Lekan Otufodunrin, former Managing Editor of The Nation Newspaper says his journalism career may not have been fulfilling as it is but for the support of Managing Director of The Nation Newspapers, Victor Ifijeh.
On my birthdays, I usually get to read moving tributes about how God has used me to support the careers of some young journalists.
I sincerely appreciate the tributes and thank God for giving me the privilege to do those things credited to me. To God indeed be all the glory, honour and adoration.
However, like those appreciating me, I also have many people to thank for helping me at various stages of my career.
One media executive who I am particularly grateful to is my friend and boss, Mr Victor Ifijeh, Managing Director of Vintage Press Limited and Editor-in-Chief of The Nation Newspapers who marked his birthday on May 22.
I first worked with him in The Punch in the late ’80s when I was a correspondent on the Political Desk and he was the Head of the Desk. He eventually left for the defunct National Concord but never stopped mentoring me to succeed as his successor.
He moved over to THISDAY Newspaper as Political Editor and within ten years was appointed News Editor, Sunday Editor, Daily Editor and Managing Director before leaving for The Comet/The Nation.
When he was Political Editor, he employed as his deputy during the closure of The Punch Newspapers by the Abacha regime but I opted to work as News Editor at the defunct A.M Newspaper due to proximity to my house.
After I left The Punch in 1999, Ifijeh, a.k.a Kabila, as Editor of THISDAY facilitated my employment as Political Editor but for yet another reason, I couldn’t take up the job. He also sent for me when there was a vacancy for Deputy Editor on the Daily but the message was not delivered until the vacancy had been filled.
While trying to run Journalists For Christ as a full-time job, Ifijeh was one of my regular supporters. He paid for our first booklet, Wisdom for Journalists. He was also supportive of meeting my other financial obligations.
When it was time to move to the defunct Comet, Ifijeh graciously offered me the position of Deputy Editor ( News ) but I deferred resuming for about a month due to an earlier commitment in Abuja to cover an international conference for a news agency I was freelancing for.
Because the position could not be held down for me, Ifijeh assured me that I will be offered another top available editorial post on my return. Fortunately for me, the Acting Sunday Editor, Late Abayomi Ogundeji resigned and Ifijeh did not hesitate to appoint me to fill the vacancy.
I was retained as Acting Editor of The Nation when The Comet was rested and later confirmed as the substantive Editor. I presently work as Managing Editor, Online and Special Publications by God’s grace and the confidence reposed in me by my friend and boss, Victor Ifijeh.
My all-around media manager and workaholic Editor-in-Chief practically edited the Sunday paper with me until I mastered the job. In my early weeks of despair when I was redeployed as Online Editor, Ifijeh assured me he will do everything to make the position worth my while and he has lived up to the promise.
I can’t thank him enough for giving me a second chance to excel in the new media terrain when many thought my career was over.
On May 9, 2017 which was a Tuesday, my MD asked me during the management meeting why I was unusually not wearing a suit during the weekday, I told him the day was my birthday. He graciously ordered a special meal for all members at the meeting.
” Lekan, you are a good man,” he repeated severally.
Ifijeh has been more than good to me in a lot of ways in my career. He has been there for me when it mattered most. He has supported me through the years in becoming the journalist I ought to be.
Happy birthday my boss and friend. The Lord will reward you abundantly and continue to prosper your endeavours.
