PICK ME!

From when I was very little, I’ve always loved talking, writing, and ‘fighting for others’, as my mother would put it. Till this day my father calls me his ‘lioness’; he says he’s seen that I cannot be deterred or thrown off when I set my heart or hands at something I believe in.

After failing to score the grades required to study to become a medical doctor (I wonder why I ever thought I could get past science subjects I never did well in), I thought about law. A visit to my fathers’ lawyer friend changed; there were too many gigantic, ancient looking books, and his office was a mess because he was trying to find a case. I stumbled on Mass Communication which I am eternally grateful to God for because with benefit of hindsight, I don’t think I could done better in any other field!

Mass communication has broadened my horizons, and opened doors for me to pursue my childhood passions which are writing, talking, and ‘fighting for people’. It fed and honed my personal vision of being a renowned voice for anyone who didn’t have one. Naïve and a little unrealistic at first, I have modified and made it more feasible as I have grown. For starters, I will accomplish little and wear myself out sooner if I decide to ‘take on the world’, regardless of how noble my intentions are.

My vision for myself is centred on the dissemination of information to people who would normally not have access to that information, and also to tell others about these people whose voices would hitherto have not been heard. To that effect, my 10 year plan is to first have a syndicated radio and television programme where stories of the lives of ordinary Nigerians are told. The second part is to have run an organization called TBAM (Two Books a Month) which is dedicated to running a book club for disadvantaged children. Full information about TBAM can be found here http://fairygodsister.wordpress.com/2010/10/28/two-books-a-month-tbam/.

Why do I want to be a Voices Of The Future correspondent? I desperately want the empowerment and the publicity that the platform will give on the one hand, and then more importantly, the mentorship, training, and the close interaction with the learned tutors we’ll have. Over the years, I’ve learnt that classroom knowledge is one thing, but knowledge garnered via experience is invaluable.

Still on the mentors, I believe that I am closer to achieving my visions than ever before, and it would be helpful to drop those dreams and the models I have drawn up for them in the laps of experienced personnel for them to nurture, correct, and help me readjust keeping feasibility, funding, and maximum reach in mind.

Finally, I think I need to be curtailed and have someone ‘keep me in check’ so I don’t run amok with the many ideas that run through my head. Over the years I have found that it is somewhat easy for me to abandon one idea for another. The TBAM and radio/TV ideas have been with me for about nine years now, and that’s how I know they have come to stay.
However, with recent happenings in my country, issues around women (especially violence) are at the top of my mind now and I believe that working with and constantly reporting to a mentor will help me stay on track, but more importantly, incorporate my new drives with the existing, and still be as efficient/successful.

Also, studying Social Media has shown me that power belongs with the people, rather with leaders and influential/wealthy people. The little time I have spent on World Pulse has exposed me to different cultures, people, experiences etc., and it is an opportunity for me to do what I’ve always loved to do, tell stories.

Please take me one step up the ladder of fulfilling my dream, pick me as one of the 2011 Voices of Our Future correspondents!