Kolapo Olapoju succeeds Taiwo George as editor of TheCable

Kolapo Olapoju has been appointed editor of TheCable, Nigeria’s independent online newspaper, effective February 1, 2021.

Olapoju takes over from Taiwo George, who is leaving the position after nearly four years.

“KP”, as he is called by his colleagues, becomes the third leader of TheCable editorial team since inception — a line which includes ‘Fisayo Soyombo, the multiple award-winning investigative journalist who served as pioneer editor from 2014 till 2017.

Olapoju, a former editor of YNaija.com, joined TheCable in 2016 as deputy editor and oversaw the birth of TheCable Lifestyle — the “soft side of everything” sub-domain of the newspaper.

He left in 2019 and became senior editor/team lead at Opera News, a position he held till 2020.

Simon Kolawole, founder and CEO of TheCable, said Olapoju’s talent and experience are critical to the next stage of TheCable’s development plan.

“KP was unanimously picked by the recruitment panel. His basket of skills is quite impressive. In addition to his knowledge of politics, arts, business, entertainment and sport, he is a digital journalist who understands what it takes to compete in the extremely tough online market,” he said.

“He also has the leadership qualities to drive the team and grow our young talents. We pride TheCable as the academy for aspiring professionals and award-winning journalists and it is one vision you don’t need to sell to KP.”

Commenting on his appointment, Olapoju, who holds a degree in business administration from the Lagos State University (LASU), said: “It’s an honour to be considered worthy of leading the crop of talented journalists at TheCable, Nigeria’s leading online newspaper.

“In these challenging times for journalism globally, particularly in Nigeria, I look forward to returning home to inspire the team to achieve great feats.

“With fresh ideas and cutting-edge reporting, I am optimistic that, under my direction, TheCable will ascend to the next level and reach new heights, especially as we find ourselves in a dynamic digital media ecosystem.”

‘TAIWO, OUR OWN JOHN TERRY’

Kolawole commended the outgoing editor, describing him as the “John Terry of TheCable” who did for the newspaper what the footballer did for Chelsea Football Club of England.

“Taiwo was our own Terry: he wore the badge with pride, played through the pain barrier and was ready to play in any position to help the team. I remember when Taiwo’s wife gave birth to their first child. Despite being given paternity leave, he offered to keep working, insisting his wife and newborn son were doing fine. That is commitment. We can never forget this act of sacrifice,” Kolawole said.

“Under him, TheCable has grown phenomenally as online news leaders with constant breaking news and exclusives, in addition to winning  many awards. He took over seamlessly from ‘Fisayo, another amazing editor who did an incredible amount of work as the pioneer leader of the editorial team.

“We wish Big T, as well call him, outstanding success in his future endeavours. He knows TheCable will always be a home for him.”

Kolawole reiterated that the newspaper’s management would continue to abide by its central principle of nurturing “young and vibrant journalists” as it strives to become the most respected online newspaper out of Africa.