By Dipo Olowookere
Nigerians have been enjoined to channel their intellectual capacity into productive ventures like writing of books, in order to create wealth and for posterity.
Minister of Education, Mr Adamu Adamu, made this known in Abuja recently at the presentation of a book “Journalism and Business: My Newspaper Odyssey” written by an economist-turned journalist, Malam Isiaq Ajibola.
Adamu noted that if more Nigerians could convert their dreams, visions and experiences into commercial products like books, such intellectual works will further develop the minds of people, just as the sales will generate wealth for the authors.
The Minister recalled Malam Ajibola’s foremost contributions to the establishment of Media Trust Limited before the other members of the founding team joined him to build a successful company known for its widely read newspapers Daily Trust.
He commended the author for his exemplary resourcefulness, hard work and self-determination; and urged him to remain a role model, especially to his professional colleagues.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion and immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Captain Idris Wada praised the author for documenting both his business and journalism experiences in a book.
Mr Wada encouraged Nigerians to buy and read the book, and to also emulate the author’s doggedness in “what it takes to start a newspaper and make it work”.
In a welcome address, Malam Ajibola explain that lack of sufficient reference materials, “beyond the subject matter of journalism itself” gave him the inspiration to write a book that would combine Journalism and Business, using his experience as case study.
The book was reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief of The Interview Magazine, Mr Azubuike Ishiekwene, while Malam Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim, Chairman, Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) presented it to the public.
The ceremony attracted many dignitaries from within and outside the journalism profession, including Malam Garba Shehu, Media Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari, Pa Sam Amuka, Vanguard Publisher, Mr Sam Nda-Isaiah, Publisher of Leadership Newspaper, Comrade Issa Aremu, and a large number of members of the Media Trust family.
