Reintroducing Dakleshelleng: A Fresh Vision For The Journey Ahead
In this article, I reflect on how my personal brand has evolved, sharing the exciting new direction I’m heading in and inviting you to join me on this journey of growth and discovery.
The road to discovering and defining one's professional identity is rarely a straight path. For me, it has been a winding journey filled with shifts, challenges, and self-reflection. From being a medical aspirant turned filmmaker, and now embarking on a career in journalism—an evolution that, on the surface, may seem complicated, but in reality, is a natural progression towards my true passion: telling compelling, authentic stories. This is where Dakleshelleng comes in—my platform to chronicle this journey, share my growth, and offer insights into the world of media.
Introduction: The Rebranding Journey
My name is Yakubu Dakleshelleng Musa, but I prefer to go by Dakleshelleng. Why? I’ve always been drawn to the idea of a mononym—it feels distinctive and true to who I am. Plus, saying all three names can feel a bit much, and using just Dakleshelleng has a certain simplicity that fits well with building my personal brand.
I am currently a third-year student of Mass Communications from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), where I'm pursuing a major in journalism. To be honest, my journey has been anything but linear—I started out as a medical aspirant, transitioned into filmmaking, and have now found my footing as a budding journalist. Each step has shaped me, adding layers to my story and influencing the way I see and tell stories about the world around me.
Initially, Dakleshelleng was meant to serve as a straightforward journalism portfolio, a place to showcase my work for leverage and breaking into the media industry. However, my vision has evolved.
This platform will no longer be just a collection of news articles or features but a representation of my journey, growth, and aspirations. It is where I aim to merge the personal with the professional, creating a space that reflects authenticity, self-discovery, and a commitment to excellence. This article marks an important milestone—the rebranding of Dakleshelleng, my Substack publication.
The Evolution of Dakleshelleng
When I first joined Substack in 2022, Dakleshelleng was nothing more than a simple Substack publication—a space for me to test the waters of online writing. Similarly, I took to exploring Medium where I now also run a self-titled personal blog, too.
However, my understanding of the digital world was limited and thus, I abandoned the idea, but by 2024, after a few false starts and a lack of direction, I decided to fully dedicate myself to writing—not just as a casual hobby, but as an aspiring journalist with a purpose.
What it started as
When I returned to Substack last year, I didn’t have a grand plan. At the time, I was just beginning to explore the world of journalism, having completed a remote investigative contract with Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ), Switzerland.
Although I worked as the on-ground journalist in Adamawa, Nigeria, I didn’t receive a byline for my contributions. That experience, however, ignited a realisation—the need for a dedicated platform to showcase my skills and establish my voice.
So, I repurposed it to be a simple digital portfolio, a place to house my journalistic works for potential employers and collaborators as a student.
The shift
After the NZZ project, I published a three-part series detailing how I navigated the investigative project, sharing the whole process, challenges, and triumphs on here. The feedback I received, especially on social media, was overwhelming. I saw new subscribers trickling in, with +300 views on the platform, increasing my base from just four in 2022-2023 to 11 in 2024, and as of this writing, I now have 16 subscribers.
The series became a catalyst. It was clear that Dakleshelleng could be more than a one-dimensional portfolio. It could be a living, breathing platform that evolved with me, allowing me to share not just my work but my journey, my learning, and my vision. I could also use it to build a personal brand, engage an audience, and explore new career opportunities.
What’s changing?
From now on, Dakleshelleng is now dedicated to documenting my career growth as a student navigating the media industry. It’s no longer just about posting articles or news pieces. I want it to serve as a resource for others like me—disadvantaged students, aspiring journalists, and filmmakers—who might not have access to the same opportunities or mentorship as those in larger, more established markets.
Alongside this, I have also launched The Correspondent's Desk, a separate publication solely for my journalistic work. The decision to split these two publications was intentional; it allows me to maintain cohesion while also giving you a clearer distinction between my personal journey and my professional work.
This new structure lets me focus on career advice and industry insights on Dakleshelleng, while showcasing my investigative pieces, feature stories, and journalistic reports in The Correspondent’s Desk. The goal is to align my personal growth with the content I create and build a cohesive professional brand across platforms.
My Vision for Dakleshelleng Moving Forward
Now, as I approach my final year in school, I see 2025 as the starting point of my intentional growth. Coming from a disadvantaged background, I know all too well how challenging it can be to navigate an industry without proper resources or guidance.
Therefore, I am more proactive and intentional about where I’m headed. While I may have felt behind my peers in the past, especially those in more conventional university systems, I’m now embracing the distance-learning structure of my programme at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
At NOUN, there’s little to no face-to-face interaction, no physical classroom, no formal mentorship. It’s mostly self-taught, which can be daunting, especially when you're trying to break into a competitive field like journalism. In northern Nigeria, opportunities are sparse, and media outlets are dwindling. This makes it even harder for students like me to gain real-world experience. But despite the odds, I have managed to carve a niche for myself.
Goals for the platform
At its core, Dakleshelleng is about building connections. It’s a space where I aim to inspire, inform, and engage with readers who share my passion for storytelling. My primary goal is to use this platform to bridge the gap between aspiration and action, especially for those navigating challenging paths into the media and creative industries.
