IIJ Matriculates 78 New Students

…. Charges Public On Need To Get Certified As Journalists

… As Guest Speaker Counsels Students To Engage In Personal Development

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By Oluronke Kuku

The International Institute of Journalism, IIJ, Abuja – Ado Ekiti campus has matriculated a total number of Seventy – Eight (78) students undergoing different programmes in Ordinary National Diploma in Journalism (OND), Higher National Diploma in Journalism (HND), the Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism (PGDJ) and the Post Graduate Diploma in Advertising and Public Relations (PGDAP).

Welcoming the students to the Matriculation ceremony for the 2024/2025 academic session at the permanent site of the Institute located along the NTA road in Ado Ekiti recently, the Coordinator of the Institute, Pastor Dare Daniels emphasized the need for those interested to practice journalism as a profession in Ekiti State and beyond to visit the Institute to get themselves properly certified as a professional journalist.

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The Ado Ekiti campus Coordinator for the Institute, Pastor Dare Daniels revealed further that the citadel of learning has been empowered to train and certified interested members of the public in courses like Advertising and Public Relations asides Journalism.

He used the opportunity to call out those already parading themselves as Journalists or Public Relations practitioners or working in Advertising Agencies in the State and beyond not to continue to deceive themselves and come out to enrol at the Institute to get themselves fully certified.

Administering the Matriculation Oath to the 78 new students, the Vice President NUJ Southwest B Zone, Comrade Ronke Afebioye Samo, who represented the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, urged the new matriculants to get themselves equipped with the Institute’s Code of Conduct for students, and guide themselves against any activity, behaviour and characters not in the best interest of the Institute’s image.

Speaking earlier at the Matriculation ceremony, the Visitor to the Institute; the
State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ekiti State Council, Comrade Kayode Babatuyi while delivering his address, commended the Management and staff of the Institute for their commitment to excellence in running the affairs of the Journalism School.

He emphasized the importance of capacity building in developing professionals, stating that it enhances skills, knowledge, and professionalism.

The Guest Speaker, Dr Gbenga Emiloju, while presenting a paper titled “Empowering The Next Generation Of Journalists: The Role Of Capacity Building”, highlighted the significance of capacity building in journalism, emphasizing its role in enhancing skills, knowledge, and competencies.

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Dr Emiloju stressed how journalism plays a vital role in the society, including holding those at the helms of affair to account, by providing accurate information thereby initiating public debates.

The Guest Speaker also counselled the students to invest in their personal growth and development. Adding, he pointed out the need for them to pay necessary sacrifices that will help them become relevant and productive in the journalism profession.

Also, speaking at the Matriculation ceremony, the immediate past State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Ekiti State, Comrade Rotimi Ojomoyela, in his goodwill message, emphasized the importance of seeking truth and upholding the responsibility and objectivity enshrined in the Nigerian constitution.

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He noted that journalism is not about seeking popularity, but about reporting the unusual and holding leaders accountable.

He went on highlight the significance of the section of the Nigerian Constitution which emphasizes the importance of freedom of expression and the dissemination of information.

He used the avenue to encourage the students to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Institute to develop their skills and become highly resourceful and productive journalists.

In his own address at the Matriculation ceremony, the Chairman of the Academic Board of the International Institute of Journalism, IIJ, Abuja – Ado Ekiti campus, Dr Akogun Tai Oguntayo speaking on behalf of the Institute’s Lecturers, charged the new students to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the institute to develop their skills and become highly resourceful and productive journalists in the Country.

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He described the Matriculation ceremony as the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of the matriculating students.

He however noted that the new matriculants would be part of the next generations of journalists who will be equipped with adequate skills and knowledge necessary for them to make a positive impact in their society.

Also, giving his own speech, the President of the Students Representatives Council, SRC, of the International Institute of Journalism, IIJ, Abuja – Ado Ekiti campus, Mr Seun Ayodele, thanked the students populace for their supports and contributions towards making the Matriculation ceremony a huge success.

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He however pleaded with them for their continuous support towards making a remarkable legacy for the Institute at the end of their academic programme.

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