Lekan Otufodunrin, Managing Editor, The Nation writes on his sudden redeployment as a senior editorial staff that turned out to be a blessing
When life kicks you, let it kick it forward
After five years of being Sunday Editor of The Nation Newspaper, I suddenly got redeployed in 2011 as Editor, Online and Special Publications.
While not many thought much of my new assignment and considered it as a demotion of a sort, I was determined to make the best of the ‘pitiable’ situation I found myself.
I remember some colleagues asking me what the job of an Online Editor is apart from overseeing the uploading of the print content of the paper.
The appointment seemed like one of those ‘Siberia’ senior editorial positions preparatory to being rendered redundant and later forced to resign.
The more I tried to explain the various tasks involved and the potentials, the more many thought I was trying to make myself happy instead of mourning my loss of the supposedly envious position of Sunday Editor.
Fast forward seven years after.
So much has happened that has confirmed the topic of this piece that when life kicks you like it sometimes does, you can ensure that you are not knocked down permanently.
You can decide to get over whatever the shock is and take a step forward.
Our Online department has grown from two to eight staff running a parallel news sourcing and publishing operations on the website and social media.
The company has an online first policy that requires that all major non-exclusive stories must be sent by all editorial staff to the online department. We offer a range of multimedia content on all available platforms.
Apart from numerous opportunities to participate as a resource person on Online journalism and digital media in local and international training sessions, I teach the skills I have acquired in higher institutions.
I have lost count of how many research interviews I have granted on new media for undergraduate and postgraduate projects, including a recent one from China.
I am very proud of five of my former staff who have moved on to become a top digital staff of various organisations.
They include Alade Abiodun, Online Editor, Daily Trust Newspaper, Adediwura Aderibigbe, Digital Media Strategist and Public Relations staff of a top Insurance company, Torera George (Nee Idowu), CNN Africa, Blessing Olisa, Digital Marketer, Farmcrowdy and David Lawal, Digital Media Officer, Centre for Communication And Social Impact, Abuja.
Just when it seemed my journalism career was over because of my redeployment, my determination to see the new assignment as a challenge that can be turned around has paid off.
I am not afraid of what the future holds for journalism with the digital disruptions of the practice of the profession, I count myself lucky to have been given the opportunity to be an expert in skills that are in great demand now and in the future.
I tried hard to resist writing this piece to avoid being seen as bragging about what may not seem much accomplishments by some, but something tells me someone, just one person, may be inspired to turn around what the world sees as lemon to lemonade.
My sincere appreciation to all my former and present staff without whom the modest progress we have recorded would not have been possible.
This is my story, this is my testimony, to God be all the glory and honour and adoration.
Photo: From left Blessing, Ahmed Adekola, Adediwura, Justice Ilevbare and Torera
