The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has officially unveiled the book ‘Writing for Media and Monetising It’ written by the Editor-in-Chief of LEADERSHIP newspaper, Azu Ishiekwene.
The Minister, who was also the chairman of the event, gave the welcoming speech. He urged everyone to uplift the implementation of freedom of speech.
He also urged
“media practitioners to exercise freedom of speech with a sense of duty, ethics and patriotism and also ensure that information disseminated to the public is accurate, balanced and devoid of sensationalism and is in the national interest”.
The Chairman of LEADERSHIP Media Group, Zainab Nda-Isaiah also spoke at the event as the Chief Host.
Mrs Nda-Isaiah said that despite the immense contribution of journalists, writers, and columnists in shaping public opinion and driving change, many of them the world over were languishing in penury.
She, however, said she believed Ishiekwene’s book would afford prospective readers, writers and columnists a veritable instrument that would “propel them out of obscurity and penury.”
She said:
“Writers and columnists are thought leaders, who offer great perspectives and challenge the status quo. Their words have the power to inspire change, spark debates and mobilize action, yet it is rather unfortunate that many columnists and writers the world over in my words, are ‘broke’ for lack of a better word.
“I believe that it is this conundrum that brought the idea of writing this book to the offer. This book is a comprehensive guide that covers the entire process of writing.
“This book is in a class of its own because it focuses on the craft of monetising the art of great writing. To achieve this, the author has shared insights, experience and real-life accounts from other renowned people in the industry.”
Mrs Nda-Isaiah described Azu as a “mentor, a friend a colleague,” who has spent many fruitful years in the media industry working in different capacities.
She also acknowledged the author’s dedication to duty and his capacity to pay attention to details and qualities that have sharpened his craft, writing articles on diverse issues which helped to produce the book which she said has become “a game changer”.
The book was reviewed by popular newspaper columnist and TV anchor, Dr. Reuben Abati.
Abati in the humorous introduction of his review said he found out from the book that the title is ‘misleading’.
He also praised Azu’s writing skills and how he has expertly written a book that is not just for Journalists.
Others at the event include the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, senior journalists, writers, public relations practitioners, businessmen and women.