As I turn 70 ( three score and 10) today 23rd of March, I would like to reflect on the last two years of my life. Right in the middle of a pandemic I had a stroke! Dr Seyi Roberts, my friend and doctor described it as an Evolving stroke. Our home was turned upside down momentarily. When you have a great family you can rise faster against all travails. When I count my blessings, I count my wife, children and big sister.
I won’t lie, it has been very challenging especially as I also began to suffer from vertigo.
However, I am grateful to God for making me see and mark this milestone. I thank Him for my journey to recovery.
I was 17 when I left Benin for the proverbial greener pastures in Lagos. I always wanted to be a radio presenter having been inspired by Dele Olowu on Midwest Radio.
My dream of being on radio didn’t manifest until I was 22 when broadcasters like Patrick Oke & Jones Usen encouraged me to be the voice on NBC mail bag (now email). I was told I had a radio voice.
I got my lucky break when at 24 I got auditioned for the role of an announcer at Radio Nigeria. While at RN I created Radioscope and later Radio Link (still running on Radio)
In 1981 I was drafted to the Radio NigeriaTraining School to train Announcers (which I still do to date). I didn’t even realize I could become a trainer.
In 1979 I bagged the much Coveted Radio Nigeria Best Announcer of the year. This was so surreal. I have since then received several other awards to the glory of God. I am the host of Radio and TV Talk Show, Soni Irabor Live which was inspired by the late Larry King whom i met in washington DC in july 1986 .
I retired from Radio Nigeria at the age of 48 in 2000 to set up my businesses in Advertising, Broadcast training, broadcast media establishments and PR & Media services. I am passionate about broadcast quality and standards although so much has changed…
I thought I would release my book on the occasion of my birthday but it hasn’t happened quite like that but it will happen.
Let me leave you with three major lessons having a stroke taught me;
*When a child falls, he looks forward but when an adult falls, he looks back …I got the opportunity to look back and reflect on my life… I gained many useful insights on moving forward better and stronger.
*Be there for your family and friends so that in your days of need they will be there for you too. Although a handful of friends and family knew of my illness I realised how blessed I am.
*When life happens to you, see it as an opportunity for a growth mindset, to let you face the challenges and a time to catch your breath.
Thank you all and God bless. May you live long.
#soniIrabor@70
#Grace
#gratitude #soniiraborlive
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