Editor-in-chief of TELL magazine Nosa Igiebor has challenged staff of the magazine to embrace the new technology offered by today’s environment in order to push the boundaries of journalism in the 21st century.
Igiebor spoke today, April 8 at a prayer and thanksgiving session to mark the 20th anniversary of the magazine published by TELL Communications Limited, at the company’s office in Lagos.
TELL magazine hit the streets on April 8, 1991 during the heady days of military rule and fought a very brave battle for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria. Twenty years later, TELL together with its sister publication Broad Street Journal, BSJ is set to continue with the onerous task of being the leading magazine in the country.
“If you look at what this company has been through, we have come a long way and we thank the Almighty God for what this magazine has been able to achieve,” said Igiebor who recalled that, “we’ve sacrificed a lot to maintain professionalism in how we do our journalism. All that pushed us in the beginning was our idealism to make a magazine that will stand out. Having started, there was no going back and we hung in there and our efforts have paid off”.
Igiebor said it would be impossible, and even unwise to produce and sell the magazine the way it was done at the beginning and stressed the need to embrace a change in thinking. “Technology is now the key. As we enter the 21st year of our company, all our actions should be technology-driven. The challenge is, how do we use technology to drive our business? If we recognize those opportunities, we will see how to tap into them,” Igiebor said.
To this end, he announced that TELL is working on delivering news on iPod and iPad platforms as well as an Android app to take care of the growing smart mobile technology market.
The magazine’s editor, Ayo Akinkuotu recalled how he joined the founding team of TELL in 1991. He had just been promoted at the Daily Times but chose to pitch his tent with the new magazine against prudent wisdom of the time. He said that since then he never for one moment regretted his choice even in the face of tough challenges.
“We have just started,” Akinkuotu said “and it has survived because God wanted it to in an industry where the mortality rate is high”. He urged the staff to continue to make the organization better because they are the strength of the company. He also prayed for the safety of every member of staff as they go about in the service of the organization.
Stella Sawyerr, an assistant editor also recalled how she started in the company as an intern before rising to full staff status and member of the company’s one big family.
Ololade Adewuyi, online editor, praised the courage and vision of the founding editors and said the company is poised to conquer the frontiers of journalism offered by new technology.
Olalekan Akinruli, principal programmes executive, urged the company’s management to leverage on the TELL brand to help improve its visibility and earnings as it celebrates the first 20 years.
Maureen Nzeogu, manager of special publications, in her contributions, stressed the need to improve on the training of staff so as to equip them in making good use of the new technology the company is fast embracing.
The organisation will hold a lecture and gala night on May 17 after the country's general elections.
