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The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board has revealed that it held a book reading event specifically aimed at guiding writers on how to leverage digital resources to enhance their craft.
Declaring the event open in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State recently, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr Felix Ogbe, noted that 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.
Ogbe noted that a well-researched 2024 publication by a renowned Abuja-based media practitioner, Mr Azu Ishiekwene, titled, “Writing for Media and Monetising” had important content that could educate journalists and writers as well as students on the state of the media industry globally in the present times and the necessary adjustments required to thrive.
The NCDMB ES, represented by the General Manager of Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, Esueme Kikile, 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, who has over 35 years of experience in reporting and editorial positions as well as management.
“We believe that we can build the capacity of those who practise within this space and talent development is key to delivering our mandate.”
During the book reading segment, author Ishiekwene, who is the Senior Vice Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of the Leadership Group, Abuja, and a Director of the Dantiye Centre for Good Leadership and Journalism, praised the NCDMB for its initiative.
He emphasised its aim to inspire the next generation of authors and writers.
He guided the audience through various chapters of the book and outlined strategies for achieving success in media practice in the digital era.
In ‘Finding Your Voice,’ the title of Chapter 1, he explained that a young writer must 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”.
The Abuja-based fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors extensively discussed “Using AI and Maintaining Originality”, stressing the importance for writers to understand the scope and limitations of AI in writing and to explore strategies for balancing AI assistance with a personal touch.
He further said, “It is good if you trained as a journalist, but you don’t need a degree in anything to create content for which you can earn money.”
According to Ogbe, money flows in the direction of value and his days of little beginning taught him what was possible by consistently looking for value in his literary effort.
In his remarks, a former Chairman of the Bayelsa State Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors, Mr Nengi Ilagha, thanked Ishiekwene for the ideas and knowledge he imparted and for excellent delivery.
