Get Guardian on GoogleThe Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Lagos State University, Prof. Jide Jimoh and the Head of Department, Mass Communication, at Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Dr. Olorunyomi Omolara, have commended the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) for its commitment to promoting practical journalism education through its publication, ‘Truth, Trust and the Future of Journalism in Nigeria’, describing the book as a significant initiative aimed at bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical experience in journalism.
The duo, in their separate remarks, gave the commendations while receiving copies of the book in their respective offices presented by the Vice President (West) of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Dr. Kabir Alabi Garba.
Receiving copies of the book, Jimoh, described the publication as a valuable resource that would enrich teaching, research and knowledge acquisition.
He reaffirmed the faculty’s commitment to the town-and-gown relationship, noting that some lecturers are already undertaking their sabbaticals in the industry.
“In this faculty, we value town-and-gown relationship. Some of our lecturers are actually going into the industry for a year sabbatical,” he said.
Similarly, Omolara said that the efforts reflect the Guild’s commitment to strengthening journalism education through the publication which aims to strengthen collaboration between academia and the media industry.
She said: “We appreciate the Nigerian Guild of Editors for remembering us and recognising the fact that there is a gap between the classroom and the industry. The fact that our students are coming into the industry makes it necessary for us to address this gap and ensure that they meet professional expectations.”.
She said the Guild’s practical engagements with students had complemented the efforts of lecturers by exposing them to industry-related activities and equipping them with essential skills required for professional practice.
According to her, the collaboration would also discourage students from relying solely on classroom instruction without making personal efforts to acquire practical experience.
“If you are hiding in the college, there is no way you can hide when you get into the industry. Our work is teamwork, and students must understand that they need to practise individually, even when they are involved in group assignments,” she stated.
While appreciating the Guild for its partnership and support, Omolara called for more engagements between the NGE and the institution to strengthen the relationship between journalism educators and industry practitioners.
She, however, appealed to the Guild to give the institution adequate advance notice when organising programmes involving students, noting that differences in academic calendars and unforeseen disruptions sometimes affect their ability to participate.
In his brief introductory remarks, the Vice President West of the Guild said that publication was borne out of the Guild’s observation of bridging the gap between the industry and classroom, adding that it aggregates contributions from both academia and practising journalists.
He added that the Guild aims to make the book available to many departments of Mass Communication across Nigerian universities
Garba, however, urged the institution to reserve July 23 on their annual calendars, noting that the Guild observes the date in honour of its first president, the late Lateef Jakande, whose birthday falls on that day.
