By Solomon Oladipupo & Raji Yekini
The Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, has said that the media provides the platform that fosters the synergy between the media and the promotion of entrepreneurial activities in the country.
Omotosho made the observation while delivering key note address at the 7th edition of the Annual Ngozi Agbo Media Lecture and Summit held yesterday at the Tayo Aderinoku Hall of the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
The Commissioner, who was represented by the Public Affairs Officer of the ministry, Busola Fatinikun-Aroloye, explained that both work on the same model of operation.
He said, “The essential characteristics of the entrepreneurship activities such as creation, innovation, and novel ways of thinking are critical to building media business success.
“On the other hand, the media also plays an important role in influencing entrepreneurship phenomenon by creating a discourse that transmit values and images; and by providing a carrier that promotes entrepreneurship activities and encouraging entrepreneurial spirit in the society. Through this means, the media and entreneurship have reciprocal impact.”
The former Daily Editor of The Nation also enjoined the students to build their competence to ensure their comparative advantage over others in the crowded job market.
He also enjoined students to carve a niche for themselves when building a brand.
“It is a sad commentary to note that most students after graduation await government employment, thereby waiting their time and resources on passive job seeking without the quest to seek soft skills and attitudes that would make them secure and retain employment over time.
“To me, jobs are everywhere, just that majority have the mindset and orientation that is faulty,” he aadded.
Also speaking during the event, the Executive Director, Media Career Development Network (MCDN), Lekan Otufodurin, reiterated the role and smooth synergy between the traditional and new media and how the relationship can be harnessed to promote entrepreneurship.
Speaking during the panel session of the event, Co-founder of Publiseer, Chidi Nwaogu, underscored the importance of people and relationship in building a start-up entrepreneurial initiative.
“Students have to be creative in whatever they do and leverage on their relationships with people, even if there is little money to push the idea,” he said.
Other panelists who spoke during the event included the Editor, Campus Life of The Nation newspaper, Wale Ajetunmobi; founder of Bianche Aigie Communications, Nene Bejide; Mentor and America TV host, Tobi Abodurin; and Sahara Reporter columnist, Modiu Olaguro.
The Summit, themed The Nexus: An Eye-Opener to the Power of the Media in the 21st Century Entrepreneurship Drive, was organized by The Press Club, UNILAG, in honour of Ngozi Agbo, a late journalist with The Nation and the brain behind and pioneer editor of Campus Life pull-out of the newspaper.
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