By Henry Uche
The Head of Department of Mass Communication, Yaba College of Technology, Mrs Omolara Olorunyomi, has charged students of the department to make maximum use of their resources while they are still in school for a brighter future.
The HOD, who spoke during an orientation programme organised by the School of Liberal Studies for first-year and third-year students, charged the undergraduates to use their phones, iPads, laptops, and other mobile devices as critical resources to enrich their mental and intellectual capacities ahead of future challenges.
“What matters is what you use your time, phones, and other gadgets to do profitably. As new students, you must choose your friends wisely, stick to the rules and regulations of the school, and get your information from the right source,” she charged the students.
The guest speaker at the programme, Mr Tony Manuaka, Associate Editor, The Sun Newspapers, who took the students through the journey of becoming reputable journalists, encouraged them to learn the basic skills of news gathering and writing while in school.
The guest speaker advised them not to be carried away in the “social media jungle; stay away from the frivolities and mundane things of social media; and use the platforms as modern tools for journalism, advertising, marketing communication, and public relations.”
He noted that journalism is a noble profession that can take them to great heights in life if only they can practise it with commitment.
“This profession will take you to places that you wouldn’t have had the opportunity to enter. You are going to meet people that ordinarily you wouldn’t have had access to if you were not a journalist or media personality. It is also a stepping stone to several other noble careers.
“You are about to enter into a noble profession of creativity. It is a profession that will take you to greater heights if you have the calling and if you are determined to succeed.
“You must practise journalism with facts; ensure gender balance in your reportage. You must train yourself and be ready at all times because the profession is demanding. You must not do things the way others do them. You must distinguish yourself in character and learning.”
Manuaka informed the students that, as journalists, they could be elected or appointed into high political offices as communication experts in local and multinational organisations for image-making, reputation management, and as spokespersons.
He said: “There are instances where journalists have become governors, senators, ministers, heads of MDAs, diplomats, presidential spokesmen, special advisers, and commissioners, among others.”
The editor advised them to be prepared for the challenges ahead.
“Have it in mind that journalism is a very challenging profession. It is very demanding. If you work for a newspaper, radio, or television station, there is a tendency that you may have to work late sometimes as the job demands.
“You must learn interview techniques, learn the process of news gathering, and understand the art of features writing.
“If you work for an online platform, you will be expected not to sleep for long hours at a stretch over the night so that you don’t miss breaking news.
“You can be called upon by your editor to go and cover an assignment or to travel at short notice. You must, at all times, carry yourself with confidence and dignity so that you can earn the trust of your news sources and people you may come in contact with.
“Listen to different views, avoid engaging in religious and ethnic bigotry, and desist from saying things you cannot substantiate.”
For those who may wish to go into advertising or public relations, he advised them to develop creative minds.
He assured the students that they have made the right choice by choosing Mass Communication as a discipline, and an even better choice by choosing Yaba College of Technology.
A Chief Lecturer in the department, Dr Charles Oni, who spoke on career building, cautioned students on the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
For him, AI is not entirely dangerous to mankind, but over-reliance on it would be a mission of self-destruction because the human brain would become redundant.
Dr Oni explained that lecturers are like carpenters, while students are the raw materials, hence the need for students’ submissiveness for maximum output at the end of their programme.
“Lecturers make something useful from the raw materials.”
He advised the students to read classic novels and reminded them that their destinies are in their hands as there are myriad opportunities in the Mass Communication profession.
“We should strive to write and speak well if we must be outstanding. You can become communication/PR consultants, and even own a public relations firm if you are committed to what you are doing,” he admonished.
The class adviser of 100-level students, Dr Olujoke Asekere, a senior lecturer in the Mass Communication department, encouraged the undergraduates to be focused and shun every act of distraction.
“You must make every minute count while you are here. Success is sweet, but you must be dedicated, committed, and prayerful to achieve it,” she advised.
Lending her voice, the Staff Adviser, Association of Mass Communication Students (AMACOS), Mrs Abidemi Gbekeloluwa, assured the students that the institution was ready and capable of providing them with a conducive learning environment, tools, and mentorship, but students must provide the drive maximally if they must excel in academics.
She said: “You can force a horse to the river, but you can never force it to drink water. So you must be willing; the zeal and enthusiasm to succeed must be there, and you must work towards it.”
Similarly, a lecturer in the Department of Library and Information Science, Dr Lukmon George, who represented the head of his department, challenged the students to study hard to improve themselves.
He noted: “As carriers of information, you carry power, and by virtue of that power, every other person from all walks of life needs you, because everybody needs information to navigate. Information is power; use it very well for the development of humanity.”
For the Chairman, School Examination Committee (SEC), Ms Tawa Abioye, students must do their assignments, tests, and other tasks given to them, but more importantly, they must conduct themselves well before, during, and after their exams.
“This is the area students don’t like to hear, but we must tell you. Nobody wants to rusticate you, but you must conduct yourselves properly,” she warned.
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