By John Ikani
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Thursday in Yenagoa hosted a book reading event with a special focus on how writers could practise their art beneficially, utilising available digital resources.
Declaring the event open at the Harold Dappa-Biriye Conference Hall, Golden Tulip Apartments and Resort, Ovom, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, said the Board in its commitment to capacity building for Nigerian companies and citizens to participate in the oil and gas industry deemed it pertinent to assist writers, journalists and university undergraduates in honing their writing skills for service in and out of the industry.
He noted that a well-researched 2024 publication by a renowned Abuja-based media practitioner, Mr. Azu Ishiekwene, titled Writing for Media and Monetising It had critically important contents that could educate journalists and writers as well as students on the state of the media industry globally in present times and the necessary adjustments required to thrive.
The Executive Secretary, who was represented by the General Manager, Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, Esueme Dan Kikile Esq. said, “We wanted to ensure that there is an opportunity for the media and students in this environment to tap from the knowledge of Mr. Ishiekwene,” whom he noted had over 35 years of experience in reporting and editorial positions as well as management.
While appreciating the presence of leading members of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), journalists, writers and students at the event, he said, “We believe that we can build the capacity of those who practise within this space,” and that at NCDMB, “talent development is key to delivering our mandate.”
In the book reading segment, the author, Ishiekwene commended the NCDMB for the initiative which he noted was “to inspire the next generation of authors and writers.” Taking the audience through different chapters of the book, he highlighted pathways to rewarding media practice in the digital age.
In ‘Finding Your Voice,’ the title of Chapter 1, he explained that a young writer has to try their hands “at some form of content creation,” possibly starting by studying the styles of distinguished writers, and bearing in mind that “persistence is key to self-discovery.” Practice, he stated, is “the best way to find your voice,” starting with a blog or the like, and striving to expand one’s reading list.
The Abuja-based fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors dwelt at length on “Using AI [Artificial Intelligence] and keeping your originality,” repeatedly emphasising that the writer “understand the scope and limits of AI in writing” and “examine strategies for striking a balance between AI assistance and personal touch.”
On “Making money,” he reminded his listeners of a quote by Bill Gates, “Content is King.” He said, “It is good if you trained as a journalist, but you don’t really need a degree in anything to create content for which you can earn money.”
Recounting his own experience to date, he noted that “money flows in the direction of value” and that his days of little beginning taught him what was possible “by consistently looking for value” in his literary effort.
As the exercise drew to a close, a former Chairman of the Bayelsa State Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Mr. Nengi Ilagha, thanked Ishiekwene for the ideas and knowledge he imparted and for excellent delivery. The same sentiments were expressed by the moderator of the event, Dr. Doubra Timiwood.
Ishiekwene is the Senior Vice Chairman/Editor-in-Chief, Leadership Group, Abuja, and a Director of the Dantiye Centre for Good Leadership and Journalism, a capacity building centre indirectly accredited to the African Union Economic Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC).
