Daily Independent Editor, Durojaiye, joins NewsDirect

The former Editor of Daily Independent newspaper, Mr. Rotimi Durojaiye, has formally joined NewsDirect Global Concept, publishers of Nigerian NewsDirect newspaper, as its Executive Editor.

Durojaiye comes with rich professional experience spanning the old Daily Times, The Punch, the defunct Republic newspaper and the Independent Newspapers Limited, which he joined in 2003.

The Executive Editor is an alumnus of the University of Lagos, Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba, Lagos, and Times Journalism Institute, also in Lagos, from where he obtained degrees in Mass Communication and Journalism, respectively.

He was Special Assistant (Media) to a former Governor of Ondo State, the late Chief Adebayo Adefarati, from July 1999 to May 29, 2003.

He joined the Independent Newspapers Limited on October 1, 2003.

In June 2006, he was arrested and charged with sedition after writing a report questioning the cost and airworthiness of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s new Presidential jet.

The charges were later dropped by the Federal Government.

In December 2006, he was honoured by the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation for his invaluable assistance on the enactment of the Civil Aviation Act, 2006.

He was consequently appointed the General Manager, Public Affairs, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), a position which he rejected on principles.

Durojaiye was appointed the Group News Editor of Independent Newspapers in 2007; he became Group Business Editor in 2008.

He was promoted Deputy Editor of the newspaper in 2011 but still with oversight functions over the Business Desk, a position he held till January 2013 when he became the substantive Deputy Editor.

He became the Editor of Daily Independent on November 1, 2013.

He won the Best Line Manager Award of Independent Newspapers Limited in 2011.

In 2012, Durojaiye  as the Best Manager and Best Staff worker of the Year.

Managing Director of NewsDirect, Dr. Sam Ibiyemi, said he knew Durojaiye as a thoroughbred professional.

He said he could attest to his proper fitness for the job based on outstanding capacities.

Ibiyemi said the company made a good choice it would not regret.

He said that the commitment, sincerity and hard work of Durojaiye, besides professional attainment, will definitely carve a new image and more acceptances for the company in the coming years, especially as the newspaper begins daily publications on July 1, 2015.