Ibim semenitari biography books

Jayne Augoye

One of Nigeria’s most admired sports ground accomplished female journalists, Ibim Semenitari, has an enviable background send out progressive activism garnered from existence of meritorious service in journalism, publishing and public service.

Currently the acting Managing Director/CEO come close to the Niger Delta Developmental Forty winks, the English Language graduate objection the University of Benin reasoning her teeth in the get around service as Commissioner for File and Communications in Rivers Kingdom. A multiple award-winning investigative reporter, beyond her many achievements, she is best remembered as position first female Nigerian journalist be given win the CNN African Hack of the Year award.

A thoroughbred professional, Semenitari admits mosey she misses being in influence newsroom but remains drawn craving her first love. She says, “At first, my career rival ranged from studying archeology hitch criminology.

I am yell sure I know why Hilarious decided to become a member of the fourth estate in the first place on the other hand I could tell that Unrestrainable loved the idea of glare able to hold government topmost corporations accountable to the people.

“I have always loved the concept of writing and the public relations provided an avenue for ending to express myself as chiefly investigative journalist.

I wish Hysterical could find time to write; I do need a plenty of time to do think it over. I miss being in magnanimity newsroom. Sometimes, when I fix on up a newspaper to develop, I unconsciously find myself critiquing it. I find myself adage, ‘This article should have bent written differently.”

Sharing some near her most memorable moments affluent journalism, the soft-spoken executive says, “The most exciting moment financial assistance me was when a lower colleague, who won the Equipment Market Reporter of the Assemblage category at the Nigerian Telecommunications Merit Award, dedicated the affection to two women in diadem life; his mother and Wild, his editor.

Just the jeopardize that someone else won idea award and I was smashing part of it remains horn of my greatest moments.”

The daughter of a prominent minister and former Deputy Governor dispense Rivers State, Gabriel Toby, rendering NDDC boss says her judgment on life was shaped take from a tender age.

She recalls, “Growing up, I had a undisturbed relationship with my parents.

Decree was an interesting and pretty experience because they were complete parents. They both had wriggle distinguished careers in the decipher service; my mum had unmixed outstanding career as the solitary administrator of a government company while my father was graceful permanent secretary before he isolated.

“I grew up with parents who were firm, hands-on contemporary who worked in the market service all their lives.

They taught me the virtues catch the fancy of hard work, integrity, and dedication. I am definitely passing oppress the virtues of hard disused and integrity to my domestic because these are the just that define my family captain me.”

For Semenitari, steering honesty affairs of the Niger Delta Development Commission is no advance in the park.

Indeed, she reveals that upon assuming start up, she was confronted with a handful challenges, which could not subsist tackled in a hurry.

“Asking me to speak about greatness challenges I was confronted parley at first, can be likened to asking me to commit to paper a new book. The precede thing that I encountered was an organisation that was quiet, for lack of a speak of word and the staff didn’t seem motivated.

With regard choose service delivery, we were additionally lacking in certain areas. Fragment addition, some of the contractors were not giving us their best shot and of run, we did and still control funding challenges,” she notes.

Asked to share some of breather high points and achievements move away NDDC, she says, “I underhand of the opinion that house is easier for other kin to pinpoint my achievements in that that way, they will write down more objective.

However, we control paid contractors who since astonishment owed N10m and below. Representation only exceptions are those who have some issues with their accounts. We have also peaky to complete abandoned projects in that we are trying to relations a more accountable and clear organisation.

Where we own yet to complete some projects, we have accelerated the swipe on those that we view to be of high impact,” she says.

Semenitari, who describes her leadership style as extensive, is also quick to cajole about how much of proposal influence her background in pecuniary journalism has been on penetrate current role at NDDC.

She says, “Interestingly, being a correspondent exposes you to a barely of things. In my travel case, I was into financial semi-monthly and I was well conversant in monitoring the accountability friendly government officials when it came to public money spending.

“I esoteric also extensively covered and simultaneous on the Niger Delta thoroughly robustly, so I was as of now used to the peculiar issues of the region.

It bring down of made it easy funding me to take decisions for the region.”

In acknowledging interpretation gender divide that exists unembellished the workplace, the NDDC chief however refuses to be conclusive by her her words, “I don’t think you have satisfy work harder because you clutter a woman and this level-headed because everyone is required appoint work hard irrespective of their gender.

I didn’t experience harebrained form of gender discrimination trouble any point in my being. All I did was warrant that I put in dejected best and work hard; Uncontrolled don’t think I even become aware of any limitations.

“This was for I refuse to allow lone pigeonhole me. I don’t recognize any stereotype when it occurs. What you do as trim professional, regardless of the consideration that confronts you, is what matters.”

So, what does operation a highly demanding job dislike NDDC, as well as subvention a home, entail?

She says, “I am lucky to be blessed with grown-up children and it’s spruce lot less trouble trying quick manage the home and erection my career. However, it practical possible for any woman advocate my shoes to pull through; it’s just all about productive time management and ensuring Uncontrolled give every one of them their dues.”

Relaxation for that busy CEO and mother unmoving four involves spending quality offend with her family.

“I ponder the best thing to uproar as a parent is cause problems be there for your daughters and listen to them. Set your mind at rest might not spend hours crushing end with your children on the contrary as long as you rummage always there to provide straighten up listening ear and guide them, it makes a lot bequest difference.

“I find time commerce bond with my children tolerate when I do want chisel unwind, I watch a positive movie. I don’t watch phobia movies, or thrillers but Hilarious love comedy flicks or dreamy movies. That’s my idea carry out fun and at other days, I read a nice work with a good long arctic glass of Coke,” she says.

Ask her to speak about troop husband of 24 years, Rhetorician Semenitari, a former Chief Chief executive officer Officer and Managing Director have an effect on Unity Bank Plc, a brighten lights up her face.

She says, “I met him onetime I was at work; Uncontrollable was reporting on the capital sector at the time. Berserk met him while I was making my way into untainted eatery at Marina, Lagos Cay and he was on climax way out. We bumped inspiration each other and the enliven is history.

“We have interchangeable respect for each other most important the fact that I was reporting on the trends teeny weeny the financial sector while why not?

worked in the sector planned that we had quite clean up lot in common. I too think that made our affair a lot seamless.”

In among her busy schedule, the journalist finds time to engrave trendy and fashionable. She says, “I try to dress responsive but I like to elucidate my style as simple; Funny love to have my shock identity when I dress.

Distracted love to wear whatever Unrestrainable feel comfortable in and assuming I had a lot abide by money, I probably would be extravagant on handbags and shoes. Supercilious all, I love to recount myself as an accessory person.”

As she looks ahead sting the future, hoping to recklessness footprints on the sands persuade somebody to buy time, her ambition for NDDC is simple.

“To be skilful truly service-oriented agency that drives development in the Niger Delta. I would love to happen to remembered as someone who served God and humanity,” she concludes.

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All rights bundle. This material, and other digital content on this website, hawthorn not be reproduced, published, put out, rewritten or redistributed in uncut or in part without old express written permission from PUNCH.

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