Bunmi Yekini

“For almost a decade that I have worked in the radio house, I have seen students come in for internship; and instead of being engaged, most of them become errand girls or sit around and do nothing”, says Bunmi Yekini, one of the fellows.

“I have had cause to interact with some of them, and I realised that they are willing to learn”, she added.

Based on Bunmi’s discovery about the interns in her Radio One, 103.5 FM workplace, she targeted her leadership project, IMPAKTPROJEKT for Young Female Journos, at mentoring the female interns. The project sought among others things, to build their self esteem and confidence, disabuse their minds on the notion that women cannot climb the success ladder in the profession unless they sexually get involved with their male bosses, and help them understand news stories from the point of gender sensitivity.

Bunmi was not alone on the project. She involved two FRLP mentors and directors at her office, Mr. Lekan Otunfodurin and Ms. Nneka Okekearu; the Deputy Director News and Current Affairs, Mrs. Ahmed Sherifat;  the General Manager, Bond FM, Ms. Nike Adegoke; the Controller News, Mr. Abiola Peters; and another fellow,  Ms. Funke Fayemi of Voice of Nigeria.

Following her leadership project, which spanned two months, the interns had begun writing women related news stories and were more eager to take up new tasks. Two of them who had returned to school started a small female group.

Bunmi would continue to reach out to the interns, many of which are back in school, through a Whatsapp group they have launched.