By Joke Kujenya
FOCUS ON mentorship and wellbeing shaped the maiden Female Journalists Timeout convened under the initiative of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) as part of activities marking Women’s Month.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the ace broadcaster and veteran journalist, Mrs. Bimbo Oloyede arrived first, followed by her mentee, Ms. Joke Kujenya, Publisher/Mediapreneur, as participants streamed in exchanging greetings and reconnecting after long periods apart.
Smiles, warn hugs and pleasant backslaps featured spontaneously as it there had been rehearsals as love filled the air.
WSCIJ stated that the session was designed as a space for female journalists to pause from the daily newsroom rush, connect with colleagues, and engage in open conversations around professional and personal wellbeing.
It also featured an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session with senior newsroom leaders to enable dialogue, shared experiences and mentorship.
Mariam Alo, programmes officer, WSCIJ, speaking on behalf of Mrs. Motunrayo Alaka, Executive Director/CEO, WSCIJ, explained that the maiden women centred edition was created to provide an opportunity for journalists to engage experienced media professionals, ask pressing career questions, step away from work pressures and build supportive professional communities.
Mrs. Oloyede commended the initiative and stressed the importance of bridging gaps between older and younger female journalists.
She urged younger participants to take full advantage of the opportunity and encouraged resilience in the face of challenges, stating that nothing can surpass the resolve of a determined journalist.
She also advised them to keep learning, relearning and unlearning in order to produce stories that define their professional lives.
Mrs. Oloyede acknowledged the economic challenges faced by journalists but urged her younger colleagues to be open-minded in pursuing streams of income through identifying diversified professional services that they could offer to earn supplementary incomes. She said they should try to be more creative in such endeavours.
Other top journalists at the session included Mrs. Stella Din-Jacob, Executive Director, Mustel Creative Works Limited; Ms. Joke Kujenya, Editor-in-Chief/Publisher/Mediaprenuer, JKNewsMedia.com; Ms. Siju Alabi, Convener, Think Nigeria Show; Ms. Anikeade Funke-Tresure, Executive Director, Illuminate Nigeria; and Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin, Executive Director, Media Career Development Network (MCDN).
On the AMA dais that created room for candid exchanges on career development, leadership and navigating challenges in the profession, Ms. Blessing Oladunjoye of BONews, sought to know how a professional journalist can navigate financial hurdles bedeviling the noble trade.
Then came the time for what has been the senior journalists ‘resilient moments’…
Mrs. Stella Din-Jacobs wowed the session recounting her experiences with boy soldiers in Freetown, Liberia, during one of the tough war periods in that country. For the trained lawyer turned journalist to later to return to Nigeria, the rest is now history.
Collectively, the senior journalists encouraged younger colleagues to remain flexible and adaptable, explore opportunities within and beyond the newsroom and develop complementary skills that support career growth and financial stability without compromising professional integrity.
In her contribution, Ms. Kujenya also stressed the importance of continuous nurturing for young journalists and shared a lesson, stating, “When a leader gets to the top and is lonely, it is because you did not take people along.”
Furthermore, the session emphasised mentorship and intentional relationship building to support the next generation of journalists. Participants were encouraged to remain open minded, embrace creativity and take calculated risks in expanding their professional paths.
Ms. Anikeade Funke Treasure reinforced this by telling participants, “You are like an app, you need to continually update yourself.”
Then, the older and younger female media professionals reflected on newsroom realities and highlighted the need to maintain professional standards despite pushback, particularly in accuracy, language and ethical reporting. This was stressed more by Ms. Siju Alabi with her impeccable diction as a broadcaster.
Discussions also focused on career progression, continuous learning and staying relevant in a fast-changing industry through openness to new opportunities and diverse skill development.
Calls were made for greater visibility and documentation of women’s contributions to journalism, including telling more stories about female journalists and preserving their experiences by Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin, ED, MCDN.
Mixed with the veterans were young female journalists who are fellows of the WSCIJ Report Women Female Reporters Leadership Programme, under the “Female Soyinka Laureates and Newsroom Leaders”, to bolster the centre’s commitment to strengthening the capacity, confidence and leadership pathways of women in journalism.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that earlier, organizers had noted that through initiatives such as the Female Journalists Timeout, the centre continues to create platforms that support them in professional development and in navigating the personal and emotional demands of their work.
It also stated that it will continue to provide spaces for women to share experiences, build networks and sustain contributions to public interest journalism.
