By Josephine Agbonkhese

A seasoned broadcaster with over three decades of experience, Seun Oyedeji aka Jewel, is currently the National News Coordinator at Silverbird Television.

As she marks her birthday this May, Oyedeji, amongst sundry issues, speaks passionately of her forthcoming symposium, ‘The Encounter’, holding May 24th in Lagos, designed to address the impact of the deployment of technology on examination administration in Nigeria.

Congratulations as you add another year; but why a symposium and not a fanfare?

I believe that there comes a time in one’s life that you become more intentional about reaching out to the people whose causes you plead anytime you have the opportunity to do so on television.

I chose this special day to address a critical issue in the education sector which centres around the deployment of technology in conducting examinations in Nigeria by creating a meeting point for major stakeholders to interact

I strongly believe that bridging the communication gap between the authorities and the citizens would aid better understanding of government policies and allow direct feedbacks from other stakeholders without any ‘noise’.

This, is intended to improve the standard of education, which would in turn, promote national development and peace.

And yes, there’s a space for thanksgiving and reception for friends, afterwards.

What’s the central focus of the symposium and what do you hope to achieve with it?

Education. ‘The Encounter’ symposium aims to analyse the impact of the deployment of technology on examination administration in Nigeria.

And that is why the big question is whether ‘The Impact of ICT on Educational Development is Overrated, or not?’

Students from five schools have been invited to a debate in order to share their views on the subject matter.

Recently, the West African Examination Council, WAEC, announced the introduction of the first-ever Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination for Candidates.

According to the council, the new policy is aimed at improving examination delivery and curbing malpractice.

But how ready are we for this journey? This and other questions we intend to get answers to from the authorities at the symposium

Looking back on your journey, what are you most grateful for?

I’m grateful for life, supportive and loving family, great friends and associates, and especially, for the opportunity to rewrite my story— all to the glory of God

You’re literally one of the most accomplished women in the Nigerian broadcast terrain today. Was broadcasting your childhood ambition?

Yes, broadcasting caught my fancy since my childhood days.

I remember drawing inspiration from watching the likes of late Tokunbo Ajayi, Sienne AllWell-Brown, Ruth Benamaisia Opia, locally and other greats including Oprah Winfrey and Christiane Amanpour on the international scene.

I also sat and watched Mallam Danladi Bako on NTA’s Morning Ride and said to myself that one day, Seun Oyedeji would be counted among them.

My parents, my dad in particular, wanted me to be a lawyer but today, at 89, I believe he’s proud of my choice of profession

Would you say women have generally fared well in Editorial/Management positions across the Nigerian media industry?

Absolutely! I mean, the list of highly successful female editors is endless! It’s been quite a journey from the era of the “gentlemen of the press” when the profession was largely dominated by men to the times when the likes of Mrs Doyin Abiola became the first female editor and the Managing Director/Publisher of National Concord; Mrs Funke Egbemode, who did not just rise to the position of the Director of the New Telegraph Newspaper but also emerged as the President of Nigerian Guild of Editors, among other hugely successful women in media.

Female editors in the broadcast media are equally doing exploits— very creative, resilient, dynamic and visionary.

What was it like as a young female beginner in the profession and how would you describe your journey to the top?

I belong to the group of the ‘thoroughbreds’ in the industry.

I started in 1994 as a teenage intern with the Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation, OGBC, under the tutelage of the best hands in the industry, where professionalism coated with discipline made the difference.

You would not only celebrate but go into fasting and praying just because you must not ‘bungle’ that one opportunity to give the ‘time-check’ on radio— which you would have informed the whole world to listen to.

From an intern to the General Manager of a radio station and now the National News Coordinator at Silverbird Television, I am grateful for the experiences gathered over the years and remain hungry for more.

TV stars like Oprah Winfrey have shared tales of how they were labelled ‘not good enough’ by producers while in their teething stages. How did you deal with such if it was ever your experience?

Let me say this, no matter how good you are, not everyone will like you.

However, I welcome criticisms—whether constructive or malicious. I believe they are meant to nudge you to work harder and get better to the point that even the ‘malicious’ will have nothing on you.

A book on your life’s journey will be incomplete without what and what names?

My parents’, my daughter’s and entire family members’.

Professionally: Mallam Danladi Bako, Busayo Olaifa, Kayode Kujore, Kunle Job, Femi Aderibigbe (KWAME), Lemi Olalemi, Bola Salako, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce and someone I call ‘Beeps’ among others, which time and space won’t permit.

What’s a typical day like for you as Head of News?

I wake up to pray, check my mobile devices for ‘breaking news’, check the mailboxes for daily correspondences, co-anchor our flagship breakfast show— ‘NEWS HUB’, engage in meetings after meetings, stay constantly in touch with Bureau Coordinators to ensure smooth operations, and always ready for instructions from above.

Your top three hacks for succeeding in the broadcast industry…

Put God first— you’ll need Him at every turn. Discover yourself and keep learning— you’re one of a kind. Networking is the key that will keep you in the game.

Vanguard News