Essential Ndubuisi
By Emmanuel Chigbata
Department of Mass Communication, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, on Thursday, June 10, 2021, held the twenty-fifth anniversary, maiden alumni home-coming and Public Presentation of the Silver Jubilee Edition of Unizik Comet Magazine.
The anniversary celebration was an opportunity to honour arrays of role models and contributors to the success and development of the department, society and mankind.
The event held at the University ASUU Secretariat 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.
Speaking, a keynote Speaker and Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina represented by the Head of Mass Communication department Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Igbariam, Professor Venatus Agbanu, said that mass communication has a critical role to ensure peace and conflict resolution in the society.
Mr. Adesina urged media Practitioners to be truthful and realistic in order to attain the full potential of Nigeria.
Noting that Nigeria has many challenges which has been ignored, Mr. Adesina said that mass communication must resist the pervading believes that only bad news sells.
Earlier while declaring the programme open, the Vice Chancellor of UNIZIK, Professor Charles Esimone, commended the Head of Mass Communication, Professor Chinwe Uzochukwu, Staff and students of the department for conceiving and executing the event while and illuminating the importance of the alumni association which has served as a veritable platform for contributing to various facets of the development of the university.
The Chairman on the occasion, Sir Ifeanyi Mbanefo, who commended the department for organising the event, noted that despite the increasing rate of unemployment, insecurity and several challenges confronting the Nigerian nation that there are massive opportunity and areas which students can key into.
In a address, the Head of Mass Communication department, 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.
On her part, the Jubilee Lecturer, Mrs Kasie Abone urged the students to use their youthful energy to impact the society.
The event featured the launching of the silver edition of the Unizik COMET magazine, and award to dignitaries who have contributed to the growth of the department, Notable among the beneficiaries were the Commissioner for Basic Education, Professor Kate Omenugha, First female professor of Mass Communication, Professor Stella Okunna among others.
