Features Editor and Contributing Editor of The Punch Newspaper, Samson Folarin recalls how he joined the newspaper after contacting the Managing Editor, Mr Joseph Adeyeye 14 years ago.
About 14 years ago, I received an unexpected invitation for a job application test at Punch Newspapers.
I was a fresh graduate at the time. It was a dream come true for me because I had always wanted to work in the biggest news organisation in Nigeria.
I did all the preparation and headed for Magboro, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where PUNCH has its headquarters.
I gave it my all and returned home, confident I would pass.
Days turned to weeks, and I did not get any response. I became agitated and started bombarding Mr Adeyeye Joseph, then Editor, The PUNCH, with text messages. After all, he invited me for the test and should know my result, I thought.
Did I pass or fail? Somebody should tell me my fate.
Not once did he reply angrily or demand I stop being sending him messages. He kept urging patience, promising to get back to me.
Later, he invited me to the company to come and see him.
He asked the receptionists to show me to a room and I sat there, nervous.
Then, he entered and broke the news: “I’m sorry, you failed the test.”
Ah, fail ke?
I was devastated. I wanted proof.
He slowly brought out my script and opened it, revealing an array of red marks by the examiner.
It was clear my performance was below the PUNCH standard.
I hung my head in shame. Followed by an awkward silence; I was uneasy and wanted to leave.
Then he said: “Though you did not do well, I believe in your ability. I have a plan to bring in some young guys, so you will get another chance soon.”
Then, he took me to the canteen, where I was treated to some meals, free of charge.
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His words of consolation continued to ring in my ears as I struggled to forget failing such an important test to my dream job.
I stayed in touch with him, sending articles and constantly asking when they would be published.
I think my wahala became too much at a point and he decided to hand me over to Mr Joel Nwokeoma, who was the OP-ED editor at the time. I was troublesome.
Mr Nwokeoma published me regularly and I was getting a lot of public attention and feedback because of my penetrating pungent pieces. I spent hours and nights crafting and reviewing my articles back then. Anytime my article was overly edited, I would be overwhelmed with a feeling of inadequacy.
One day, I sent a note to Mr Nwokeoma after writing another piece for publication.
“Don’t touch, I have already edited it,” I wrote.
Those words you just read always cracked up the newsroom anytime Mr Nwokeoma recalled our interactions when I used to write for him.
The “another chance” Mr Joseph spoke about came one year later during my NYSC, when the OP-ED editor called to invite me for another test.
I almost turned it down because I thought I could not make it to Lagos from Ebonyi on time to write the test. But a good friend, Mr Adeseun Adewole, urged me to give it a try.
I travelled down to Magboro, where I wrote the test and got called for an interview about two days later.
The rest is history.
Mr Joseph is a household name in the Nigerian media industry. He is popular for his uncompromising stance for truth, justice and ethical standards. And like many of my colleagues, I have a lot of stories.
The one I will not forget was when I was doing a story that was going to affect Lagos State and there was a threat of withdrawal of government patronage. ED (as we called him that time because he was the Executive Director, Publications) came to the newsroom and demanded to see the story. Guess what he did? He asked my then subeditor, Mr Sesan Olufowobi, if we had enough photos. Then he splashed them on the front page. The following day, there was a storm in Lagos over the report.
It was a proud moment for me as a PUNCHman.
What about his work ethic? Despite his busy schedule, if you send him a WhatsApp message at 2am or 3am, he will read it almost immediately and reply. One day, I asked him, “Boss, don’t you sleep?” He relates and chats freely with his staff, irrespective of their levels.
MD, as you mark your 50th birthday today, I wish you a happy celebration. May your dreams and desires come true and may you live long in good health and wealth. Under your leadership, may PUNCH continue to be a powerhouse, bringing the powerful to account.
Happy birthday, boss!
Mr Adeyeye Joseph: The newsroom generalissimo clocks 50
By Folarin Samson
About 14 years ago, I received an unexpected invitation for a job application test at Punch Newspapers.
I was a fresh graduate at the time. It was dream come true for me because I had always wanted to work in the biggest news organisation in Nigeria.
I did all the preparation and headed for Magboro, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where PUNCH has its headquarters.
I gave it my all and returned home, confident I would pass.
Days turned to weeks, and I did not get any response. I became agitated and started bombarding Mr Adeyeye Joseph, then Editor, The PUNCH, with text messages. After all, he invited me for the test and should know my result, I thought.
Did I pass or fail? Somebody should tell me my fate.
Not once did he reply angrily or demand I stop being sending him messages. He kept urging patience, promising to get back to me.
Later, he invited me to the company to come and see him.
He asked the receptionists to show me to a room and I sat there, nervous.
Then, he entered and broke the news: “I’m sorry, you failed the test.”
Ah, fail ke?
I was devastated. I wanted proof.
He slowly brought out my script and opened it, revealing an array of red marks by the examiner.
It was clear my performance was below the PUNCH standard.
I hung my head in shame. Followed by an awkward silence; I was uneasy and wanted to leave.
Then he said: “Though you did not do well, I believe in your ability. I have a plan to bring in some young guys, so you will get another chance soon.”
Then, he took me to the canteen, where I was treated to some meals, free of charge.
His words of consolation continued to ring in my ears as I struggled to forget failing such an important test to my dream job.
I stayed in touch with him, sending articles and constantly asking when they would be published.
I think my wahala became too much at a point and he decided to hand me over to Mr Joel Nwokeoma, who was the OP-ED editor at the time. I was troublesome.
Mr Nwokeoma published me regularly and I was getting a lot of public attention and feedback because of my penetrating pungent pieces. I spent hours and nights crafting and reviewing my articles back then. Anytime my article was overly edited, I would be overwhelmed with a feeling of inadequacy.
One day, I sent a note to Mr Nwokeoma after writing another piece for publication.
“Don’t touch, I have already edited it,” I wrote.
Those words you just read always cracked up the newsroom anytime Mr Nwokeoma recalled our interactions when I used to write for him.
The “another chance” Mr Joseph spoke about came one year later during my NYSC, when the OP-ED editor called to invite me for another test.
I almost turned it down because I thought I could not make it to Lagos from Ebonyi on time to write the test. But a good friend, Mr Adeseun Adewole, urged me to give it a try.
I travelled down to Magboro, where I wrote the test and got called for an interview about two days later.
The rest is history.
Mr Joseph is a household name in the Nigerian media industry. He is popular for his uncompromising stance for truth, justice and ethical standards. And like many of my colleagues, I have a lot of stories.
The one I will not forget was when I was doing a story that was going to affect Lagos State and there was a threat of withdrawal of government patronage. ED (as we called him that time because he was the Executive Director, Publications) came to the newsroom and demanded to see the story. Guess what he did? He asked my then subeditor, Mr Sesan Olufowobi, if we had enough photos. Then he splashed them on the front page. The following day, there was a storm in Lagos over the report.
It was a proud moment for me as a PUNCHman.
What about his work ethic? Despite his busy schedule, if you send him a WhatsApp message at 2am or 3am, he will read it almost immediately and reply. One day, I asked him, “Boss, don’t you sleep?” He relates and chats freely with his staff, irrespective of their levels.
MD, as you mark your 50th birthday today, I wish you a happy celebration. May your dreams and desires come true and may you live long in good health and wealth. Under your leadership, may PUNCH continue to be a powerhouse, bringing the powerful to account.
Happy birthday, boss!