Through candid reflections and actionable advice, I hope to demystify the often opaque world of journalism and media. This isn’t just a platform for showcasing polished success; it’s a place to embrace the messy and imperfect journey of growth.
New direction
Despite being a student, I also now currently work part-time at the state radio station, the Adamawa Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Yola. Hence, my official pivot from my investigative and print days to broadcast journalism particularly radio. In the future, I hope to transition fully into television, whether that be traditional broadcast or digital platforms.
For now, I’m focused on refining my skills, building my portfolio, and continuing to develop Dakleshelleng as a space where aspiring professionals can find guidance and inspiration.
What you can expect
Moving forward, the content will focus on themes such as career growth, self-discovery, and the intersection of journalism and filmmaking. You can expect a mix of personal reflections, industry analyses, and insights into the evolving media landscape.
As I continue to develop Dakleshelleng, I’m looking forward to collaborating with other industry professionals. Many of you, my followers and subscribers, are already established professionals in the field, and I hope that you will contribute your knowledge and expertise to this platform.
As the community grows, I envision Dakleshelleng becoming a space where aspiring journalists and media professionals can come together, share their experiences, and offer support to one another.
Positioning Myself as an Emerging Professional
My professional journey has been anything but linear. It began with a love for storytelling, which led me to film school, where I honed my skills as a filmmaker. Transitioning into journalism felt like a natural evolution, allowing me to use those skills to tell real-world stories with impact.
From my time at NZZ to my current role at ABC, I’ve gained a range of experiences that have shaped my understanding of media. Studying Mass Communications at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has further deepened my appreciation for the craft, especially as I juggle the demands of work and distance learning.
The intersection of journalism and filmmaking
As I continue to grow, I aim to work at the intersection of journalism and filmmaking. While journalism remains my primary focus, filmmaking still holds a special place in my heart.
I’m especially interested in narrative journalism—the art of telling stories in a way that is both informative and emotionally resonant. I believe this style will help distinguish my work in the years to come, and it’s something I plan to explore in greater depth.
A new identity
This rebranding is more than a professional decision; it’s a declaration of intent. Dakleshelleng represents my emergence as a voice in media, committed to authenticity and excellence. It is my way of asserting that even those from disadvantaged backgrounds can make a mark in this industry.
Thanks to platforms like LinkedIn, I’ve connected with industry professionals and peers who’ve shared their own struggles—some have spent years after graduation before finding steady work. In this respect, I consider myself fortunate, but I also know that luck isn’t everything. It’s the combination of hard work, perseverance, and a little bit of faith that propels one forward.
Cross-Promoting My Other Publications and Platforms
While Dakleshelleng focuses on my professional musings, I maintain several other platforms for different aspects of myself. Moving forward, I will regularly cross-promote my work across these platforms to ensure a cohesive and comprehensive presence online. Each of my platforms serves a different purpose, and none can exist in isolation.
Where else to find me
Here’s a breakdown of what each platform offers and how they tie into my evolving identity:
Dakleshelleng - My Personal Blog on Medium: This is where I share my personal thoughts, insights, and musings about my personal experiences or my day-to-day life and on various topics that fuel my curiosity. Click here.
Dakleshelleng - My Career Blog on Substack: This platform is where I focus on my career journey, offering content that is more aligned with my growing expertise in journalism and filmmaking. I share industry insights, thought leadership pieces, and updates on my professional projects. Click here.
The Correspondent's Desk - My Journalism Portfolio on Substack (Coming soon): This is my professional journalism portfolio, where I present my investigative work, feature articles, and in-depth reporting. It serves as a platform to showcase my growth as a journalist and my dedication to storytelling with accuracy and insight.
Encouraging engagement
I hope that you, my readers on Substack—especially those who are interested in my professional journey—will continue to support me as I grow. If you’re more interested in my personal life and experiences, I encourage you to explore my Medium blog. As for Dakleshelleng, this platform is where I’ll focus on professional content, sharing insights, career tips, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way.
So, I invite you to engage with me across these platforms, whether by subscribing, sharing feedback, or contributing your own stories. By building a network of professionals and enthusiasts, I hope to foster a collaborative and supportive community.
Conclusion
The key takeaway I want to share is simple: it’s possible to start late, with limited resources, and still make it. All it takes is a commitment to push through, learn, and grow. This is my first step towards fulfilling my professional dreams, and I’m grateful for the journey thus far.
I’m now preparing for my second semester in my third year of study, as well as for a six-month internship at the state radio station. It’s going to be a busy few months, but I’m excited about the opportunities ahead. I’m committed to sharing my experiences—mistakes, lessons, and successes—with you, as I continue to evolve into a better journalist and storyteller.
Join Me on This Journey
The rebranding of Dakleshelleng marks a new chapter in my professional life. As I continue to learn, grow, and share my experiences, I hope this platform will inspire others to pursue their dreams, regardless of the obstacles they face.
I hope you’ll also join me on this journey by subscribing, engaging, and sharing your own stories. Together, we can create a space that celebrates authenticity, connection, and the power of storytelling.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to share upcoming projects, insights, and collaborations. This is only the beginning, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes us. Let’s shape the future of Dakleshelleng together.
Personal Note: I’d love to hear from you! Everyone’s career journey is unique, and I’m curious—what were the early stages of your professional life like? Are you team corporate or freelance? Were there challenges you had to overcome, or key lessons that shaped who you are today?