…As NIJ honours Adefaye, Oyo

BY CHARLES KUMOLU & LAJU AREYENKA

LAGOS—SENIOR media professionals have  unanimously called  on journalists to actively participate in the search for solutions to the multifaceted challenges  holding Nigeria down.
They made the call yesterday in Lagos at the convocation ceremony of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, NIJ.

Roll call
Those at the event include; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, who was represented by Mallam Imam Imam, former Lagos State governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Sam Amuka, General Manager/Editor-in-Chief of Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, former Special Adviser on Media to President Olusegun Obasanjo, Mrs Remi Oyo, Mr Ben Murray Bruce, who was represented by Mr. Joseph Molokwu, Provost of NIJ, Dr. Elizabeth Ikem among others.

The forum also witnessed the conferment of Fellowship Award of the institution on the duo of Adefaye and Oyo.
Most of the speakers also took turns to advice the graduands on the need to act as agents of change.

Nigeria is on the verge of a rebirth—Amuka
Speaking at the event, Amuka, who stood in for the Chairman NIJ Governing Council, Mallam Ismaila Isa, said: ‘’Your certificate is a testimony of academic excellence and sound character. Your intelligence will take you to greater heights, but it is character that will keep you there. This is especially important at this time when Nigeria is on the verge of a rebirth with the ongoing national conference. That is why media practitioners, including our graduating students must endeavour to play our role in national development to the best of our abilities.”

We must help our country stay united—Oyo
Similarly, Oyo said: ‘’We expect that like those that are graduating here today, our journalists would be well educated, and seek continuous education, seek to publish and broadcast the truth and only the truth. And as much as it is important not to be bias, we must realize that we must do all we can to help our country to grow and stay united, and serve our country with our pens and our microphones.”

Journalists should embrace ICT—Adefaye
In the same vein, Adefaye said, ‘’There is need to place a lot of emphasis on ICT training and knowledge. The template has changed because the people who are doing very well in the social media call themselves renegades. They don’t have the tolerance and training that journalists have got. Therefore those who have training as professionals should also match them for their tricks by getting adequate ICT training otherwise, they would send you out of business.”

Journalists should play developmental role—Bruce
Also Bruce said:’’You are graduating into the world of journalism at a very challenging period. If I were you, I would not even be excited about a day like this, because you are coming into journalism at a trying time. The challenges facing you are enormous because of the developmental role that you must play in our country.

There are challenges of technology, society and indeed the labour market. We are in a society where violence has now become the order of the day. As for the labour market, what media house would be able to accommodate all of you? This is why you must move beyond seeking for employment to creating employment.

This is where new media comes in. Your education and specifications are also available to the man on the street. But don’t be daunted by this task, embrace the challenge of journalism.”

On her part,  Ikem said, ‘’This is the foremost institution of Journalism in Nigerian. And it is is known for producing the finest journalists in the country. Out of every ten journalists you see, six will be products of this institution. The  NIJ has run ten hitch free sections. Presently we are in the session semester of the eleventh section. keep the flag flying and uphold the sanctity of journalism profession.’’