In their words
39 recommendations from the people who have worked with her, led by her, and hired her. Each is set exactly as it was written.
Colleagues and peers
From editors, correspondents and leaders who worked alongside her, across newsrooms and the wider industry.
“Stella Din-Jacob is a consummate professional in the News Broadcast sphere. I have known her for about 2 decades. In this period, she has sparkled and continues to sparkle - winning awards for her leadership and inventiveness at Channels News, Minaj Broadcast International, Silverbird Television and TVC News. I recommend her to anyone seeking to partner with one of Nigeria’s best in the News Broadcast sector.”
“Stella Din is unarguably one of the foremost broadcast managers in Nigeria with a record of excellent performance in every organisation she has worked to date. Her professional knowledge and management skills are top-notch with an outstanding record of training and mentoring various categories of broadcasters and journalists over the years. I attest to her commitment to excellent and ethical media practice.”
“Stella Din, the Editor-in-Chief of TVC, is a seasoned television journalist who has garnered numerous accolades in her field. Known for her unwavering commitment to journalistic ethics, Stella’s dedication and high standards are respected by television professionals across generations of practitioners in Nigeria and beyond.”
“You will strive in vain to match the drive, tenacity, and professional excellence of Stella – this quintessential work horse and compelling intellect. You always win with her on your [professional] side.”
“Ms. Stella Din is a shining star in the media space - an impeccable leader, trailblazer, and thought leader.
Our first meeting left an indelible mark, as her passion and energy captivated me. She’s a leader who delivers results, no matter the circumstances.
She is also the kind of leader who truly cares about the welfare of others.
Reflecting on our time working together at Television Continental, I witnessed a symphony of skill, passion, innovation, and excellence in her journalistic approach and methods.
Ms. Din is an unstoppable force in the broadcast industry, and i do believe that she will leave a lasting impact not only on people who have had the privilege of working with her, but on future generations to come.”
“I strongly recommend Stella, a seasoned professional who is so thorough in her work. I have known her as a very hard working media guru, who has demonstrated extreme commitment to the ethics and tenets of broadcast journalism.
She is passionate about amplifying voices of the voiceless, giving attention on developmental issues in communities, Africa and global politics.
She is a team players and her passion towards investing and ensuring the growth of young professionals stands her out to adding more value and engendering uncommon growth and advancement in your team.”
“I highly recommend Stella Din-Jacob, a dedicated professional and an exceptional mentor. As the Director of News and Editor-in-Chief at TVC Communications, she excelled as a security and defense analyst while advocating for women’s inclusion and empowerment.
Stella’s unwavering support extends beyond her professional role; she is a nurturing figure, always ready to offer both career and personal guidance. Her extensive experience as an investigative journalist and commitment to mentoring make her an invaluable asset to any team. Her leadership inspires those around her to strive for excellence.”
“Stella Din Jacob is a strong voice in the newsroom that encourages individuality and professionalism. she believes in effecting positive change using “the power of your voice”. she believes in hardwork, innovation, creativity, perseverance and tenacity as she encourages her mentees to spread out their wings and soar; break out of their cocoons into the beautiful butterfly they are.”
“The word I would use to describe Stella Din-Jacob is Superlative, in standards and delivery.
She is one of those people from whom you would always learn lessons on professionalism at every encounter. She is focused, decisive and ruthlessly dedicated to doing the best possible job and bringing the best out of her people.
Her multiple awards have only spurred her to doing more and raising the bar in the quality of news she produces.
It gives me great pleasure to give this recommendation as I know that she is highly deserving of it.”
“A professional par excellence! I call her my Mama. Madam Stella is a source of inspiration to journalists, especially the females from the North Central part of Nigeria. Her “if I can do it, then you can do it” mantra, despite cultural and structural obstacles, resonates in my mind whenever I get discouraged in my duties. Her war reports depict courage and resilience in upholding the media as the fourth estate of the realm. My close contact with her was in 2023 when she was one of our mentors for the Report Women! Female Reporters Leadership Programme of the Wole Soyinka Investigative Centre. Her deep expertise in investigative reporting and media administration is admirable and has earned her many awards and recognitions, the most recent being her elevation to Editor-In-Chief of TVC Communications. Her guidance has been invaluable to my professional growth, as she is always willing to share her knowledge and support others in their career journeys. She is not only a successful media executive but also a grassroots mobiliser, advocate for peace and a humanitarian, especially in Plateau State, where she hails from. During the crisis in the area 2023, she mobilised donations of funds to help distressed communities in Mangu Local Government Area and other parts of Plateau, an exercise she continues to do with passion to this day.”
