‘I CAN’’T STAND BEGGING FOR ARMS, I will rather blog than beg"- SAYS ENCOUNTER BLOG PUBLISHER, GBENGA DAN ASABE
IT is not all the time a wordsmith, seat
another wordsmith to talk, but that is what Cerutti Osagie aka Czar of letter
did to Gbenga Dan Asabe recently when I asked him why he sees himself as Africa
number one encounter king
His revert:’ It was
Aremo Olusegun Osoba who echoed my feeling on Tuesday September 15 during the
launching if the much awaited Journalism Bible "5O World Editors;
Conversation with Journalism Masters on TRENDS and BEST PRACTICES" at the
Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) that publishers should
endeavor to pay journalists as at when due as majority of journalists have
turned beggars. He said while real journalists have turned beggars and areas
boys, the fake ones have taken over the trade. Now, that was Osoba, a veteran
journalist and a seasoned politician talking
‘’I was amazed. With
the level of unpaid bag log of salaries that has dogged the media industry with
most newspapers owing up to one year of unpaid salary and yet still producing,
I have resolved to blog than to beg. Many up and coming newspapers have sent
work proposals to me but I tactically turned them down as I know the weather is
not good for their take off. I will rater blog than start begging as an
employer. At home, there are more to do than going out to an elusive place of
work where frustration, scattered focus and lack of direction are the hallmark
of work. So, who is Gbenga Dan Asabe? I studied History and International
Relations at Lagos State University and I have practices journalism for 18
solid years.
On his work exposure,
he pointed with fact:’’ I have worked with newspapers and magazines like FAME,
ENVOGUE, HALLMARK, OVATION, NATIONAL MIRROR, BUSINESS HALLMARK, CITY PEOPLE and
now publishes www.asabeafrika.blogspot.com. I have interviews over One thousand ordinary and
extraordinary people including richest man in Africa, Alhaji Aliko Dangote,
Mrs. Maryam Abacha, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, Chief Dele
Momodu, Aisha Tejan Cole in Sierra Leone, Pastor Andy Yawson in Accra, Mr.
Bonny Botoku in Benin Republic, Dr. Dapo Williams in London and many other
interesting personalities from various walks of life. I have interviewed
Presidential Spokesman Femi Adesina, World Famous Dayo Adeneye D-One, Lagos
High Court Judge Justice Kafeel Dawodu, Osun state commissioner for works and
first son of late Minister of Justice Ajibola Ige, Architect Muyiwa Ige.
‘’I have also
interviewed the entire clan of the Abacha family in Kano including former first
lady Dr. Mrs. Maryam Abacha, scion Mohammed Abacha, Abba Abacha, Zainab Abacha,
Gumsu Abacha and Rekhia Abacha. I have equally interviewed a section of the
late Moshood Abiola clan including Alhaji Abdual Jamiu Abiodun Abiola, Alhaji
Lekan Abiola who are all sons of the two late great political icons, Moshood
and Kudirat Abiola who were killed by military juntas over political
liberation. Apart from studying history, I love music and love to be a musician
someday. My favorite artistes are King Sunny Ade, Commander Ebenezer Obey, King
Waiu Ayinde Marshal, Sir Shins Peters and 9ice aka Adigun Alapomeji. On the
international scene, I love Lighthouse Family, John Wyclef, SADE ADU, Luther
Vandross, R-Kelly and Jah Rule. Political Role Model is Chief Mathew Aremu
Okikiolakan Olusegun Obasanjo while for religion I love Pastor Sam Adeyemi for
revolutionary religious zeal. My work mentor and Role for life is Ovation
Magazine Publisher Bashorun Dr. Joseph Ajani Ayobamidele Ojutelegan Momodu,
Publisher, Ovation International Magazine. Married with a daughter.
IS he a globe trotter?
Asabe said he will soon be one, for now he said:’’ I have traveled to Ghana
severally, Togo and Benin Republic and Freetown in Sierra Leone. I love the
spirit of Sierra Leone because the ladies are quite interesting. I was invited
through a Diplomatic Invites by newly sworn in President Ernest Bai Koroma to
Sierra Leone on Thursday November 14th 2007. I spent a week with Mr. Kunle
Hamilton the creator of Gliterrati inside This day Newspaper who put my name
down for the visit to Charles Meghai's country. I am a proud African and that
is why my blog is called Asabeafrika.
Good-day,Mr Gbenga please can I have your WhatsApp number or phone number and email and I will be greatful if it is sent to me as quickly as possible.
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