Right before graduation, I watched my first Oprah's show on cable. It was the ever first cable my family owned, thanks to my elder brother who had at the time landed an oil company job. I experienced a mix emotion - overwhelmed, fascinated, drawn to her and her guest etc and from that moment I needed to connect with people the way she did.
Some how, I got hold of a collection of Oprah's interviews, a good number of them and watched every one of them, with a writing pad and a pen. I jotted every statement or phrase that stood out for me. Till date, about a decade, I still have the notes.
At that time, I wasn't sure of the career path I wanted to follow but I was certain the classroom was not the place for me, but I had studied Education anyway, because it was what was available at the time. I got into broadcasting and started learning the ropes. I tried thinking like Oprah and approaching topics and people the way she would. I was trying too hard and kept disappointing myself until I held my first Face to Face talkshow and went on a charity visit with my team. I felt fulfilled and satisfied. It was young people and for young people and my guests were government officials. They interacted with the young people who asked burning questions and engaged in healthy arguments on how they, in their positions influence the lives of young people. It was very spirited and I was very happy. my team and I hen went on a charity visit to some displaced people settlement and that again left me fulfilled.
I could never be Oprah or any other person I fancied. I could never act like Oprah. All I could be was me and do what I was put here on earth to do.
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