The Executive Director of Media Career Development Network (MCDN), Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin, has advised journalists and other media practitioners on the need to prioritize belonging to professional networks during their active years in service.
He made the call during the launch of the #EndMisogynyNG advocacy campaign, organized by Journalists for Christ (JFC) in collaboration with the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) in Lagos.
Otufodunrin shared his personal experience, recalling how a colleague, during a three-month training at Thomson Foundation in Cardiff in 1998 encouraged him to join the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) since he was a journalist and also a Christian.
“I took this advice and paid in pounds to join WACC in 1998,” he said noting that, “sometimes when some of us hear, ‘join an association and pay,’ you think it’s a lot of money until you convert that money, you realize it’s not much.”
He explained that his membership in WACC has been impactful and transformative for his career.
“I have been privileged to become the secretary of the Africa Region for WACC. Over time, they supported us and helped my career through various resources and networking opportunities.”
He urged journalists to actively seek and engage in networks that can enhance their professional growth, emphasizing the significant benefits he has received from the association since 1998.
Otufodunrin expressed gratitude to WACC for its support for the various projects implemented by JFC aimed at promoting the communication rights of women in the media and Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria.
In light of the global #16DaysOfActivism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), he said JFC deemed it fit to draw attention to misogyny and Tech Facilitated Gender Based Violence (TFGBV) in Nigeria, as the trend has become worrisome globally.
The Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Gbenga Adefaye, praised JFC for the initiative, stating “I’ve always known Lekan and JFC to be about advocacy, which is a commendable one.”
He expressed his interest in reading the JFC report, saying, “In reality, most of us may not be conscious misogynists.”
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Special Guest, Mr Femi Adesina, former spokesman under President Muhammadu Buhari, encouraged participants to disseminate the JFC report on misogyny, warning that society must acknowledge and address antisocial behaviours before they become uncontrollable.
Founder of the Centre for Children’s Health Education, Orientation, and Protection, Betty Abah, commended both the special guest and the JFC Project Coordinator for their efforts in empowering women.
She stressed the importance of male allies in this cause, stating, “Men who have been liberated from the mental slavery of misogyny are essential to support us, as all power structures predominantly involve men.”
Pastor Evans Emmanuel also addressed the audience, dispelling misconceptions about the Bible and gender-based violence.
“The Bible has been misrepresented when it comes to GBV as God doesn’t judge us based on gender,” he asserted, illustrating how Jesus empowered women in a patriarchal society.
He shared his anger over misogynistic attitudes that affected his mother’s education, motivating him to advocate for the eradication of gender-based violence.
The public presentation attracted a diverse audience, including students and lecturers from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, and the University of Lagos, media practitioners, and social media enthusiasts who were encouraged to actively address and combat misogyny and TFGBV in society.
