During Friday’s Jasiri programme on News Central TV, host Tolulope Adeleru-Balogun offered a candid reflection on personal beliefs about success, justice, and career progression in the modern age, challenging long-held notions of karma and the idea that one’s work alone will speak for itself.
Adeleru-Balogun openly admitted to a shift in her perspective on karma, particularly when observing the Nigerian political landscape.
“There are two things for me that I used to believe; one is karma… Let me tell you, if Nigeria is any example, karma doesn’t always come into play. Between our politicians and certain things that happen in this country, you will be like, “Where is the karma?” she stated, expressing a common sentiment of disillusionment.
Beyond the realm of cosmic justice, Adeleru-Balogun also delved into the evolving dynamics of career advancement.
She challenged the traditional belief that one’s work will inherently be discovered and recognised without active effort. “The second thing is your work will always speak for you, but because of social media and how people promote themselves, if you sit somewhere and think people will just stumble on your work and somehow find you, you are on a long thing,” she advised.
While acknowledging the truth in the adage, “If it is for me, it is going to come my way,” Adeleru-Balogun emphasised that such serendipity often requires an element of external support.
She cited her experience, noting instances where people recommended her even when she wasn’t physically present. “That is the situation in which my work has spoken for me,” she explained. However, she quickly added a crucial caveat for today’s digital landscape: “But I also realise that there is a lot to be done in this day and age with self-promotion; putting yourself out there, showing your work, showing what you are capable of, showing those you’ve worked with.”
Her commentary emphasised the growing importance of personal branding and proactive self-advocacy in navigating professional careers, suggesting that while talent is fundamental, strategic visibility is now equally crucial for success.
