The Deputy Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Dr Dele Omojuyigbe has said the lack of a documented history of the foremost school of journalism in Nigeria inspired him to publish the book “NIJ’s Inside Story..from my lenses The Beaut, the Bend”
Omojuyigbe erstwhile journalist, seasoned educationist, and serial author stated this at the presentation of his 9th book at the campus of the institution on Wednesday, February 8.
He explained that he saw it as a personal debt he owed to write a book about the school which has produced many media moguls in the country who are at different cadres of the media industry in the country and even abroad.
“This is my ninth book, but I can tell you, it is the most difficult book for me to write,” he said noting that the element of history and the need for an accurate recount of events and description of people required in the writing of the book put his capability as a writer and storyteller to test.
The book was reviewed by Dr Khadijat Adedeji-Olona, a former student of the author at NIJ who is now a renowned researcher and a Lecturer at the University of Lagos.
In her review titled “Of Glory and of Grit: A Review of Dr Omojuyigbe’s NIJ’s Inside Story” Adedeji-Olona described the book as one that captures a twin theme of triumph and adversity that the school has faced over the years of evolving to what it is today.
The reviewer recalled a mantra of the author when she was still a student: “I read a lot” saying the book shows his appetite for reading and his habit of painstaking journaling. She said the book presents a compelling account of NIJ’s evolution and offers a pioneering lecturer perspective of events that have shaped its trajectory over two decades.
“The book reaffirms not only his appetite for reading but his writing prowess, his painstaking recollection of events penned with thorough attention to details hint at a habit possibly nurtured through years of diligent journaling”
“NIJ’s Inside Story” the nineteen chapters book starts with the foray of Omojuyigbe into lecturing after his years as a journalist and a thriving publisher, his battle with the change in paltry remuneration and demands of being a lecturing at an institution facing challenges on many fronts.
“The book covered the history of the evolving school, the milestones achieved, challenges faced and lessons learnt in dealing with administrative, and student issues.”
The Provost of the institute, Mr Gbenga Adefaye described the book as an arresting one which would force the reader not to leave its world of black and white until traversing it to the end.
“It is a storybook and a history book. I call it a storybook because it is not a complete history of the school, it is a beautiful narration about NIJ since 2004 when the school was reformatted and submitted to the moderation of the NBTE,” Adefaye said.
The provost expressed his surprise to see the names of some top journalists like Funke Fadugba, and Mamuda (Felix) Akuga, who he is just finding out to be alumni of NIJ.
He however noted the need for an update of the book in a revised edition to include more NIJ alumni like Richard Ikebe, a senior lecturer at Pan Atlantic University, Muyiwa Adetiba, the first Editor of the Vanguard Newspaper, Mr Demola Osinubi, immediate past Managing Director of Punch Newspaper and many others.
The provost while unveiling the book and launching encouraged the students to get a copy for themselves as it is a great addition to the literature on media and media training in Nigeria.
READ MORE: Directors/Provosts of NIJ 1971-2020
