FROM THE LAB TO THE NEWSROOM(

YOUNGSTER OF THE WEEK
FROM THE LAB TO THE NEWSROOM

(TOYOSI OGUNSEYE:-CNN AWARD WINNING JOURNALIST ,WRITING HER WAY TO GREATNESS)



There is no better time than now to recognize and push to the front burner of our minds the enterprising dogged spirit of the Nigerian.Inspite of the daily grisly Nigerian avoidable challenges we experience , we still soar above fierce challenges,choosing to be proactive in living our best lives.Toyosi ogunseye’s story is worth telling as it will inspire and incite generations to come , to dare to pursue their passion and make their mark.A senior correspondent with Punch Newspaper, Toyosi, clinched the MSD Health and Medical Awards at the Cable News Network’s African Journalist Awards in Sandton,South Africa, for her story titled-LUTH’S Ransome Kuti Center:Cauldron where two babies die weekly.Ogunseye has written about a wide range of subjects from crime to science and technology and was shortlisted amongst 27 finalists for this year’s award.She has worked with the Sun and Newsstar Newspapers, and has an M.sc degree in Media and communications from The Pan African University.

As a Talent development coach, and a student of the school of life, I learn from everything.Here are a few lessons we can learn from Toyosi's story:



THE PURSUIT OF PASSION

Toyosi started pursuing her passion for the written word as a second year Biochemistry student of The University of Lagos.In her words:’ In my second year in the university, I was discussing with a friend of mine. It was my twentieth birthday and I was telling her that I wanted to write and she said she wanted to make jewelry and I told her that we should make it happen, that we don’t have to wait till graduation before we pursue our passions. I had this journal where I used to write so many things, so the following day I just picked a copy of ‘The Sun’ newspaper; I looked at the address behind and went there. I asked to see the news editor whom was Mr. Musa Egbemana at the time, I said ‘Good afternoon sir, my name is Toyosi Ogunseye, a second year bio-chemistry student of the University of Lagos and I want to write for you’. It was production time, he looked at me and had this expression of ‘excuse me, where are you coming from?’ I showed him my journal, one big looking tattered object, and tried to prove to him that I could write, and he said ‘no, no, no, if you want to write for me this is not the kind of thing I want to see, so he said go bring me two stories from anywhere and come with it on Friday by 10.00 am’.She picked it up from there and dared to take a chance on her writing talent inspite of being a Biochemistry student as at that time.Every one walking the face of the earth has a passion, something that animates you and at the same time fascinates you.Its your responsibility to find it , and fan your passion into flame.





GO THE EXTRAMILE

Going the extramile is about adding value beyond what is expected of you,its doing more than you are paid and going beyond the regular in order to birth irregular results.The story that won her the award was created as a result of her willingness to go the extramile.According to her: ‘There was this lady in my office – my Chairman’s secretary – that took her child to LUTH and was not satisfied with the treatment she got. She came back to the office and was discussing with my boss, how she went to LUTH and two children died in her presence and she couldn’t believe she was in Lagos , in a Federal Government Hospital . Then my boss called me up and the woman gave me the summary of all that happened. My boss asked me if there was any story in it and I requested to go and investigate it. The following day I went to LUTH, and I couldn’t go inside the ward because it’s quite small. The doctors, nurses, and mothers will identify a stranger. Each mother stays with the child, and you must know someone or must be visiting. It’s a small room, and a stranger can’t just walk into it else you risk drawing attention your way. So I figured if I must succeed then I will require inside help. My opportunity came when I saw a mother shouting at a doctor, I don’t know what it was about but figured she was displeased with the treatment her child was receiving, so I went to her later and introduced myself and my aim, and needed a disguise for a week. She told me not to worry, that she will pretend that I am her younger sister, and said we should go in. The disguise worked, because everyone thought I was her younger sister that was looking after the baby. I stayed there for forty-eight hours and saw things I did not believe I would see, I saw more than enough to write the story."She recalled.Her ability to stretch herself paid off, as she clinched the award in her category.In life opportunities are created on the platform of difficulties, its your capacity to see the positivity in the problem that will lead to your long awaited break.



PERSISTENCE

She has been applying for this award for seven years, and eventually her persistence and hardwork paid off.I recall with nostalgia my early days of striving to become a sought after columnist, i started out with majority of my articles not getting published, but today the story has changed, as its paying off.Its been said that persistence wears out resistance,persistence made the snail reach the ark.Dare to stick to your convictions and passions, it will soon pay off if you faint not.

Some of the greatest feats ever accomplished by individuals came as a result of the fact that these individuals were smart enough to know that those feats were not impossible.Now that you have been inspired by Toyosi"s story, what can you do to begin to rewrite the story of your life?Its your time to rise out of obscurity to becoming renowned in your area of expertise.I will read your success story.



Kehinde Ajose is a Sought after Talent Development coach,Acclaimed syndicated columnist,and publicity strategist who helps individuals to create wealth from their talents in order to become global brands.He is reachable @ 08024212530/http:/KehindeAjose.blogspot.com







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