By Mercy Suweba Musa
The Entertainment Editor of The Nation newspaper, Mr Gbenga Bada, has emphasised the importance of passion, professionalism and dedication as key ingredients for success in entertainment journalism. He made this point during an interactive session with HND I Journalism students at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) on 15 December 2025.
Mr Bada, who has worked across more than 15 media organisations, noted that although the entertainment industry is highly competitive and challenging, journalists must remain committed and resilient if they genuinely love the profession. According to him, passion is central to growth and excellence in entertainment reporting, stressing that without it, journalists may struggle to stand out or sustain a meaningful career.
Addressing the issue of sourcing, he advised reporters to build credible and reliable sources while maintaining clear professional boundaries. He cautioned against becoming too close to celebrities and public figures, adding that trustworthy sources should be able to provide broad, relevant and useful information.
He also highlighted the importance of visibility in entertainment journalism, describing the industry as one that thrives on presence and engagement. “Entertainment is show business, and you must show up,” he said. He encouraged reporters to attend events regularly, dress appropriately, maintain a good appearance, and avoid drug abuse or smoking, warning that such habits could lead to career damage.
He further advised journalists to remain professional during celebrity interviews and not allow excitement to undermine journalistic standards.Sharing his career journey, Mr Bada revealed that he worked with NET Nigeria before becoming a newspaper editor. He later moved from Daily Independent to ThisDay newspaper.
Although he stepped away from active journalism for about two years, he said his passion for writing has continued to keep him connected to the profession, necessitating his return to the profession via The Nation newspaper.He reiterated the need for professionalism when engaging celebrities and urged reporters not to be carried away by fame or status. In conclusion, Mr Bada encouraged aspiring entertainment journalists to develop strong multimedia skills, including effective use of cameras and mobile phones for recording, good interpersonal skills in the field, and strong writing ability, which he described as essential for success in modern entertainment journalism.
(Other Members of Group Five (Media Coverage: Print and Online) are Yekini Khayrah (Group Lead), Komolehin Mary Oluwaseun and Olaitan Balogun)