Femi Oke

About

Being the child that asked endless questions at school has resulted in a surprisingly rich non-linear career. I'm an international multi-platform television and radio journalist, professional moderator/emcee, CEO and proud co-founder of the diverse moderators bureau "Moderate The Panel." I started in the media young, as a fourteen year old junior reporter for the United Kingdom's first talk radio station LBC. I worked for commercial radio all through school and university. When I graduated from Birmingham University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and Language I joined the BBC as a radio reporter and producer. Before relocating to the US I'd already worked for BBC television and radio, Sky Television and all the UK terrestrial television networks. The biggest milestone in my professional career was joining CNN International in 1999. Based at the CNN Center in Atlanta I spent nine years anchoring and reporting. At a time when CNN's Africa coverage was sparse, I helped devise, launch and develop the network's award-winning African affairs programme "Inside Africa". I have trained broadcast meteorologists in Argentina and Mozambique for the UN's World Meteorological Organisation. Speaking, lecturing and moderating credits include the University of Liberia, Emory University, University of South Carolina, European Commission, the African Development Bank and the United Nations. In 2007 my work in Africa was recognised by The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Communications Agency with the presentation of the "African Achievers Award 2007". I was also named Nigerian media personality of the year in 2007 and picked up the Interaction media award in 2008 for my commitment to broadcasting the complex issues of Africa. Currently based in Washington, D.C where I hosted “The Stream” for Al Jazeera English for a decade, I report for NPR's "Here and Now", moderate around the world, and lead the talented team at Moderate The Panel LLC. Specialties: International news, African affairs, keynote speaking, moderating and emceeing live events