The Team Lead of Platforms Africa, Adeola Yusuf, has mentored hundreds of young journalists and mass communication students at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), assuring them of a promising future for journalism despite the technological and economic challenges.
Adeola Yusuf, a three-time winner of the Nigeria Media Merit Award (NMMA), delivered a lecture titled “Print Media Organisation in Nigeria From Conception To Economic Glory: Weaning The Young Journalists” at a seminar for 300-level mass communication students at the university. He emphasized that the continuous advancement in technology supports his belief that no creative journalist should be out of a job.
The media lecture also featured Nigeria’s former ambassador to the United Kingdom, HE Sarafa Tunji-Isola; ex-information minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; TV host, Morayo Afolabi-Brown; and Chrisland University lecturer, Dr. Demolu Okuneye.
Yusuf acknowledged that technology has posed challenges to conventional journalism, making hard copy newspaper publishing and terrestrial broadcasting less lucrative. However, he pointed out that the same technology, when properly studied and applied, has become a significant revenue generator for many journalists and non-journalists in Nigeria and around the world.
“Journalism is a trade no one can escape. You are either the seller, the product, or the buyer,” Yusuf stated. He added that while the consistent change in technology has turned many trained journalists into products and buyers of information on new media, many untrained individuals have capitalized on this shift, profiting greatly from their adaptability and creativity.
Yusuf noted that journalists often use their data to watch skits by popular creators like Taoma, Mark Angel, Layi Wasabi, Mr. Macaroni, and Lege Miami. He also mentioned how blogs like Instablog9ja and Linda Ikeji have successfully monetized their content, despite their founders not having formal mass communication training.
“Professionals are now becoming awake with the establishment of thriving online newspapers like Platforms Africa, Premium Times, The Cable, The Eagle Online, and Freedom Online, among others,” Yusuf said. “Conventional newspapers are not left out, as they now have versatile online editions and PDF papers. It is as simple as if you are not there, you are nowhere!”
He encouraged the students to transition from being consumers of information to active participants in journalism. “You are students here to study Mass Communication to be actively involved in the trade of journalism as the seller of information. What else are you waiting for?”
Lecturers, including the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. Dele Odunlami; course lecturer, Associate Prof. Semiu Bello; Head of the Mass Communication Department, Dr. Lanre Akinola, and others, praised Adeola Yusuf and other guest lecturers for their mentorship.
Professor Odunlami, a globally recognized communication scholar, expressed admiration for Platforms Africa and its approach to news writing and headline crafting. “I usually see the byline as I have been reading your stories. I am happy that I am meeting you in person today,” he said.
He urged the students to heed the advice given by Yusuf and other resource persons. “These pieces of advice from our resource persons will go a long way in brightening up your future in your chosen careers as journalists or broadcasters,” he concluded.
