From Abraham Uwuasom, Makurdi
For Comrade Kajo Matins, the popular adage that some people are born with a silver spoon in their mouth does not hold water because he is one of the believers in the biblical injunction that a lazy man should not eat. This is why from onset; he considered struggle and determination as a key to success. Armed with this belief, Comrade Kajo embarked on a Journalism voyage of informing, educating and entertaining the public in the course of duty spanning for over past 21 years in spite of seeming challenges.
Hails from Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, Comrade Kajo started his Journalism carrier in 1996 after acquiring a Diploma Certificate in Mass Communication from the University of Jos, Jos Nigeria. He also obtained his First School Leaving Certificate and General Certificate of Education. The quest for higher education took him to the Benue State University, Makurdi Benue Sate where he studied and was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mass Communication.
A core media professional, Comrade Kajo’s experience took him to many media houses where he made his mark on the sand of time. At different times, he served as the State Correspondent of many newspapers including The Comet, Daily Champion, Daily Trust, Nigerian Newsday, National TRAIL, Daily Stream among others.
The unionist always handled responsibilities given to him with dexterity and integrity. He was first elected as the Secretary of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Benue State Council. Given the success of his tenure, Comrade Kajo contested and won the post of State Treasurer during the Ben Bem Mngutyo era. In 2015, he was elected into the council as the State Vice Chairman of NUJ where he is currently serving. He Chaired many ad-hoc committees of NUJ in Benue State one of which was the successfully investiture of Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty, Prof. James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse as the Grand Patron of NUJ Benue State Council.
Apart from some contributions he made for the development of the Union such as the establishment of NUJ Pen College; he was instrumental to the completion and remodelling of the NUJ State secretariat. In the area of professionalism, Comrade Kajo had won a merit award as the Best Political Correspondent of the Year 2013, an event organized by NUJ Benue State Council.
His passion to inform the public has pushed him to establish a Local Tabloid Newspaper known as ‘Kunav Times’ to educate his Vandeikya community and beyond about happenings in the state. It is hoped that any additional award to his credit would spur him to do more for the growth of society and humanity in general.