Late Adejumobi Adegbite, in whose honour the United States Consulate, Lagos and the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) recently launched a Fellowship for Young Journalists was an accomplished digital communication specialist.
He was an information specialist at the United States Department when he died in July 2023.
He began my career as a young journalist, but his innate desire to harness his artistic abilities led him to the public communications world, where he supported and also led the implementation of communication strategies for several multi-national and international development agencies.
While serving in various positions, he coached teams, mentored people, delivered innovative strategies, and assisted in strengthening organizational systems through skill sets that span photography, video editing, graphic illustration, data analytics and visualization, web development, animation, and digital marketing — all of which have helped to bridge diverse cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.
He purpose and passion according to him point to one thing — deploying digital tools to create innovative key messages that resonate with diverse audiences.
A Higher National Diploma graduate in Mass Communication from the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, he also bagged a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations/Image Management from the Lagos State University, Ojo and a Master’s of Science, Mass Communication and Media Studies, Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom.
Before joining the US State Department, Adegbite was Knowledge Management & Communications Specialist at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Communications Officer, Directorate of Environment & Natural Resources, ECOWAS Commission.
He also served as Communications Officer at USAID/Northern Education Initiative Project, Deputy Press & Public Affairs Officer, British High Commission, Abuja and Senior Executive, Strategic Communication and Digital Media, Caritas Communications Limited, Lagos.
He was Brand Manager, McSpiders Services Limited, Lagos and Freelance Reporter at The Guardian.
For years, starting starting 2005, Founder of FIJ, Fisayo Soyombo said Adegbite his former colleague on the Sunday Desk of The Guardian.
“I couldn’t be any prouder to have my organisation partner with U.S. Mission Nigeria, where Jumobi worked as Information Specialist until his death in 2023, immortalising his selfless soul) Soyombo said in a Facebook post.