Oloruntimilehin Ayomide, an intern with Media Career Development Network (MCDN), from Lagos State Polytechnic, writes on his experience during a visit to The Nation Newspapers headquarters in Lagos
As an intern, I had my first media advocacy tour experience with the Journalists for Christ (JFC) team that visited The Nation Newspapers office in Lagos on Wednesday, August 14, 2019.
The visit was to advocate for better coverage of issues concerning Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the country based on a recent report by the faith-based organization titled Muffled Voices which revealed inadequate coverage by the media.
The JFC team led by the President, Mr Lekan Otufodunrin met with the new Editor, Daily of The Nation Mr. Adeniyi Adeshina who promised to note the recommendations in the report.
On our way to The Nation, I was fortunate to sit with journalists and editors which made me feel overjoyed and was encouraged to want to be like them.
When we arrived at The Nation premises, I viewed the structures of the company. It has beautiful buildings colored brown, yellow and black. There were many luxurious cars parked in the compound. When I saw a Benz, among the fleet of cars, I was shocked and this reminded me of those days in the campus when we are told that they don’t pay journalists well. It would be better if Mass Communication lecturers know the true state of the media and not keep discouraging students from the print option.
At the entrance of The Nation, there is an automatic sliding glass door which opens itself. I found it so amazing because I haven’t come across that type of the door before. We got into the office and we had to be in the waiting room which is demarcated with beautiful glass, cool with a good air condition. There I met journalists having a vital discussion about politics and entertainment.
I walked around the company. Everywhere was beautiful as offices were demarcated with glasses. I took pictures of the meeting Mr Otufodunrin held with Mr Adesina while Miss Olorunfemi Rhoda recorded the recordings
I visited the newsroom, and various departments in the company. I saw many workers working on different computers on different desks. While I was checking on other departments, one of the workers approached me and asked if am a new staff and I replied: “No sir, am an intern.”
He was impressed and made me know that journalism is a professional trade and that I must be responsible if I must practice journalism. He said I must be able to shun bribery and scandalous practice.
After the interview and the distribution of the book “MUFFLED VOICES” to the staffs in the company, we had no choice than to take our leave. Meanwhile, I wasn’t feeling like leaving. I snapped pictures at the front of the company.
The visit is a day I would never forget. I am really grateful to the founding president of JFC, a journalist, editor and media career development specialist.
He has given me opportunities, encouragement, hope for the future and also made me know that journalism is a profession that is good and important enough to spend time, effort or money on.
After being through with my National Diploma (ND) at the Lagos State Polytechnic, the internship serves as an opportunity for me to gain more experience and build up my journalism career and skills.
The Nation is a national daily newspaper published in Lagos, Nigeria. Currently, it prides itself as Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper which stands for freedom, justice and the market economy.
