Every life around the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) can be better which is why the best government agency according to the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council’s 2024 Half-Year Transparency and Efficiency Compliance report has visited a book reading to lend a hand to writers trying to find a way to apply themselves for growth and income.

Such was the scenario on Thursday 29 August in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa when the Board hosted a book reading event to brush up creatives, both journalists and university undergrads to better cover its activities in the oil and gas industry.

Without stopping sideways to help these demographics, NCDMB might have assisted local engineering companies in improving their jobs, but the task could end up being half-done. At the Harold Dappa-Biriye Conference Hall, Golden Tulip Apartments and Resort, Ovom yesterday, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe although not physically present said his team wants further involvement of the citizens by developing their writing skills for its local content drive and elsewhere.

An Abuja-based media practitioner, Mr Azu Ishiekwene and his recent publication this year titled Writing for Media and Monetising It was being made as an example of efforts that could educate others still growing on navigating indigenous and global media landscapes.

ALSO READ: Ghana’s upstream petroleum regulator flocks around NCDMB’s local content drive for ideas

NCDMB Executive Secretary Ogbe, represented by the Board’s General Manager for Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, Esueme Dan Kikile Esq. admitted what the book reading was all about. It is to ensure that there is an opportunity for the media and students in this environment to tap from the knowledge of Mr Ishiekwene.

Fortunately, the author specimen has over 35 years of experience in reporting, and performing editorial roles which also connect with management. This is why it mattered for someone like him to be with the starters.

Other opportunities were also there for the book-reading audience to learn. It came via the presence of the key members of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) and also the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), journalists, writers and students.

All the personalities encouraged Engr. Ogbe, through his representative to believe that we can build the capacity of those who practise within this space. This is because talent development is key to delivering our mandate, he says.

The title, ‘Finding Your Voice,’ started the first chapter of the group. In there, the guest author explained that a young writer has to try their hands at creating content. Such can begin this journey by studying the styles of distinguished writers, and knowing that persistence is key to self-discovery.

Growth continues with practising owning a blog as well as reading widely without a doubt. With the Artificial Intelligence tech making life better for creatives if they know how to approach it, there is a caution on maintaining a balance and keeping one’s voice.

When it came to the making money topic, the Abuja-based Nigerian Guild of Editors fellow quoted Microsoft founder Bill Gates by saying content is king which is most certainly true for YouTube channels churning out ideas weekly to engage with subscribers in Nigeria, Africa and the globe.

It is good if you trained as a journalist, but you don’t really need a degree in anything to create content for which you can earn money, says Mr Azu Ishiekwene. Using himself as a successful case study, the author says money flows in the direction of value. There was also another quote by him that recommended consistently looking for value to break any door.

Ishiekwene has knocked down so many stiff doors during his life and they all led him to various positions that starters in the media space would be longing for very soon. He has been the Senior Vice Chairman/Editor-in-Chief of Leadership Group, Abuja.

Added to that, he has played the role of Director at the Dantiye Centre for Good Leadership and Journalism which is a capacity-building centre indirectly accredited to the African Union Economic Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC).

The event attracted a diverse audience, including the President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (Bayelsa chapter), Murphy Biriabebe Esq. and other members of the chapter, student representatives from Federal University Otuoke and Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island,… pic.twitter.com/v8dh5SHbN9

— NCDMB (@OfficialNCDMB) August 29, 2024

Outside the African space, the Writing for Media and Monetising It author has been a founding member of the Global Editors Network and at a time the Chairman of the judging panel of the CNN African Journalist of the Year Panel.   

These milestones matched with his delivery at the NCDMB-hosted book reading earned him much-deserved appreciation from a former Chairman of the Bayelsa State Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Mr Nengi Ilagha. Another personality at the event like Dr Doubra Timiwood the moderator also thanked him.

ALSO READ: NCDMB links up with education partner UBEC to equip young learners for future oil and gas needs

Ayodele Johnson

Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.