Dayo Oketola, the immediate past Editor of The PUNCH Newspaper, has noted that Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, which began with the introduction of GSM in 2001, has attracted over $70 billion in investments and created over 500,000 jobs in the country.
Oketola made this observation in his book, “The Catalyst: Nigerian ICT Evolution Through a Journalist’s Lens”, which will be officially launched on September 17, 2024, during an inaugural lecture marking the end of his tenure as editor and celebrating nearly 20 years of experience in journalism.
He highlighted the bold initiatives that opened the sector to private investment, noting the expansion from 450,000 telephone lines before 2001 to a vibrant market today. The book also charts a path for Nigeria to maximize its digital economic potential.
According to him, Olusegun Obasanjo, the former President of Nigeria will be the special guest speaker at the event set to take place at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, at 10 a.m. Oketola, now a senior member of The PUNCH Editorial Board, stepped down as Editor following a management-level reorganization in June.
During his tenure, he won the Editor of the Year prize at the Nigeria Media Merit Awards in December 2023 and led the organization to win the Newspaper of the Year at the same ceremony. Oketola has also received numerous accolades, including the Editor of the Year Award at the Industry Awards 2022 and two Zimeo Excellence in Media Awards in Johannesburg (2015) and Nairobi (2016).
Oketola expressed excitement about the launch of his book and the inaugural lecture, saying, “I am thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of my book, “The Catalyst: Nigerian ICT Evolution Through a Journalist’s Lens”, scheduled for September 17, 2024. On that day, I will also host an inaugural lecture to celebrate my tenure as Editor of “The PUNCH” and nearly 20 years in journalism.”
He reflected on his journalism career, stating, “My 20 remarkable years of stewardship through media and leadership have driven advocacy and impacted various sectors, including business and economy, ICT, energy, agriculture, social inclusion, anti-corruption, drug trafficking prevention, and nation-building. This underscores the power of journalism in shaping our society.”
Other influential guests expected at the media event include Michael Ikpoki, former CEO of MTN Nigeria, who will chair the occasion; Dr. Akin Olaniyan, Convener of the Centre for Social Media Research, who will review the book; and Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information, who will be the chief host. The Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of PUNCH Nigeria Limited, Mr. Adeyeye Joseph, will host the event, with Mr. Eze Anaba, President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, serving as co-host.
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