CNN award-winning journalist, Publisher and Queen of Apomu Kingdom in Osun State, Olori Janet Afolabi, has joined the league of authors with her new book titled, “The Masters Who Trained Me”.
The book was unveiled on February 24, as part of the activities to mark the second coronation anniversary of Oba Kayode Adenekan Afolabi, the Alapomu of Apomu, at the Alapomu Palace Hall, Persecondnews.com reports.
Commending the book to the public, Mr Gbenga Adefaye, General Manager/ Editor-in-Chief of Vanguard Newspaper, said it is an important gift that should last till eternity.
Adefaye, who is the Provost, the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba, Lagos and former two-term President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, described Olori Afolabi as an award-winning journalist who has won local and international awards.
According to him, Olori Janet set out to remember those who took her on the journey of learning to become a master and successful journalist.
“The book is a book of tributes to the mentors of Olori Janet. They guided, trained and tutored her till she decided that their efforts deserve to be documented for posterity.
“It is acknowledgment of excellence of the work of the most famous Ray Ekpu, Dan Agbese, Yakubu Mohammed, Soji Akinrinade, Nosa Igiebor and Dare Babarinsa,” he said.
Speaking on her authorial debut, Olori Afolabi said she wrote the book to honour renowned journalists who trained, drilled and molded her into someone with valuables skills.
“They gave me media platform to operate, explore and express myself. They gave me wings to fly in the winds of journalism travails and triumphs.
“I want to appreciate them while they are alive. I am expressing my gratitude by giving them a gift that will live after them. The gift is this book.
“My experience with each of them and the techniques of news writing they taught me are chronicled in the six chapters of the book.
“The book is a source of material for the younger generation of journalists and journalism students. The book is also an addition to the existing literature on Nigerian media industry.
“The history of journalism in Nigeria may not be complete without the contributions of these great men who have trained and mentored some of the best hands in journalism. They are indeed an asset to the world of journalism,” she said.
Among those who attended the event were Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Mr Oluwole Oyebamiji who represented Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola, Mr Waheed Olagunju, former Acting Managing Director of Bank of Industry, and Mr Marouf Olanrewaju, Majority leader, Osun State House of Assembly.
Others include Soji Akinrinade former Executive Director/Editor in Chief, Newswatch magazine; Mustapha Isa, President Nigerian Guild of Editors; Bolaji Adebiyi, Managing Editor, ThisDay Newspaper/Vice President (West) Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr Dotun Oladipo, former President Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, and Gabriel Akinadewo, Publisher, Freedom Online.
