Media

VC Federal varsity Lokoja tasks journalists on promotion of unity

Published

3 months ago

August 27, 2024

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Olayemi Akinwumi

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

PROF. Olayemi Akinwumi, Vice Chancellor, Federal University Lokoja (FUL), has charged Media professionals in the country to be constantly abreast of their crucial role of promoting unity in Nigeria rather than dwelling on the diversities.

The Vice Chancellor gave the charge in an interview with newsmen on the sideline of the Grand Finale of the 2024 Press Week organised by Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ), Kogi State Council, in Lokoja.

The erudite Professor who was also the Guest Speaker at the occasion delivered a paper titled: “Diversity and the Role Of The Media In Promoting Unity.”

The Professor of History urged that Media content, especially news stories, should be devoid of ethnic and religion biases as the unassuming public consumes Media outputs without proper scrutiny.

According to him, the political class has entrenched ethnicity and religion in the country’s political landscape to manipulate the electorate, saying that the two forces have jointly retarded the growth of the nation.

He urged journalists to ensure their stories are devoid of ethnic and and religious biases, extricate themselves, be aloof and objective in their reports.

“By the time you are putting yourself in the story, you are putting your ethnicity, you are putting your religion and then, you can’t have a balanced story.

“The Media has a great role to play in promoting unity in this state in particular and Nigeria in general. In terms of ethnic composition, Kogi is a diverse state, in terms of religion, it is also diverse.

“So, I encourage the media to please take themselves away from the stories they are presenting take away their ethnicity they are religion they should be a balanced story it is through this effort that we can promote unity in this country”, he said.

On whether ethnicity and religion has positively affected the state since its creation and the state now better than it was at the beginning, Prof. Akinwumi said no adding that politicians only use them to divide the people.

“Even at national level when they sit down to talk, they don’t talk about ethnicity or religion. It hardly comes into their discussions but when it comes to election issue and one of them falls out of the equation, they bring in these issues.

“This is one area that Journalists can assist to promote unity and make the masses, most of whom are not educated, to see things from different perspectives and stop seeing politics as a war or battle between different ethnic groups in the state.

The Vice Chancellor advised government at all levels to base appointment into leadership positions on merit rather than sentiments above other considerations.

He expressed the fear that if government should maintain and continue in the present direction, ethnicity and religious bigotry would continue to fester. (Ends)

Media

Tinubu overhauls Media Team, Appoints Dare, Bwala as Key Advisers

Published

2 days ago

November 19, 2024

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Bola Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reorganized the presidency’s media and communications team in a move aimed at bolstering the effectiveness of government communication.

The presidency, in a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, announced that Sunday Dare, Daniel Bwala, and Onanuga himself would now serve as joint spokespersons for the administration.

The restructuring involves new designations for key officials within the communications team. Sunday Dare, previously Special Adviser on Public Communication and National Orientation, has been reassigned as Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications. Daniel Bwala, appointed last week as Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, is now Special Adviser on Policy Communications. Bayo Onanuga retains his role as Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.

“These appointments, along with the existing role of Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, underscore that there is no single individual spokesperson for the Presidency,” the statement read.

The collaborative approach is designed to ensure more consistent and effective communication of government policies and decisions to the public.
According to the presidency, the team will collectively manage the dissemination of information to foster greater transparency and alignment with the administration’s priorities.

This reorganization underscores President Tinubu’s commitment to a more cohesive media strategy that reflects the diverse needs of the public and the complexities of modern governance.

Media

Ododo Celebrates Nigerian Tribune Newspaper’s 75th year anniversary

Published

5 days ago

November 16, 2024

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Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has sent a message of congratulations to the management and staff of the Nigerian Tribune Newspaper on its 75th anniversary.
The Governor praised the newspaper’s leadership in shaping public discourse and upholding accountability through its dedication to truth, transparency, and responsible journalism.
Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Ismaila Isah in a statement on Saturday quoted Ododo in a message that commended the Nigerian Tribune’s legacy, acknowledging its role in fostering responsible journalism that has earned it the trust and loyalty of readers across Nigeria.
“The Tribune has consistently upheld fact-based reporting, balance, and objectivity, even amidst the challenges of misinformation in today’s media landscape,” he said.

Reaffirming the essential role of a free press in maintaining democracy, Governor Ododo recognized Nigerian Tribune’s efforts to support the rule of law and responsible governance.
He expressed optimism that the milestone would inspire the newspaper to continue its commitment to journalistic integrity, essential for a stable and enduring democracy in Nigeria.

Founded on November 16, 1949, by Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his wife, Hannah Dideolu, the Nigerian Tribune has built a legacy as one of Nigeria’s pioneering media institutions, contributing significantly to the nation’s democratic growth.

Media

Adebukunola Adebutu Unveils State-of-the-Art Media Hub at NIJ

Published

3 weeks ago

November 2, 2024

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***Aims to Revolutionize Nigeria’s Media Sector

In a transformative step for Nigeria’s media education, Sir (Dr.) Kesington Adebukunola Adebutu has launched a cutting-edge Media Resource Centre at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) in Ikeja, Lagos.
Fully funded by Dr. Adebutu, this modern facility aims to elevate media training standards in Nigeria, strengthening the nation’s media capabilities and delivering economic benefits.

The facility features a 350-seat auditorium, an advanced ICT hub, and a fully equipped studio, establishing NIJ as a leader in West African media training.
Since its founding in 1971, NIJ has been a cornerstone of media education in Nigeria, and with this new hub, it now has the potential to attract international collaborations and play a crucial role in Nigeria’s knowledge-driven economy.

Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, a former NIJ board member, praised Dr. Adebutu’s visionary investment, calling the Media Resource Centre a model of critical infrastructure for economic and workforce development.
Director of Information and Public Relations in the ministry, Mohammed Manga quoted Edun in a statement to have said,

“This initiative not only prepares our media professionals for the future but also creates job opportunities and supports economic growth,” Edun stated.
Accirding to the Statement,The centre’s resources are set to empower students and professionals with hands-on skills essential for a dynamic media landscape.
“The facility positions NIJ to offer world-class training, drawing attention from across Africa and establishing Nigeria as a key player in the global media arena.

Dr. Adebutu’s visionary gift to NIJ stands to reshape Nigeria’s media landscape, paving the way for a new generation of skilled media professionals, economic advancement, and a stronger media industry.