Duro Meseko,Steve Ayorinde,Segun Arinze,Umar Sani,Anthony Ubani Joins CKN Nigeria Editorial Board (See Profiles)

Three years after coming into existence, your soar away media platform has constituted its first Editorial Board. The Board will see to the day to day editorial content of the platform and will take it to the next level

Chairman Editorial Board:

Steve Ayorinde, a journalist, author, film critic and media consultant is the CEO of Relentless Media. A multiple-award winning journalist and editor, Steve started his career with Nigeria’s foremost Newspaper The Guardian.

He is a former editor of The PUNCH (Nigeria’s highest selling Newspaper) and is the immediate past Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of National Mirror Newspaper. Educated at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria and University of Leicester, United Kingdom, he was a European Union Fellow at the Fondation Journalistes en Europe (1997-1998) as well as an alumnus of the States Department-sponsored International Visitors Program (IVP) to the United Stated. Author of two books Masterpieces: A Critic's Timeless Report (Spectrum Book 2008) and Abokede: The Man, The City, The Hill (ArtPillar Books 2011), Steve is a members of the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI), a foundation Jury member of the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) and is the current Vice-President (West) of the Nigerian Guild of Editors.

Dr Anthony Ubani has over 25 years of leadership experience in building strong program development platforms, driving qualitative governance and leadership projects, implementing productive program management and evaluation approaches, forging partnerships for effective capacity building initiatives and working to support effective information management and advocacy platforms that strengthen Nigeria’s burgeoning democracy. Ubani is a polyvalent scholar with a rich muti-sectoral background. An avid writer, editor and author, Ubani has over six published books to his credit, dozens of informed opinion articles and three published professional magazines. Ubani served at Leadership Advantage as an Executive Director. Prior to Leadership Advantage Africa, he had other practical leadership experiences serving as Director General/Chief Executive Officer, Country Director, and Program Director in the public sector and non-governmental development organizations at different levels and sectors, viz: Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, The Presidency; Mississippi Consortium for International Development, MCID; and Peoples Democratic Institute, PDI.  

Ubani is alumnus of Lagos State University; University of Lagos and Nigerian Institute of Journalism. His executive development training includes courses at the Manchester Business School, UK; Center for Parliamentary Studies, UK; Mediation Training Institute, UK; and Mississippi Consortium for International Development, USA and the Nigerian Institute of journalism, Lagos.

In addition to membership of several professional associations, Mr. Ubani is also a Member of the American Society for Training & Development; Member of the International Leadership Association; Member Institute of Directors, London; Member Nigerian Institute of Journalism; Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Administration and the Deputy Pro-Chancellor of the African Business School. Ubani is presently a member of the Management Team of the Nigeria Leadership Initiative (NLI) in Lagos. He is married with children.

Segun Arinze is one of Nigeria's high profile Actor who has been on the scene for over 25 years now. Even before the advent of Nollywood he had carved a niche for himself. He is  a recurring decimal in Nigeria's Entertainment scene, A complete Artiste. Trained, Confident and a fine public Speaker, Segun broke into limelight and endeared himself in the hearts of Nigerians in the blockbuster movie Silent night where he played the monster role of Black Arrow a name that has stuck to him till date. A versatile Actor, Singer, Voice over talent, a polyglot who speaks the 3 main Nigerian Languages,  Producer, Director and talk show host of No Holds Barred  formerly on AIT and now making a big comeback on Rave TV. He's an Entertainment Consultant. In short Segun Arinze is Multi talented. ' I derive joy in what i do and seeing people appreciate it' and i thank God for the gift of immense talent he says. He has an admirable chest of Awards including Reel award for best actor in 2004 and Afro hollywood Award (london 2004) for his contributions to Nollywood's growth. Segun Arinze is the former President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria. AGN. He's married to beautiful Julie a lawyer with Schlumberger and they have 2 lovely sons Ayo and Femi.

Umar Sani, born January 25, 1963 in Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria, is Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Vice President Namadi Sambo of Nigeria. He has been Sambo's aide since 2007 when the latter just won the gubernatorial elections in Kaduna.

Umar Sani began his career as a teacher when the teaching profession was the exclusive preserve of the best from the academics. After graduating from the Kagoro Teachers College in the early 80s, in Kaduna state he took up appointment with the old Kaduna Local Education Department as a classroom teacher.

In his quest for more knowledge, he resigned his appointment and enrolled at the famous Kaduna Polytechnic, in Kaduna where he bagged his National Diploma in Marketing. After successfully completing the course, he was employed by the newly created National Teachers Institute as a store officer. Again his thirst for education drove him out of his well-paid job in pursuit of further studies after only two years of his appointment. He thereafter resigned to further his studies. In 1992, He bagged his Higher National Diploma in Marketing. As tradition demands, he was posted to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning Bauchi State and Later the United Bank for Africa (UBA), Bauchi Branch for his one-year mandatory service for graduates.

On the completion of his youth service in 1993, he secured appointment with the Kaduna State Kada Payless Stores as HOD of Procurement where he served until 1997 at which time he also resigned to further his studies. He bagged his post-graduate diploma in marketing a year later.

In 2007, when Arc Mohammed Namadi Sambo was elected governor of the State, he appointed him Director/General Media and Public Affairs in the state and later elevated him to the position of special adviser to the governor on the same portfolio.

With the demise of the president late Umaru Musa Yar’adua in 2009 and the subsequent appointment of Sambo as the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he appointed him his Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, a position he holds till date.

Umar Sani is a great achiever, with numerous achievements and awards in recognition of his hard work and perseverance from high school. They include: Special Contribution to Old Boys of Kagoro Teachers College Award, Special Recognition Award by Media Monitors, an Award of Excellence in recognition of Educational Development in Kaduna North Local Government and another Award of Excellence by the State PTA chapter and NUT Kaduna North Local Government for contribution towards the improvement of education.

In recent times, he has also been given The Most Outstanding Media Manager Award by Nigerian Tribune, The Best Media Person award by Power Steering Magazine and The Best Media Manager Award in 2014 by Citypeople magazine amongst others

He was widowed in 2013 when his lovely wife, Hajiya Sahura Umar died in a Cairo hospital in June 2013. They have four children together - three boys and a girl.

Hon Duro Meseko

Hon Duro Meseko, Journalist, Media Consultant and Politician is a graduate of Political Science from ABU,  Zaria. He started his journalism career in 1990 in the Old Kano State when he was given automatic employment and deployed to The Courier Magazine after winning the best Corper award.

In 1992, he left Kano in 1992 for an appointment as Reporter at TELL Magazine in Lagos. In 1994, he became Staff Writer at TELL. He also suffered the brunt of the arrest and detention of military Dictatorship under the jackboot of Babangida administration at TELL.

IN 1995, Hon Meseko joined The News/Tempo magazine,  another pro-democracy newsmagazine as Assistant Editor. In 1996, he was was employed at Thisday Newspapers as Senior Assistant Editor. He was promoted News Editor and later Acting Group News Editor. 

Between 1997-1998, he was State House Correspondent after which he was transferred to Abuja as Political Editor with accreditation to cover National Assembly. Hon Meseko was variously in between his journalism career Chief Press Secretary to Dr Saraki and also Manager, Public Affairs, Albarka Airlines. 

In 2003, he was elected as member, House of Representatives. Presently, Hon Meseko is one of the Advisers to Kogi State Governor.

He relaxes in his spare time by watching local Hausa boxing matches, movies and hanging out with his friends.

Chris Kehinde Nwandu (Publisher/Editor In Chief)

Born,22^nd August 1967 in Lagos.

Attended Ojota Nigerian College Lagos 1979-1980,Ojota Secondary School Lagos,1980-1984,Igbobi College Yaba 1984-1986,Lagos State University,1986-1990 (BA CRS).

Served In Kabba ,Kogi State 1990/1991.

