MEXY'S PLACE

In communication, emotional intelligence (#EI) plays a pivotal role in shaping how messages are conveyed, received, and understood. It goes beyond verbal and non-verbal skills, tapping into the ability to recognize, understand, and manage emotions—both our own and those of others. High emotional intelligence allows communicators to navigate complex interactions, build stronger relationships, and mitigate conflicts. A key component of EI in communication is self-awareness. When we are attuned to our emotions, we can better control how we express ourselves, avoiding reactive or defensive behaviors that can distort the intended message. This, in turn, helps to foster an environment of open dialogue and mutual respect. Equally important is empathy—the capacity to understand and share the feelings of others. Empathetic communicators listen not just to words but to emotions, enabling them to respond in ways that acknowledge and validate the other party's perspective. This enhances...

In the world of #communication, especially in the #media, #PR, and #event planning sectors, we often prepare meticulously, striving to anticipate every scenario. We craft talking points, draft speeches, and rehearse our lines, all in the hopes that everything will unfold seamlessly. Yet, even with the most careful planning, life has a funny way of throwing curveballs. That’s when the magic of unscripted moments happens—the moments that require adaptability, spontaneity, and quick thinking. One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned in my years as a communications #professional is that not everything will go according to plan—and that’s okay. In fact, some of the most impactful moments I’ve witnessed or been part of were entirely unplanned, happening in those instances when the script went out the window, and we were forced to adapt on the fly. Take, for example, an event I was covering recently. It was a high-profile #ceremony with numerous #speakers, all following a carefully outlin...

The morning began like any other in Akure, but for me, it was a whirlwind from the moment my boss stepped into the office. I barely had time to settle in after the Morning Prayer, let alone grab breakfast. Just as I was organizing my thoughts for the day, he calls me into his office. "I need you to cover the opening ceremony of a training programme. It starts at 10; I mean 10 for 10" he said, urgency in his voice. I was taken aback. What programme might this be I wondered but there was no answer. This wasn’t on my agenda, but I knew better than to hesitate. So immediately I consented. In quick strides, I gathered my notepad, pen, and personal effects, making a mental checklist of everything I needed and dashed to gather my team. As I dashed out the door, I could feel the familiar excitement of an unexpected assignment coursing through me. The air was thick with humidity, and I knew rain was on the way in accordance with the predictions of the weather forecast. Upon arriving ...

This weekend has been one for the books, with the rain starting its gentle descent yesterday evening and refusing to let up since. After days of scorching heat and relentless humidity, the cool, calming showers are more than welcome. It’s as though nature has heard our collective sighs of frustration and decided to offer a moment of respite, turning our weekend into a cozy, stay-indoors affair. Waking up to the rhythmic sound of raindrops dancing on rooftops is one of life’s underrated pleasures. There’s a special kind of serenity that comes with it, as if the world outside is wrapped in a soft, damp blanket. The glaring rays of the sun are gone today, replaced with a gentle, consistent drizzle that has kept us inside for hours on end, not that I am complaining though..lol. For many of us, the rain is an opportunity to unwind. It's the perfect excuse to huddle under blankets, catch up on long-overdue reading, or binge-watch that TV series we’ve been meaning to. The usual weekend...

Once upon a time, in a bustling village nestled between rolling hills, there lived a young woman named Laila. Laila was born into a humble family, where her parents toiled daily to provide for their children. Growing up, she watched others her age dream big, but many allowed their circumstances to dictate their futures. They often blamed fate or misfortune when things didn’t go as planned. THE LEAP: Laila, however, believed differently. From a young age, she understood that life was a series of choices. She didn’t have control over where she was born or the challenges she faced, but she knew she could choose how to respond to them. Instead of lamenting her humble beginnings, Laila focused on the small actions she could take each day. She studied hard, sought out mentors, and learned from every experience, good or bad. THE PAY OFF: As she grew older, her efforts paid off. Laila became a respected leader in her community, known for her wisdom and resilience. Many came to her ...

Building a successful career is often about persistence, learning, and adapting, especially in those early days when everything feels unfamiliar. I remember when I resumed work years ago, still somewhat "grey" despite my prior experiences at various places: a brief stint at NTA, the Public Relations Unit of a State University, a telecommunications company as a Marketing Officer, and even as Advert Manager of a small newspaper publishing firm. Those roles had prepared me, but the terrain still felt new. I never allowed myself to be idle. Even while pursuing further academic qualifications to better fit into my vision of becoming a high-flying PR professional, I was always striving to learn more, pushing myself beyond my limits. I wanted to be ready for the challenges that came with the path I had chosen. One aspect that truly tested me was writing. There are many types and styles of writing, and I quickly learned that in a professional setting, your editor holds the final say...

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...

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...

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 ...

Wow...so its exactly 2 years i last visited my blog. Believe me, i wasnt insensitive to the plight of readers but had to sought out some things. So guess, am back. Fully back. Rebranded and better. Expect the unexpectable. I wont tell you what you are in for...follow closely. Welcome back!