The Entertainment Editor of The Nation newspaper, Mr Gbenga Bada, has emphasised the importance of passion, professionalism and dedication as key ingredients for success in entertainment journalism. He made this point during an interactive session with HND I Journalism students at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) on 15 December 2025.

Mr Bada, who has worked across more than 15 media organisations, noted that although the entertainment industry is highly competitive and challenging, journalists must remain committed and resilient if they genuinely love the profession. According to him, passion is central to growth and excellence in entertainment reporting, stressing that without it, journalists may struggle to stand out or sustain a meaningful career.

Addressing the issue of sourcing, he advised reporters to build credible and reliable sources while maintaining clear professional boundaries. He cautioned against becoming too close to celebrities and public figures, adding that trustworthy sources should be able to provide broad, relevant and useful information.

He also highlighted the importance of visibility in entertainment journalism, describing the industry as one that thrives on presence and engagement. “Entertainment is show business, and you must show up,” he said. He encouraged reporters to attend events regularly, dress appropriately, maintain a good appearance, and avoid drug abuse or smoking, warning that such habits could lead to career damage. He further advised journalists to remain professional during celebrity interviews and not allow excitement to undermine journalistic standards.

Sharing his career journey, Mr Bada revealed that he worked with NET Nigeria before becoming a newspaper editor. He later moved from Daily Independent to ThisDay newspaper. Although he stepped away from active journalism for about two years, he said his passion for writing has continued to keep him connected to the profession, necessitating his return to the profession via The Nation newspaper.

He reiterated the need for professionalism when engaging celebrities and urged reporters not to be carried away by fame or status. In conclusion, Mr Bada encouraged aspiring entertainment journalists to develop strong multimedia skills, including effective use of cameras and mobile phones for recording, good interpersonal skills in the field, and strong writing ability, which he described as essential for success in modern entertainment journalism.

(Other Members of Group Five (Media Coverage: Print and Online) are Yekini Khayrah (Group Lead), Komolehin Mary Oluwaseun and Olaitan Balogun)

The event celebrated the remarkable contributions of foremost pioneers and veterans in the media space, present at the event including Uncle Sam Amuka, Tunde Thompson, Soni Irabor, Bimbo Oloyede, Mike Awoyefa, among others.

As you commence this new academic journey, we encourage you to be enthusiastic about the opportunities that lie ahead. Your chosen programmes are designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the dynamic field of communication.

The academic session is set to commence on Monday, October 6, 2025. It is essential to note that lectures will run from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, with a half-day on Wednesday, concluding at 12:00 pm. Part-time classes are scheduled for Fridays (evening) and Saturdays (8:30am to (6:00pm). Make sure to plan your schedule accordingly.

To maintain a conducive learning environment, it is crucial that all students abide by the school rules and regulation. This includes being well-dressed at all times, reflecting the professionalism expected in the communication industry.

To be eligible to sit for semester examinations, students must fulfill the 70% attendance requirement. Regular attendance is vital for academic success and participation in class discussions.

All new students are expected to have fulfilled their financial obligations before the commencement of the first semester examination. Ensure you complete all necessary payments to avoid any disruptions.

The management extends heartfelt congratulations to all fresh students and welcomes you to a fruitful and engaging academic session. We are confident that you will excel and make the most of the opportunities available.

Our programmes are designed to foster critical thinking, creativity, and innovation. Through a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical skills, you will be well-prepared to tackle the challenges of the communication industry.

Our institution offers various support services to ensure your academic journey is smooth and successful. Take advantage of these resources to enhance your learning experience.

Get involved in campus activities and clubs to enrich your experience. This is an excellent opportunity to develop new skills, build relationships, and create lasting memories.

Our faculty and staff are committed to providing guidance and support throughout your academic journey. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them for assistance or advice.

You are now part of a vibrant community of students, each with unique experiences and perspectives. Engage with your peers, share ideas, and learn from one another.

This academic session is not just about academics; it’s also a time for personal growth. Take advantage of opportunities provided by the monthly Professional Forum put together by the management to develop your skills, build your confidence, and become a well-rounded individual.

Use planners, calendars, or apps to stay organized and manage your time effectively. Balancing academics, social life, and personal responsibilities requires good time management.

If you’re struggling with your coursework or adjusting to academic life, don’t hesitate to seek help. Our institution offers various resources, including tutoring and counseling services.

Foster meaningful relationships with your lecturers, peers, and other members of the university community. These connections can lead to valuable opportunities and a strong support network.

Regularly check the school’s noticeboard and website for important updates, announcements, and deadlines. Staying informed will help you stay on track and make the most of your time here.

This academic session is a chance to explore your passions, develop your skills, and lay the foundation for a successful career. Make the most of your time here and take advantage of every opportunity.

Challenges during your academic journey are part of the issues you will face, but with determination and perseverance, you can overcome them. Stay focused, seek help when needed, and believe in yourself.

Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small they may seem. Your hard work and dedication will pay off, and we are here to support you in every step of the way.

