I have had enough reasons to quit. I just haven’t found a good enough reason to stop.
There have been difficult stories. Difficult questions. Difficult moments. Times when speaking the truth came with consequences, when pursuing accountability was uncomfortable, and when walking away would have been the easier choice.
But I stayed.
I stayed because I believe journalism is bigger than a byline.
It is about asking the questions others may be afraid to ask. It is about pursuing facts when convenient narratives are easier. It is sometimes about not being on good terms with some friends because your reports may touch them personally. It is about holding power accountable and giving people whose voices are often ignored a chance to be heard.
And somewhere along the way, I realised that my responsibility does not end with my own journalism.
That is why I keep mentoring through my initiative, The Media Mentors Network.
That is why I keep training.
That is why I keep sharing opportunities, lessons and knowledge with emerging journalists.
Because what is the point of climbing if you pull the ladder up behind you?
I want to see more journalists grow. More women take their rightful space. More female journalists on the field. More young reporters discovering that they can build meaningful careers without losing their values.
I want to contribute to a media industry where those coming behind us do not have to struggle alone.
So, when Capacity Media Trust Radio recognised me as a Brand Ambassador and described me as someone who has “paid her dues and earned her place in journalism,” I received the recognition with gratitude.
Even though we often disagree on some issues, I appreciate that they recognise that we are both on the same path: demanding accountability and transparency and giving a voice to the voiceless, despite our individual differences.
I also receive the recognition as a reminder that the work is not finished.
I see it as an affirmation that the work matters and, more importantly, as a responsibility to keep doing more.
There are still stories to tell.
Still questions to ask.
Still systems to challenge.
Still journalists to encourage.
Still doors to open.
And that is why I don’t quit.
Because my definition of success has never been simply, “How far can Justina go?”
It is also, “How many people can move forward because Justina went ahead?”
Akintunde Babatunde wrote in one of his posts last week: “Until we all win, no one has won.”
Those words resonated with me and came to mind when I started writing this post.
I really don’t want to arrive at the top and discover that I climbed alone.
So, to everyone willing, we will push and win together.
Until we all win, no one has won.
