Gratitude & Reflection @ 56 – Qasim Akinreti, Ph.D

I woke up this morning feeling fulfilled for Alah’s Grace and blessings over the years. After Tahajud (Special)prayer, I reflected on two verses from the Holy Quran, suratul Banail Isrooil, verses 21 : . “We provide both the former and the latter from the bounty of your Lord. And the bounty of your Lord can never be withheld”. This was quite instructive to me on this memorable day and journey through life. At every turn in my life, Allah swt has always sent someone to assist me in achieving my dream. Here is my gratitude and reflection.

Early Life

I was born on the 10th of October 1967 in Kainji, Borgi Emirate, Niger State to Mr. Mudathir Oladepo Akinreti and Mrs Sidikat Leyo Olayade from Ile Ife, Osun State, Southwest Nigeria. My father is a Driver and my mother a Sewing mistress or tailor in popular parlance.

My father was employed by the Niger Dam Authority, the company that built the Kainji Dam and set for Ibadan at the completion and inauguration of the hydro dam project.

Ibadan was my home for 20 years. I had primary, secondary, and university education in the ancient city. Except for a two-year break for the Higher School Certificate, HSC, programme at Oduduwa College, Ile Ife. I struggle through life working with my father to provide the daily meal as a ” Bus Conductor”. My father owns a commercial Bus-popular called ” Danfo”. I joined him from primary three till form Four. This work put extra pressure on him to excel in class at both Seventh Day Adventists Primary School and Holy Trinity Grammar School, Ibadan. Some of my classmates in Primary school were Biodun Oladunjoye, Director of Press Presidency, Abuja, and Dr Lanre Obasa, a Medical Director in Benin, Edo State. Mama Oladunjoye, my primary school teacher was instrumental in my admission into the Holy Trinity Grammar School, where his husband was the principal.

Higher Education

Dr Lanre Obasa’s father assisted me to get admission for HSC, at Oduduwa College after his son had secured admission into Government College Ibadan for HSC, too. In those days, it was taboo not to be in school, when your mates were in school, you must also find Mr. Dele Ilugbo, my Uncle’s friend, at Loyola College who came to my rescue for the University education at the prestigious premier university of Ibadan.

After the HSC, my plan was to sit for the Joint Admission and Matriculations Examinations due to my inability to score 8 points for Communication Art. I had only 4 points from the A levels results. Mr Ilugbo counselled that I should accept the offer of a degree in Special Education and later go for a Post Graduate programme in Journalism my chosen career since Secondary School. He guided me through to seek admission at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba Lagos.

It is remarkable that I got a scholarship from Ife Development Board, IDB, to study PGD Journalism at NIJ. This favour came through Sooko Kole Adediwura, who was then the President of Ife Students Descendants Association, NIDSA. Prince Adeyemo, of Amicable Insurance paid the tuition.

The Career Years

Late Yaya Abubakar, Tunji Oseni, Mohammed Okoreijor, Ben Egbuna, Dayo Roberts, Taiwo Alimi, Abubakar Jijiwa, Victor Kodesoh, Okey Nwachukwu, Ben Shemang, Ahaziah Sulyman and Austeen Elewodalu, played key roles in my career as a broadcaster and academic.

Yaya Abubakar, former DG, Voice Of Nigeria, VON, gave me a Job as Editor 11, 26 years ago, in VON after a three-month internship. The internship was facilitated by Late Tunji Oseni, former Director of News. Muhammed Okoreijor, Ben Egbuna, Okey Nwachukwu, Ahaziah Suleiman, Austeen Elewodalu, Hajia Sani and Yinka Atolagbe saw to my career progression.

