Olufemi Alfred opined it takes commitment and hard work to balance academics and journalism.
"The Maverick" for Week 6 is none other than the award-winning Journalist, Olufemi Alfred.
Intr: Hi
Intr: Could you please introduce yourself to our readers?
Alfred- I'm Olufemi Alfred Olusegun, a journalist and a penultimate year student of English Department. A member of different organizations; journalism, religious and sports-related bodies.
Intr: Good to have you here... So, great ife community... How's been your experience so far?
Alfred- An intriguing experience, I must say. It helped in defining my goals and ambitions. The networking actually goes beyond campus. But everything started in OAU.
Intr: it's great to have you here with us sir.... So, our team has identified you as a Maverick... How do you feel about this?
Alfred- To be candid, I am happy. Never knew some are watching when doing my things.
Intr: kindly describe your extra curricular exploit to the readers. Like what you do as a Maverick.
Alfred- A journalist with Premium Times newspaper, the editor-in-chief of OAU KILONSHELE news agency and a handball goalkeeper.
Intr: How do you juggle between your academics and professional journalism?
Alfred- It has not been an easy ride. Takes commitment and hard work to balance both. You want to maintain a CGPA of 3+ points and you have stories to write and news articles to edit. Time management and setting priorities are key.
Intr: Of all interests you could pick up, why Journalism? How did you start? What drew your consciousness to journalism?
Alfred- I just wanted to be an exceptional writer even before I resumed on campus. I applied to OAU KILONSHELE news agency and started in September 2016. What drew my consciousness was the dire need to know which is inherent in all humans. I saw mine as a service to humanity and I didn't regret venturing into that. Afterwards, I attended a programme organized by Premium Times Centre for investigative journalism (PTCIJ) in 2017 . It gave me the professional training and the exposure needed.
Intr- What made you think you had to do something aside academics?
Alfred- I felt the university is too big and four years too lengthy to be spent on academics alone. It makes one's stay boring too. Books, books and books alone? No.
Intr- What's your greatest resource being a Journalist ? What's your best tool?
Alfred- Social media. Particularly Facebook. I've enjoyed networking and generating of story ideas using social media platforms. Engage your audience and interact with them.
Intr- What would you say to the notion that Journalists don't make as much money as they should be making for bringing the truth to the masses' ears?
Alfred- Yes. No amount of money paid can commiserate with the job of a Journalist. However, the industry is competitive and only for the exceptional ones. Many media houses don't pay their workers regularly too. The welfare of journalists matters a whole lot.
Intr: How has been response from home? Supportive or not?
Alfred- To a point, they've been supportive. But I also make it a duty to convince them every time. I assure them that the future is bright.
Intr: As learnt sir, your currently writing for Premium Times which to many is the best electronic investigative media outlet, how did that happen? How has it been working for them?
Alfred- I got the opportunity after the PTCIJ training. It's good tasting the experience of the mainstream Journalists as a student. It makes one prepare very hard for future challenges.
Intr- Any comment on the current PACT decision to work for and support Fela Durotoye as favorite? Also, what would you say about Saraki's declaration to run for Presidency and how he's being slapped for hijacking and staining the "not too young to run" initiative?
Alfred- Like I've always opined, personal interests will always mar any political alliance no matter the level of education or how sound the members are politically. Politics itself is a game of interest. As a matter of fact, PACT exists only on paper. Everyone is too ambitious to support another.
Alfred- Saraki only wanted to use the initiative to score cheap points on the youths. He needed to appeal to their emotions. I'm happy to get the response of the "not too young to run" initiative members. But, it is important to note that good governance is not a function of age. Mandela ruled South Africa in his old age.
Intr- Hmmm, you really do know your politics (smiles)
Intr- Have you ever had a " I don't think I can go on" moment? If yes, what happened and how did you handle it? If no, how manage?
Alfred- Several times. Especially when you get threats from friends and relatives over a news article or an opinionated article. But the public good, which is the utmost concern, has been keeping me. The masses above any authority or anybody.
Intr: Where do you see yourself in five years? You as a person and your pursuit.
Alfred- God knows the best. I'm sure I'll be done with my studies by then. I don't want to go further on that (smiles).
Intr- Do you have anything you'd like to say to OAU students who would want to practice Journalism?
Alfred- A lot of people have met me and asked similar question. The truth is most people are only interested in the fame and glamour of being a media person. If you are convinced that you really want to practice journalism. Proceed! But let the driving force not be the quest for fame or money but self-conviction and passion.
Intr- The trend in the world is to BECOME somebody, you'd have to do what others aren't doing. What advice would you give a student that wants to combine like you but hasn't got the courage to?
Alfred- The rules of nature and self-conviction are applicable in this case too. Do it because you want to do and not because others are doing it. More so, mine is journalism and sports, yours may be business and music or one out of all. In fact, yours can be academics alone. Be sure you want to do it. Most importantly, surround yourself with mentors in your chosen field.
Intr: Before we end our chat sir, you've been really awesome, is there a lady in your life telling others to stay away? (Smiles)
Alfred- No. I have female friends but nothing serious.