“I have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for Stella Din-Jacob, not just for her personality as an individual but also as a professional.
Her Professionalism in the Media industry is sterling. Her commitment to work and everything she does within and outside the Newsroom is worthy of emulation, and I dare say study.
In the almost 20 years I have had the privilege of knowing SDJ, she has always been ahead of the pack. She is up-to-date on everything relating to the Media industry. The technology to run the business, she understands. The skillset needed to make the work stand out from all the numerous chaff you find in the industry, she understands. The nitty-gritty and inner workings of the industry she equally understands.
As someone who has worked with her, and still do, I have learnt a lot from her leadership, the drive to always achieve the best, to always thrive to be ahead of your peers, and the ability to never give up, even when failure stares you in the face. And I am willing to learn more.
My recommendations, however, are not limited to what I have written here. There so much more to write;
Editorial Vision; SDJ’s vision is unparalleled, she is the best out there.
Astute Industry knowledge; Her knowledge of what it takes to build a media house is outstanding. You have to be prepared or you will be floored.
Leadership & Management Skills; She leads by example and of course, her team is always ready to follow
Editorial Experience; Not many in the industry can boast of the wealth of experience SDJ packs
Strategic Thinking
Strong Communication skills
Ethical Standards; Her ethics in the profession are unparalleled. No cutting of corners, work must be done to achieve the desired outcome.”
“Stella is a stellar Media Professional. She is dedicated to the craft and very hardworking. She has a passion for mentoring and developing the skills of her team. She is articulate and has a warm personality. She is a diamond in the field of Journalism.”
“I have had the privilege of witnessing SDJs remarkable skills firsthand. I have known her closely from her days as a reporter in Channel’s TV and her ability to adapt in an ever-evolving media landscape is truly impressive. Whether it’s spearheading groundbreaking news or true investigative journalism and reporting, she consistently demonstrates a deep understanding of media dynamics and audience engagement.”
“SDJ is someone I have monitored from afar, I worked as a presenter at a time while she consulted for the station and she made it clear to everyone that professionalism was never to be compromised and she made sure that everyone got the meme. Stella is called “The General” in Broadcasting by many like me who admire her and her exploit plus achievements on the job. From this woman I learned that there are no half measures and you must go all the way and reach the goal. She has a way of keeping you on your toes with respect to the job and you always come out better for it.”
“She is a persistent goal getter who is at the very top of her profession. Her unrelenting drive for professionalism, drive to imbibe professionalism in all those She has an interaction with can only be trumped by Her humanity. So many of us who have had the privilege of working around her, with her and under her direct or indirect supervision have been better for it professionally and personally.”
“I have had the pleasure of working adjacently with Mama Stella, and she has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and editorial expertise as our Editor-in-Chief at TVC News. Her incredible talent for crafting compelling narratives and ensuring the highest standards of journalism, accompanied by a steady strategic vision and ability to foster a collaborative environment, has been instrumental in driving the overall company goal in the right direction…
“A leader par excellence. Your wealth of wisdom and experience is unmatched! You have been a source of inspiration, a beacon of light that has help mould and shape the career of all that you lead. It is such an honor to have tapped from your wealth of knowledge and experience. Like you always say, failure is never an option and don’t forget to shine. Keep Shining our 5 star General”
“Mom’s multitasking abilities were unlike I’ve seen before since I was born and made an applause-worthy increase in the growth level of wherever she works or steps into. A great woman; combination of commitment to work and empathy that helps to lift the spirit in stressful situations of everyone around her. Also, her ability to work through crises and develop new ways to achieve the targets were always inspiring.
Above all, Humanity lives in her as “She is a VERY VERY & VERY kind and an outstanding person and knows how to bring the best out of each person.””
“A woman like a man. Her knack for breaking news and exploration of fresh angles to developing stories, are in my estimation, second to none. I have worked closely with her to know this. Overall, she is a teacher to the core! Her industry knowledge is awesome.”
