I was just thinking about some of the regional journalists I met for the first time during the 2004 Pacific Islands Forum in Samoa.
One of them was Robert Iroga.
Robert was working with the Solomon Star at the time as a reporter.
I was just into my second year as a cadet reporter with the Samoa Observer.
We’ve lost contact over the years and I just googled his name to find out if he was still in the Solomon’s and if the business card from 2004 I’ve still got are his correct contact details.
This is what I just found out.
Since 2004 Robert has worked his way up to the position of Solomon Star editor.
Today, however, he is working in Brussels.
He was appointed press attaché and head of the press office for the 79-nation African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Secretariat in Brussels this year in January.
Wow. I’m in awe of his great achievements since 2004.
I feel his success in the journalism field in Solomon Islands and the region is one of the many inspirations to young Pacific Island journalists.
Robert holds a bachelor of communication arts from Divine Word University PNG and an Advanced Certificate in Journalism from the Thomson Foundation, Wales.
He also studied in New Zealand at the Manakau Institute of Technology where he received a diploma in journalism.
4 comments
Comments feed for this article
September 10, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Cafe Pacific
Talofa Malia,
Good to highlight Robert’s achievements. Your readers might like to know he has an enlightening chapter about the Solomon Islands conflict and peace journalism in the new book ‘South Pacific Islands Communication’ – available fom the Pacific Media Centre or South Pacific Islands Ltd (Auckland):
http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/publications.shtml
An article about his chapter is here:
http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/niusbeat/080728_AMICbook.shtml
David
September 11, 2008 at 5:37 am
pcfjrno
Thank you for highlighting that David and posting those links here.
Fa’afetai
Malia
October 8, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Robert Iroga
Malia,
Greetings from Brussels.
I was shocked to read about myself on the web.
And many thanks for seeing it fit to write something about my achievements on your blog.
I wish you all the best in your studies and remember that what you are doing now is a significant asset for the future.
It is my dream to see young Pacific Islanders, not only journalists, join international organizations.
I always encouraged my colleagues that they must not stop dreaming and they must have ”wild dreams”. The more dreams you have — the better.
However, never forget that we can only dream but it’s the good Lord who delivers. And this is where the FAITH is paramount.
Wishing you the very best.
To David, I do hope to summit my second thesis, which will be part of my Masters upon completion and defence early next year.
By the way — as they say in French — Merci.
Robert
October 20, 2008 at 8:11 am
James P Taisie
Hi Robert Iroga,
Just another suprise from the next neighbor. Good to hear about all your achievements and especially in the the direction you are heading into. That is no surprise, with hard work comes fruitful achievements.
I am a former school mate (Selwyn College) and currently living and studying in Hamburg, Germany. I will probably defend my Master Thesis (MA/MEng Mobile and Satellite Engineering) next summer, 2009. Hopefully, you will come across my comment on this page with intent to catch up for a small talk. You can reach me at “jamesphilip.taisie(at)haw-hamburg.de”
I left Manukau and our Solomons some years back and with this wild dream in mind, I have found myself in this world where life is time driven in its existence. Yes, it’s hard but I will soon be there.
To the page owner, thanks for allowing my comments in here.
James P Taisie