Notes

Agbese is a quiet man. He looks at reporters without saying a word. But in that silence he has spoken volumes. His silence is a voice. It speaks.
I am grateful to Agbese for allowing me write the Jesse story because it was an opportunity for me to write a cover story.If he had denied me the opportunity, the CNN award would have passed me by.
PREFACE


In 1984, a news magazine which changed the format of print journalism in Nigeria was founded. It introduced a new diversion of bold and investigative news reporting.
Newswatch, the path breaking magazine was founded by the late Dele Giwa, Ray Ekpu, Dan Agbese and Yakubu Mohammed.
Apart from Agbese who was the Editor of New Nigerian newspaper, the other three, came from Concord Group of Newspapers owned by late M K O Abiola, acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Ekpu was Chairman Editorial Board, Giwa, was Editor Sunday Concord while Mohammed was the Daily Editor
The first edition of Newswatch made an uproarious entry into the market. It was an instant toast of the moment.
Unfortunately, three months to the magazine's. second anniversary,tragedy struck. Giwa, its first Editor‐ in ‐Chief was gruesomely assassinated via a parcel bomb attack in October 1986.
Giwa was an American trained journalist, stylish both in fashion and his writings.He was flamboyant and full of life.
The nation was shocked and in disbelief that such an incident could happen in Nigeria at that time.
Six months later, the magazine had another reason to grief.It was proscribed for six months by Ibrahim Babangida government and its accounts frozen.

Notwithstanding the traumatic experiences, the magazine still maintained its position as Nigeria's flagship media house for many years.lt had a formidable team, led by
Ekpu ,who has taken over as the Editor in Chief/ Chief Executive Officer. He led the team comprising Soji Akinrinade , Nosa Igiebor,
Dare Babarinsa, Dele Omotunde , Anietie Usen among others, Usen was an Associate Editor.Versatile, hardworking and result ‐oriented, he encouraged reporters to work hard.He always told reporters who returned from assignments with excuses, especially on production days that " we will not publish excuses on Monday o" .( The magazine used to come out on Mondays) Usen's open criticisms on failure and compliments on results inspired some of us to perform better.
There was also Nyaknno Osso ,the Chief Librarian. He was the "Governor- General "of the magazine's information centre. Upon request he produced information with out delay.Osso is still one of the best in information gathering in Nigeria. Such was the team . Effective and efficient.
However, some members of the editorial team left to co-found Tell magazine whose first edition was published on April 15, 1991. All the five founding editors Nosa Igiebor, Dele Omotunde, Onome Osifo‐ Whiskey, Dare Babarinsa and Kolawole Ilori were from Newswatch.
Ekpu and his colleagues published Newswatch for 27 years before they retired in 2011. On retirement they founded a book publishing and journalism training company called May Five
Media Limited.
I didn't see them after their retirement until 2018 when I went to their office to collect invitation cards for Ekpu's 70th birthday celebration. They welcomed me warmly. I had conversations with each of them. During my conversation with Mohammed, he said he was happy with my career progress. "From a reliable source,to a reliable reporter and now a reliable Publisher"
That was how he described my advancement in the profession. I smiled, thanked him for the compliment, and said "I am glad I was trained by the Masters of Journalism."

As I stepped out of their office, l took a decision to write a book titled"The Masters who Trained" in honour of 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 triumphs and travails.
I am grateful to them. I want to appreciate them while they are alive and while I still have the opportunity . 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 newswriting they taught me are chronided in the six chapters of the book.

It will be a source of material for the younger generation of journalists in pursuit of excellence in their career.

The book is an addition to the existing literature on the Nigerian Media Industry .The history of journalism in Nigeria will not be complete without the contributions of these veterans , who have trained and mentored some of the best hands in journalism, They are indeed an asset to the world of journalism.
Olori Janet .M. Afolabi
CNN Award Winning Journalist/ Queen of Apomu Kingdom.
Osun state . Nigeria
February, 2022
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS


I would like to acknowledge and thank God Almighty, the Creator of the universe, for the grace and inspiration to write this book.

No achievement can be satisfactorily made without the support of some people.The completion of this book was accomplished because of a number of people.


To my beloved, caring and supportive husband, l express my deep gratitude for your unwavering support . Thank you for allowing me to pursue my passion and purpose.

To my loving children, l cannot express enough thanks. You are a tremendous source of motivation and encouragement , Your pressure made me set December deadline for myself to complete the writing this book.You ensured that I did not exceed it.

To Regina Chris Ogbodo , Broadcaster and National Public Relations Officer University of Lagos , Alumni Association, who was so excited about the tittle of this book and encouraged me to start writing immediately .l started writing this book on May 5, 2021, the day after she told me to start.Thank you Regina for igniting the fire within me.

To Sodiq Oyetunde and Love Olowu, energetic, resourceful youths, who typed and proof read the book .

To Seyi Oyedotun, who help in the editing and formating of the book I say thank you. Finally Ademola Adegbesan also deserves appreciation for designing the book cover.
On this page kind add the following information.

Published by:
Scroll Publishing Ltd
Km 16, Lekki - Eye Expressway.
Osapa,
Lekki Phase 1.
Lagos,
Nigeria
Phone : 08105677777,08023833836email- [email protected]



ISBN: 978- 978-998-182-3