
By Oluwatoyin Hawal Momolosho
In its second virtual meeting, Career Development With Augustina Armstrong-Ogbonna (CDWAA) connected with students undergoing basic training at the National Broadcast Academy (NBA), Radio Nigeria, Ikeja, Lagos State. The session aimed to assess students’ progress and featured experienced journalists who provided insights into the different stages of media development, from the fundamentals to professional recognition.
The Zoom session, held on January 31, hosted 19 participants, including industry experts who guided students through the media landscape and its various roles. Attendees, including students specializing in journalism, presentation, and production, described the session as one of the most engaging and informative they had attended. Despite their classroom training, they found the insights from industry professionals invaluable.
One of the invited experts, Sharon Dede Ogunleye, a seasoned multimedia journalist with two decades of experience, shared her journey and professional advice. She began her career as a journalist before gaining admission into NBA, Lagos, to study journalism. Covering diverse stories from various communities, Ogunleye’s work has taken her beyond Nigeria, and she continues to thrive in the field.”
In journalism, three things are crucial: showing up, consistency, and delivering results. If you stick to these, you can succeed anywhere,” she emphasized.
She also dispelled the misconception that media professionals earn substantial money immediately.
“Journalism is not something you start today and expect to make huge money from right away. Dedication and focus are key. If something unusual happens in your community, report it—people outside your area need to know. Always include your byline in your stories. No matter how rushed you are, ensure your name is credited—it builds your professional identity,” Ogunleye advised.
Encouraging students to expand their networks, Armstrong-Ogbonna added, “While working on stories, remember to network and build connections both within and beyond Nigeria.
Take inspiration from Sharon’s journey—she connected with a media organization in Turkey and now works internationally. Keep an open mind.
“The second speaker, Richard Oluwaseun Ekpo, a seasoned broadcaster and current Head of News at Honour FM, Ibadan, shared insights into the broadcasting industry. A distinguished NBA graduate, Ekpo has been in the industry for over 25 years. His career began as a photographer before he pursued further studies at the academy. His training at NBA helped shape his progression in broadcasting, leading to opportunities in several media organizations as a presenter, producer, and media manager.
“As a broadcast student, you cannot focus solely on presenting. You need to understand production so that if your production team is unavailable, you can handle things yourself. Learn, unlearn, and relearn, because broadcasting comes with challenges,” he said.
Ekpo introduced the POVER technique—Prepare, Outline, Visualize, Engage, and Relax—as essential for effective presentation as an “On-Air Personality” in broadcast media.
“Many presenters today enter the studio and start speaking without preparation. Don’t do that. Train yourself to be unique in your approach,” he advised. Armstrong-Ogbonna echoed his sentiments, adding, “Mastering tone and delivery is key.
Have you heard Mr. Richard speak? He’s one of the best. You can reach out to him on social media for further guidance—he’s always willing to help.” Abolade Oyeyemi Esther, a journalism student, described the session as enlightening and inspiring, surpassing the previous meeting.”
It was even more insightful than the last session and highly encouraging. It made me realize that the path to success requires effort and resilience. Hearing their stories showed how much dedication they invested in their careers before achieving success. I hope to find the strength to excel in journalism as well,” she shared.
Career Development With Augustina Armstrong-Ogbonna (CDWAA) is an initiative created by a Nigerian-US-based, award-winning journalist and social justice advocate.
A graduate of the National Broadcast Academy, class of 2009, Armstrong-Ogbonna established the platform with the aim of giving back to the community by sharing the knowledge and experiences that transformed her life. She aspires to provide opportunities for aspiring media professionals, helping them strengthen their skills and find their path in the industry after graduation.
According to Armstrong-Ogbonna, the head of CDWAA, “If I can do it and make it to this level, then you too can achieve success from the little opportunity I offer you—and even do better than me. Just focus and train your mindset,” she concluded.
Oluwatoyin Hawal Momolosho, a journalist, creative writer, and community developer, he can be reached via: Oluwatoyinhawalbolaji@gmail.com