In 2022, while I was in Makeni covering a human- interest story, the Digital Communications Network (DCN) team contacted me for an interview on Citizen Journalism in Africa. My friend, Emmanuel Yegon, a renowned Kenyan Mobile storyteller, had suggested my name from Sierra Leone among a few other journalists and influencers for the said interview. In the last 5 years of my journey, I have done several interviews with national and international media houses. I never thought the interview I had with DCN two years ago would have paved the way for a family at the DCN Africa and an opportunity to travel outside Sierra Leone and to Zambia for the DCN Africa inaugural launch meeting Judith Ogutu, a seasoned Kenyan strategic communications professional working for Paradigm Initiative (PIN)
I was completely over the moon when I received an email from DCN’s Communications Director, Marianna Tanagia that reads:
“Dear Sallu Kamuskay,
I’m writing to invite you to speak and/or run a workshop at our upcoming event entitled “Harnessing the Digital Revolution: Fostering Resilience and Development” in Africa, Lusaka, Zambia, on November 7-9, 2023.″
This was a big win in so many ways. It would be my second time seeing an airplane on the ground as a passenger, let alone getting on it and travelling to another country. I wasted no time in looking for my passport and putting documents together. Like a few African countries, travelling to Zambia requires a VISA if you are coming from Sierra Leone, and because I had a 24-hour layover during my return to Dubai, I needed a transit VISA for my stay in Dubai too. My application and approval process took less than a week. Moreover, with the help of the letter from bloggers of Zambia, my host, and DCN, I told the embassy exactly why this Sierra Leone newbie would be coming to Zambia. All thanks to Alyssa Marshall Bowman and Marianna Tanagia. I promise to tell you more about these amazing individuals in my subsequent blogs.
In the beautiful city of Zambia, Lusaka, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, during the inaugural launch of the DCN Africa that brought together incredible influencers, CEOs, and global communication strategists. I had the opportunity to create a new family, and as Marianna said in her Facebook post,
“Came across a beautiful piece on what makes a community tick – it’s the connection of minds with shared values. When it comes to building one, the secret sauce is in moments like “I’ve learned something new, met someone new, tried something new, or gained a fresh insight.” If you resonate with that, you’re on the right path.”
Judith Ogutu, a seasoned Kenyan strategic communications professional with experience in the corporate, public, government, and non-profit sectors, is among the many incredible people I met during my engagement in Zambia. Judith had just delivered her presentation at the DCN Africa Inaugural Launch when we took this photo. Judith’s presentation was followed by the screening of a short captivating film produced by Paradigm Initiative (PIN) titled Training Day, the organization she works for. The 18:51-minute short film features the story of a young man whose quest for work took an unexpected turn. The short film is an exploratory way used by PIN to best impact society through storytelling while spotlighting key issues plaguing the digital rights and inclusion ecosystems.
The movie has so far on YouTube received over 400,000 views. Watch the movie here
The DCN event, held on November 7-9, 2023, in Zambia, Africa, brought together digital professionals, influencers, and thought leaders from diverse fields. The forum, aimed at launching DCN Africa, delved into the far-reaching impact and implications of digital transformations and innovations on our society.
Judith has handled communication projects in fields such as banking, innovation and technology, digital rights and inclusion, energy, medical/health, pharmaceutical and philanthropy. She has demonstrated expertise in harnessing the power of strategic communications to shape opinions, influence narratives, impact lives, foster the growth of influential brands and manage the reputation of organisations.
At Paradigm Initiative (PIN), she oversees the communications and information technology docket. She also leads communications efforts at the organisation.
Paradigm Initiative connects under-served young Africans with digital opportunities and ensures the protection of their rights. The organisation has worked in communities across Nigeria since 2007 and across Africa since 2017, building experience, community trust, and an organisational culture that positions it as a leading non-governmental organisation in ICT for Development and Digital Rights on the continent.
Across regional offices in Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Cameroon and beyond, PIN has impacted youth with improved livelihoods through their digital inclusion and digital rights programs.
The organisation’s programs include Life Skills. ICT. Financial Readiness. Entrepreneurship (LIFE) Training Program, a digital readiness workshop for girls, and a Life at Schools Club Program. PIN has also built online platforms that educate and serve as safe spaces for reporting digital rights violations. These mediums are in the form of short films, and educational online resources, including Ayeta, Londa, and Ripoti.
Judith’s journey in communications started as a journalist at The Standard Group, one of Kenya’s leading media houses, where she honed her storytelling skills. Prior to joining PIN, she was a Consultant in Strategic Communications at Africa Practice, a pan African Strategic Firm. Among other organizations, she also worked at Inter Management Group, a Public Relations and Events Management firm in Nairobi, where she was a communications lead handling organizations such as Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen), Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) and Beyond Zero- an Initiative spearheaded by former Kenya’s First Lady, H. E Margaret Kenyatta to reduce maternal and child mortality rates.
Judith holds a Master of Arts in International Communication from the Communication University of China, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Community Development from Daystar University and a Diploma in Journalism from Kenya Institute of Mass Communications (KIMC).
DCN Global Africa Launch- Meeting PIN’s Communication Manager Judith Ogutu in Zambia
Sallu Kamuskay is a Sierra Leonean communication strategist, fixer, blogger, youth organizer, event manager, spokesperson, and public relations expert. He calls his movement in the media world “The Concierge of Media (COM).” Sallu’s movement has connections with media experts, media organizations, companies, web developers, and professionals across the world. Sallu Kamuskay’s trade primarily involves negotiating deals and managing social media for professionals, influencers, politicians, media houses, organizations, and companies. He focuses on protecting, promoting, and defending them in the face of cyberbullying.