Female journalists have been charged to widen their horizons and venture into media entrepreneurship.
Basheer Luqman Olarewaju, a member of the National Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) gave the charge at a day seminar organised by Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Kwara State chapter in collaboration with Tascon Plastic Ind. LTD, Mistufik Global Resources Nigeria Limited and Mannnabiz Oil LTD.
Speaking on the theme “Women Journalists and Entrepreneurship”, Olarewaju said female journalists have to use their talent wisely by exploring opportunities in the media landscape.
Information and marketing according to him is beyond what most women journalists perceived it to be, adding that media messages, be it news or advert could be turned into commodities and sold.
“Journalists need to pay adequate attention to business in journalism. Leverage media and upgrade your talent. Nose for news is not enough, you need to think outside the box and maximise media opportunities.
“What you need to develop in your career include; marketing, email letters business, prepare business plan for people, podcast.”
Otunba Isaac Amao, an expert in oil and gas and real estate business said, entrepreneurship is the process of creating a new business, involving innovation, risk-taking and resource management.
He added that women journalists must identify a problem and have the ability to solve it. Amao, who linked journalism with entrepreneurship, emphasised why women should leverage on the career opportunities.
“Women are good managers, and entrepreneur requires ideas. Therefore, break barrier through diversity and representation, story telling, content creation, be innovative, know your passion, be focused and committed to make stand out from your peers,” he advised.
Earlier, Bola Ipinlaye, the Chairperson, of the Nigeria Union of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) explained that series three of the seminar is the 6th of its kind since the leadership of the association started training members in March this year.
“We prioritise training for our members to ensure that they are up to date in terms of knowledge and exposure and that informed why we are here today.”
She tasked participants to utilise knowledge gained judiciously.
In his goodwill message, Abdullateef Ahmed, the Chairman of Kwara State NUJ stressed the need for women journalists to diversify by tapping into media partnerships. He posits that even as he called for the continuation of such engagement for women journalists to be empowered intellectually.
