On Thursday, I had the honour of being the Chairman at the 2014 Graduation of Champions International Schools, Magboro in Ogun State.
The programme was the 10th anniversary of the school whose founding Chairman is Fola Adekeye, international journalist, multi media award winner and teacher.
I left the programme very proud of being a journalist. It was evident that Adekeye, former Senior Assistant Editor, TELL and Assistant Editor, Newswatch has brought to bear on the running of the school, his wealth of experience and contacts as a journalist.
Not only is the academic records of the school very commendable, the various displays and recitations by the students were indeed a proof of the all-round training they are given.
In various ways, journalism is written all over the operations of the school.
Three of the major prizes won annually by the students are endowed by journalists; Dan Agbese, a founding Director of the defunct Newswatch, Mr Ayo Akinkuotu, a director of Tell Magazine and Journalists for Christ International Outreach.
The school also has a well produced magazine named ‘Champions Tell.’
At Thursday’s event, Adekeye launched his book, titled ‘English Grammar for Colleges.’
I remember Adekeye once told me how he built the first building of his now multiple structure primary and secondary compound with part of the money he got from the Gordon N. fisher Fellowship of the University of Toronto, Canada he participated in 2002/2003
“Journalism has been good to me in many ways. I am what I am today by grace of God and the experience and learning journalism has afforded me in my years of practice,” Adekeye said.
Are you still wondering if journalism has any second hand value like some colleagues usually ask? A visit to Adekeye’s ‘Editorial Office’ in Champions International Schools on Champions Street in Magboro, adorned with his various media awards and pictures of his journalistic exploits will convince you.
Junior students of the school sang to the admiration of all, the French version of the popular song by Right Said Fred: ‘Stand Up, Stand Up, For the Champion, For the Champion.’
Join me in celebrating Fola Adekeye, who is also CEO Betweenthelines Communication Limited, the Champions’ journalist in and outside the newsroom.
Please share with me and other readers inspiring stories of journalists who have made impact in other sectors based on their journalism experience.
NB: I appreciate all who have been reading, sharing, liking and responding to the previous editions of this dairy. Thanks for your feedbacks and let me get more to enrich this series.
Lekan Otufodunrin
Email: info@mediacareerng.org /Telephone: 08023000621 /Twitter: @lotufodunrin /Skype: lekanskype
