I’m a writer (an avid blogger and author of three books). This is what I do effortlessly. Professionally, I have a strong background in journalism and recently developing a keen interest in corporate communications.
I was born in Edo state but grew up in Lagos state. By the grace of God, I was raised by my mother and five siblings. Our people say it takes a village to raise a child—those are the people that raised me. Of course, I was also very influenced by Church and other class of socialization. Some of the early lessons I was exposed to is the value of integrity and hard-work. I still hold these close to heart.I studied Mass Communication at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism and graduated as the best student of my class, with distinction. I’m still very active in the journalism and communications field. I have some years of experience working locally and
On a personal note, I am still learning. I recently was on an interview panel that reminded me on the need to broaden my skills beyond just being a good writer and communicator. So I’m working on that. The New Year has already started on a good note and I am excited about the great things God has in store for me. You can follow my progress on my blog www.youthmakingchange.
Chronicles: Jennifer, how are things going with your professional development?
Jennifer: Like I said earlier on, my professional field is journalism and communications. I have also written three books- two collections of poetry [In Days To Come and Preserve My Saltiness] and one book [Half A Loaf & A Bakery] focusing on youth volunteering, education and entrepreneurship.
Technology has so easily enabled the fusion of journalism and communication. Last year, I started a news portal called RuralReporters.com to enable student-journalists and organizations tell their own stories. I was inspired by my one-year experience in Nasarawa state, North Central Nigeria. I saw a lot of things happening that never made it to mainstream media because of its lack of commercial value. So I thought, what if we had a portal that allowed citizens tell everyday newsworthy stories happening in their local communities, thus fostering development? Some of my colleagues got interested and we started bootstrapping the product. It is still evolving and the goal is to make it a self-sustaining citizen-journalism portal.
I started out volunteering and learning about development issues, looking back this was misconstrued as activism. By the grace of God, with all I have learned and still learning, I am empowered to lead in my generation, country and globally through service. I’m empowered to lead by serving.
Chronicles: How can readers follow your activities or keep abreast of your works?
Jennifer: The project that is
currently running is on www.ruralreporters.com.
You can support by being an avid reader and evangelist—help share our
links with your network. You can also submit grassroots reports about
your community to our editors. We are live on social networks, connect
with us: www.facebook.com/You can also buy any of my books currently selling on www.konga.com/halfaloaf or any of the offline bookstores in Nigeria- Terra Kulture bookstore, Victoria Island; Florence and Lambard Bookstore, 202 Ikorodu road Plamgrove bus-stop Lagos; or Media Store, Silverbird Galleria, Abuja.
As a journalist and communicator, I’m always open to new business challenges or collaborations of positive value. So feel free to connect with me on facebook www.facebook.com/jennifer.
Chronicles: Quite impressive; now, what other activities are you involved with?
Jennifer: I’m currently taking classes on business computing while preparing to resume my new job. For fun, I’m signing up for a foreign language class before the year runs out. And of course, trying to keep my goal of reading two books per month in 2015. I am also paying closer attention to my spiritual life. Last year, I suffered a lot of unnecessary set backs because of a few cracks I left open to the tactics of the devil. I’m alive today because of God’s mercy and grace. So no more running on empty- faith won’t feed itself.
Chronicles: We've just entered 2015, you've stated your goal of reading two books per month, that's quite an endeavor, have you made any other personal New Years resolutions and how are they progressing?
Spiritually: To nourish my faith in God through His Word. I want to hear and understand accurately what is happening in the spiritual realm as it affects the physical. I don’t need a fortuneteller to tell me that life is spiritual. It is! On progress so far, I’m on a year Bible reading plan. I’m on my way already. I don’t want to wait for my Pastor to tell me things. Every Christian should have a deep personal relationship with God and not wait on their pastors or group leaders. I also want to be spiritually empowered to walk in the victory God has given me through His son Jesus Christ.
Professionally: I have successfully found the connecting dot between journalism and communications. Over the years, I’ve been so involved in many activities that almost left me empty. This is the year where the excesses are left behind to allow full mastery of the art. I am connecting to a more healthy professional network and nurturing the symbiotic relationships.
Academically: Life is a learning field. I have already started a few business classes and as I make progress take on other learning opportunities—including a foreign language class. I also started 2-books per month reading challenge.
I’m excited to accomplish these goals and set new ones into the year. By the grace of God I know that this year is one where I really feel more matured. It is like I am putting past successes, lessons from failures and new learning goals to serve excellently at the new platform that has opened up to me. Past youthful opportunities empowered me to lead by serving, excellently.
Chronicles: Those are quite admirable goals for sure. Now what do you think of the recent trend of Blacks from the United States relocating to Africa and specifically Nigeria in significant numbers?
Jennifer: "I think it is very interesting to see young Nigerians or American-born or British-educated professionals in diaspora relocating to Nigeria. They are definitely contributing their quota to the economy through entrepreneurship and other innovations. However, like most things in life there are two sides to the issue. The first is that it is creating an opportunity for Nigeria to benefit from their skills and top-notch professionalism. I can imagine organizations who employ these groups of professionals gaining insight into best practices and all. But on the other hand, it has become a big challenge for the rest of us born and raised in Nigeria because we are not just competing with the best local talents but also the best foreign talents for limited opportunities. So we are inspired or forced to sit-up and continue to develop our talents in order to stay relevant in our chosen field of interest. Meanwhile, I also see a trend of collaborations developing between the two groups. So instead of being apprehensive about the perceived competition, there is more room to explore for collaboration as each learn from one another. So at the end of the day, we are all one working towards the same national, community and personal-- not divided by place of birth or study. I will like to encourage other Americans who might be hesitating about the thoughts of relocating to come test-drive the option through temp jobs or internships and then allow the experience shape their future decisions."
Chronicles: I must say that you're quite an amazing young woman. As a close to our session, would you explain in your own words what the two phrases “Divinely Inspired” and “Victoriously Ascending” mean to you?
Jennifer: I’ll explain these using two Bible passages that speaks to me--
Divinely Inspired: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” Philippians 4:13. My ability to be and do is so divinely inspired by the strength of Jesus Christ at work in me. There are times in the past when I actually took on tasks that were way bigger than my scope of human knowledge but I always ended up performing excellently because of His divine nature at work in me.
Victoriously Ascending: “Christ in me is the hope of glory,” Colossians 1:27.
By the grace of God, the best is yet to come! Thank you for the opportunity to share.
Chronicles: Excellent, thank you Jennifer; this has been a wonderful experience for me and I'm sure for all the Chronicles readers. I am thankful for this opportunity to learn more about the amazing and unimposing young woman that you are and may God continue to shower his love and wisdom into your life.
I'd like to thank Jennifer and all of our regular and visiting readers who have been treated with a very special time from Jennifer Ehidiamen. Remember, Chronicles is always looking for more weekly guest willing to share their stories with our reading audience. Simply leave a message in the comments section below or drop a line on the FB Diva Friday Community page. Thanks again for visiting, and as always, Divinely Inspired, Victoriously Ascending - Diva!
Paul S. Jones FB Diva Chronicles (c) All Rights Reserved 2014-15
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