Once again, welcome to our great institution! We are excited to have you join our community and look forward to seeing you thrive academically and personally. Let’s make this academic session a memorable and productive one.

God bless you.

Tolulope Ojemuyiwa
Public Relations Officer

The partnership was deemed crucial at this juncture due to the alarming frequency of reported cases of abuse affecting both students and staff, male and female, within the nation’s higher education institutions.

The quest for a lasting solution to this issue was first proposed in July 1994, and remarkably, it took nearly three decades for the initiative to come to fruition. Just last month, it marked one year since the initiative was launched at a conference attended by key stakeholders, including the Honourable Minister of Education, 20 State Commissioners of Education, and representatives from the National Universities Commission (NUC), Colleges of Education, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Addressing the management and implementation committee of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Mrs. Blessing Omotunde, representing the Gender Mobile Initiative (GMI), noted that sexual harassment and gender-based violence have become increasingly concerning, warranting global attention. “It’s a pressing issue that affects individuals worldwide, with reports indicating that one in seven persons experiences some form of abuse before age 18, ultimately compromising their overall well-being,” she said. Omotunde added, “This problem isn’t unique to any region or institution, and it’s heartbreaking to see reports of such incidents. The dynamics of sexual and gender-based violence are complex, involving student-student and educator-student interactions, among others.”

She emphasized that the policy aims to protect all members of tertiary institutions, including academic and non-academic staff. “The issue is multifaceted, with instances of students harassing educators and non-educators, highlighting the need for collaborative efforts between our organization and institutions to tackle this problem effectively.”

The Gender Mobile Initiative (GMI) implemented several modalities to fund the project, including a startup grant of ₦150,000 as a motivational incentive. Additionally, GMI developed a mobile app called “Campus Map App,” which serves as an educational tool for both students and non-students.

The Provost, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, along with other management staff, gratefully acknowledged and accepted the offer extended by the Gender Mobile Initiative (GMI).

The Provost presenting a gift to Malam Abdulhakeem Bello, an NBTE Director during the latter’s visit to the institution while the institution’s PRO, Tolulope Ojemuyiwa looks on

Gift presented by the Provost, Gbenga Adefaye to Mrs. Blessing Omotunde, the representative of Gender Mobile Initiative (GMI) after the signing of MOU.

NIJ’s Sexual and Gender-based violence committee members posed for a photograph during the official policy presentation and signing of Memorandum of Understanding MOU between the Institution and Gender Mobile Initiative GMI to address the issue of sexual harassment in tertiary institutions last week.
Left to right: Senior lecturer, Dr. Bolaji Fati, Public Relations Officer, Tolulope Ojemuyiwa, Senior lecturer Mrs. Oruoma Odum, GMI Representative, Mrs. Blessing Omotunde, Provost Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, NBTE Director, Malam Abdulhakeem Bello, Dep. Provost, Dr. Boye Ola, Head, Gen. Studies, Mrs. Maureen Popoola, and lecturer Mrs. Christiana Okoh

The Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba, on Wednesday, July 2, played host to Tech Breeze—a tech-media event powered by innovation brand, Techpression.

The initiative brought together industry experts, digital innovators, and aspiring journalists to explore the nexus between technology and media.

Held at the Sir Kesington Adebutu Media Resource Centre, the campus innovation tour aimed to equip students with the digital knowledge and tools essential for success in today’s tech-driven media sphere.

This edition of Tech Breeze follows similar events hosted by Techpression earlier this year at Ajayi Crowther University in April and Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU) in March, as part of its mission to inspire tech-savvy media professionals across Nigerian campuses.

Delivering the opening remarks on behalf of the Provost, the Deputy Provost of NIJ, Dr. Adeboye Ola, welcomed participants and underscored the importance of integrating traditional journalism with modern technological advancements. He emphasised that students must arm themselves with digital competencies to remain relevant in today’s media environment.

In a welcome address delivered through the Business Development Manager, Rayo Woke, the Managing Director of Techpression, Dr. Pelumi Apantaku, reinforced this vision.

He said, “In a world increasingly shaped by technology, bridging the gap between traditional journalism and emerging tech trends is no longer optional—it’s essential,” he said. He encouraged students to take full advantage of the opportunity to learn, engage, and develop the skills that will define the future of communication and storytelling.

“Today’s event marks another important step in our collective journey towards equipping the next generation of media and communication professionals with relevant digital tools, insights, and innovations. We’re thrilled to have with us today experts and partners who are here not only to share knowledge but to inspire and challenge us all. To our students—this is your moment. Learn, engage, ask questions, and connect. The future of journalism is already digital, and your journey starts now.”

A recent study conducted by the University of Tartu revealed that data literacy is acknowledged by journalists as a requirement of future journalism, but their actual skills are still low.

During a panel discussion, Techpression’s Head of Marketing, Olumide Coker, shed light on the importance of building a deliberate online presence. “The internet is not just about connectivity—it’s about politics, economics, and culture,” he said. “As journalists or business owners, understanding platform algorithms and how to leverage them for impact is now a crucial skill.”

Also speaking at the event was a representative of a microfinance bank, Adedolapo Adebayo, who addressed the growing tide of misinformation in the digital age.

