiinal awards for being the first Nigeria Governor to have considered the highest number of women and youths for inclusion in his political appointments .
For the first time in the history of Kwara State , you now have 5 women lawmakers in the State House of Assembly .
And education , health , security , agriculture , youths and women empowerement lead in the priorities of his government . How many of you want to be in the print media?
9: Back to our focus , the communication sector is therefore an enviable sector for making star, fame, reputable leaders and role models inspiring millions of others through patriotism and inestimable contributions to making Nigeria the best place for human environment .
As a matter of fact , Nigerian history is full of inspiring stories of contributions of media practitioners , journalists , public relations practitioners who made their footprints on sands of time in pre , during , post independence era and indeed contemporary Nigeria .
How many want to be in the broadcast media ?
How many eye the Zukerberg World in the social media ?
How many dream the Julius Agwu’s World ?
How about those of us in politics – how many dream to move up to the political space ?
Now to the invisible mentors: the media, especially the digital media, a frontier that is rich with opportunities and risks, especially for young people. Some of the activities they engage in are: social networking, blogging, vlogging, gaming, instant messaging, uploading and sharing their contents as well as opportunities to collaborate with others. In all these, there are some ethical fault lines and good play.
The report of a study sponsored by the MacArthur Foundation on Digital Media and Learning defines good play as: ‘online conduct that is meaningful and engaging to the participants and is responsible to others in the community and society in which it is carried out’. The study further emphasized five contributory factors that are likely to enthrone good play viz:
i. technogies of the new digital media (the base of young that are described as digital natives);
ii. related media and new media literacies;
iii. Person-centered factors such as cognitive and moral developments;
iv. peer, culture; online and offline; and
v. ethical supports
As natural, these factors engineer some impressive and socially responsible manners in some young people just as they trigger some antisocial behaviors in others.
THE LANDMINES , THE DRAGONS
i. seek the right media literacy skills to be able to delineate positive media contents from the negative ones;. embrace the good behaviors and shun the bad ones;
Shun cultism
ii: Shun drug abuse
iii: Shun rape
iv: Shun thuggery in all its ramifications .
v: Shun examination malpractice
vi: Avoid bad company
vii: Don’t be lured into fake get rich quick syndrome the yahoo boys 1 and 2.
viii: Avoid anything having to do with rituals or fetish activities .
THE SINEQUANON
i: Remain focused on your studies
ii: Select reputable professionals as your mentors
Engage the digital media intelligently and ethicother
iii: Integrity
iv: Reputation
v: Godliness
vi: Humility
vii: Respect for constituted authority
viii: Respect for elders
ix : Credentials
In conclusion, age as youth is not enough qualification to get you into an enviable position .
You must invest the best of your studies and time in building a solid foundation conscious of proven integrity and reputation to have a brighter future as a leader of tomorrow .
Almost 40 years ago , my political science teacher taught me with emphasis :
“ America concept of freedom bears no grudge if you choose even to move naked as the decision is yours but if you ever dream to occupy leadership position in future , you must consistently guard your loins guy .”
I thank you all for this opportunity and wish you success in your academic pursuit .
