Dean of the School of Media and Communication, Pan Africa University, Prof. Emevwo Biakolo, has blamed poor funding for retarding capacity building in many universities in the country.
He said this while highlighting the achievements and challenges of the school during an annual dinner and awards night organised by the School of Media and Communication Alumni Association on Saturday.
Those who bagged awards are Omoshalewa Aboderin, Illustrious Alumni Award; Adewale Adebayo, Illustrious Alumni Award; Tosin Oladipo, Best M. Sc. Full Time Student, SMC, PAU; Tejiri Oghenemaro, Best M. Sc. Part Time Student, SMC, PAU; Nkechi Njemanze, Best graduating Post Graduate Diploma Community Relations Student, SMC, PAU; Temitope Akintola, Best graduating Post Graduate Diploma Digital Media Student, SMC, PAU; Dr. Isah Momoh, Faculty of the Year; while First Bank of Nigeria Plc and Zenith Bank Plc got the Outstanding Partner Awards.
Biakolo said, “The SMC has recorded tremendous achievements in a very short period of time. Building capacity is the challenge in many universities and this is very necessary for development. Human resources are the most important assets in a company. We have been battling to get fund to move SMC and this has effect on how far we are able to build capacity.
“The alumni should strive to raise fund to move the SMC to enhance progress. I am sure they can because they have the connection and link to gather fund. Fund is one of the reasons why it is difficult to produce a PhD holder.”
The president of the Alumni, Mr. Bayero Agabi, blamed universities in the country for reduced capacity building, noting that they don’t teach mass communication from the perspective of entrepreneurship.
He said, “Most of the universities teach mass communication from the perspective of journalism and information gathering, they are not teaching us how to build our skills that we can sell to build businesses that will impact on our environment.
“We are already working to build capacity with business organisations both nationally and internationally not only for fund but for building capacity. We are trying to build capacity that will enhance the building of media entrepreneurs.”
One of the recipients of the illustrious alumni award, Aboderin, in her response, urged members of the alumni to follow paths that would enhance growth.
She added, “I feel greatly honoured. The members have taken note of the sacrifices that were made to make sure that the alumni started and I hope they will continue and satisfy the reason for the establishment of the SMC alumni.
“As much as possible, we must try to do something helping either individually or collectively, despite the challenging environment. The face of the media must be changed in the country to enhance quality and guarantee responsible journalism and communication for proper information.”
Also, Managing Director, Connect Marketing, Mr. Tunji Adeyinka, who was the guest speaker, advised media practitioners to develop strategies that would help to combat the distortion of the traditional media.
Adeyinka, who spoke on the topic, “Beyond creativity, sustainable business model for media entrepreneurs”, said it was necessary to define revenue streamline to meet the audience satisfaction.
November 20, 2012 by Sodiq Oyeleke
Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE
Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner
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