Newsroom Diary: Editor, Can I hug you?

Lekan Otufodunrin, former Managing Editor, The Nation recalls a memorable encounter with an outstanding young journalist (name withheld)

That afternoon, I walked into the office she shared with some colleagues to congratulate her for winning a coveted international journalism award.

She was by every consideration very young in the profession and probably would not have been a journalist, but for a combination of factors, including her father being one.

Like every adventurous young person, she gave the job her best shot despite various challenges she had to cope with.

One moment, she is ecstatic about the job and the innovative things she would love to do, on other days she is feeling trapped in an endeavour, not really what she wants to do with her life.

In one of those moments of opportunities journalism throws up for those who are alert to take advantage of, she took interest in applying for a new mobile journalism competition by a global media training organization.

She refused to be intimidated by the requirements for the competition and did all that was required, got the help, encouragement and support she needed. Many more experienced journalists didn’t even dare to apply for the competition. They ruled themselves out of being able to compete in such competition for journalists worldwide.

Not sure if some of those moments of driving to work and back in my car during which I usually recount possible exploits in journalism despite the poor pay and conditions of service inspired her in any way.

Notwithstanding our very close editor-reporter relationship, I didn’t hesitate to be the big boss when she seemed lost in her own world at the expense of official duties.

That afternoon, when I entered the office where she was with others, she was busy on her iPad and did not immediately see me.

The moment she heard my voice, she stood up as I said “Congratulations”. She was all smiles and “thank you sir” was not enough for her to express her joy.

Apparently knowing the kind of conservative person I am and not wanting to create any wrong impression, the question popped up with her hands stretched out. “Editor, can I hug you?”

I wasn’t sure how to respond as I stood smiling back. Normally, she would not have made such a request, but she could not contain the joy of the breakthrough she has just accomplished in record time.

I shook my shoulders, which was a way of giving her the option doing so if she wished.

And she did as briefly as she could and reminded me of the kind of joy I felt when I won an international media fellowship long before then.

Thereafter, there was no stopping her. She moved on to greater accomplishments and like they say, the rest is history.