Idoko Salihu
(He/Him)
As seen in:
Substack,
Premium Times,
AllAfrica,
Daily Maverick,
Nigeria Today,
Scrolla.Africa,
Peoples Gazette
Covers:
Music, politics, lifestyle and entertainment, environment and health.
Journalist | @GazetteNGR | @premiumtimesng, ex @jaguda_dotcom, Podcaster @NorthoriousPod, Africa Unscrambled, Daily Maverick |email: idoko@peoplesgazette.com
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
As an intern with Premium Times newspaper.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
No.
How is social media changing news?
It is unearthing a new generation of independent journalists, and information sharing has become easily accessible.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Ida B. Wells
What does it mean to be a journalist?
This means that the truth must be told at all costs.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
Can't remember any right now.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
By email.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Grammarly, WordPress CMS, emails, venngage.
What's your favorite social network?
Twitter
Who do you wish followed you?
Christiane Amanpour
Why did you become a journalist?
Became a journalist to tell stories from the perspective of the people, putting truth as the basis for my passion.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
No.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
The story I did on air pollution. Nigeria's ranking on indoor air pollution was a major concern for me. This inspired the story.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Be truthful to your passion.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Mornings. 9 a.m to 11 a.m
What's the best pitch you ever got?
Can't remember any just yet.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
Can't remember any yet.
What's your favorite drink?
Water.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
At home with my family.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Stories that were written by Emmanuel Mayah. Especially his investigations on MTN.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That writing entertainment stories are easy.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.