•On Her Job, Life & Fashion Style
Do you know Veronica Dan-Ikpoyi? Let’s tell you about her. If you watch TVC regularly there is no way her face won’t be recognizable. She reads the news. She presents programs and she goes on the field to report stories. That is the story of TVC Presenter, Veronica Dan-Ikpoyi. She is a beautiful & stylish lady who has carved a niche for herself in the broadcast industry.
She spoke to City People Publisher, SEYE KEHINDE about her life and career. Below are excerpts.
What has kept her going all these years?
“The passion for what I do has kept me going despite all the challenges in the industry. I like the fact that one is championing the courses of people who have no voice for them to be heard.
Why Journalism?I have always loved watching people on TV, especially how they speak, that was the interest that attracted me. That was the catch for me. So I decided to go down the route of Journalism. I have discovered that Journalism is more than just speaking on TV or looking good. There is a lot of work that goes into all that. I studied Broadcast Journalism at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism. I have always loved Broadcast by the way, but one of my bosses discovered that I can do better at the time. So, she encouraged and pushed me to be on the air. That was at MINAJ TV at the time, where I began to read the news. How was it? I struggled at first. Every person we always struggle with presentations before it all starts to come easy.
How do you feel each time you are on TV reading the News?
“I feel like I have a responsibility to do something, to not just read the news, but ensure that it must interest you, what people would need to know, not just what people would like to know because information is power. That is what I try to do that as much as possible, those things that are not out there, I bring them out in my interviews. I make it known to them, informing people.
What are the things you do at TVC?
I read the news. I present. I do reports. Most of the times, I do Human Interest Stories. With that I can give voice to the populace.
You have been doing this for how long?
I have been doing this for over a decade. Yes.
What have been the challenges?
Challenges have been on issues of Gender. Situations where many may not want to speak to you because you are a woman. In the workplace, at times, that also comes to bare, certain roles are not given to you as a woman because some think you are not capable or you don’t have the capacity to handle it. There are other challenges on the field, you meet all sorts of barriers when you go out to the field to get stories.
It’s either people do not want to speak to you, because of fear for their lives or one thing or the other. And you know that these stories are true and they have to be told. So, those challenges are there. We also have welfare challenges in the industry. It is an industry challenge.
Do you feel fulfilled?
Absolutely. I do feel fulfilled. The fact that I can give voice to the voiceless. I am fulfilled.
Let’s talk about your fashion style…How has your job as celebrity influenced your dressing?
For my style, it’s divided into two ways. There is the official way. I dress the way I should be addressed. I need to look decent and presentable. I dress Formal. We have a dress code in my organization. You can’t go outside of that. Personally, my style is basically eccentric, something that is Classic. As for my status, I don’t see that as a problem or a challenge.
How do you cope outside when people see you and recognise you and they want to greet or hug you…
I don’t have a problem with my status as a celebrity. People hardly see me outside, because I don’t go out I am always indoors. I rarely go out. That is the way I handle that area, and as to my presence on social media, I handle that also. My private life is private. That is the way I handle my lifestyle.
How was growing up for you? Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Kogi State at Ajaokuta Steel Company. That is where I grew up. Growing up was pretty interesting, I was the quiet me as a child. A lot of people I grew up with are actually surprised that I am actually in the media business. because as a child I was invisible, practically speaking. So, it came as a surprise to them. My parents were comfortable and they were able to help us to a certain level and here we are today.
How did you come to Lagos?
I came to Lagos at some point. I did my Primary and Secondary in Kogi State, then came to Lagos to stay with my elder sister. That was a struggle for me to adjust to the culture. This was totally different from what it was for me. But over time, I adjusted to the system.
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