Intr- Hmmmm. Well, we can tell girls to keep sending their application forms. It was nice talking with you sir.
Alfred- Thank you for having me.
Intr: Hi
Intr: Could you please introduce yourself to our readers?
Alfred- I'm Olufemi Alfred Olusegun, a journalist and a penultimate year student of English Department. A member of different organizations; journalism, religious and sports-related bodies.
Intr: Good to have you here... So, great ife community... How's been your experience so far?
Alfred- An intriguing experience, I must say. It helped in defining my goals and ambitions. The networking actually goes beyond campus. But everything started in OAU.
Intr: it's great to have you here with us sir.... So, our team has identified you as a Maverick... How do you feel about this?
Alfred- To be candid, I am happy. Never knew some are watching when doing my things.
Intr: kindly describe your extra curricular exploit to the readers. Like what you do as a Maverick.
Alfred- A journalist with Premium Times newspaper, the editor-in-chief of OAU KILONSHELE news agency and a handball goalkeeper.
Intr: How do you juggle between your academics and professional journalism?
Alfred- It has not been an easy ride. Takes commitment and hard work to balance both. You want to maintain a CGPA of 3+ points and you have stories to write and news articles to edit. Time management and setting priorities are key.
Intr: Of all interests you could pick up, why Journalism? How did you start? What drew your consciousness to journalism?
Alfred- I just wanted to be an exceptional writer even before I resumed on campus. I applied to OAU KILONSHELE news agency and started in September 2016. What drew my consciousness was the dire need to know which is inherent in all humans. I saw mine as a service to humanity and I didn't regret venturing into that. Afterwards, I attended a programme organized by Premium Times Centre for investigative journalism (PTCIJ) in 2017 . It gave me the professional training and the exposure needed.
Intr- What made you think you had to do something aside academics?
Alfred- I felt the university is too big and four years too lengthy to be spent on academics alone. It makes one's stay boring too. Books, books and books alone? No.
Intr- What's your greatest resource being a Journalist ? What's your best tool?
Alfred- Social media. Particularly Facebook. I've enjoyed networking and generating of story ideas using social media platforms. Engage your audience and interact with them.
Intr- What would you say to the notion that Journalists don't make as much money as they should be making for bringing the truth to the masses' ears?
Alfred- Yes. No amount of money paid can commiserate with the job of a Journalist. However, the industry is competitive and only for the exceptional ones. Many media houses don't pay their workers regularly too. The welfare of journalists matters a whole lot.
Intr: How has been response from home? Supportive or not?
Alfred- To a point, they've been supportive. But I also make it a duty to convince them every time. I assure them that the future is bright.
Intr: As learnt sir, your currently writing for Premium Times which to many is the best electronic investigative media outlet, how did that happen? How has it been working for them?
Alfred- I got the opportunity after the PTCIJ training. It's good tasting the experience of the mainstream Journalists as a student. It makes one prepare very hard for future challenges.
Intr- Any comment on the current PACT decision to work for and support Fela Durotoye as favorite? Also, what would you say about Saraki's declaration to run for Presidency and how he's being slapped for hijacking and staining the "not too young to run" initiative?
Alfred- Like I've always opined, personal interests will always mar any political alliance no matter the level of education or how sound the members are politically. Politics itself is a game of interest. As a matter of fact, PACT exists only on paper. Everyone is too ambitious to support another.
Alfred- Saraki only wanted to use the initiative to score cheap points on the youths. He needed to appeal to their emotions. I'm happy to get the response of the "not too young to run" initiative members. But, it is important to note that good governance is not a function of age. Mandela ruled South Africa in his old age.
Intr- Hmmm, you really do know your politics (smiles)
Intr- Have you ever had a " I don't think I can go on" moment? If yes, what happened and how did you handle it? If no, how manage?
Alfred- Several times. Especially when you get threats from friends and relatives over a news article or an opinionated article. But the public good, which is the utmost concern, has been keeping me. The masses above any authority or anybody.
Intr: Where do you see yourself in five years? You as a person and your pursuit.
Alfred- God knows the best. I'm sure I'll be done with my studies by then. I don't want to go further on that (smiles).
Intr- Do you have anything you'd like to say to OAU students who would want to practice Journalism?
Alfred- A lot of people have met me and asked similar question. The truth is most people are only interested in the fame and glamour of being a media person. If you are convinced that you really want to practice journalism. Proceed! But let the driving force not be the quest for fame or money but self-conviction and passion.
Intr- The trend in the world is to BECOME somebody, you'd have to do what others aren't doing. What advice would you give a student that wants to combine like you but hasn't got the courage to?
Alfred- The rules of nature and self-conviction are applicable in this case too. Do it because you want to do and not because others are doing it. More so, mine is journalism and sports, yours may be business and music or one out of all. In fact, yours can be academics alone. Be sure you want to do it. Most importantly, surround yourself with mentors in your chosen field.
Intr: Before we end our chat sir, you've been really awesome, is there a lady in your life telling others to stay away? (Smiles)
Alfred- No. I have female friends but nothing serious.
Intr- Hmmmm. Well, we can tell girls to keep sending their application forms. It was nice talking with you sir.
Alfred- Thank you for having me.
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