He stressed the importance of credibility and verification in journalism, urging students to prioritise fact-checking and ethical reporting. “Journalists should build trust and define their identity by prioritising verification over ‘virality’,” he advised.

He also encouraged the use of Artificial Intelligence tools to improve accuracy and responsible dissemination of information.

Manager at (dot)NG, Abimbola Aderibigbe, delivered an engaging presentation on the significance of domain registration. She stressed that a Nigerian domain is more than just a web address. She said it’s a symbol of national identity and pride. “Registering a (dot)NG domain is a smart and patriotic move. It boosts online visibility, is affordable, and helps businesses and individuals penetrate the local digital market more effectively,” she explained.

This isn’t the first time the media trianing institution has taken steps to equip its students with tech literacy alongside media training. During the NIJ Convocation in May, 2025,, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Alhaji Basir Adewale Adeniyi highlighted the growing impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the media landscape. He urged media professionals to be deliberate about embracing technology while upholding ethical standards, especially when holding the government accountable.
Even before that, NIJ had been organising its monthly Professional Forum, an interactive platform designed to connect classroom learning with real-world industry experiences. Those sessions, now core student activities, have featured lectures from leading experts who introduced students to emerging tools, trends, and innovations in journalism and communication.

Cross session of Journalism students and other participants at NIJ’s Techpression seminar at Sir kesington Adebutu media resource centre, Ogba, Lagos

Participants at Tech-media seminar at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, (NIJ) Lagos yesterday

Students of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) who attended the 31st Monthly Professional Forum on Wednesday, June 4th, would not easily forget the phrase “Pay now, play later; play now, pay later” repeatedly emphasised by the Executive Chairman of Brila Media Group, Dr. Larry Izamoje.

Dr. Izamoje, who also founded Africa’s first sports radio Brila FM, delivered a lecture on the theme “Standing Out in a Saturated Market” at the Kensington Adebutu Media Resource Centre, Ogba, where he urged media and communication students to pay the price of honing their craft while they are still young so they don’t end up living a life filled with regrets.

Unsurprisingly, the veteran sports radio host began his lecture with a case study of Spanish footballer Lamine Yamal, who recently became one of the highest-paid players at Barcelona after dedicating countless hours to practice.

He said, “I tell my colleagues in the office, when we do training sessions, that we can all watch matches from Europe. But you must go back and be different in your reporting or analyses. You must make research.

“There’s a giant in everyone. But some need the giant in them to be awakened. So pay now and play later, or play now and pay later. And paying later is usually paying in the hard way.”

He juxtaposed the grass-to-grace stories of international athletes and the journey of media students, emphasizing the need to develop a unique selling point in order to stand out and build something meaningful in an already saturated media industry.

Dr. Izamoje advised media scholars to “have a personal you and a professional you.” He stressed that as students receive training across various facets of the media, they can distinguish themselves by embracing what he referred to as the 11 Ps: passion, proclaim, project, plan, persist, prioritize, practicalise, persevere, positivity, pray, and praise.

He explained that, “Passion is the reason you wake up at 4am and want to research what has happened to Inter Milan. Passion gives rise to action. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you are from.”

While recounting the internal challenges his media company faced in its early days, the pioneering founder explained that succeeding in Nigeria’s business environment is more likely when one applies the PESTLE approach to analyze the media landscape. According to him, the acronym stands for Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, and Environmental considerations.

He told the students, “When you leave here and want to be self-employed and want to stand out in the market, you must come up with a media product that solves a problem. Any business that doesn’t solve a problem cannot yield money. For example, our job at Brila is to solve the problem of people who need sports information.”

He urged students not to be timid or silent about their unique talents. In his words, “Also, promote what you’re doing. Let the world know, even in this school, that ‘I’m the only one who can talk, write, think, analyse or present like this.’”

The Onitsha-born sports radio analyst and founder also used the opportunity to call on the federal government to review the high interest rates attached to loans made available to media entrepreneurs seeking to start their own ventures.

During the question-and-answer session, Dr. Izamoje also addressed concerns raised about recent controversies on social media involving Brila FM and former staff. He clarified the misunderstanding, noting that some matters are already in court, and affirmed that honesty has always remained central to his leadership at Brila Group.

In his contribution, the NIJ Provost, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, told the students, “It is not too late to follow your dream.” The NIJ boss, earlier in his welcome address, had described the Brila Group founder as a “great professional and fantastic entrepreneur.”

Dr. Izamoje was presented with an award of recognition by the institution. Also present at the forum were the Deputy Provost, Dr. Adeboye Ola, management and faculty members of staff

The NIJ monthly professional forum is an interface session that is integrated into the students’ activities to bridge the gap between academia and industry, preparing them for successful career in journalism and communication

Chairman/CEO, Brila Media Group, Dr. Larry Izamoje being presented with an award of recognition by the Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Lagos, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye at the 31st Professional forum facilitated by Dr. Izamoje at Sir kesington Adebukunola Adebutu media resource centre, Ogba, Lagos