By Morakinyo Ajibade
CITIZENS COMPASS —It was an evening of multiple applause from veterans and achievers across the Nigerian media industry as Eric Elezuo, a seasoned journalist, whose impacts and jaw-dropping contributions were recognized by the Momentous Prestigious Annual Magazine and Personality Award (MOPA), won the Journalist of the Year award for 2023. Undeniably, it was a well-deserving award for the UNILAG alumnus.
With almost two decades of unwavering tenacity and consistency in the media profession, his long years track record of professionalism has once again been recognized in Lagos. Eric, as he is fondly called, in November 2023 stepped into the shoes of the Editor of Nigeria’s foremost celebrity magazine, Ovation International Magazine, owned by Chief Dele Momodu, after the former editor, Mr. Michael Effiong, who had meritoriously served the organization, was appointed by the Akwa Ibom State Government as Senior Special Assistant (SSA).
Prior to this, he served, and still serving as the Editor of the newspaper arm of Ovation Media Group, and has countless times been praised by management as a vibrant and dedicated editor whose leadership has kept the newspapers afloat for unimaginable numbers of years.
In one of the moments of celebration, the Publisher, Chief Dele Momodu, had acknowledged him as a masterpiece writer.
Cascading to becoming a masterpiece writer, Eric after graduating from the Department of English from the prestigious University of Lagos found his way into the media profession as a reporter. He has since risen to the position of Editor, and even as a former Editorial Executive at Blue magazine.
Eric is no doubt an invaluable asset to any organization beyond the media space as his wealth of resume portrays. He proved this as a tutor of English Language at Hopebay College, Evangel College, Mason College, and many more.
He is an alumnus of the Lagos Business School, LBS, and has, over the years attended a myriad of seminars and workshops that attested to his drive for self-development even in the face of obvious achievements and successful career.
Many might easily identify with him as an unbeatable journalist, but little did anyone know that he has built his biceps in International Diplomacy.
After his first degree in English, he proceeded to acquire his second degree at the same University of Lagos. Here, he acquired his Master’s in International Diplomacy (MILD).
He is fondly called “a one-man riot squad” by his colleagues. This came after he single-handedly produced The Boss Newspaper weekly of Ovation Media Group. Under his editorial leadership of the newspaper, the paper has indeed become a The Boss.
He has attended several courses in Leadership and Citizenship Training, at Shere Hills, Jos and Sea School Lagos. He is an alumus of Shaddaiville Leadership Academy. The former Sub-Editor with Newswatch Newspapers has in the decades of his career tranverse both in private establishments and several media houses.
He was the Marketing Manager for Belgush Nigeria Limited, where through his leadership the brand sales equivocally skyrocketed to a huge percentage.
Over the years, he became the General Manager of Clayfield and Harrow – a facilities management company that combines a wide range of skills and competencies, appropriate technology, and a customer focus strategy to help meet the facilities objectives you have set for your organization, residential community and/or household.
Also, he once served as the Manager of DHB Construction Limited, Senior Correspondent of National Mirror, Senior Correspondent of Ovation International Magazine, and in several capacities.
Eric, who is presently the National Public Relations Officer of the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), and married with four amazing children, is indeed a resource of high quality in the media industry and business world.
Undoubtedly, the Momentous Prestigious Annual Magazine and Personality Award to Eric Elezuo as the Journalist of the Year 2023 is a timely award given to a well-deserving journalist for his unbending focus, high-level skill, integrity, and professionalism displayed in the calendar year.
