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The Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University, Prof. Andy Ogorchukwu Egwunyenga, made the disclosure when the newly Inaugurated State Working Committee (SWC) led by Comrade Michael Ikeogwu, paid him a familiarization visit.
Prof. Egwunyenga, said he would instruct the Head of Mass Communication Department to work out modalities for short certificate programmes in Journalism and Social Media for NUJ members in the state.
He appreciated the Union leaders for finding him worthy and critical to visit, assuring them of the institution’s eagerness to play its part in the already established relationship.
He stressed that for Journalists to rise to the occasion in a world of Social Media dominated journalism, there must be training and retraining of practitioners, adding that he believes in robust debates especially the ones anchored by professional journalists.
The renowned Don equally urged NUJ to deal with the Directorate of Ceremonial, Information and Public Relations for more updates on terms of working synergies and partnerships.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Union in the state, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu, who led the delegation had told the VC, that the essence of the visit was to familiarize with the VC and his management team as well as establish partnership on programmes and policies of the Institution, with regards to publicity and information management.
The Chairman said that the advent of social media had taken a toll on journalism, adding that for true professionals to remain relevant and valuable in the system, there ought to be training and retraining of practitioners.
Ikeogwu, requested for the assistance of the VC in this regard, while promising to synergize with the academic institution in terms of adequate coverage of its activities and mutual media relationship.