| I still want to come
as a journalist in the next life –Ade Ayeni, GM, ETC
By MEDINAT ADAMSON
Wednesday,
November 14, 2007
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Ade Ayeni
Photo: SunNews Publishing
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Mr. Ade Ayeni is a broadcaster and the General Manager of
the Educational Television Centre, an affiliate of the Nigeria
Television Authority (NTA), which produces and packages children’s
educational programmes.
The broadcaster tells anyone who cares to listen that he wishes
to come as a journalist in his next life. He encourages people
to take up the profession.
Humble beginning
After I graduated from the university in 1972, I got a job
as an Education Officer Grade 11 in Sokoto. When Government
College, Kebbi State wanted a Nigerian English Language lecturer,
I applied and was given the job. I left Sokoto to Kebbi. I
was the only Nigerian lecturer in the school and was understood
and loved by the students.
After spending three years in the school, I saw an advertisement
which stated that a North West television was about to start
broadcasting and staffers were needed. I applied and was given
a job as Scriptwriter 1.
I was later given a job as an intern at the Benue Plateau
Television, the first colour television station in Nigeria.
Then in December 1975, I was employed as a pioneer staff and
was the head of public enlightment at NTA Sokoto, where I
packaged and presented programmes like School quiz, and Newspaper
review.
Experiences
Journalism exposed me to political intrigues and mischief
done by politicians. It also made me travel a lot. Although
I was a broadcaster, I was transferred from one place to another.
The first time I traveled was from Jos to Sokoto, then to
Maiduguri, on official assignment. Now I can say I know every
state capital in the country.
I also did a programme called Take a Throw. I presented and
produced the 26episodes of the programme.
Journalism made me move from one place to another meeting
people. I moved from federal service to the state service
and because I was close to the government, I could appreciate
how things are done in the federal and state service.
It also helped me to defend myself. It showed me that in life,
you must be careful, watch what you say and who you say it
to and know that not all that glitters is gold.
Journalism then and now
Journalism is different now. Then, almost everyone wanted
to be a journalist because the pay was good, especially the
allowances. Journalists were given houses and cars to make
their job easier. We traveled abroad much and when you want
to travel, you don’t have to go through stress before
your travelling visas were given to you. The finance officer
would, by himself, come to your doorstep and give you your
air ticket. I had much freedom, especially when I was a pioneer
staff.
Journalism was fun then and every journalist was comfortable
unlike now.
Brown envelop syndrome
As a broadcaster, I do my job in the office. I don’t
go out for assignment, but when I was into programme packaging
and planning, I begged people to give me programme ideas and
sometimes, you have to pay them to give you the ideas. I never
knew what brown envelop was. I only know that brown or whatever
colour of envelop it is, is used to post letters. Yes, envelops
are used to post letters. As a broadcaster, I am well paid
and never ask for any envelop.
Disregard for journalists
I don’t think people disregard journalists. I believe
the way you present yourself and your approach to job matters
and give people an insight on how to treat you. The kind of
English you speak, dresses you put on and questions you ask
go a long way to determine how people relate with you.
If managements of media houses don’t want people to
disregard journalists, they should provide everything their
workers need to make their job easy, stress free and interesting.
Journalists should be well paid and allowances should also
be given to them.
Nigeria Television Authority has showed a good example when
it comes to attending to the needs of journalists. Reporters
are well paid and trained. Tools are available for them to
work with, especially vehicles.
Freedom of the press
The freedom of the press is enunciated in the Nigerian constitution.
There should, however, be a freedom with checks. The Nigerian
press is one of the freest in Africa. I want to use this opportunity
to tell people that they should not misuse the freedom to
insult our leaders. Use polite language, make your points,
and treat issues well. Don’t be emotional. A journalist
does not have to publish all information made available to
him and people should not keep useful information away from
the journalist. Let them know what is happening so that they
can report it and a change done to whatever it is, so that
there will be a change also in the society. The journalist
should also operate the freedom with responsibility.
Advise for those preparing to retires
They should not be afraid to retire. They should be ready
to face the challenges of life. When you retire, you discover
that you have time for your own business.
Advise for future broadcaster
You must be ready to read wide because you have to be sound
in the way you express yourself. You need to have a wide knowledge
of your place and the people.
You must know a little bit of everything and must be adaptable
to situations.
Don’t be in any clique in any organisation, it doesn’t
help.
Challenges
Trying to go to school was a big challenge. I wanted to be
a lecturer but discovered that I would be better a broadcaster.
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