He is the undisputed ‘King of Romance Journalism’ in Nigeria. He elevated the language of romance journalism for decades by x-raying the daily challenges, obstacles and true-life stories of the masses in their various situations. At 23 years old, Kayode Ajala became the youngest editor of a national magazine in Nigeria. Like fire, the fame of this charming, intelligent, cerebral wordsmith, a regular columnist in Sunday Punch newspaper spread like wildfire across the African continent. God later ‘arrested’ him, after he initially resisted the divine call. In this interview with RAHMAN ISMA’IL and Naija Standard, Ajala speaks on his life journey. Excerpts…
You were known as the youngest editor in the Nigerian print media industry. You led the editorial team of Hints magazine at a tender age of 23. How did you attain such a feat?
Hard Work, a throbbing passion and love for journalism made it possible. I worked as if it all depended on me and prayed as if it all depended on God.
How did you not get carried away by fame as the editor of a nationally circulated magazine in Nigeria?
The job came first. Everything else was secondary. I was young, unmarried and had no children. My whole life revolved around the job. There were times when I spent days working and spending nights at the office. I enjoyed every second of it!
Why were you called ‘The King of Romance Journalism’?
I guess that came about because the publication HINTS True Life Romances elevated romance journalism and brought it into reckoning in Nigeria. HINTS was me and I was HINTS.
Readers were touched by the rich contents of your weekly publication on lessons of life. Don’t you think people may have long missed your impact
