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In this interview with one of the fastest growing Lagos based online Journalists and Author, Mark Columbus Orgu, who is the President/Editor-in-Chief, Afrikanwatch Network Communications, Lagos, shares how he has found true romance in journalism and creative writing.
He is the Author, Nigeria in the global Perspective, where are we, Author, Historiography of Orogun, Divergence in Perspective among others. Interestingly, Orgu has coordinated four national memoirs of Afrikanwatch, among them are, Should the Labour of our Heroes past be in Vain?; Did Our Founding Fathers Dream of a United Nigeria?; Nigerians, Where Do We Go From Here After 59 Years of Independence; 2023, The Kind of leaders Nigeria needs,…our Collective responsibility.
Orgu has remained committed to research work and findings, some of his colleagues in the media wonder how he coordinates his affairs in journalism, meeting high profile Nigerians with integrity and honour. He is a social analyst and public affairs commentator. He believes in honesty, diligent, hard work, and dedication.
Excerpts:
Your contemporaries wonder how fast you are growing in Journalism, tell us the motive.
Yes, I learn tactics of journalism daily, read meaningful commentaries and articles both in local and international newspapers and others. I equipped myself with recent things in journalism, I seek for knowledge daily and buy strategic books on world histories and read about heroic personalities, who have changed the world through ideas and conscience. I spend most of my resources in buying books and meeting great men, who have achieved meaningfully.
Some of my colleagues in journalism spend their resources in other things but I invest in books. These are my motivations and of course, God is the center point of my progression. The late Pa. Odogwu Udobi, whom I lived with for many years had books all over his living room, palour, everywhere in the house, and you cannot find those books easily to get now. So, I had the opportunity of developing myself there before I went to Higher Institutions, where I joined the Nation Newspaper Campuslife, as a correspondent, that was in 2012.
You mean, your journalism started with the Nation?
Not really. I started after my secondary education, with the publisher of Boldstep Magazine, Mr. Kenneth Nwabueze in Lagos. I think that was around 2006. It was when I got admission into Yaba College of Technology in 2011 that I formally joined the Nation Newspaper as a campuslife Correspondent and started reporting and writing on national issues. My first article to be published was in Boldstep titled, “The problem of Examination linkages in Nigeria’ the second one was in the Nation, the Challenges of Education in Nigeria and so many other articles.
In Yabatech where my jurisdiction was, I was revered as a campuslife Journalist by Lecturers, students and management. In fact, Nation Newspaper gave me the veritable platform to develop myself, organizing free seminars upon seminars, lodging all campuslife journalists from all Higher Institutions across the Country in Lagos. The giant Newspaper outfit brought ‘who is who’ in the country to speak to us about a bright future in journalism and any other endeavours some of us May likely venture into. I remember Mr. Martins Oloja of Guardian, Femi Falana, SAN, Prof. Pat. Utomi, Dr. Tam Austin-George, etc. I still communicate with some of them till date.
Who do you admire in journalism
There are many, but let me mention a few, Mr. Sam Omatseye, Martin Oloja, I like their work absolutely.
I understand you have published some very vital works, tell us a bit about them.
Hahaa, yes, I have. My first book is, Nigeria in the global Perspective, where are we, the second one is, Historiography of Orogun, Divergence in Perspective (1&2). I have coordinated and compiled four national memoir of Afrikanwatch, among them are, Should the Labour of our Heroes past be in Vain?, Did Our Founding Fathers Dream of a United Nigeria?, Nigerians, Where Do We Go From Here After 59 Years of Independence, 2023, The Kind of leaders Nigeria needs,…our Collective responsibility. I have written several articles and commentaries on National issues published in major Newspapers in the country. .Currently, I just finished helping writing an autobiography of a prominent Nigerian, aged 83. I am also working on another Biography of one of the Nigerian finest security experts of all time.
Let’s take you back a bit, you said you like investing on books, what kind of books. Can you mention any of them?
Books with historical facts, and well written. Like, I read the book of Fantz Fanon, the Wretched of the earth, black skill, the 12-day revolution by the late Isaac Adaka Boro, Understanding the mind of Malcolm X; Zedong Mao of China , Lenin in Zurich, the Autobiography of Martin Luther King JR. A start in freedom by Hugh Foot, America’s God and country by William J. Federer, Why we struck, Ademuyega, Vision accomplished by N.Khac Huyen, Nixon the real War, Niccolo Machiavelli, the Prince, The Concise of 48 laws by Robert Greene, long walk to freedom, There was a country by Prof. Achebe, the Autobiography of Wilson Churchill and others. These books inspire my writings often time. So, some days, my work will be recognized globally by God’s grace.
Tell us where you are from and a bit about your educational background.
I am from Aragba-Orogun, in Ughelli North local government area of Delta State. Sincerely, most people believe that I come from a rich background. No, but God is manifesting his glory on me. I went to a village secondary school, that is, Aragba Secondary School, my home town but completed it in Lagos. From there, I got admitted to study Business administration in Yaba College of Technology that was in 2007. Later, I got direct entry to study business education at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 2011-2014 but graduated in 2015 due to strike. In 2018/2019, the University of Lagos admitted me to study Community development and Social work, as master’s degree. Thus, for now, I am okay with a master degree but later may further. I also had many professional certificates and award to my credit. Recently, I was awarded as the Cornel Media Consult Africa Most Outstanding Media Strategist.
Are you married or searching?
Hahhhha, this should be private naaa. Okay, I am single and searching rightly. You know as an original Delta guy, we dey shine our eyes well-well. (Laughing)
What are your hobbies?
Listening to good foreign music, precisely, R & B, highlife, Hardcore, (rap) and taking a walk. I also watch wrestling a lot and historical movies.
