The book: “Life of a Media Girl,” is an attempt to break the barriers and unlock certain stereotypes about women in the media and spotlight. It also serves as a manual for aspiring and upcoming media personnel. It is written by the flamboyant Pat Obilor and published in 2018 by Sparkles Media Limited, Lagos.
Pat Obilor is a vibrant broadcaster with experience spanning over a decade. She is a graduate of Theatre Arts (University of Ibadan) and London Film and Media Academy where she studied television and radio presenting.
The book was written to celebrate women who are in the business of spotlight or media sphere and how society portrays them in terms of the social, religious, gender and cultural concepts in Africa. It essentially provides professional and personal nuggets for individuals who wish to excel in the media industry. The book also sets out to correct perceptions and misinterpretations of women who work in the media.
According to the author, the book “captures three main purposes, first to provide reorientation to the society about the media industry, to explore the unique lifestyle of women in media or spotlight and lastly to inform and inspire individuals who wish to excel in the media industry by providing insightful nuggets that will help them have a decent life as well as attain that professional cadre”.
In this book, Pat Obilor tells the story of her foray into the media, especially radio broadcasting. She details her graduation from trainee to trainer, from a stage voice to microphone merchant and from volunteer to media entrepreneur. Pat Obilor tells the reader how she travelled from a terrified radio presenter to triumph as an on-air -personality, and specifically recalls her first experience on radio. She writes: “My first day on stage and on radio are unforgettable moments that birthed this journey and it gave me a platform to express myself in words as I consistently found my voice in a world filled with many voices….”
So, for the author, her learning curve was an intricate journey of servitude that took her from volunteerism to professionalism.
Also Read:
- Professor Barth Nnaji to deliver The Bullion Lecture
- FG applauds victory of Nigerian kids at US chess contest
- Uromi killings: DSS operatives arrest two principal suspects
- Osun: NSCDC detains man, 20, for alleged defilement of minor
- Police arrest notorious kidnapper, rescue two university students in Nasarawa
And she states that becoming a professional takes more than just interest. One must be passionate and be teachable. One must be willing to start from the bottom, to learn, to study, to practice and to be equipped enough to perform at the big stage.
For instance, Pat Obilor recalls her first time live on radio in this book. “My first day in live transmission was a terrifying experience; I honestly didn’t know a live show was different from a recorded show which I had with Splash FM months back. I thought I would just flow once I am in front of the microphone but that didn’t happen. I was meant to open the station for the six hours morning belt, had my programme outline and was ready to speak when I realised that my heart was in my mouth. The script with me became blurry as my hands began to wobble…I uttered words that didn’t seem to have a meaning. I had a million butterflies and frights that made me repeat my words twice until my studio manager switched off the on-air button and cued in a song…” However, after conquering her fears and a few more rehearsals, Pat was able to become the lady with the sleek voice on radio, who played good music and motivated youths.
In this book, the author highlights the skills she was able to acquire and how they have been helpful in getting the job done. Pat dedicates a part of the book to honouring some media amazons like Mo Abudu, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Emma Watson, J.K. Rowling and Oprah Winfrey, among many others. She also has soothing words to qualify the great impact some male and female media personalities in Nigeria have had on her. Such persons include Yinka Craig, Frank Olizie, Sienne Alwell-Brown, John Momoh, Danladi Bako, Sadiq Daba, Vincent Maduka, Cyril Stober among others. The veterans of the social media era are not left out of the tributes section. They include Soni Irabor, Olisa Adibua, Dele Momodu, etc.
In the book, Life of a Media Girl Pat Obilor devotes space to discussing the woman, the media and society. Here she focuses on gender politics and women inclusion in global issues. About women and society’s stereotypes the author writes that in spite of the challenges many women face in business and spotlight, they are found in various aspects of the media, and thriving. “So today it is possible to have a female TV presenter who is also a radio host, musician and model, or in some instances a blogger who is a make-up artist with many followers and likes across social platforms.” The author however wonders whether these women are allowed to fully participate or express their skill.
So, in one chapter of the book Pat reports that she had a chat with women who work in the Nigerian media space. She says that they pour their hearts out to her and make us therefore understand the pains and gains that come with being in the media industry as a woman and the age-long myth African women have to embrace for being in the spotlight or the corporate world.
From the many interventions of women in the media that Pat Obilor reports in this book, one is particularly striking. The respondent admits that there is discrimination and public assumption faced by females in the media. The subject states that people concentrate on your looks and society sees you as an object. But if you put in extra effort, you will break through. The author thus writes that upcoming media girls have to know that radio is not a fun or glamorous job. They have to stay up-to-date and improve their skills.
Ultimately, the book, Life of a Media Girl is a beautifully written work presented in simple, readable everyday language. It details what people aspiring to excel in the media have to do to get to the top of the game and pitfalls to avoid. It is indeed a great addition to the bookshelves of all media practitioners.
. Olatunbosun is a broadcast journalist, fact checker and book reviewer at Splash FM 105.5, Ibadan. He can be reached via 08023517565 (SMS only) and molatunbosun@splashfm1055.com.
Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp
