My Writing Is Aimed At Inspiring, Encouraging-- Moses Okorie

Moses Okorie is MD, Mosvin Communications, a publisher and author of the storybook titled: But She Goes With Nothing. He speaks with TMG on the book and more.

TMG> Tell us about yourself:

Moses> I attended LGEA Primary School, Janta, Plateau State, St. James Training Centre, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, Nasarawa State as well as International Institute of Journalism, Abuja where he obtained a Higher Diploma in Journalism.

I am the managing director of Mosvin Communications, the publisher of Nation’s Pride Newspaper. Mosvin Communications is based in Apo, Abuja.

 

TMG> What motivated you into book writing?

Moses> When I saw the lifestyle of some of our youths, especially those in the tertiary institutions, my heart bled; some are fully into campus prostitution even without caring to know their HIV status; others engage in cultism, armed-robbery and many other social vices. These are some of the problems bedevilling the younger generation. Apart from students, corruption has eaten deep into the fabric of our collective existence; therefore I wanted to lend my voice on the negative effects of such act that has become a serious challenge to the development of Nigeria.

I decided to write a book titled “BUT SHE GOES WITH NOTHING”. This storybook is aimed at teaching the consequences of social vices and thereby changing the youths from wrong to right behaviour. I believe that by reading this moral education storybook, we will have a better society.

 
TMG> Did you take any course that has assisted you in knowledge of media, publishing and writing?

Moses> After I attended Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa where I read Secretarial Studies, I also went to the International Institute of Journalism, Abuja where I had my Higher Diploma in Journalism.

 

TMG> What influenced your writing?

Moses> During my days at the International Institute of Journalism, we used to compose poems and other literary works, and that was part of how I became inspired to venture into writing, and I wish to write more books as much as God gives me life. At the moment, I am already writing another book that will encourage people who are in hopeless situations.

 

TMG> Tell us about an accomplishment that you are most proud of in your career.

Moses>Writing and publishing my book is one of my outstanding accomplishments but before now, I had ventured into publishing a local newspaper known as NATION’S PRIDE. I made Nasarawa State my base from year 2014, and the newspaper made a serious wave all over the state. I consider that too as an outstanding performance. 

 

 

TMG> Tell us about your management style and how you handle your Customers and readers?

Moses> As for this new storybook I just published, I am still making effort to get it recommended by the various state governments. If that is done, I will employ marketers who will help in distributing the book in schools. I will equally supply it to major distributing companies across the nation to enable easy circulation to customers.

  

 

TMG> What's unique about it and why should people read your book?

Moses> People are supposed to read this book, because as earlier stated, it will teach them, especially the younger generation on how to abstain from negative lifestyle. Parents are supposed to buy this book for their children if they want them to learn morals. 

The book started from narrating how the father of the lead character rejected corrupt practice and was victimized by the powers that be. Fortunately, he later got justice thirteen years, and was promoted to the head his department.

This book also pictured how the lead character, Ezinne, engaged in prostitution on campus, and refused to go for HIV testing despite warnings by her neighbour. At the end of the day, she lost her life and yet could not graduate from the university, which was her reason for turning into a prostitute; but she goes with nothing.

 

TMG> What are the three 3 core ideas of your profession?

Moses> My profession is basically journalism though I am very good at graphic works. Journalism has about 5 core ideas which are: 

Truth and Accuracy: Journalists cannot always guarantee ‘truth’, but getting the facts right is the cardinal principle of journalism. Journalists should always strive for accuracy, give all the relevant facts we have and ensure that they have been checked. 

Independence: Journalists must be independent voices, and not act formally or informally on behalf of special interests whether political, corporate or cultural. 

Fairness and Impartiality: Most stories have at least two sides. While there is no obligation to present every side in every piece, stories should be balanced and add context. The journalist must build trust and confidence.

 

 

TMG> What will readers learn from you as a writer?

Moses> I do not just write for writing sake; everything I write must be thought about and properly articulated so that it would be packed with lots of moral lessons both to the governments and the people of the country. The motive for my write-ups is strictly to imbibe moral virtues and not just for materialism. So, my readers are expected to learn morals and change any negative lifestyle that they might have engaged in. 

 

TMG> Who is your audience and what response do you get from them?

Moses> My audience is the general public whether young or old, but my target audience are the younger people. My aim is to enlighten them on the need to imbibe positive lifestyle and eschew all forms of social vices. If the young people are being captured, the society would be better. At the moment, those who have read my book come out to express appreciation that the book has impacted a lot on them. And I am very happy when I hear testimonies of young people, because they are actually the main target.

 

TMG> How do you get readers' attention towards your work?

Moses> First of all, effort is being made to get this book recommended by the various education ministries in the states and the FCT Education Resource Centre. If it is recommended, the students will go in search of the book to buy and read on their own. By so doing, getting the attention of the target readers would be a simple task since the education bodies have given recommendation.

 

TMG> Tell us something you would like to learn or improve upon.

Moses> Despite my little knowledge in the skill of writing, I will soon engage in further education to enable me acquire more knowledge and thereby improve my current skill and enhance my efficiency.

 

 

TMG> What are your challenges and how do you intend to handle them?

Moses> It is not really easy to embark on publishing business especially with meagre resource, yet without support from either the government or financial institutions. So, inability to access sufficient funds to embark on very large scale production of books is a big threat. But I believe as time goes on, my resources will increase at the cost of doing my business, and my productivity will equally increase.

 

TMG> What do you do to stay educated about new trends?

Moses> As I stated earlier, I want to engage in further studies especially in my chosen career. I will also intensify my reading ability through other people’s literary works. All these would be a morale booster to broaden my knowledge on new trends.

 

TMG> Do you feel it's a set back when your editor or art director tells you something is wrong with your story or pictures at the last minute?

Moses> As we all know, the editor has the final say on the contents that would be made public. As a human being I would feel disappointed, but it is not a must my story would be published. I will simply observe what is wrong with my write-up and make correction. By so doing, I will learn my lessons.

 

TMG> What way can you encourage other youths not to depend on government for jobs but to be self dependent?

Moses> Government alone cannot provide all the needed jobs in Nigeria. I encourage my fellow youths to think of what to do in order to become job creators instead of job seekers. I believe that very soon I will start reaping the fruit of my labour, and by then, I cannot do it all alone, people must be employed to carryout different functions. When other youths follow suit, they won’t have to depend on government.

 

TMG> Do you have time to socialise and how?

Moses>The job I do gives me the chance to engage in social activities. I am not really a sports person but I engage in social gatherings with my peers and attend government functions too.