“I regard Stella as a top notch professional. During our work I learned to know her as hard working, motivated and a very capable professional. She has an in-depth understanding of the media and the ability to make things happen in this industry. She is creative and resourceful. I gained lots of insight during our mutual work and certainly recommend her as a business partner.”
“Stella has done quite a number of things that were ‘firsts’ in domestic journalism. In particular, she has striven to chart and develop diplomatic reportage in Nigeria and has commendable knowledge of strategic studies. She was perhaps the only African reporter who was persistently on the conflict reporting trail in Liberia and Sierra-Leone and was able to match foreign correspondents at the same time. Her exposes were of great import for the ECOWAS deliberations on matters affecting those two countries.
The candidate is a stickler for doing things right and upholds the ethics of journalism. She has trained several colleagues and is a model for many still. She has a patriotic zeal and is able to bring this to bear on her work as well as impart it to those around her. Stella often is unbending where doing things the right way is concerned, an attribute I find soothing in today’s Nigeria.”
From her teams
From anchors, reporters and editors who reported to her directly.
“She is called the General for a reason. And it’s based on her stern direction, deep desire to mould everyone to be as near perfection as possible. From news writing, production of short and long form reports, she’s got them all covered. Salute to a Titan!”
“You will go through the furnace no doubt, but you will come out the finest and purest of gold. That’s how I will describe Stella Din-Jacob. You can never mention her name and mediocrity in one sentence. She is a thorough professional to the core, a journalist who knows her trade. Above all, she is one who will see the light in you and give you all that you need to shine. If you need the work to be done, Stella Din-Jacob will make it happen to the last word of it.”
“It has been an absolute privilege to work under Ms Stella Din-Jacob as a Senior Reporter at TVC News for the past six years. As our News Director, she has been an exemplary leader, mentor, and driving force behind our newsroom’s success.
Her ability to provide clear vision and strategic direction is unparalleled. She has an innate knack for identifying potential in her team and fostering a culture of growth, creativity, and excellence.
Personally, I have grown immensely under her guidance, honing my reporting skills, broadening my perspective on global affairs, and mastering the art of impactful storytelling.
What sets her apart is her commitment to developing the talents of her team members. She is not just a boss but a mentor who is genuinely invested in the professional and personal growth of everyone she leads. Her feedback is always constructive, and her encouragement has been a source of motivation throughout my career.
Her dedication to journalistic integrity and her passion for delivering accurate and engaging news content have left an indelible mark on my career. Working with her has been both inspiring and enriching, and I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to learn from one of the best in the industry.
I highly recommend Ms Stella Din-Jacob to anyone seeking a visionary leader who combines exceptional expertise with the rare ability to empower her team to achieve their fullest potential.”
“I have had the privilege of working under the outstanding leadership of Stella Din-Jacob and also being her mentee for the last five years at TVC Communications where she is the Director of News and Editor-in-Chief.
She is a people oriented leader with a passion to see every member of her team succeed. As she will always say, “I want you all to shine.”
She is one of the few leaders with the rare quality of being exceptional at her job and the ability to patiently teach it to others.
Someone once said to me “I want to meet the person who hired you, because she has an eye for talent,” to which I responded “it is the exceptional Stella Din-Jacob.”
Her leadership style extends beyond hiring, monitoring and firing. She is always there to provide guidance and training. She has consistently helped me improve my skills and learn new skills. Her guidance has helped me in every aspect of my career as a journalist.
One of the most impressive qualities about her is her knowledge of every aspect of the Newsroom, from writing to editing, video editing, camera operation, production, reporting and anchoring. However, her knowledge is vast and extensive well beyond her areas of expertise.
She is a visionary and result-driven leader with no tolerance for mediocrity. She has integrity and maintains the highest professional and ethical standards.
She is an astute administrator, strategist and policymaker. She has developed policies and guidelines for several newsrooms and organisations across Nigeria.
It is no coincidence she is recognised as the most powerful woman in journalism in Nigeria!”
