This is my story

December 31st 2004, I got a letter from The Graphic News (Kogi State Newspaper) to work as their correspondent in Kwara state; with great enthusiasm, I was happy that I will for once practice what I studied in the professional institute of Journalism.

My name is Toyin Adurodija Adebayo a season and a citizen journalist with a passion for disseminating information across the globe. I work with the National Life Newspaper located in Lagos, Nigeria as their Kwara State correspondent.

On resumption to office in Kwara I discovered I was the only female correspondent among thirty male counterparts. Though victimized I was determined to make a better journalist than my male counterparts.

I strive hard to seek training opportunities both locally and international to improve my way of reporting issues especially that which concerns issues related to women and girls.

As a reporter that has no power over what is published due to publisher , economical, and technological constraint ; in November 2010 I decided to have a personal blog (www.gladys-nigeriannews-gladys.blogspot.com)where I can report no matter whose ox is gored and in May 2011 I launched my personal website (www.Dailypost-ng.com).

Born on the 29th of July 1979 to the family of late Mr. Phillip Adurodija and Mrs. Felicia Adurodija from Ogori in Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area of Kogi state, Nigeria and married to Mr. Olalekan Adebayo in February 2010.

I started my academic career in Ogori at the St Peters Anglican Primary School and proceed to Community Comprehensive High School Ogori for my secondary education and graduated in 1993, I proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism and graduated with a lower credit in 1999. In 2001 gained admission into the Kwara State polytechnic, Ilorin, Kwara state for a certificate course in Public Administration with lower credit.2004 I decided to further my education, I got admission in to the University of Ado-Ekiti to study English Education In 2009 I graduated with Second Class Lower Division Hons. Immediately I finished my degree I enrolled into the University of Ilorin for a certificate course in Computer Science.

The trainings I attended include: Journalism Development Programme in the Nigerian Education Sector, December 2010.Organized by DEVCOMS NETWORK and ESSPIN/ DEPARTMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT UK, PEACE JOURNALISM: Analyzing and Reporting Conflict, October 2009. Organized by JUSTICE, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE COMMISSION, and Media Ethics, December 2009.Organized by Media Ethics Organization.

My social responsibilities are: In 2009 I contested for the post of the Treasurer of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists Kwara State Chapter and won, the position I hold to date. I intend to contest the Chairmanship of the association come 2012.

My passion for women who are disadvantaged in a developing country like Nigerian, led me to become a citizen journalist where I can report without being question.

A day where my report was censored and in most cases when I write on feminine issues and is not used due to their personal interest, I decided to Google the internet for opportunities where I can express myself without fear and got know about World pulse. Full of joy I decided to join an international group that speaks for women and girls all over the world.

I have been going for local training but have not been opportune to relate with other grassroots leaders and friends that share the same vision and mission with me.

With the knowledge I would gain from the training, I would be able to impact it to my fellow Nigerian Association of Women Journalists Kwara State Chapter so that they can also become a voice for women in Nigeria as I have been looking for opportunities to move the association forward by training a nation through women.

This programme would afford me the opportunity to express and write on women related issues and disseminate the information through the new media and social networking such as facebook, twitter, Skype, blog to mention a few.