An intern with Media Career Development Network, Isaac Akerele, a student of Olabisi Onababanjo University, Ago-Iwoye shares his first-week learning experience.
As a communication student of Olabisi Onababanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, south-western part of Nigeria, having only travelled as far as Ibadan once and a few times to the rustics of Lagos, my narrow view of the world was to change forever from 2nd May 2023 when I was exposed in one week to things I never noticed in four years as a student.
I am a budding writer and communication enthusiast, and I must say ‘meeting Mr Lekan Otufodurin, Executive Director, of Media Career Development Network (MCDN) is one of the most thrilling experiences I have had so far as a student.
HOW IT BEGAN :
After a stressful week ending my second-semester exams, one thought continued to pester me, “How do I land an Internship at a reputable Media house in one week?”
I made plans to try African Independent Television (AIT), Lagos since it was closer to where my Uncle-to-be ‘Brother Kay’ was staying. I’d be guaranteed accommodation and feeding fine. Unfortunately, I never got as far as the reception of the television station. I was turned back at the entrance. According to the security (turned Management I guess) “No Space again”!
Deflated, I left, my well-ironed shirt seeming a little silly now with my shoe. Then I remember Oriyomi Adebare, a writer and editor. Sent her a message and got a reply. She offered to help me get a placement, one that was to become a thriller for me later on.
Yomi linked me up with Mr Otufodurin and according to her “he’s legit, you can Google him” I sent a DM, my CV, and a prayer. I got the slot, with Mr Otufodunrin offering to give me rides to the office too! Neat huh?
First Day :
Remember those days you woke up without a clue where you were and how you got there? Yeah, this was not one of those. I awoke fully prepared, got the call and took a bike to meet up for the trip.
Linking up and getting to the office took longer than I expected. Lagos traffic should be a topic for a thesis.
At the office, I met Blessing Osemobor and Esther Adeniyi both brilliant journalists in the field. First of all, I judged the one-room office and workspace as a ‘centre for food purchases and miscellaneous affairs’, a judgement put off only a few minutes later when I saw how to use MailChimp.com to publish newsletters from Esther.
Not only that, I saw the quality of work they do at MCDN. I changed my mind for good when I discovered how the duo of Blessing and Esther and others as I was told have used the organisation as a springboard to make an impact in their freelance and Journalism career, the kind of things I loved. My ego was finally deflated when I saw that I had a lot to learn about Online Publishing, Email Marketing, Blog/ website management, Search Engine Optimization and even the basics of writing a news story.
READ ALSO: Internship Diary: My first visit to a newspaper office
The next day I joined a Twitter space discussion held to commemorate World Press Freedom Day and wrote a news story on the event. Not only was my first draft more like a feature than a news story according to Esther, but the story I typed also cleared from my notepad, quite frustrating.
I was later given a format to follow and I proceeded to write a news story. It was much easier now actually. I had learned too.
TIP OF THE ICEBERG:
The height of it came when I was to accompany the boss to Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU for the 50th Celebration of Campus Journalism in the institution. Setting out at around 11 am on Friday, 5th of May, I was en route for my first reporting assignment.
We paid a courtesy call at Dominion University on the outskirts of Ibadan to greet one of the interns at MCDN. We also had the opportunity to meet the Head Of the Department, Mass Communication, Dr Kunle Afolabi who was happy to receive us and we shared heartily on our work and the successes of several media professionals in the industry.
We left Dominion University for Mr Otufodunrin’s other engagement in Ibadan. While in the car, he reiterated the importance of visiting and enlarging one’s circle of contacts and friends as a Journalist, a practice I think is responsible for his success in the industry.
Farming farmers farm’s office in Ibadan turned out to be another experience. After a few hours of deliberation in their meeting, while I was watching comedy videos, we left for our main journey in Ife, not until we’d sated the stomach devils with hot Amala at an eatery though.
OAU, ILE – IFE :
A few minutes to 7 pm we trudged through the gates of OAU and met Faith Alofe, President of the Association of Campus Journalists OAU (ACJOAU) who gave us quite a warm reception and lodged us.
The next day’s events were even more refreshing. I felt the Journalist in me pulsate as I listened to the intellectual takes of the panellists discussing topical issues in the Nigerian Media industry, sensitizing young Journalists on ‘Media Literacy and Digitalization’
I observed each speaker and learnt from actual practitioners in the field the contemporary Practice of reporting, research and overall survival in the industry.
While exchanging contacts with one of the speakers, it dawned on me that the profession is built on connection and networking, and I had a lot of ideas already of things to try soon.
As I arrived home in Lagos late in the night, I knew I was in for a swell time, to learn, unlearn, acquire and develop myself to the top level in my career as a Journalist. In one week I have written two published articles on mediacareerng.org and can only guess what the rest of the 6-week long internship holds for me, even today, Monday, as I start the second week of my programme.