“It’s been a huge honour to have had the experience of working under “The General” Stella Din-Jacob, twice; first, at Network News 24 during a brief stint, and presently at the News Dept of TVC Communications which she expertly heads. She constantly inspires us anchors to be at our best always, not just for the brand but because our names are also at stake! Madam SDJ leads by example, effortlessly, and makes the newsroom so vibrant having risen through hardwork, diligence and dedication to enviable heights in the news broadcast media industry. she constantly tells and shows us that journalism isn’t just a career but a way of life. She’s a great boss and very motherly. Thank you very much mam for being such a great mentor.”
“A thorough media professional with decades of experience, making her outstanding on any role she takes on in the communication space. She is a Leader, manager and mentor. Working with her leaves you longing for nothing, but the best!”
“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Stella Din-Jacob for over five years, and during this time, her dedication and intelligence have consistently impressed me. Stella possesses an extensive and profound understanding of her field, and her brilliance is truly exceptional. There seems to be nothing she doesn’t know.
Her experience in journalism is remarkable. Stella exemplifies what a journalist should be—ethical, insightful, and a critical thinker. She is incredibly hardworking, often to the extent that I worry she doesn’t get enough rest. News is her passion, and she rightly deserves all the success that comes her way.
Stella is not only an outstanding journalist but also a mentor, teacher, and nurturer. I have personally benefited from her guidance, and I have observed others thrive under her mentorship over the years. Everything she touches is left better than she found it.
Stella leads by example. When she tells you that you can achieve something, it’s because she has already done it and knows it’s achievable. She doesn’t send you to the front lines and then retreat; instead, she paves the way, ensuring you can achieve even better results. To Stella, the word “IMPOSSIBILITY” does not exist.
It is with great confidence that I recommend Stella Din-Jacob. This is not just a high praise; it is a testament to her extraordinary contributions and the high standards she has set in journalism. Stella is a remarkable professional who continuously raises the bar, and I am certain she will continue to inspire and lead in any endeavor she undertakes.”
“I’ve had the pleasure of working under the guidance of Stella Din-Jacob, and I can confidently attest to her exceptional leadership and editorial expertise. Her professionalism and dedication to excellence are evident in everything she does.
While she may come across as tough and exacting at times, I’ve had the privilege of seeing the kind and warm-hearted person behind the surface. Her ability to balance high standards with empathy and understanding is truly admirable.
I have immense respect for her, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from her.
If you’re looking for a consummate professional who leads with integrity and heart, Stella is the gold standard.”
“SDJ, as we fondly call her, is a distinguished media professional renowned for her exceptional competence and leadership in the field of journalism. With a career spanning several decades, SDJ has made significant contributions as a television anchor, reporter, news and now Director of News and Editor-In-Chief. Her keen editorial judgment, commitment to ethical journalism, and ability to navigate the evolving media landscape have earned her widespread respect and recognition. SDJ’s expertise in news reporting, her strategic vision in content creation, and her mentorship of emerging journalists underscore her status as a media professional par excellence. She’s indeed an invaluable asset to the media profession and I am happy to be one of her numerous mentees.”
“I have had the distinct pleasure of working under Madam Stella Din Jacob, our Editor in Chief and Director of News. Madam Stella’s exceptional editorial skills and strategic vision have been instrumental in transforming our newsroom into a dynamic and responsive unit that consistently delivers high-quality journalism. Her unwavering commitment to journalistic integrity and her ability to mentor and inspire the team are truly commendable.
Madam Stella’s leadership extends beyond the newsroom. She is a true visionary, always looking ahead and adapting to the ever-changing media landscape. Her strategic initiatives have paved the way for our growth and success, making her an invaluable asset to our organization. I highly recommend Stella Din Jacob for her outstanding leadership, dedication, and exceptional talent in the field of journalism.”
“Working under the outstanding leadership of Stella Din-Jacob, the Director of News and Editor-in-Chief at TVC News, has been a remarkable experience. Her relentless pursuit of excellence, strong work ethic, and uncompromising professionalism set a high bar for all of us. Stella’s guiding principle, “impossibility does not exist, failure is not an option,” highlights her formidable character and determination. With twenty years of benefiting from her vast journalism expertise and mentorship, I have been deeply influenced by her intense passion and proactive leadership. Her willingness to share her knowledge and support others is both generous and inspiring. Collaborating with her has greatly enhanced my skills, work standards, and error-free approach, for which I am immensely thankful. Learning from such a passionate and legendary broadcaster is truly an honor.”
