“Platform to promote Nigerian journalism at world stage”
By Mumini AbdulKareem
A former Commissioner for Information in Kwara State, Alhaji Raheem Adedoyin, has been nominated into the Executive Board of the International Press Institute (IPI) in Vienna, Austria.
Adedoyin, who hailed from Ijomu-Oro in the Irepodun local government area of the state is to represent Nigeria and, indeed Africa on the executive board of the global institute.
Speaking on the development last night during a telephone chat with National Pilot, the former commissioner said that opportunity will allow him to promote Nigerian journalism at the world stage.
Hear Him: This continues to provide an opportunity for me to climb the ladder of journalism further. Everybody wants to be at the zenith of their profession, and that is what I think I’m really getting at now from been a reporter to correspondent to editor to MD even to publisher in my own little way. Now to determining the fortune, fate, and welfare of journalists all over the world and that is (great).
The implication is Nigeria is will be very respected in the IPI which board had been chaired in the past by Alhaji Lateef Jakande former Governor in the 70s. IPI represent a kind of a platform to promote the good things about journalism, quality journalism, press freedom, safety of the media and even training.
“We have major global brand like New York Times, Washington Post, CNN all being members. So to have a Nigerian now representing at that level talks a lot about the recognition they have given to practice of journalism in this country and don’t forget it follows the hosting of the world congress by Nigeria first time Nigeria will ever host it in the 69 years plus of IPI existence in 2018. It was a huge success and as a matter of fact, I remember they told us that the dinner hosted by the then Senate President, (Bukola Saraki) was one of the best they ever had, so Nigeria really gave them a very remarkable congress and of course is not surprising
“This means Nigeria is really highly rated for us to be represented at that level, that also mean that whatever the IPI is discussing at their headquarter, Nigeria will also be part of the decision making process. It also mean we’re now going to be more active and IPI will pay more attention to press freedom and welfare of journalists and such other things that promote journalism in the world in Nigeria. To also be on the board, that means focus will also be on your country”, he noted.
Speaking on his nomination, Adedoyin said “If you know my trajectory, you will not be surprised that this is coming especially at this point in time. I have been the longest serving secretary of IPI for 12 years since 2009 and the engine room of the Congress, I was the head of the secretariat and so one has been that tested at that level. I will not say I didn’t see it coming or I saw it coming, the truth of the matter is the job was on the table and I was qualified for it and there is no reason why it could have not been me but anybody could have also indicated interested
“Journalism is not monetary only, even being a journalist itself is rewarding and that is enough for me, being at top of everything in the world, he added.
