MEXY'S PLACE

Sunday started with high hopes and eager energy as I rallied the kids for a family project—processing garri from cassava harvested right from our small farm. It was supposed to be a fun, bonding experience, teaching them the age-old tradition of turning cassava into one of our favorite staples. Little did I know, the day would take a very different turn. The first few steps went smoothly, almost too smoothly. The cassava had been harvested for us and we peeled them with a sense of accomplishment, and tossed the tubers into water, feeling like seasoned farmers. Next came washing, then blending. Yes! I meant blending. We chopped them into small pieces and blended them at home with our blender, then went ahead to squeeze out the water with all the excitement in a properly washed pillowcase (we didn’t have the appropriate sac). The fermentation stage passed days before without drama, and by mid-afternoon of Sunday, we were ready for the final step—frying the cassava into garri. My yo...

Friday was one of those rare, calm days in my world of Corporate Communications. It’s not often that I get a day with fewer meetings, but when it happens, I know it’s the perfect opportunity to catch up on all the news stories waiting to be polished and published. With the university’s biggest event just around the corner, this quiet felt like the calm before the storm. The first half of the day was spent at my desk, immersed in edits. It’s funny how even on a less busy day, the work piles up in different forms. A colleague sent over a draft press release that needed sharpening, while another forwarded an article that just didn’t have the right tone yet. The joy, though, is in refining those pieces—finding the right words that will capture the essence of the university's achievements. As the minutes rolled by, I ticked off one task after another, sipping soda and enjoying the steady hum of a day. In the back of my mind, I knew this won’t last long—the preparations for the upcomi...

There’s something about the thrill of storytelling from behind the scenes. I’ve always been fascinated by the power of words, how they can shape perspectives, mold opinions, and inspire change. And yet, in a world that craves visibility and spotlights, my journey as a communications professional has led me down a different path—the quiet, powerful one of being unseen. I remember my early years. A young graduate, fresh-faced and eager to make a name in broadcast journalism. My dream? To be the face people saw on the nightly news, delivering stories that mattered. I had no idea that my true calling wasn’t in front of the camera, but behind it, crafting narratives, writing press releases, and shaping the reputation of organizations. September 26th, 2024—another day where my profession demands the art of being heard without being seen. A high-stakes media activity looms. It’s my role to craft the message and ensure the right tone is set. All eyes will be on the Institution, but it’...

Yesterday started like any other typical day in the world of a corporate communications professional—busy, filled with deadlines, and buzzing with the constant hum of ideas waiting to be transformed into impactful content. But unlike most days, I felt the twinge of fever creeping up as I started my work. Still, there was no room to pause; the show had to go on. I had content to create and post—social media waits for no one, and neither do the audiences we constantly strive to engage. Juggling a fever while crafting engaging posts and captions felt like running a marathon uphill, but the work needed to be done. Each piece of content carried its own weight, demanding attention to detail and creativity. I pushed through, determined not to let my body dictate the pace of my mind. As if that wasn’t enough, there was administrative paperwork waiting for me—documents that needed signing, memos to draft, and reports to finalize. My desk was a battlefield of papers and files, all with urgen...

Yesterday started like any other day: with the quiet hum of anticipation in the air and a to-do list that could make the most seasoned multitasker shudder. I inhaled deeply, knowing I was about to dive into the deep end of a jam-packed day, juggling hats like a magician in the middle of a Vegas show. But hey, when you're The Journalist Next Door, that’s just another Tuesday. It all kicked off with the Editorial Meeting. Ah, yes, the meeting where every voice is louder than the last, and opinions fly faster than you can catch them. We sat around the proverbial round table, each of us armed with ideas, insights, and a burning desire to have the best story pitch of the week. The pressure? Palpable. The excitement? Even more so. Picture this: a cacophony of ideas clashing like cymbals in an overzealous orchestra, everyone trying to outshine the next. What story should we spotlight? Who’s got the best angle? What fresh spin can we put on the same old, same old? My brain was doing me...

The life of a journalist is literarily a life of service....So, yesterday started off like most workdays, calm and quiet. After a light breakfast,i got off to preparing mentally for the day ahead. The stillness of the morning was a welcome buffer before the assignments would inevitably start flooding in. By 8:30 AM, had long reprted at work after dropping off the kids at school and I was right in front of my computer, several pages open, scanning through a sea of to-do items. Media inquiries, event invitations, follow-ups from PR pitches—each demanding attention. I tackled the most pressing ones first, carefully responding to reporters needing more information about a press release I had earlier sent. With each response sent, I felt the weight of the inbox lighten, if only slightly. Once the emails were under control, it was time to shift gears. The previous day’s event at the University needed to be transformed into a news story. I began weaving the narrative, ensuring it would cap...

In a world dominated by digital streaming services, where entire music libraries are just a click away, it’s surprising to witness the resurgence of vinyl records. Yes, those large, round discs that once collected dust in basements and attics are making a comeback, and not just as vintage relics but as coveted items for music lovers, collectors, and audiophiles alike. What’s fueling this vinyl renaissance? For starters, there’s something undeniably nostalgic about holding a physical record, slipping it out of its sleeve, and placing it on a turntable. Unlike the instant gratification of a streaming playlist, vinyl demands patience. You have to flip it over halfway through, and there’s no "skip" button to leap from track to track. This tangible experience is a refreshing contrast to the ephemeral nature of digital music. Then there’s the sound. Vinyl records are prized for their "warmth"—that slightly imperfect, analog quality that audiophiles claim digital music ...

The Power of Strategic Communication in Nigeria: A Subtle Shift... Imagine this: You wake up one morning to find that your phone is buzzing with alerts from Twitter, Facebook, and WhatsApp. A story is spreading like wildfire—something about a new policy, an upcoming election, or perhaps, a health scare. The details are unclear, the sources uncertain. But before you even have time to check the facts, your friends and family are discussing it, sharing it, reacting to it. This is the reality we face today in Nigeria. Our digital world moves faster than ever, and information—both true and false—travels at lightning speed. In a country with over 100 million internet users, communication has become more than just sending a message; it’s now a powerful tool capable of shaping public opinion and, in some cases, influencing decisions at the highest levels. Take the COVID-19 pandemic as an example. When the virus first hit, there was a flood of information—some of it helpful, some of i...

THE JOURNALIST NEXT DOOR IS BACK! Seven years. Seven years of growth, discovery, and invaluable experience. Now, the wait is over. It’s time to announce my return to blogging, with a renewed passion and perspective. This journey has been anything but ordinary—stepping back has allowed me to dive deeper into the intricate world of communications and protocol, honing skills that I’m eager to share with you all once again. From corporate communications to crisis management, the landscape has evolved—and so have I. Welcome back to “Journalist Next Door,” a space where stories come alive through the lens of my 15-year career in media relations, public relations, and content creation. This blog will once again serve as a window into the world of strategic communications, where the balance of words and actions can make or break reputations, relationships, and industries. Join me as I explore the fine art of professional storytelling, dissect the nuances of effective communication in ...