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Seplat Energy challenges journalists to embrace entrepreneurship and alternative income streams amid economic pressures in the media industry.
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Journalists urged to leverage their professional skills, networks and digital platforms to generate additional income without quitting their jobs.
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Company emphasises financial planning and wealth creation as essential to long-term economic security.
November 3, (THEWILL) – Seplat Energy has challenged Nigerian journalists to look beyond monthly salaries and embrace entrepreneurship and other legitimate income-generating opportunities to secure their financial future amid growing economic pressures in the media industry.
The company’s General Manager, Public and Government Affairs, Ogechukwu Udeagha, said journalists possessed valuable professional skills, knowledge and networks that could be converted into wealth without necessarily abandoning their careers.
Udeagha spoke on Monday at the opening of a two-day Seplat Media Partners Career and Capacity Development Programme held at CEEDAPEG Hotel, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
He said the programme was designed to go beyond conventional journalism training by encouraging media professionals to rethink entrepreneurship, income generation and long-term financial security.
He noted that the media industry was undergoing significant changes as social media and independent content creators continued to disrupt traditional business models, making financial security increasingly uncertain for journalists.
“How much thought have we put into creating wealth as journalists? Is it all about bylines? Is it all about the next story? I don’t think so”, he stated.
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Udeagha urged journalists to consider whether their years of professional experience would translate into sufficient savings, investments and economic stability after retirement, stressing that professional success should also bring personal financial growth.
He explained that entrepreneurship did not necessarily require journalists to resign from their jobs, open physical shops or venture into unfamiliar businesses.
He encouraged them to leverage their research abilities, storytelling skills, creativity, professional contacts and industry knowledge to explore opportunities in consultancy, digital enterprises, content development and other businesses.
The Seplat official also emphasised the importance of financial management, noting that wealth creation depended not only on how much people earned but also on how effectively they managed and retained their income.
He said the programme, which builds on similar engagements previously organised in Lagos and Abuja, reflected Seplat’s commitment to media development beyond improving journalists’ reporting skills.
Udeagha encouraged participants to take advantage of digital technology, particularly mobile phones, laptops and internet connectivity, to access business opportunities beyond their immediate environment while maintaining their journalism careers.
He expressed the hope that the two-day engagement would help participants identify viable business opportunities, develop a stronger financial mindset and take practical steps towards building sustainable wealth and securing their families’ future.
