Unizik Mass Communication students visit ABS, National Light Newspapers, as Obiano’s media aide, Nworah, Nnabuife, others charge them

By Ozuruome Deborah Sopuruchukwu, Ezinne Obasi ,Jennifer Okonkwo, Ignatius Chiamaka, Ebri Will , Dike Favour Charity, Nwakelundu Perpetual Amarachi, Mercy Ifeanyi, Stephanie Ezeiruoma, and Oscar Azolibe , Unizik Student Reporters

It was a thrilling moment for the students of Mass Communication Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra state when they visited two media corporate headquarters of the Anambra Broadcasting Service, Awka and the Anambra State Newspapers and Printing Cooperation, ANPC, Awka on excursion to widen their knowledge on practical aspects of their dream profession.

The students led by their lecturers, Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Dr. Gloria Chukwuemeka and Emma Anyaogu said the excursion was expected to give the students an overview of their course of study which will enhance their learning abilities and understanding their lectures.

According to the lecturers who represented the Head of Department Mass Communication, Prof Chinwe Uzochukwu , the tour to the media houses were for the students to learn practical aspects of television production to better illustrate the theoretical part of the studies in the department.

At the ABS, the students toured the various sections of the station, including the master control rooms of radio and television studios, editing and transmitting rooms, even as the staff on duty at the various units taught them dynamics of equipment handling operations and design.

Speaking to the students later after their tour of the Station, the Deputy Chief Press Secretary to Governor Willie Obiano, Mr Emeka Ozumba reminded the students of the need to understand their audience to enable them reach them better, encouraged them to arm themselves with topical issues happening in the Society as well as on the social media instead of wasting their time on unimportant things.

The highpoint of the visit for the students in their 100 level was an interactive section with the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the station Dr. Uche Nworah who inspired the students to avail themselves of the numerous opportunities in the social media by practicing their talents in the cause of studies with their mobile phones.

Dr. Nworah used the occasion to appreciate excellence with rewarding some of the students who were bold enough in answering questions from their tour of the station. He donated his co-authored book and another by his staff to the department of Mass Communication of Unizik to promote the learning ability among students.

Responding some of the students, Joel Ndukwe, Precious Obi and Chisom Chikwele, all commended both the department and the station for the opportunity given to them in exposing and laying good foundation for them to build and explore the various opportunities bound in the profession.

The ABS 88.5 fm and Tv studio, Channel 27 Media house tour was led by Mr Afam Obidike.

At the Anambra state Newspapers and Printing co-operation, publishers of National Light Newspapers, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the co-operation, Sir Chuka Nnabuife who received the the students explained in details the general functions of a newspaper organization, insisting that the Newspaper industry has used media convergence to survive better.

He informed that the organization Publishes three major newspapers including the National Light Newspapers which according to him is the parent newspaper,the weekly Sports Light newspaper and the Igbo newspaper, Known as ‘ Kaodita’ which he stated sets the pace for other newspapers written in Igbo.

Sir Chuka went on to say that the Igbo newspaper was born out of the interest to preserve the Igbo language which according to UNESCO as of that time would go extinct in the next fifty years.

Furthermore,he went on to explain the term “media convergence” which involves using online, physical and conventional facilities to make money. Facilities such as some of the printing halls are used for different events and functions and the ICT department used for training in the ICT department. He also made mention of the Anambra state newspapers and printing cooperation garden which was also used to draw people in for events and occasion.

He later introduced the Editor of National Light, Rose Oranye who helped in illustrating the different processes the Newspaper undergo before it “goes to bed”.

He rounded off by showing the students the printing press and the different processes of publication. It was indeed an enlightening experience for the students.

Also contributing, History and International Studies graduate of Unizik now a Tv and Radio Presenter with the ABS, Oluchi Kalu opened up on her journey to the media world fr the students as a motivation, even when it was not her area of study.

She told the students that nobody even a media organization would employee a person because of the physical appearance but with what the person has to offer.

She encouraged them to be Champions at whatever area of Journalism they wish to focus on ,as it’s as large as the sea.

She reiterated, ” I go home and lay on my bed and say what do people think off me”.

She continued on what people see in her adding, “I have friends who studied Mass Communication but are now hairdressers, and make up artists and it’s me who studied History that is a presenter in Radio and Tv”.

“Coconut wey dey carry water, you no go notice am till you shake it”