During the Internship, Victor Kodesho, Ben Shemang and Late Dayo Roberts were there for me. Victor Kodesoh was the Head of Reportorial, Ben Shemang was the Defence Correspondent, and Late Dayo Robert was in charge of Current Affairs. I honed my reportorial and production skills from these great men. Victor Kodesoh pushed me hard to report live from the NNPC assignment in Escravos, Forcados and Eleme Petrochemicals in Portharcourt. Ben Shemang boosted my confidence to rob shoulders with the Defence Correspondent when I followed him to Dodan Barracks to cover the takeover of government by Major Muhammadu Buhari in 1994.

Okey Nwachukwu, Ahaziah Suleiman, Austeen Elewodalu, Hajia Sani and Yinka Atolagbe commented on Aper Forms and sat my promotion interviews. I owe you a lot of gratitude thus far.

International Trainings, Academic and Adjunct faculty work

Aremo Taiwo Alimi, former DG, VON set the ball rolling for international trainings in Singapore in the year 2000 under the auspices of the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association Fellowship. I attended the Internet Broadcasters Course at the Caldecott Media Center, Singapore, Asia. Masters Programme in Online Journalism, at Nottingham Trent University followed in 2002-2003. Aremo Alimi approved my travel to the UK. Abubakar Jijiwa saw it through, when he became the DG. When the time for the internship at the BBC Nottingham was proposed, Alhaji Ayodele Sulyman, ensured I had a good time at BBC Nottingham. The generosity of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was exemplified through appropriate gestures from the head of the community worldwide, Late Hazrat Tahir Ahmad. He approved funds for my full boarding in Nottingham through the recommendations often-then Amir Alhaji Maishanu as well as Naib Amir, Alhaji Al Hassan

On my return to Nigeria from the UK. Favours from Allah swt came through the recommendations of Uncle Taiwo Obe to the Pan Atlantic University, School of Media and Communication Studies, Lagos to provide adjunct services on Advanced Writing Skills/ Writing For The Web to students on a part-time basis. Professor Biakolo, Dean of PAU, was very warm to me. These part-time facilitation programs span through the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, NIJ, Lagos State University, School of Communication and Yaba College of Technology, Mass Communication department. Mr Okey Nwachukwu gave the permission for adjunct assistance for me to teach Online Journalism, through a request from Dr Elizabeth Nkem, the then Provost, NIJ. He also approves a series of offshore trainings by Highway Africa group, at Witts University, South Africa.

Recommendations for My full academic programs for MPhil and PhD at Babcock University, Ilishan Remo, were coordinated by the Mr Austeen Elewodalu, Deputy Director News, and Ahaziah Sulyman, Director News then for the approval of Mr Okey Nwachukwu, Executive Director News.

At Babcock University, I found Allah’s favours through my loving lecturers, led by the Late Professor Alao, and a host of others. Writing academic papers was made compulsory by these dogged lecturers.

The Unionism Era

This was the golden era of my sojourn to this day. Lagos State Council of NUJ was the platform that added to my credentials. I learnt from Supo Orija, Abbah Tahir, Late Adolphus Okonkwo, Gina Daka Osika, and a host of others. My emergence as the Chairman NUJ, between, 2017-2020. I delivered on promises of accountability, transparency, welfare for members, innovations, and respect for the profession. The Abaren Land mess was cleared. The desire to build a new secretariat for the Union was instructive. Today an iconic building stands tall along Iyalla Street. it was a result of teamwork during my era. My successor Adeleye Ajayi completed the building and consolidated on the progress made.
I am eternally grateful for the support of members of the union within and outside. Comrade Muhammad Garba, Waheed Odusile, Wahab Oba, Gbenga Adefaye, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Lanre Arogundade, Kehinde Bamigbetan, Bolaji Adebiyi, (Baba Abdullah, Late Baba Odebiyi, and a host of others, your support and understanding are valuable to my success in life. A book on my service years at NUJ, in the offing will capture all.

As I count my favours, blessings, and gratitude to ALLAH SWT, I dedicate the remaining part of my life to serving God and humanity.

Qasim Akinreti, Ph.D,

Deputy Director Digital Media Voice of Nigeria, Former Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists, Lagos State Council