Profs Okunna, Omenugha, others honoured at UNIZIK Mass Comm Alumni Reunion, as VC, Prof Esimone plants jubilee trees
By Chukwudi Ndubeze
Erudite Professors of Mass Communication including Professors Chinyere Stella Okunna and Kate Azuka Omenugha were among the array of personalities, honoured with an award by the Mass Communication Department Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe university, Awka, www.odogwublog.com reports.
The award was bestowed on them for their laudable contributions to the Mass communication department of UNIZIK, youths on the society and education at large.
www.odogwublog.com reports further that other recipients of the award were Senator Andy Uba, Senator Obinna Ogba, Chief Ralphs Okey Nwosu, HRH Igwe Prof. Onuora Nwuneli , another Communication giant, Prof. Godson Okafor for long service in Mass Communication, Deji Bademosi, Ifeanyi Igwebuike Mbanefo, Engr. Chris Azubogu, Dr. Nelson Omenugha, Chief Chukwueloka Agbasimelo aka Oga Ndi Oga, Emeka Aginam among others.
The event had in attendance host of media professionals and communication scholars from various parts of the country as well as alumni members of University, government functionaries, traditional rulers among others.
Declaring the event open, the Vice Chancellor of UNIZIK, Professor Charles Esimone, FAS who had earlier planted jubilee trees at the Department, described alumni body as veritable platform for contributing to various facets of the development of university.
Prof Esimone commended the Mass communication department for the idea to draw back the attention of the department’s alumni. He also lauded journalists for their roles in the society adding that Mass communication is the way forward in producing sound media experts.
He reiterated his resolve to make Nnamdi Azikiwe university not only the best university in the country but also the best in Africa but reminded that his project 200 still requires the overall effort of the university community.
The UNIZIK VC maintained that the UNIZIK Comet Magazine had been a reliable source of information on the university as well as providing a workshop for the hands-on training of students of the Department.
In her remarks ,the Head of Department, Mass Communication, UNIZIK, Professor Chinwe Uzochukwu, described the event as unique which marks a new beginning in line with the think home philosophy of the Vice Chancellor who challenged them to use the Alumni body for the good of the university.
She encouraged the alumni of the institution to partner the students by creating opportunities for them in all spheres by directing them for employment opportunities.
Prof Uzochukwu called on the Alumni to assist the students of the dept to in the area of opportunities and mentoring as it will encourage the students to take active use of their profession.
She encouraged the Alumni to be good ambassadors of the Department irrespective of base and location, urging them to adopt the moral barometer in the discharge of their duties as journalists.
The Jubilee lecturer, Kasie Abone, a veteran journalist with ThisDay Newspapers, harped on the importance of training to ensure successful practice in the profession, urging journalists to be creative in telling compelling stories to attract audience.
Abone who spoke on “Essence Of Training For Mass Communication Practitioners In An Era Like This: Seeing Is Believing” said that no one can achieve excellence in any field without formal training.
She said that students who desire to be journalists must have love for writing creatively, adding that students can intern with strong media organizations when needed to enable them gain the desired experiences before they leave school.
Earlier, Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina said that Mass Communication has a critical role it plays in ensuring peace and conflict resolution in the society.
Mr. Adesina represented by former Head of Mass Communication department Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Igbariam, Professor Venatus Agbanu, urged media Practitioners to be truthful and realistic in order to solve the ills of the society.
www.odogwublog.com reports that Prof Esimone FAS received the guests to a courtesy call before tree planting.
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