CNN award-winning journalist, publisher and Queen of Apomu Kingdom in Osun State, Olori Janet Afolabi, has joined the league of authors.
Her authorial debut is titled, ” The Masters Who Trained Me,” which was unveiled recently at the Alapomu Palace Hall in Apomu, headquarters of Isokan local government area of Osun State.
The book launch was part of activities to mark the second coronation anniversary of HRM Oba Kayode Adenekan Afolabi the Alapomu of Apomu.
Presenting the book to the guests, Gbenga Adefaye, General Manager /Editor In Chief of Vanguard Newspapers, said it was an important gift that should last till eternity. Adefaye who is a former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, said: “Olori Janet Afolabi could be regarded as a famous journalist who has won local and international awards.”
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He said Mrs Afolabi set out to remember those who took her on the journey of learning to become a master and successful journalist. It is a book of tributes to her mentors. They guided, trained and tutored her till she decided that their efforts deserved to be documented for posterity.
He added: “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.”
Olori Afolabi said she wrote the book to “honour these renowned journalists who trained, drilled and molded me 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 the 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 added.
Among those at the event were Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi; Secretary to Osun State Government, Oluwole Oyebamiji who represented Governor Gboyega Oyetola; Asoya of Isoya, representing the Ooni of Ife; Akarigbo of Remo, Babatunde Amoo; Onire of Ire, Ekiti State, and Olowu of Owu kuta.
Other personalities included Waheed Olagunju, a former Acting Managing Director of Bank of Industry; Marouf Olanrewaju, Majority Leader of Osun State House of Assembly; Yemi Lawal, Commisioner for Youth and Sports; Marouf Akinremi, Chairman, Isokan Local Government Area; 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; Dotun Oladipo, a former President of Guild of Corporate Online Publishers and Gabriel Akinadewo, Publisher, Freedom Online.
