Covid-19 necessitated UNILAG Sun newspaper going online – UNILAG HOD, Masscom By Elizabeth Osayande One of the positive fallout of Covid-19 in the education and media space is the reinventing the wheel to harness the gains of going online. This was the submission of the University of Lagos, UNILAG Akoka, Head of Department, Mass Communication, Associate Professor Adepoju Tejumaiye, during the recent launch of UNILAG Sun online newspaper previously produced in hardcopies alongside Mass Cope. Prof. Tejumaiye in a statement noted that the production of the online edition was dictated by the prevailing incidence of Covid-19 which made it compelling for media professionals to avoid physical contacts with news sources while sourcing the raw materials for their stories. While adding that this feat was line with the global best practices, HOD, UNILAG Masscom. explained that the production has since been approved by the Departmental Board of studies years back with a further directive to print lecturers in charge to properly monitor and supervise the production by the students. His words: “Immediately the Department observed the global misfortune which has adversely affected newspaper and magazine business across the world, attention was shifted to the online edition in line with what obtains across the world. “As a foremost Mass Communication training institution in Africa, the Department further re- engineered the training and focus of the students to the various opportunities presented by the online edition in the training of the students.” Tejumaiye further stated that the original plan this year was to release both the hard copies as well as the online editions simultaneously but with Covid-19, the Department rested the hard copies till when they can guarantee the safety and health of the students. From left— Rauda Musa Umar, Human Resources Executive/ Wheat Development Programme Manager, Crown Flour Mill; Damilola Adeniyi, Corporate Affairs Manager, Olam Nigeria; Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Sabo Nanono; Moshood Quadri, Head, Human Resources; Bola Adeniji, General Manager/ Head Marketing (Business to Customer), both of Crown Flour Mill, when the company paid a courtesy visit to the minister in Abuja.
Crown Flour Mill, a subsidiary of Olam Group, has reiterated its commitment to assist the Federal Government achieve sustainable food sufficiency in the country.
This plan was revealed when the Wheat Development Team of Crown Flour Mill, led by Damilola Adeniyi, the Corporate Affairs Manager and Moshood Quadri, Head Human Resources, along with other senior management staff of the company, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Sabo Nanono, in Abuja.
Adeniyi stated that the visit was to intimate the ministry of the company’s commitment to building Nigerian wheat-growing capability by bringing in new seed varieties and innovative ways of agriculture.
She said Crown Flour Mills, a major player in the wheat milling industry in Nigeria, is looking to partner with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, state governments and other major stakeholders in the agricultural sub-sector to achieve this objective.
READ ALSO: Low productivity, lack of reliable market, others hinder farmers – Buhari
She added that the company plans to introduce the findings of research trials and cultivation of a heat-tolerant durum wheat variety carried out by the company in Senegal into Nigeria.
CFM through its contribution to the wheat millers’ association, under the auspices of the Flour Milling Association of Nigeria (FMAN), has also made some valiant strides through FMAN’s wheat development programme and various initiatives in areas such as research and seed trials, capacity building in modern agricultural practices.
She added that CFM, through FMAN’s wheat development programme, targeted smallholder wheat farmers and other players in the wheat production value chain and downstream sector, all aimed at boosting the quantity and quality of local wheat production.
Contributing at the meeting, Rauda Musa Umar, the company’s Wheat Development Programme Officer, stated that the company will soon be embarking on research and seed trials, training in modern agricultural practices in a block farming pilot project.
According to her, plans are at an advanced stage to commit Kano State to make land available for the project.
Mr. Ashish Pande, the Managing Director of Crown Flour Mill, expressed his belief in Nigeria’s potential to grow good quality wheat and will support by training local farmers, gathering resources for new seed development and bringing in new technology all aimed at boosting the country’s capability.
Responding, the minister thanked the team for visiting and promised that government will extend to the company all the support it needs to succeed in the development programmes they have elected to undertake.
Disclaimer
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.