[1]Laila Johnson-Salami (born 3 December 1996) is Nigerian journalist. She has worked with Spice TV, Nigeria Info FM, Wazobia Max TV and is now a Correspondent at Arise News. In 2022, she picked up inaugural UNDP/UN Women International Women’s Day Award for Media and Entertainment category[2] and was nominated for the 2022 Gatefield People’s Journalist for Africa Award.[3] She is known for her work in promoting gender equality, youth empowerment, climate action and social inclusion. She is a co-founder of We Rise Initiative, a nonprofit organization focused on women emancipation and a founding member of Feminist Coalition.[4][5]
Laila Johnson-Salami | |
|---|---|
| Born | 3 December 1996 |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Education | University of Westminster |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Employer | Arise News |
Early life and career
editLaila was born in Ibadan, Nigeria to Abayomi Salami (father) and Diana Yeside Johnson (mother).[6] Her grandfather, Lekan Salami was a chief, businessman, sports administrator and politician and her aunty, Caroline Lee Johnson is a British actress.[7] Laila was raised in Nigeria and the UK where she received education and earned a bachelor’s degree in Politics and International Relations at the University of Westminster.[8]
In 2016, she co-founded We Rise Initiative, an NGO focused on liberating women.[9][6] She returned to Nigeria from the UK in 2017. In 2018, Laila co-hosted a first-of-its-kind show, On the Couch with Falz and Laila where they interviewed presidential aspirants for the 2019 elections.[10][11][12] In May 2019, Laila joined Arise News as a co-host of the channel's prime time programme -The Morning Show. She went on to co-host the afternoon programme News Day. Since 2021, Laila has worked as a field correspondent at Arise News reporting on the environment, Healthcare and international affairs. In 2021, Laila produced and presented a wildlife conservation series on Arise News in partnership with international NGO WildAid called Go Wild – a pioneer wildlife series in Nigerian media.[13] In 2022, the UNDP/UN Women International Women’s Day Award committee described her as “A rising star in media and journalism who is changing the narrative around gender equality, youth empowerment, climate action and social inclusion, one conversation at a time.”[14]
She is a Founding Member of the Feminist Coalition, an organisation championing equality for Nigerian women.
Awards
edit- 2022 UNDP/UN Women International Women’s Day Award for Media and Entertainment[14]
- 2022 Gatefield People’s Journalist for Africa Award (Nominee)[15]
- 2021 Future Awards Prize for Journalism (Nominee)[16]
References
edit- ^ "Changing the narrative one conversation at a time". lailajs.com. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
- ^ "Arise TV's Laila Johnson-Salami Wins Int'l Award – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
- ^ "Gatefield's People Journalism Prize for Africa 2021 Nominees". Gatefield. 2022-02-06. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
- ^ "Nigeria's Women Are a Powerful Collective. How Are They Changing History?". Global Citizen. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
- ^ Maclean, Ruth (2021-03-12). "In Nigeria, 'Feminist' Was a Common Insult. Then Came the Feminist Coalition". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
- ^ a b "LAILA JOHNSON SALAMI: My mum was the first feminist I ever knew". The Nation Newspaper. 2019-05-18. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
- ^ Coker, Mide (2018-09-17). "Laila! Laila! Laila! – On Politics, Media and the Future of Nigeria". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 2021-12-01.
- ^ "'A woman alone has power but collectively women have an impact'". Businessday NG. 2020-09-05. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
- ^ "Rising against Sexual Violence – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
- ^ "Watch Presidential aspirant Mr Olasubomi Okeowo Controversial Interview With Falz And Leila". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2018-08-20. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
- ^ "Presidential aspirant wey yab Nigerians don withdraw". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
- ^ AfricanGlitz. "Yele Sowore, Nigeria 2019 Presidential Aspirant sits "On the Couch with Falz & Laila" to discuss Nigeria". Retrieved 2022-07-22.
- ^ "How Nigerian Laila Johnson-Salami has built a media career on what matters – About Her Culture". Retrieved 2022-07-22.
- ^ a b "ARISE TV's Johnson-Salami Defeats Mo Abudu, Others to Win International Women's Day Award". March 7, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
- ^ Ugwu, Chidi (6 February 2022). "Gatefield Unveils 2021 Nominees People Journalism Prize For Africa". Independent. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
- ^ "Seven journalists nominated for Future Awards Africa". Media Career Services. 2022-02-06. Retrieved 2022-07-22.