“My experience working with Mrs Stella Din Jacob has been fantastic. Before I was privileged to report to her I had already heard of her name and work ethic. I am super excited to serve under our newsroom General. Mrs Jacob will always allow you to fly as much as you can. In her words, Failure is not an option, it just has to be a Stellar performance always.”
“SDJ is an astute professional that stands out with the ability to bring the best out of anyone under her tutelage.
She is so vast and has adequate knowledge of any topic you can think of.
She has trained many journalists and continues to impact and blaze the trail in the industry. She is…
“Tenacious, result oriented, resilient, unrelenting dedication. These are some of the adjectives in describing Stella Din Jacob. In nearly 2 decades of working with SDJ, she created an authentic News and Current Affairs brand that feels the heartbeat and pulse of viewers. Her attention to detail is phenomenal and her ability to create, nurture and rebuild world class news and current affairs teams is unmatched in the Nigerian news sphere. I owe my understanding and grasp of News and current affairs to this Newsroom titan whose foresight helped create the current look and feel of todays TV Newsroom when there was very little drive motivation to create a more relatable News bulletin. Her grasp of the ethos and practice of TV journalism has seen her continue to soar at the heights of journalism in Nigeria I recommend SDJ as an essential study for anyone hoping to succeed in newsroom management”
“I’m privileged to work under the exceptional leadership of Stella Din-Jacob, our Director of News and Editor in Chief.
Her unwavering commitment to excellence, unrelenting work ethics, and uncompromising professionalism set a high standard for our team.
With her mantra of ‘impossibility does not exist, failure is not an option,’ she pushes us to strive for excellence in every broadcast.
Her vast experience and expertise in the field are evident in her guidance and mentorship which I have personally benefited from. What strikes me most about her is the ability to lead by example, always pushing herself and others to achieve more.
Her door is always open and she’s generous with her time, knowledge and resources, always leading from the front and driving us to achieve more with very low margin for error.
Working with her has elevated my skills and standards, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from a true leader and legend in the industry.”
“A top notch professional, competent hand and a goal getter.
A general in the news room and on the field. Very creative, resourceful and dependable.
She has a strong nose for the news and flawless passion for quality production. Bold, courageous and energetic.
She’s a leading female journalist/media personality in Nigeria.
Working with her will make you break barriers and sharpen your skills because she’s always on top of her game.”
Clients and partners
From people she worked for or with beyond the newsroom.
“I have known Stella for more years than I can remember, and I have watched her grow professionally from her early start in journalism, to being a war correspondent in intense conflict areas in Sierra Leone and Liberia, to now heading the news division of one of Nigeria’s major television broadcast networks.
Amongst her many attributes, there are three things that stand out for me about Stella:
Professionalism - Stella has set very high standards of professionalism in the media sector. As a broadcaster, her elocution and mastery of language, tone and delivery are second to none. As a journalist, she has an eye for the news and has developed a global network of partners and sources that make her the “first-to-know”. Her writing style is engaging and her delivery is excellent. In addition, her educational background as a lawyer provides her with an invaluable insight into the complex intersections of politics, diplomacy and law.
Courage - Stella is probably Nigeria’s foremost war correspondent. She exhibited great courage in her coverage of the wars in Sierra Leone and Liberia, when she was embedded with fighting units in the war front. Stella’s reporting from these conflicts were compelling and were primetime viewing in Nigeria. She also displays courage in stepping out of the norm to explore creative ways to source and deliver news content and features, even despite skepticism and opposition.
Personality - Stella has a sterling personality that is both commanding and endearing. She is a natural-born leader who inspires with her ideas but also with her personality. She executes her work with compassion, and with genuine empathy.
In 2022, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to journalism in Nigeria, Stella was conferred with the Wole Soyinka Lifetime Award for Excellence in Journalism, a highly prestigious award that has been received by only a handful of people.
In addition, she was recently awarded the 2024 Outstanding Woman in Journalism.
I have no hesitation in recommending Stella Din-Jacob as an accomplished professional and an outstanding media executive, with an excellent record in broadcast journalism.”
“I have known Stella for years, and over the years she has established herself as one of the best in her field of expertise, watching or listening to Stella covering an event makes you feel as if you are there personally.There is no one like Stella when it comes to media, as her name indicates she is truly a star of the Media World.”