Kudos to the Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) for today’s public presentation of a book in honour of veteran journalist and former governor of the state, Alhaji Lateef Jakande.
The book titled Jakande: Fountain of Excellence is to celebrate the 85th birthday of an icon of the profession who not only distinguished himself as a professional journalist but has performed excellently in public service.
What is very particularly commendable about the book launch is that the honour for the man popularly called LKJ is the initiative of our union and not that of others groups and associates.
It is not often that we journalists celebrate ourselves. While we generously celebrate the accomplishments of other professionals, we don’t do enough about outstanding journalists.
It is bad enough that we don’t get adequately paid for the enormous tasks we perform round the clock, but we do ourselves a major disservice when we don’t blow our trumpets when we need to.
Outstanding performances on the job should regularly be acknowledged, commended, rewarded and celebrated. We can do with better sense appreciation for the work we do from our colleagues, senior colleagues and managements.
If we don’t celebrate ourselves enough why should we expect the public which does not fully understand the sacrifices we are making in the course of our jobs to do.
We should documents the exploits, values, and service of veterans like Alhaji Jakande for the public to appreciate our profession for what it truly is instead of allowing some unjustified negative perception about our work to persist.
We need to tell many of our untold stories, not in a way that it will be seen as self glorification but to underscore the fact ours is not only an honorable profession, but indeed a necessary one, considering the crucial roles we play in the society.
I join the Lagos NUJ in celebrating Alhaji Jakande who remains a role model worthy of emulation by all.
Please share with me and other readers other veteran journalists that should be celebrated, how and why.
NB: I appreciate all who have been reading, sharing, liking and responding to the previous editions of this dairy.
Lekan Otufodunrin
Email: info@mediacareerng.org /Telephone: 08023000621 /Twitter: @lotufodunrin /Skype: lekanskype
Website: www.mediacareerng.org
