Ace broadcaster, Soni Irabor who clocked 70 on March 23 has recalled his career journey in broadcasting and Public Relations. He also shared lessons having a stroke has taught him in his post titled ….AND STILL, I SOLDIER ON……
“I was 17 when I left Benin for the proverbial greener pastures in Lagos. I always wanted to be a radio presenter having been inspired by Dele Olowu on Midwest Radio.
“My dream of being on the radio didn’t manifest until I was 22 when broadcasters like Patrick Oke & Jones Usen encouraged me to be the voice on NBC mailbag (now email). I was told I had a radio voice.
“I got my lucky break when at 24 I got auditioned for the role of an announcer at Radio Nigeria. While at RN I created Radioscope and later Radio Link (still running on Radio)
“In 1981 I was drafted to the Radio NigeriaTraining School to train Announcers (which I still do to date). I didn’t even realize I could become a trainer.
“In 1979 I bagged the much Coveted Radio Nigeria Best Announcer of the year. This was so surreal. I have since then received several other awards to the glory of God. I am the host of the Radio and TV Talk Show, Soni Irabor Live which was inspired by the late Larry King whom I met in Washington DC in July 1986.
“I retired from Radio Nigeria at the age of 48 in 2000 to set up my businesses in Advertising, Broadcast training, broadcast media establishments and PR & Media services. I am passionate about broadcast quality and standards although so much has changed…”
Irabor in his 70th birthday post reflected on the last two years of his life, disclosing that in the middle of a pandemic, he had a stroke which his friend Dr Seyi Roberts described as an “Evolving stroke.”
“Our home was turned upside down momentarily. When you have a great family you can rise faster against all travails. When I count my blessings, I count my wife, children and big sister.
“I won’t lie, it has been very challenging especially as I also began to suffer from vertigo.
“However, I am grateful to God for making me see and mark this milestone. I thank Him for my journey to recovery.
“I thought I would release my book on the occasion of my birthday but it hasn’t happened quite like that but it will happen.
“Let me leave you with three major lessons having a stroke taught me;
*When a child falls, he looks forward but when an adult falls, he looks back …I got the opportunity to look back and reflect on my life… I gained many useful insights on moving forward better and stronger.
*Be there for your family and friends so that in your days of need they will be there for you too. Although a handful of friends and family knew of my illness I realised how blessed I am.
*When life happens to you, see it as an opportunity for a growth mindset, to let you face the challenges and a time to catch your breath.
Thank you all and God bless. May you live long.