| Nigerian journalists
best in the world – Tunde Richard
By TESSY OKOYE
Wednesday,
January 2, 2008
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Johnson
Photo: Sun News Publishing |
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Long after quitting active journalism practice to labour
in the Lord’s vineyard, Tunde Richard still does not
mince words in describing himself as a member of the fourth
estate of the realm. He tells you that there is a nexus between
the two; they are both tools for information dissemination.
Without equivocation, he says if given another chance, he
would jump at the opportunity to be a member of the pen family.
And he is dead serious about it. Ask him how his experience
as a journalist has impacted on his calling as a preacher,
and you will see youthful face dissolve into a sweet grin.
“A lot. Journalism more than prepared me for the pulpit.
My present calling is an extension of my journalism career.
If you can survive as a journalist, you can survive in any
other field. As I said, if I have second chance, I would still
be a journalist.”
Background
I was a media practitioner for quite some time. But now, I
work in the vineyard of the Lord as a minister of the gospel.
I read Marketing at Kaduna Polytechnic. I also studied Marketing
at the Standard Institute of Marketing in the UK. I lectured
briefly at Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State. I have been a specialist
in marketing communication for the past 20 years.
I became a journalist by accident. I joined the profession
out of love for adventure. When I was looking for a job and
applied to Daily Times, I was the only person employed out
of the seven that attended the interview. I was interviewed
by Prince Tony Momoh.
I joined Daily Times in 1983. Then it was known as Times Leisure
Services. I later became acting editor for the desk. We were
mainly into promotional event. I was in charge of the promotional
exhibitions department and worked under Mr. Peter Osugo. I
pioneered so many exhibitions, which included building exhibition,
building and construction fashion shows.
We paved the way for most of the top fashion designers you
have today. Our focus then was to look at sectors in the industry
that were not well covered. With constant spotlight on our
fashion industry, people like former first lady, Mrs. Mariam
Babangida started patronising locally made fabrics and designers.
I was with Daily Times till 1988 when I moved to National
Concord. In Concord, we merged editorial function with business.
When Concord folded up, I left to float a business magazine
called Premium Investment with some friends. It was printed
in Dubai and circulated in Africa.
Journalism in the blood
I would still like to find myself in the media community if
another opportunity presents itself. Despite being a pastor,
I still see myself as a media person. Ministerial work can
be akin to journalism. They both have to do with dissemination
of important information to people in the society. Journalism
now flows in my family’s blood as my daughter has taken
after me. She is studying History and International Relations,
but she is already a broadcaster in a private radio station
owned by her tertiary institution.
FOIB
If passed into law, the Freedom of Information Bill would
chart a new path for journalism in the country. It would lead
to a better era that would usher in massive revolution in
the media industry. How well the press uses the information
at their disposal would determine the future of the industry.
Another factor that dictates the future of the media industry
is technological development. Technology has given journalism
all the opportunity it needs to thrive. I believe that very
soon, printing of newspaper would be a thing of the past.
This might, in no time, be overtaken by a better and more
efficient technology.
I believe more should be done to encourage journalists on
special beat. People should be allowed to develop themselves
and be experts in their field. You can see the way Concord
Press was killed. That type of a thing wouldn’t have
happened in a democratic setting.
Nigerian journalists, best in the world
Editorial contents are the power of every newspaper. If it
is threatened, readers might be denied the information they
deserve. Nigerian journalism has come to stay. For it to have
survived against all odds shows that nothing can militate
against its survival. One thing I discovered about our society
is that they don’t appreciate media practitioners. The
saying that a prophet is never recognised in his home-town
is true in Nigeria. Journalists are not respected. Their worth
is better appreciated in other countries of the world. They
are the ones virtually winning all laurels and trophies outside
the country. Nigerian reporters are best in the world and
are respected anywhere they go.
Regrets
I don’t have any regret. Though I would say the practice
is better now, I would wish journalists are allowed to practice
in a favourable environment. Many things militate against
the success of journalism in Nigeria. One of them is job security
and lack of access to classified information. Journalism in
our time was like a strait-jacket thing. The rules were strict.
There was nothing like award or any form of encouragement.
But you are expected to deliver. There were also more of intimidation
and less of interaction between juniors and seniors. Many
journalists were afraid to write objectively because of powers
that be. Editorial content is power. Imagine a situation where
a reporter puts in so much energy into a report, only for
him to be told the story must be dropped. And such reporter
knows better than to protest. Job security is the right of
every journalist
Close shave
It was in 1985, while I was with Daily Times we had an exhibition
that General Babangida was meant to present the keynote address.
Very early in the morning, I had to rush down to Times Journalism
Institute, where our office was located. Unfortunately, I
did not know that a coup had taken place that morning. When
I got to Maryland roundabout, I saw many soldiers and people
being manhandled.
The only thing that saved me was the press sticker on my car.
Because after questioning me, they waved me on. Even as I
was driving, an armoured car was following closely behind
me. It was when I got to the office that I was told that a
coup took place. I thank God for sparing my life, because
a lot of innocent people died in that particular military
action.
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