Attended Nigerian Institute of Journalism (1991/1992) Obtained PGD, Journalism

1992: Worked at Lagos Television as an Intern/News reporter

1992-1994:Client Service Executive :LTC Advertising Apapa, handling such blue chip accounts like LBN,Guiness Nigeria, Pharmadeko, Sterling Winthrop,Wamco Plc,Cadbury Plc,ADC Airlines etc.

1994-1999:Artiste and Promotions Manager,SONY MUSIC NIGERIA

1999-2002:AGM,Marketing and PR CTL Cable Television and Supernet 300 Wireless Internet Provider Company.

2002-2006:GM,SIOtel Nigeria Ltd (Internet Service Providers) Sonny Odogwu Group Of Companies

2006-Date:CEO,Ikenga Entertainment Inc,Gavel Media Inc,CKN Nigeria Media Inc

Areas of Specialization:Media Consultancy,PR Consultancy,Events Management,Awards ,Image Strategist etc.

Other Events:President African Parliamentary Awards, National Coordinator,FRSC Celebrity Special Marshals,President Nigeria Media Friends Award. President Ikenga Merit awards. President , Nigeria Media Friends Merit Awards etc.

Others: Initiator and Presenter: Road Matters on Cool FM, Wazobia,Raypower FM and AIT

Professional Bodies:Member Nigerian Union Of Journalists..Associate Member, Nigerian Institute Of Public Relations, Advertising Practitioners of Nigeria (APCON)

Speaks English, Yoruba,Igbo Fluently

Parentage: Dad Igbo (Imo State),Mum Yoruba (Lagos State)

Marital Status: Happily married.

 

CKN Nigeria, The Journey So far

CKN Nigeria was set up in 2008 to give Nigeria’s at home and in diaspora an undiluted first hand information on happenings within and outside the Nigerian nation.

It started as an interactive platform on facebook, twitter ,blackberry and later as a fully fledged news portal.

Over the years, we realized that the future of information dissimilation will be wholly depended online via social media platforms.

We also realized that social media will become the greatest form of mass mobilisation and expression of ideas.

We at CKN Nigeria decided to key into this vision early enough, to position ourselves on what will be the FUTURE MEDIA.

Within this short period and to the glory of God, we believe we have achieved to a large extent our set down objectives.

We have been able to use our platform, to shape opinions, set agenda as well as mobilize Nigerians towards a common goal.

CKN Nigeria has within this period been able to set enviable records for breaking news, news reportage, editorial opinions, mobilisation as well as act as a platform for intellectual discuss in the area of politics, entertainment, social interactions, philanthropy and other societal engineering efforts.

We have also created a platform for people to meet especially in the area of building mutual relationships which to some extent lead to marriages etc.

It has not been smooth sailing all the way. Just like every venture, we ve had our challenges, especially in the area of sourcing for contents, getting people to volunteer information, striking a balance between what is “good” and “bad”, discussing sensitive issues that may bother on security and many other un-envisaged challenges.

There is also the issue of power (electricity), epileptic network connectivity (since social media is News on the road).

Acceptability also had its own initial road blocks since people would rather exhibit A WAIT AND SEE attitude.

All in all for us at CKN Nigeria, it has been a WIN WIN situation for us. Being ranked as one of the most recognized and viable means of information dissimilation in Nigeria and abroad has made all our efforts worthwhile.

This has reflected in the number of AWARDS we have won within and outside the country.

Looking forward, we will strive to maintain our dominance in the market and increasing daily our market share.

We hope to make CKN Nigeria the first and most dependable news portal not only in Nigeria but the continent of Africa.

In advancing that goal, we have set up our International arm. www.ckninternational.blogspot.com

Awards:

 BBC Recognition As One Of Africa’s Best on online Media, BENTV London Best Online Media in Nigeria,Nigeria Goodwill Award as Best Online News Media Award in Nigeria, African Information Society Award as Best Online Media In Nigeria..PAMSAA Award as Best Online Media in Nigeria, RIMA Award as Best Online Media in Nigeria etc.