PLS READ regarding tonight's @BroadAwards at Eko Hotel in #Lagos. I am NOT attending for personal reasons. There has been a very bad mistake in organization and execution of dynamics. Although many of you know me as a Pharmacy Doctor and International Journalist, some of you here know me also know me as a US trained PR Specialist that organized #Grammy #Oscars and other award Afterparties in my North American days. I commend Nigerians who work hard to put these events together and their sponsors but I was written and told that I was going to be honored as Africa's Innovative Online Newsroom. I promoted the event on my online portals, many of you even said you nominated me in that category out of the 30 and I thanked you.
To my shock, I contacted one of the organizers on my letter who told me her boss said I must pay N100,000 for a table of 10. I am not going to an award with 10 people. I have no friends in Nigeria as such let alone go to an event with them like that. Only been here 16 months in 37 years and still travel back and forth. In all the awards I have been given in my life, including one from a US Governor, Mayor and President Bill Clinton, Congress and Senate plus also a Canadian law enforcement association, I have NEVER had to PAY to attend a place where I'm being honored. I keep it real, I am honest to the core, I don't keep secrets or hide my feelings but if this is how you do things in Nigeria, It is NOT professional. The sponsors in that letter should be enough to pay my hotel and transportation which is all I ask for since I am a rights managed global media personality. I am not a celebrity.
I regard myself as a Public figure and media personality and never sell myself cheap. Most Nigerians want to meet me but my popularity is not cheap and I am not a red carpet urchin. It will come in due time and I am the ONLY Nigerian public figure with a hometown fan page for people that see me DAILY. I care about my fans tremendously. Several media outlets contacted me tonight, I am NOT there!! I am in Ibadan. My agent in Toronto said their boss said everyone must PAY and his secretary Ify texted me to confirm that. They no longer returned my calls.
My spot in the Online newsroom shortlist was REPLACED by Sahara Reporters a real Citizen Journalism website!! Maybe Sowore paid for the table, but it's not important to me anymore. I was in a category with Omojuwa and another citizen like blog and that tells you I won't be winning that plus if I were a Judge, I will be giving that to Omojuwa who has really engaged citizens in talking about the issues. I created a news product that I feel can touch every young African who is not good with World current affairs and how it affects them. I left the Nigerian Tribune to dedicate my time on this.
I learn from every experience in Nigeria and I keep it moving.
Thank you to everyone who nominated me.
Kemi Omololu-Olunloyo
www.hnnafrica.com
@HNNAfrica on social media
@HNNAfrica @KemiOlunloyo on Twitter
