…As Journalists Are Advised To Write Books On Their Experiences
By Kingsley I. Ilechukwu, Correspondent Lagos
Journalists have been urged to continue to strive to develop themselves and be part of living history by documenting their perspectives on issues of growth, development, politics, economy and security, among others.
A journalist and industry consultant and Chairman/founder, Unubiko Foundation, Chief James Ume (Ike Abam) handed the charge to newshounds at the public presentation of a book Technology And Development – An African Perspective written by another journalist Dr. Everest Amaefule, at the LCCI Conference & Exhibition Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, south west Nigeria, December 9 .
Chief Ume was the Chief Presenter at the event. The keynote was rendered by Lagos Business School lecturer, Professor Pat Utomi while Nigerian entrepreneur, investment banker, economist and founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Atedo Peterside was the Chairman.
Chief Ume noted that in other climes, it is a given for journalists to write books and offer their deep insights into issues that shape and can potentially impact on the course of events in their societies, but regretted this is not the case in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
“It is in this wise that when we find journalists such as Mr. Amaefule bringing their wealth of experience garnered over many years in a book form, we should applaud their industry and commitment to better and grow society,” he said.
According to Ike Abam , the book launch is coming “at a time that Nigeria albeit Africa needs to examine the nexus between technology and development and how it can leverage on the former to achieve the latter especially in the face of global shutdowns owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
I remain persuaded that this book will add to the existing body of knowledge and be useful not just to academics, but also to journalists and students of development.
What I find ennobling is that the author from a humbling beginning has rose through the ranks first as a correspondent to now being a Business Editor and a sought after voice in business and financial circles for his profound thoughts and unbiased analysis of issues.
I should say that as a journalist myself and an industry consultant, Everest is one of the few minds I trust to take on issues knowing how painstaking he is when dissecting issues of national interest.
This book is a challenge to other journalists not to rest on their oars but to continue to strive to develop themselves and be part of living history by documenting their perspectives on issues of growth, development, politics, economy and security.
As a measure of my support to this scholarly endeavour, and to galvanise the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), I am pleased to announce that I will be taking 10 copies of the book at N2 million for the library of the NUJ National Secretariat. Also, an additional 10 copies each for the FCT and Abia Councils of the NUJ for N2 million each, an additional 10 copies for Unubiko Foundation for N2 million; and 10 copies for Ovukwu-Abam Secondary School for the same N2 million. That brings it to N10 million(US$24,434.19).
Before I conclude this address, it is worthwhile to state that in my commitment to the development of our people both infrastructural-wise and in capacity, the Unubiko Foundation has just been launched a N250 million intervention fund to rebuild the Ovukwu-Abam Secondary School, Atan Abam in Abia State and I invite all of us to be part of the future we are building.”
